The Danube from Romania to Budapest with Bucharest and Transylvania

Welcome to Bucharest—The “Paris of the East”

The day is yours to relax and enjoy Bucharest. 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.

Romanian Royalty

• Classic: Drive into the Carpathians to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle. On the way, visit the legendary Cantacuzino Castle and enjoy a local lunch. This afternoon, continue to Brasov for the night.

Transylvania Tales

• Classic: Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Brasov followed by free time.
• Classic: In the evening enjoy a tour of Bran Castle of Dracula lore followed by dinner.

Historic Bucharest

• Classic: Join a Guided Excursion in Bucharest, see the Royal Palace Square—the scene of the city 's 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

Join your Avalon Suite Ship® this afternoon, for embarkation in Oltenita.

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 vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Budapest airport before 8 am.