Duration: 8 Days
Every great story answers the five “Ws” – the who, what, when, where, and why. An Avalon Active & Discovery cruise puts the emphasis on the how. By offering the most diverse selection of interactive experiences along the Lower Danube – from lively biking and hiking tours to lovely food and wine encounters, an Active & Discovery cruise from Serbia to Romania lets you choose how to immerse yourself in the history, heritage, and hospitality of this captivating region.
Formidable medieval fortresses, bustling town squares, lush national parks, and mysterious archeological sites are amplified with our extensive menu of Classic, Discovery, and Active excursions throughout Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. The beauty of the Balkans meets the beauty of choice on an Active & Discovery cruise.
Move.
Enjoy a little get-up-and-go on your cruising holiday when you:
- Trek up to Ivanovo Rock Church and marvel at the monolithic chapels and monasteries built inside the mountains.
- Hike through the extraordinary natural beauty of Djerdap National Park followed by a tasting of local specialties.
- Pedal from WWII to today on a historic bicycling tour through the waterfront capital of Belgrade.
And Be Moved.
Get off the beaten path and relish the world when you:
- Savour the views of the Danube Gorge from Lepenski Vir—a Mesolithic archaeological site chronicling prehistoric cultures, settlements, and art.
- Witness the ancient stone houses clinging to the cliffs above the Yantra River in the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo.
- In Vidin, taste various labels produced by a local well-known winery, all accompanied by local snacks and symphonic music.
Plus, Classic sightseeing is always available in every port along the way.
Activate your senses and discover a world of wonder in all-new, entirely “you” ways on your personal, passion-packed cruise on the Danube from Croatia to Romania.
Welcome to Serbia! Your Balkan Adventure Begins
Flights into Belgrade must arrive by 3:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Explore your Avalon Suite Ship this evening and enjoy a dinner on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BELGRADE (B,D)
Fortresses and Folklore
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
ACTIVE - Get a real taste of Serbia on this guided bike tour focusing on the history of Belgrade, from WWII to today, OR:
DISCOVERY - Go way beyond the ordinary, and get to know Belgrade through its remarkable people and innovative minds, 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.
Spend free time in Belgrade exploring Knez Mihailova Street-Belgrade's central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafes, shops, and cultural spots. You might consider partaking one of the Optional Excursion available.
DISCOVERY - Before dinner, attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states.
This evening, you might like to join an Optional Excursion for an authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GOLUBAC (B,L,D)
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.
Enjoy a brief sailing to Donji Milanovac.
DONJI MILANOVAC
Prehistoric Stones and Iron Gates Gorge
ACTIVE - Enjoy this scenic hike through Djerdap National Park and stop along the way to taste some local specialties before returning to your Avalon ship, OR:
DISCOVERY - 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, OR:
CLASSIC - Join a guided tour of Donji Milanovac and learn the basic of the Cyrillic Serbian alphabet inside the local primary school. Meet locals and get to know the art of crocheting while learning about the history of this little Serbian town.
Sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge-a natural border between Serbia and Romania.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN (B,L,D)
Rocks, Ruins and Beauty in Bulgaria
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
ACTIVE - Enjoy a panoramic trek on the rocky landscape of Belogradchik. OR:
DISCOVERY - Get to learn everything about the production technologies of the Bulgarian wines and enjoy a tasting of the various labels produced by a local well-known winery. All accompanied by local snacks and symphonic music. OR:
CLASSIC - Join Guided Sightseeing in Vidin, visit to Baba Vida Fortress, Bulgaria's only completely preserved medieval castle.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE (B,L,D)
Cliff Houses and Revival Architecture
ACTIVE - Join your expert local guide on this spectacular hike to Ivanovo Rock Church. Marvel at the monolithic churches, chapels and monasteries built inside the mountains will surprise you with their fascinating and unique style. OR:
DISCOVERY - 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 the Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi, OR:
CLASSIC - Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria's largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church.
EVENING/ OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO FETESTI (B,L,D)
Natural History at Black Sea
Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
Enjoy a leisurely sailing morning.
ACTIVE - Explore the extraordinary natural beauty of Fantanita Nature Reserve with a hike and wine tasting at nearby Murfatlar vineyards, OR:
DISCOVERY - Enjoy a visit to a local winery to learn about traditional Romanian wines with a tasting, OR:
CLASSIC - Join a Guided Tour to Constanta, the most important commercial centre in Romania, situated on the Black Sea. Visit the Natural History and Archeological Museum to discover the fascinating history of early Romanian cultures.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OLTENITA (B,L,D)
A Night in Bucharest-the "Paris of the East"
Disembark your ship this morning and travel to Bucharest.
ACTIVE - Pedal your way through some of the most picturesque parks and spacious boulevards of Bucharest on this guided bike tour of the Romanian capital's northern district, OR:
DISCOVERY - Discover the joie de vivre of Romanian cuisine - a tasty hodge-podge of Balkan, Ottoman, French, and Russian influences. OR:
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.
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. Alternatively, enjoy one of the Optional Excursions on offer. (B)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
