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2023 Season

Balkan Discovery

cruise: WBOB
9 Day River Cruise Budapest to Bucharest
Experience the extraordinary destinations of Eastern Europe on this Danube River cruise adventure through the Balkans. You’ll cruise through the rich landscapes and cultural locales of Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Embark on your Avalon Suite Ship® in Budapest, the lively Hungarian capital, and cruise to Pécs, where you’ll visit underground burial chambers with fascinating murals, now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a fascinating guided tour of the Serbian capital of Belgrade, one of the oldest cities in Europe, where the Sava River meets the Danube. Cruise through the dramatic views of Iron Gates Gorge—a natural border between Serbia and Romania. Visit Bulgaria’s Belogradchik, and see the fascinating rock formations sculpted by natural elements for over 200 million years. On an excursion to the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo, you’ll visit Arbanassi’s Church of the Nativity, housing an impressive collection of frescoes.

To round out this timeless Eastern European river cruise, you’ll stay in Romania’s vibrant capital of Bucharest, known as the “Paris of the East.” A local expert will show you many of its historical treasures, such as the Arc de Triomphe, built in honor of WWI soldiers.

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 water-mill or walk 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 walk with your Adventure Host; scenic 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 walk with your Adventure Host

Day 7 Rousse-Excursion to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi: Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevet's Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and to the Ethnographical 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)-Bucharest: Guided sightseeing in Bucharest

Day 9 Bucharest: Your vacation ends this morning

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.

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.