A Journey That Changes with the Seasons. From the energy of summer to the softer rhythms of fall and spring, this iconic journey on the Danube reveals something special in every season. Depending on when you sail, you may visit a traditional farm to learn about its heritage and sample local, fresh products. Enjoy the same route, revealed through the unique lens of the season you set sail.
Itinerary
Your Balkan Adventure Begins
Flights into Bucharest must arrive by 2 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Explore your Avalon Suite Ship® this evening and enjoy a dinner onboard.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE
Fortresses and Fountains in “Little Vienna”
- Active: Join a bike tour in Rousse with your Avalon Adventure Host, 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, 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.
Sail to Svistov or join your ship there if you opted for the full-day tour.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN
Rocks, Ruins, and Balkan Beauty
Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
- Active: Join your Adventure Host on a hike to Baba Vida Fortress, OR:
- Classic: Join Guided Sightseeing Tour to the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains and marvel at Belogradchik's stunning rock formations, 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. Following, explore the nearby port town Vidin on a Guided Sightseeing.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC
Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates
This morning, 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. Continue to the Fortress of Golubač, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE
Fortresses and Folklore.
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
- Active: Join a Guided Bike Tour along the Danube and explore the nooks and crannies of Belgrade, 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.
You may choose to 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
A Capital of Culture.
- Active: Join your Adventure Host on a Hike to the Petrovaradin part of the town, OR:
- Discovery: Experience the sweet life in Serbia with a visit and tasting at the Museum of Beekeeping and Živanović Wine Cellar in Sremski Karlovci, OR:
- 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.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ILOK
Croatian Heritage and Hilltop Vintages.
- 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, OR:
- Discovery: 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.
Enjoy a short sailing to Vukovar during lunchtime.
VUKOVAR, CROATIA The Heroic Town on the Danube.
- Discovery: Join a Guided Walking Tour to discover the heritage, culture, and tradition of Vukovar and enjoy a beer tasting, OR:
- Classic: Enjoy a walking tour of Vukovar, the city the largest river port in Croatia.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING CRUISE TO BAJA
Underground Tombs and Heavenly Music.
- Classic: Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mohács—the quiet Danube harbor town with its historical memorial parks, statues, and distinctive churches. Tour the remarkable medieval St. Nicholas Watermill—one of only a few remaining watermills performing stone-ground grain processing, OR:
- 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/EVENING CRUISE TO BUDAPEST
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Budapest airport before 8 am.
Life On Board
Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships. Read more
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 complement 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
River Cruise Reviews (4)
It is a very different read more trip to say doing the Romantic Rhine, as the scenery isn't as magnificent, but it was like stepping back in time, with some of the places we visited and made you realise how lucky we are. It wasn't an over busy or full on tour each day, so a nice leisurely place. Our Tour Director was fantastic and nothing was a problem.
Our hotels that we stayed in before and after the cruise were great and we found finishing with Budapest was the icing on the cake. We were lucky with having a variety of different ages and nationalities on our trip, so it was a lot of fun. Hannah from Global Journeys made our booking very easy and was a pleasure to deal with. Thanks so much Hannah.
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Avalon River Cruises (2027)
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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.
