Overview
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. Sail into beautiful Croatia, enjoy a guided sightseeing in Vukovar and discover Ilok with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition. 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 a read morelso 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.
The lively pedestrian boulevard of Knez Mihailova is dotted with charming cafés and historical buildings. You’ll a read morelso 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.
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Our Price From
A$6,046 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $2,667 per person
Trip Length
11 Days
Trip Starts
Budapest
Trip Ends
Bucharest
Departures
Cruise Ship
5 Trip Reviews
Passengers
166
Crew
47
Launched
2016
Cruise Code
WBOE
Rivers Sailed
Itinerary
Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Budapest must arrive by 2pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5pm.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VUKOVAR
Included Meals:
Dinner
History and Beer.
Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
- Discovery: Join a Guided Walking Tour to discover the heritage, culture, and tradition of Vukovar and enjoy a beer tasting, OR:
- Classic: Join a Guided City Tour to discover the captivating culture and tradition of Vukovar and learn about its rich history and heritage.
Enjoy a brief cruise to Ilok while having lunch onboard. ILOK, CROATIA History and Culture in Croatia.
- Classic: Join a Guided tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old wine making traditions still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage. Refresh your spirit with a wine tasting in a local cellar and hear the stories of culture and tradition in the natural beauty of Eastern Croatia, OR:
- Active: Explore more of Croatia on a Guided Bike Tour along Ilok's city walls, into the central church, and the towns' museum on your way to Principovac Castle and Estate.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NOVI SAD
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Athens of Serbia.
- 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 Guided Hike Tour to the Petrovaradin part of the town. Located on the right bank of the Danube, across from the main part of Novi Sad, this area will amaze you for its scenic views, OR:
- Discovery: Get to learn more about the beekeeper profession on this Guided Tour of Novi Sad by stopping at the Honey Museum and by tasting local honey specialties.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fortresses and Folklore
- 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.
- Discovery: Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states.
Spend your free time exploring the city on your own this afternoon on Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade's central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots. This evening, you might like to join an Optional Excursion for an authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GOLUBAČ
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ancient Artifacts and and the Iron Gates
- 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 for defense in the Middle Ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Ottoman Empire. Continue to the Mesolithic archaeological site of Lepenski Vir with unique views of the Danube Gorge.
Sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge—a natural border between Serbia and Romania.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rocks, Ruins and Balkan Beauty.
- Active: Join your Adventure Host for a bike tour around the city, OR:
- Classic: Join Guided Sightseeing to Baba Vida Fortress, followed by a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. Marvel at the remarkable rock formations on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of natural elements, OR:
- Discovery: Discover more than two centuries of a proud family history of Bulgarian winemaking with a tour and tasting at a local winery. Here, you'll enjoy a wine tasting in the cellars.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fortresses and Folklore.
- Active: Explore Rousse's old town by bike with your Adventure Host, 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 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. Later, enjoy a short scenic drive to explore the rock - hewn churches of Ivanovo, a UNESCO World Heritage.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OLTENITA
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Disembark your ship and transfer to Bucharest.
- Classic: Take a Guided Tour of the Romanian capital city of Bucharest with its tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe—honoring WWI Romanian soldiers. See the Royal Palace Square—the scene of the city's 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
After the visit drive to Brasov for the night.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner
Transylvania Tales
- Classic: Enjoy a Guided Tour of Brasov and admire its gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture.
In the evening, depart for Bran Castle of Dracula lore.
- Classic: Take a Guided Tour of Bran Castle—the 1377 legendary home of the famed Romanian vampire, followed by a dinner in this amazing location.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner
The “Paris of the East.”
- Classic: Enjoy a Guided Tour of Visit Peles Castle, the summer residence of the royal family until 1947.
Drive out the Carpathians to Bucharest; On the way, enjoy a local lunch. 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.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Life On Board
One of our favourite sayings that describes Avalon Waterways is ‘the possibilities are as wide open as the views’. From Europe to the Galapagos and Asia, you can cruise in relaxed luxury with Avalon Waterways, with choices as unique as you. Avalon offers you a range of choices from excursions, dining more options, activities that help you tailor your experience.
Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
Avalon Passion
Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships. Read more
Our Vision. Your View.
With the only Open-Air Balconies in river cruising, experience Europe with a view like no other in a Panorama Suite. Read more
Exclusive Meets Inclusive
Avalon features all the right inclusions which compliment your luxurious river cruise experience. Read more
Avalon Choice
Personalise your cruise to make it your own with Avalon Choice. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more
Active & Discovery
Avalon's Active & Discovery river cruises offer activities for travellers with varying interests & for all energy and fitness levels. Read more
From View to Table
Savour regional cuisine and familiar favourites using the freshest local ingredients throughout your river cruise. Read more
River Cruise Reviews (5)
Great tour 1
Felicity, NSW, Australia, Sep 2019
Easy booking online, lovely crew, interesting places, and the food was great. Don’t arrive in Budapest too early as days off the ship were 3 prior to embarkation.
Balkan Discovery with Burcharest Extension 2
Patricia & John, QLD, Australia, Apr 2018
We chose Avalon because of our previous wonderful trips and we weren't disappointed. The food was incredible, the service outstanding, and our suite excellent. We visited countries of Europe we hadn't been to before and really enjoyed the experience. The extension was a great trip to end our cruise.
Our booking was arranged by Madeline from Global read more Journeys. We found Madeline to be very professional, friendly and extremely helpful.
Our booking was arranged by Madeline from Global read more Journeys. We found Madeline to be very professional, friendly and extremely helpful.
Thoroughly enjoyable and educational river cruise through the Balkins 4
David, VIC, Australia, Sep 2017
A wonderful trip Budapest to Bucharest with a side trip to Transylvania. Thoroughly enjoyed all included and additional excursions. A great of guests from various countries, the majority middle aged and older. One error in the cruise documentation was that the Euro would be accepted in all countries visited, this was not the case and we required read more local currency in all the countries visited, I'm sure Avalon will rectify this.
Enjoyable and fascinating holiday through the Balkans 6
Neville & Phil, NSW, Australia, Jun 2017
Overall the cruise from Budapest to Bucharest with extension to Brasov was enjoyable. Pick up from Budapest to hotel was on time and courteous. Accommodation at Sofitel in Budapest was excellent and breakfast choices excellent. Having to obtain our own lunches and dinners for 2 days was inconvenient. Checkout at 11 am and no program for 4 1/2 hours, read more with no accommodation and luggage was extremely inconvenient. Stopover in Cetate with presentation/entertainment by owner was fascinating and locally made product tasting was delicious. Accommodation and breakfast at Athenee Palace Hilton was excellent.
The breakfast, lunches and dinners on the river cruise were good, but lacked variety and missing local food fare, basically menus remain unchanged from day to day and any changes were minor. Chef's presentations were average. fish selections poor- overcooked and not very tasty.
Crew on board were helpful but some not very friendly and warm. The cruise director provided scant information on the tours and had to be coerced to provide basic information i.e. duration, ease of walking, lunch options etc. Entertainment on board was boring particularly detailed historical facts on the countries were were visiting. Musical performance only 1 presented and very amateurish. Shore tours covered mainly palaces, fortresses, museums, castles, the excursion to Pecs was the best tour. Most tours involved walking over uneven surfaces and steep hills especially for seniors and over 60's, as a result we had to forgo some tours. Global journeys could improve on their customer service. (GJ: Ouch)
The breakfast, lunches and dinners on the river cruise were good, but lacked variety and missing local food fare, basically menus remain unchanged from day to day and any changes were minor. Chef's presentations were average. fish selections poor- overcooked and not very tasty.
Crew on board were helpful but some not very friendly and warm. The cruise director provided scant information on the tours and had to be coerced to provide basic information i.e. duration, ease of walking, lunch options etc. Entertainment on board was boring particularly detailed historical facts on the countries were were visiting. Musical performance only 1 presented and very amateurish. Shore tours covered mainly palaces, fortresses, museums, castles, the excursion to Pecs was the best tour. Most tours involved walking over uneven surfaces and steep hills especially for seniors and over 60's, as a result we had to forgo some tours. Global journeys could improve on their customer service. (GJ: Ouch)
Excellent trip 2
Jill Jones, Australia, May 2012
Avalon Budapest to Bucharest + Extension. Excellent trip. The boat was beautiful, staff excellent, food good. The pace was not relaxed, but the standard of guides was excellent and gave an excellent view of the history of the region. The hand-out sheets were very informative. A little more time between returning from excursions and dinner would have read more beeen nicer. The hotels in Budapest and Bucharest were excellent and Avalon had tied in our private booking at the hotel in Budapest with theirs so check-in was seamless. We would travel with Avalon again.
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Avalon River Cruises (2026)
At Avalon, we are redefining river cruising by charting a different course than the big ships - no crowded tourist ports
or rushed schedules, just immersive journeys that keep you in the heart of each destination. Our modern Suite Ships sail
the world’s legendary rivers and waterways, placing you just steps from vibrant cities, charming villages, more and breathtaking scenery. Wake to Vienna at your doorstep, watch Budapest sparkle at night, or take in 360-degree views of the Rhine Gorge and Wachau Valley from the Sky Deck. Cycle through Cologne or Paris, savour fine cuisine in Lyon, or sample sweets in Linz, then retreat to your spacious suite without missing a moment.
From Southeast Asia and Egypt to the Amazon and Galápagos, Avalon offers a front-row seat to the world’s most extraordinary places—all while unpacking once. Backed by nearly a century of Swiss heritage, we infuse precision, care, and timeless craftsmanship into every journey. Welcome aboard the wideopen wonder of Avalon. Your journey begins here.
or rushed schedules, just immersive journeys that keep you in the heart of each destination. Our modern Suite Ships sail
the world’s legendary rivers and waterways, placing you just steps from vibrant cities, charming villages, more and breathtaking scenery. Wake to Vienna at your doorstep, watch Budapest sparkle at night, or take in 360-degree views of the Rhine Gorge and Wachau Valley from the Sky Deck. Cycle through Cologne or Paris, savour fine cuisine in Lyon, or sample sweets in Linz, then retreat to your spacious suite without missing a moment.
From Southeast Asia and Egypt to the Amazon and Galápagos, Avalon offers a front-row seat to the world’s most extraordinary places—all while unpacking once. Backed by nearly a century of Swiss heritage, we infuse precision, care, and timeless craftsmanship into every journey. Welcome aboard the wideopen wonder of Avalon. Your journey begins here.
Dates & Pricing
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22 Aug 2026
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01 Sep 2026
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Bucharest
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Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Avalon. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Avalon. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
