Duration: 11 Days
Begin your exciting European holiday with one night in Bucharest, Romania, before embarking on your river cruise along the beautiful Danube River to Budapest, Hungary. Take in the sights in Bucharest, known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and historical treasures. See the sights here, including the Arc de Triomphe—built in honor of WWI soldiers—and the historical Royal Palace Square.
Enjoy guided sightseeing in Constanta and Bulgaria’s ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo, and visit the Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi. Take pictures of Belogradchik’s eclectic group of rock formations and the spectacular views as you cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge. Visit Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Continue up the Danube and take an excursion to the ancient city of Pécs, Hungary. These and countless other memorable moments await you on this fascinating Danube River cruise through Eastern Europe.
Welcome to Bucharest-The "Paris of the East"
The day is yours to relax and enjoy Bucharest. Spend some free time exploring this fascinating city on your own to discover its trendy shops, cafes, museums, beautiful homes, and churches along Victory Avenue.
Beautiful Boulevards and Bold History
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the Romanian capital city of Bucharest with its tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe-honouring WWI Romanian soldiers. See the Royal Palace Square-the scene of the city's 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
Travel to Oltenita to board your Avalon Suite Ship this afternoon.
OLTENITA (EMBARKATION)
Your Balkan Adventure Begins
Explore your Avalon Suite Ship this evening and enjoy a dinner onboard.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CERNAVODA (B,D)
Romania's Cultural Legacies
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to Constanta, the most important commercial centre in Romania, situated on the Black Sea. Visit the Natural History and Archaeological Museum to discover the history of early Romanian cultures.
DISCOVERY Enjoy a visit to a local winery to learn about traditional Romanian wines with a tasting.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE (B,L,D)
Fortresses and Fountains in "Little Vienna"
ACTIVE Explore Rousse's old town by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria's largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church.
Sail to Svistov, OR:
CLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo-with its ancient stone houses clinging to the cliffs above the Yantra River. Discover one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria (circa 4300 BC), as well as Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi.
Later, join your ship in Svistov.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN (B,L,D)
Rocks, Ruins and Balkan Beauty
Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
ACTIVE Wander and discover this town, join your Adventure Host for a bike ride around town, OR:
CLASSIC Join Guided Sightseeing in Vidin, followed by a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. See the remarkable rock formations on the slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of nature's elements.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC (B,L,D)
Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates
Before lunch on board, you'll sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge-forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania.
ACTIVE Stretch your legs, ease your mind and enjoy a walk lead by your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to Lepenski Vir-an important Mesolithic archaeological site chronicling prehistoric cultures, settlements, and art. Marvel at the ancient discoveries and artifacts, as well as the unique views the site affords of the Danube Gorge.
Enjoy a brief sailing to Golubac.
GOLUBAC
A Formidable Fortress
CLASSIC Visit the Fortress of Golubac, one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. You'll hear about its tumultuous history as a border control defence in the Middle Ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy and the Ottoman Empire.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE (B,L,D)
Fortresses and Folklore
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
ACTIVE Discover Belgrade's central walkway with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade-where the Danube and Sava Rivers converge-and see the city's many fascinating sights, including Saint Sava, one of the world's largest Orthodox churches.
You may choose to join an Optional Guided Biking tour or spend free time in Belgrade exploring Knez Mihailova Street-Belgrade's central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafes, shops, and cultural spots.
DISCOVERY Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NOVI SAD (B,L,D)
A Capital of Culture
ACTIVE Get your daily dose of exercise, join your Adventure Host on this walk in and around town, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Novi Sad, the second largest town in Serbia. Admire its Austro-Hungarian old town, with its baroque buildings, and ancient fortifications.
ACTIVE Enjoy a walking tour in Novi Sad along the narrow streets that climb slowly to the top of the hill above the city to Petrovaradin Fortress, OR:
DISCOVERY Experience the sweet life in Serbia with a visit and tasting at the Museum of Beekeeping and Zivanovic Wine Cellar in Sremski Karlovci.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ILOK (B,L,D)
Croatian Heritage and Hilltop Vintages
DISCOVERY Take a walking tour of Ilok with a wine tasting in a local cellar with stories of Croatian tradition.
VUKOVAR, CROATIA
The Heroic Town on the Danube
CLASSIC Enjoy a walking tour of Vukovar, the city the largest river port in Croatia.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHACS (B,L,D)
Underground Tombs and Heavenly Music
CLASSIC Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mohacs-the quiet Danube harbour town with its historical memorial parks, statues, and distinctive churches. Tour the remarkable medieval St. Nicholas Watermill-one of only a few remaining watermills performing stone-ground grain processing, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour to nearby Pecs to see its 4th-century Christian underground tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with fascinating murals. You'll also enjoy an organ concert on your tour.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B,L,D)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Budapest airport before 8 am. (B)
