Your beer-themed European adventure begins with two nights in Germany’s capital, Berlin! A local expert will show you the major sites, such as the restored Reichstag building and the elegant Kurfürstendamm. See the Holocaust Memorial and be sure to get a photo at the famous Brandenburg Gate—one of Germany’s best-known landmarks. Then, travel to Dresden, known for its baroque architecture and historical buildings badly damaged during WWII, but restored to their former glory.

Continue to Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. Guided sightseeing shows you its best-known treasures and you’ll go on a guided pub crawl to taste the famous local beers. See the Astronomical Clock, Hradcany Castle, and St. Vitus Cathedral. Stroll across Charles Bridge, shop for hand-cut crystal, and mix with the locals on Wenceslas Square. Regensburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities and architecture lovers will delight in the treasures it has to offer. Guided sightseeing will show you the Old Town Hall, the Porta Pretoria—gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD—and many mansions with high towers denoting the status and wealth of their early owners. Enjoy a tasting of local sausages before heading to Deggendorf where your river cruise journey begins. A beer expert will join you on board for tastings, a food and beer-pairing dinner, and interesting lectures. Passau, Germany, is called the “City of Three Rivers” as it lies at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. Explore the city with a Local Guide and admire the Patrician houses and baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Linz, Austria, offers the Hauptplatz, Austria’s largest medieval square which forms the center of the city. Enjoy the magnificent views as your river cruise takes you through the picturesque wine region of Wachau Valley. In Dürnstein, visit the famous blue and white Stiftskirche and taste some of the local wines. Vienna, the “City of Music,” makes an immediate impression with its lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace and neo-renaissance Vienna Opera House. In Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, a guided walk takes you through the delightful Old Town and to the gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral.

In Budapest, the vibrant capital of Hungary, see the must-see sights with a local expert, stroll along the main shopping street of Váci utca, or take pictures from Fishermen’s Bastion, which provides the best panoramic views of Budapest.

City Highlights

Day 1 Berlin, Germany: welcome to Berlin. Day 2 Berlin: guided sightseeing, see the Brandenburg Gate, visit Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial ChurchDay 3 Berlin – Dresden – Prague, Czech Republic: guided walk in Dresden, visit the courtyard of the Zwinger Palace; motorcoach transfer to Prague.Day 4 Prague: guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit Hradčany Castle grounds; guided Pub CrawlDay 5 Prague–Regensburg, Germany–Deggendorf (Embarkation): travel by motorcoach to Regensburg, guided sightseeing; special treat; transfer to Deggendorf; onboard welcome receptionDay 6 Passau: guided walk; visit Aldersbach BreweryDay 7 Linz, Austria: guided sightseeing; onboard Food and Beer Pairing DinnerDay 8 Melk–Dürnstein: guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; cruise through the Wachau Valley; guided walk in DürnsteinDay 9 Vienna: guided sightseeing; visit Ottakringer family brewery; local pubs tour accompanied by your beer expertDay 10 Bratislava: on board beer lecture; guided sightseeing, visit St. Martin’s CathedralDay 11 Budapest: guided sightseeing, see Fishermen’s Bastion and Heroes’ SquareDay 12 Budapest (Disembarkation): your vacation ends this morning

PRODUCT_LINE: AVALON-WDBE-T1-2018