2022 Season

Balkan Discovery with 2 Nights in Transylvania

cruise: WBOE
11 Day River Cruise Budapest to Bucharest
See the highlights of Eastern Europe on this Danube River cruise adventure through the Balkans! This vacation has something for everybody—relaxing time on your ship and stops in the most fascinating cities, with free time and guided sightseeing. On an excursion to Pécs, Hungary, you’ll visit underground burial chambers with fascinating murals, now part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, is one of the oldest cities in Europe, where the Sava River meets the Danube. The lively pedestrian boulevard of Knez Mihailova is dotted with charming cafés and historical buildings. You’ll also see St. Sava, the world’s largest Orthodox Church. Cruise through the dramatic views of Iron Gates Gorge, marvel at Belogradchik’s fascinating rock formations, and visit the fortress in Bulgaria’s ancient capital of Veliko Târnovo. In Arbanassi, visit the Church of the Nativity, housing an impressive collection of frescoes.

This timeless European vacation continues with a stay in Romania’s vibrant capital of Bucharest, the “Paris of the East.” A local expert will show you many of its historical treasures, such as the Arc de Triomphe. Travel to Transylvania to visit Bran Castle—of Dracula lore—the city of Brasov, and beautiful Peles Castle.

cruise

at-a-glance

Day 1 Budapest (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception

Day 2 Mohács. Excursion to Pécs: Choice of guided tour in Pécs, visit the underground tombs, or sightseeing in Mohács, visit St. Nicolas watermill or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 3 Ilok-Novi Sad: Ilok guided tour; choice of Novi Sad guided tour or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 4 Belgrade: Choice of guided tour or walk with your Adventure Host; on board lecture

Day 5 Golubac-Donji Milanovac-Iron Gates: Visit to Golubač fortress; choice of visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site or bike with your Adventure Host; cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge

Day 6 Vidin. Excursion to Belogradchik: Choice of guided tour in Vidin, excursion to Belogradchik, see the rock formations or hike with your Adven-ture Host

Day 7 Rousse-Excursion to Veliko Târnovo and Arbanassi: Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevet's Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and to the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, or a guided sightseeing in Rousse, or a walk in the park with your Adventure Host

Day 8 Oltenita (Disembarkation)-Brasov: Transfer to Bucharest, guided sightseeing

Day 9 Brasov: Brasov guided tour; visit Bran Castle

Day 10 Brasov-Sinaia-Bucharest: Visit Peles Castle

Day 11 Bucharest: Your vacation ends this morning

Avalon Choice

Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. Plus, we offer independent exploration options and the use of our exclusive AvalonGO APP on most of our cruises. 

Below are 3 types of included shore excursions for you to experience.

notes

  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.