Active & Discovery on the Danube from Serbia to the Black Sea
Overview
Itinerary
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 (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 cafés, 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 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.
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.
- 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. These 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: Hike your way through the beautiful Romanian landscapes to visit a local winery, OR:
- Discovery: Enjoy the visit at 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 FETESTI (B/L/D)
A Night in Bucharest - the "Paris of the East"
Disembark your ship this morning and travel to Bucharest.
- Active: Take a guided natural walk in the Vacaresti Nature Park. Also known as Urban Delta, this wetland is home to more than 150 different species of birds and small mammals. Enjoy this green get away and learn more about this special green area located only 4km away from the centre of Romania's capital, Bucharest. 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)
Life Onboard
Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships.
With the only Open-Air Balconies in river cruising, experience Europe with a view like no other in a Panorama Suite. Read more
Avalon features all the right inclusions which compliment your luxurious river cruise experience. Read more
Personalise your cruise to make it your own with Avalon Choice. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more
Avalon's Active & Discovery river cruises offer activities for travellers with varying interests & for all energy and fitness levels. Read more
Savour regional cuisine and familiar favourites using the freshest local ingredients throughout your river cruise. Read more
Deck Plans
Category E
Category D
Category B
Category A
Category P
Cabins
Deluxe Stateroom (Cat. E & D)
- Deluxe Stateroom (172 sq ft)
- Twin Windows
- Comfort Collection Bed with Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, woolen blankets & European style duvets
- Private bathroom featuring full shower, hairdryer & premium L'Occitane bath amentities
- Spacious three-door closets and easy under-bed luggage storage
- Flatscreen satellite with movie channel
- In-room safe, writing Desk/Vanity & direct-dial telephone
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access
- Individual thermostat
- Bathrobes & slippers
Panorama Suite (Cat. B, A & P)
- Wall-to-wall Panoramic Window measuring 11'- 50% larger than industry standard (200 sq ft)
- Wall-to-wall Panoramic Window opens to transform the living space into a large Open-Air-Balcony
- Open-Air-Balcony with spacious sitting area
- Comfort Collection Bed with Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, woolen blankets & European style duvets
- Private bathroom featuring full shower, hairdryer & premium L'Occitane bath amentities
- Spacious three-door closets and easy under-bed luggage storage
- Flatscreen satellite with movie channel
- In-room safe, writing Desk/Vanity & direct-dial telephone
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access
- Individual thermostat
- Bathrobes & slippers
Royal Suite
- Wall-to-wall Panoramic Window measuring 11'- 50% larger than industry standard (300 sq ft)
- Wall-to-wall Panoramic Window opens to transform the living space into a large Open-Air-Balcony
- Open-Air-Balcony with spacious sitting area
- Comfort Collection Bed with Egyptian super-combed cotton linens, woolen blankets & European style duvets
- Private bathroom featuring full shower, hairdryer & premium L'Occitane bath amentities
- Spacious three-door closets and easy under-bed luggage storage
- Flatscreen satellite with movie channel
- In-room safe, writing Desk/Vanity & direct-dial telephone
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access
- Individual thermostat
- Bathrobes & slippers
Brochure
Avalon River Cruises (2023-24)
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time 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 Avalon. These 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.
