6 nights · Wien, Austria · River cruise · Departs Vienna (Austria) · Visiting Melk, Grein, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg · Aboard Avalon Waterways on the Avalon Tranquility II
Image courtesy of Avalon Waterways ©
This river cruise sails the Danube and Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, departing Vienna.
| Cruise line | Avalon Waterways |
|---|---|
| Ship | Avalon Tranquility II |
| Duration | 6 nights |
| Port calls | 6 |
| Departures | 2 sailings |
| From fare | $3,715 per person |
| Year built | 2015 |
| Guests | 130 |
| Cabins | 65 |
| Crew | 37 |
| Length | 110 m |
| Beam | 12 m |
| Cruising speed | 12.0 kn |
Arrive in Vienna by river and give the city more than a passing glance. Its imperial centre rewards a slow walk, from St Stephen’s Cathedral to the grand Ringstrasse boulevards. Set aside time for Schönbrunn Palace, once the Habsburgs’ summer residence, or choose the Kunsthistorisches Museum for its remarkable collections. Then take a seat in a traditional coffeehouse; in Vienna, coffee and cake are part of the city’s daily ritual.
Melk stands at the western end of Austria’s Wachau, a UNESCO-listed Danube valley. Its vineyards, apricot orchards and medieval towns make the river journey especially rewarding. High above the water, Melk Abbey commands attention with its baroque church, imperial rooms and celebrated library. Founded as a Benedictine monastery in 1089, it remains active and ranks among Austria’s most memorable cultural landmarks.
Grein rests on the Danube beside the Strudengau, a river passage once feared by boatmen. Today, wooded hills and broad water frame a graceful, unhurried arrival. Above the old town, Greinburg Castle displays late-medieval architecture, decorated rooms, and an arcaded courtyard. Its Upper Austrian Maritime Museum explores the river’s importance; nearby, Grein’s 1791 theatre still stages performances. Explore compact lanes on foot, then pause at a riverside café before returning to the quay.
Passau sits where the Danube, Inn and Ilz meet, their contrasting waters framing one of Bavaria’s most handsome old towns. Walk its baroque lanes to St Stephen’s Cathedral, famed for its historic organ. From the fortress of Veste Oberhaus, rooftops and rivers unfold in a memorable view. Passau rewards a leisurely call: explore on foot, pause beside the water, and watch three waterways shape the city’s character.
Regensburg rewards a day on foot, with a remarkably intact medieval centre set beside the Danube. Cross the 12th-century Stone Bridge, then follow narrow lanes to the Gothic cathedral and the Old Town Hall. Roman foundations, merchant houses and riverside cafés reveal a city shaped by two millennia of trade. The UNESCO-listed centre feels lived in, not staged, and its compact scale leaves time for a Bavarian lunch.
Nuremberg is a city of striking contrasts, where medieval streets meet the history of twentieth-century Germany. Within its old walls, the Imperial Castle rises above timbered houses, churches and the Hauptmarkt. Visit St. Sebaldus Church, then explore the Documentation Center and former Nazi Party Rally Grounds for essential context. Allow time for local gingerbread and a walk across the Pegnitz, which divides the historic centre.
Published September 7, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
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