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The Danube from Romania to Budapest

4.8/5 Based on 4 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Our Price From 4,864 Per Person
Exclusive Savings 2,243 Per Person
 Trip Length
9 Days
 Trip Starts
Oltenita
 Trip Finishes
Budapest
9 Day The Danube from Romania to Budapest Itinerary (Avalon)
Countries Explored: Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary
Cruise Line
Avalon
Ship
Departures
Passengers
166
Crew
47
Launched
2016
Cruise Code
WOB

Overview

Read 4 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Avalon's 9 Day The Danube from Romania to Budapest. Embark your river cruise along the beautiful Danube River to Budapest in Oltenita, Romania. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Bulgaria’s ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo, and visit the Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi. Take pictures of Belogradchik’s eclectic group of rock formations and the spectacular views as you cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge. Visit Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Continue...read more up the Danube and take an excursion to the ancient city of Pécs, Hungary. These and countless other memorable moments await you on this fascinating Danube River cruise through Eastern Europe.

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 (D)

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.

Sail to Svistov, OR:

  • Classic: 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 Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi.

Later, join your ship in Svistov.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN (B/L/D)

Rocks, ruins and Balkan Beauty

Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.

  • Active: Wander and discover this town, join your Adventure Host for a bike ride, OR:
  • Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. See the remarkable rock formations on the slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of nature's elements. Then, visit mighty Baba Vida Fortress in nearby Vidin.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC (B/L/D)

Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates

Before lunch on board, you'll sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge - forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania.

  • Active: Stretch your legs, ease your mind and enjoy a walk lead by your Adventure Host, OR:
  • 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.

Enjoy a brief sailing to Golubac.

GOLUBAC: A Formidable Fortress

  • Classic: Visit the Fortress of Golubac, 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.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE (B/L/D)

Fortresses and Folklore

Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.

  • 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.

You may choose to join an Optional Guided Biking tour or spend free time in Belgrade exploring Knez Mihailova Street - Belgrade's central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafes, 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 (B/L/D)

A Capital of Culture

  • Active: Get your daily dose of exercise, join your Adventure Host on this walk in and around town, 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.
  • Active: Enjoy a walking tour in Novi Sad along the narrow streets that climb slowly to the top of the hill above the city to Petrovaradin Fortress, OR:
  • Discovery: Experience the sweet life in Serbia with a visit and tasting at the Museum of Beekeeping and Zivanovic Wine Cellar in Sremski Karlovci.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ILOK (B/L/D)

Croatian Heritage and Hilltop Vintages

  • Discovery: Take a walking tour of Ilok with a wine tasting in a local cellar with stories of Croatian tradition.

Enjoy a short sailing to Vukovar during lunchtime.

VUKOVAR, CROATIA: The Heroic Town on the Danube

  • Classic: Enjoy a walking tour of Vukovar, the city the largest river port in Croatia.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHACS (B/L/D)

Underground Tombs and Heavenly Music

  • Classic: Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mohacs - the quiet Danube harbour 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 Pecs 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/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B/L/D)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Budapest airport before 8 am. (B)

Life Onboard

Avalon Illumination
Avalon Illumination

Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships.

Our Vision. Your View.
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
Exclusive Meets Inclusive

Avalon features all the right inclusions which compliment your luxurious river cruise experience. Read more

Avalon Choice
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
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
From View to Table

Savour regional cuisine and familiar favourites using the freshest local ingredients throughout your river cruise. Read more

Trip Reviews (4) Most Recent 'The Danube from Romania to Budapest' Reviews

4.8
AVG. RATING 4.8 / 5
4 Reviews
5 Star
75%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Affordable luxury 2 , New Zealand, Jun 2019
We were pleasantly surprised when we booked online and found that we were allocated our personal travel agent. This made the process really easy and pleasant. Our ship, the Avalon Passion, was new and offered comfort beyond our expectations. All staff were knowledgeable, courteous and helpful. Our fellow passengers were friendly and many made interesting ...read more table companions.
Avalon river cruise 4 , VIC, Australia, Sep 2017
The Avalon river cruise from the Black Sea to Budapest takes you on a less travelled part of the Danube, giving you a snapshot of life in Romania, Bulgaria, and Serbia before getting to Hungary. There is some time spent off the ship to go on bus tours into the countryside. These tours were largely included which was very good, but sometimes it was god ...read more to just relax on the ship. Facilities on board were superb.
The Black Sea to Budapest with Avalon 1 , NSW, Australia, Jul 2017
We have travelled with Avalon before and again had another wonderful time. The service, FOOD, accommodation, staff and trip was great. The ship was modern and had everything you needed... including amazing afternoons & suppers! After dinner there was entertainment or you could sit on the top deck and take in the beautiful skies.

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.
River cruise very much up to standard 2 , Australia, Aug 2013
The accommodation, food, general level of service were very much up to the standards of three previous river cruises. As before, we enjoyed the company of several fellow-passengers. I would, however, be less inclined to recommend this cruise than previous ones - Moselle/Rhine/Danube to Budapest; Paris to Normandy and Saone/Rhone to Monaco - for two ...read more reasons: 1) because most of the lower Danube is less scenic the cruise involved lengthy side trips by bus virtually each day. Many were good, some were tiring, and one (a visit to a so-called Champagne factory) was uninformative and environmentally noxious from dust and mould. 2) the cruise director, while helpful, was irritatingly verbose and over-enthusiastic about quite banal 'highlights'.
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Deck Plans

Ship Profile
 
Deluxe Stateroom
Category E
 
Deluxe Stateroom
Category D
Indigo Deck (Level 1)
 
Panorama Suite
Category B
 
Panorama Suite
Category A
Sapphire Deck (Level 2)
 
Panorama Suite
Category P
 
Royal Suite
Royal Deck (Level 3)

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 amenities
  • 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

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River Cruises

Avalon River Cruises (2024-25)

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Ship Name Avalon Expression
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Saturday 09 Aug 2025
Sunday 17 Aug 2025
Ship Name Avalon Expression
From: $10,677 $8,398
Save $2,279 Enquire
Earlybird OfferDouble Qantas Points
Friday 29 Aug 2025
Saturday 06 Sep 2025
Ship Name Avalon Passion
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Save $1,589 Enquire
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Monday 22 Sep 2025
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Ship Name Avalon Expression
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Save $1,591 Enquire
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Wednesday 15 Oct 2025
Ship Name Avalon Expression
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Sunday 26 Oct 2025
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Ship Name Avalon Passion
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Note
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.

Cabin Upgrades Optional cabin upgrades. Upgrades priced per person

Category E  (Prices Shown) $ 0
Category D From $ 228
Category B From $ 2,056
Category A From $ 2,171
Category P From $ 2,228
Category S From $ 3,999
Note
Upgrade prices shown are per person. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will confirm and include the upgrade price in your quote.
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. 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.

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