The Danube from the Black Sea to Budapest with 2 Nights in Transylvania & 1 Night in Budapest

14 Day River Cruise Bucharest to Budapest - July 23 - August 5, 2022


Vacation overview

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Begin your exciting vacation with a visit to Peles Castle in Sinaia, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. Continue with an excursion to Transylvania to enjoy guided sightseeing of Brasov and a visit to the Bran Castle of Dracula lore, believed to be the home of Romanian vampires. In Bucharest, Romania, known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and historical treasures, enjoy guided sightseeing and see the Arc de Triomphe—built in honor of WWI soldiers—and the historical Royal Palace Square. Your Danube River cruise will take you through the serene view of the Danube Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s guided sightseeing in Constanta and Bulgaria’s ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo. Visit the Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, and take pictures of Belogradchik’s rock formations and the spectacular scenery of the Iron Gates.

Visit Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Continue your cultural discoveries on an excursion to Pécs, Hungary, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are countless memorable moments on this fascinating river cruise through Eastern Europe, culminating in the unique energy of Budapest. A local expert introduces you to the must-see sights, such as Heroes’ Square.

 

Itinerary: 

Day 1   BUCHAREST, ROMANIA

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, cafés, museums, beautiful homes, and churches along Victory Avenue.

Day 2   BUCHAREST–SINAIA–BRASOV

Drive into the Carpathians to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle. This afternoon continue to Brasov for the night. 

Day 3   BRASOV

Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Brasov followed by free time. In the evening enjoy a tour of Bran Castle of Dracula lore followed by dinner. 

Day 4   BRASOV–BUCHAREST–CERNAVODA (EMBARKATION)

Join a Guided Excursion in Bucharest, see the Royal Palace Square—the scene of the city 's 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. 

Join your Avalon Suite Ship® this afternoon, for embarkation in Cernavoda.

DISCOVERY After dinner, attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the Danube Delta. 

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ST. GHEORGHE

Day 5   ST. GHEORGHE. EXCURSION TO THE DANUBE DELTA

A River’s Entrance into the Sea

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

CLASSIC Join a small-boat Guided Tour of the best preserved of Europe’s deltas-2,200 square miles of rivers, canals, marshes, tree-fringed lakes and reed islands. 

DISCOVERY Enjoy a Special Celebration to mark Kilometer “0”—the end of the Danube River’s 2,845 km journey—from the source in the Black Forest to its delta at the Black Sea. 

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO HÂRȘOVA

Day 6   HÂRȘOVA. EXCURSION TO CONSTANTA

Romania’s Cultural Legacies

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to Constanta, the most important commercial center in Romania, situated on the Black Sea. Visit the Natural History and Archeological Museum to discover the history of early Romanian cultures.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE

Day 7   ROUSSE, BULGARIA. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION

Fortresses and Fountains in “Little Vienna” 

CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church, OR: 

ACTIVE Join a walk through the park with your Avalon Adventure Host. 

Sail to Svistov, OR:

CLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo—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

Day 8   VIDIN

Rocks, ruins and Balkan Beauty

Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

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

Day 9   DONJI MILANOVAC, SERBIA–IRON GATES GORGE. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR

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. 

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 Golubač.

GOLUBAČ 

A Formidable Fortress

CLASSIC Visit the Fortress of Golubač, one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. You’ll hear about its tumultuous history as a border control defense in the Middle Ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy and the Ottoman Empire. 

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE

Day 10   BELGRADE

Fortresses and Folklore 

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

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 cafés, 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

Day 11   NOVI SAD

A Capital of Culture

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.

Enjoy a brief cruise to Ilok while having lunch onboard.

ILOK, CROATIA

Croatian Heritage and Hilltop Vintages

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS

Day 12   MOHÁCS, HUNGARY. EXCURSION TO PÉCS

Underground Tombs and Heavenly Music

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour to nearby Pécs 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

Day 13   BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)

The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe 

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing tour of Budapest, including the iconic Heroes’ Square. 

Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city’s cafés and pubs, or take a hike through the hills above the Danube.

Day 14   BUDAPEST

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.