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Explore the Bulgarian city of Veliko Tarnovo

The Danube from Black Sea to Budapest

Bucharest-Budapest - Example 11 Day Cruise aboard Avalon Passion
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Enjoy a relaxing cruise exploring the history and culture of eastern Europe on this delightful cruise. Depart from Bucharest, known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and historical treasures, including the Arc de Triomphe—built in honor of WWI soldiers—and the historical Royal Palace Square. Take an excursion to the Danube Delta to see where the river flows into the Black Sea. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Constanta and Veliko Tarnovo, for an in-depth experience of these ancient cities. Marvel at the spectacular views and distinctive rock formations of the Iron Gates Gorge. Explore Belgrade, one of the oldest cities in Europe and the capital of Serbia, then continue to the ancient city of Pécs, Hungary. These and countless other moments await you on this fascinating Danube River cruise through Eastern Europe.

Day-by-Day Summary

Day 1 : Bucharest, Romania
Day 2 : Bucharest | Embark
Day 3 : St. Gheorghe
Day 4 : Cernavodă | Constanta
Day 5 : Rousse, Bulgaria | Veliko Tărnovo | Arbanassi
Day 6 : Vidin
Day 7 : Doji Milanovac, Serbia
Day 8 : Belgrade
Day 9 : Osijek, Croatia
Day 10 : Mohács, Hungary
Day 11 : Budapest | Disembark

Highlights

  • Visit the National History and Archaeological Museums in Constanta
  • Explore Tsarevet’s Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and the Museum in Arbanassi
  • Enjoy the Vidin’s fortress and see the rock formations in Belogradchik
  • Marvel at the Iron Gates gorge and Lepenski Vir archaeological site

Ship

Avalon Passion

Places Visited

Activities

Trip Type

  • Small Ship

Activity Level

Relaxed

Trip Snapshots

Explore the Bulgarian city of Veliko Tarnovo Explore the vibrant city of Bucharest Admire Roman-inspired architecture in Bucharest Cruise through the Iron Gates Explore the countryside surrounding Belgrade
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Day 1 Bucharest, Romania

Welcome to Bucharest—the “Paris of the East.”

The day is free to relax and enjoy Bucharest. Spend some free time exploring this fascinating city at leisure to discover its trendy shops, cafés, museums, beautiful homes and churches along Victory Avenue.

Day 2 Bucharest | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
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.

Travel to Fetesti to board the Avalon Suite Ship this afternoon. Explore the ship this evening and enjoy a dinner on board.

Discovery: After dinner, attend an onboard lecture to learn about the Danube Delta.

Day 3 St. Gheorghe

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Join a small-boat guided tour of the best-preserved of Europe’s deltas-2,200 square miles of rivers, canals, marshes, tree-fringed lakes and reed islands.

Discovery: Enjoy a special celebration to mark Kilometer “0”—the end of the Danube River’s 2,845 km journey from the source in the Black Forest to its delta into the Black Sea.

Day 4 Cernavodă | Constanta

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Join a guided tour to Constanta, the most important commercial center in Romania situated on the Black Sea. Visit the Natural History and Archeological Museum to discover the history of early Romanian cultures. 

Day 5 Rousse, Bulgaria | Veliko Tărnovo | Arbanassi

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Join a guided sightseeing tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church.

Active: Join a walk through the park with an Avalon Adventure Host.

Sail to Svistov

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. Later, join the ship in Svistov.
 

Day 6 Vidin

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Join guided sightseeing in Vidin, 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.

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

Day 7 Doji Milanovac, Serbia

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Before lunch on board, 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.

Day 8 Belgrade

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Join a guided sightseeing tour of Belgrade where the Danube and Sava Rivers converge. See the city’s many fascinating sights, including Saint Sava, one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches.

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 cafés, shops and cultural spots.

Day 9 Osijek, Croatia

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy a leisurely sailing morning or join an optional excursion to the city of Vukovar, Croatia’s undiscovered pearl.

Classic: Join a morning guided walking tour of the Croatian city of Osijek, located at the confluence of the Danube and Drava Rivers. Visit Tvrđa, the most well-preserved fortress of Croatia, home of many educational institutions.

Discovery: Attend a musical concert performed by the talented young artists of the music school of Osijek at Franjo Kuhac.

Day 10 Mohács, Hungary

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start the day with a morning stretch with an Avalon Adventure Host.

Classic: Take a guided tour to nearby Pécs to see its 4th-century Christian underground tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with fascinating murals. Also, enjoy an organ concert on the tour.
 

Day 11 Budapest | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
The cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
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Avalon Passion

Avalon Passion
The Avalon Passion, launched in 2016, features spacious suites with wall-to-wall panoramic windows that transform into a unique open-air balcony.
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Per person starting at
$5,125
Select a Date
Cat. E
Avalon Deluxe Stateroom: 172 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Complimentary bottled water, Individual climate control, Mirror in the bathroom, Full shower with glass door, Vanity, Memory foam mattress, European-style duvets.
Select a Date
Cat. D
Avalon Deluxe Stateroom: 172 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Complimentary bottled water, Individual climate control, Mirror in the bathroom, Full shower with glass door, Vanity, Luxurious mattress, European-style duvets.
Select a Date
Cat. B
Panorama Suite: 200 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, In-room safe, Contemporary design, Marble countertops in the bathroom, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk, Sofa, Memory foam mattress, European-style duvets.
Select a Date
Cat. A
Panorama Suite: 200 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, In-room safe, contemporary design, Marble countertops in the bathroom, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk, Sofa, Luxurious mattress, European-style duvets.
Select a Date
Cat. P
Panorama Suite: 200 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, Well-stocked minibar, In-room safe, Contemporary design, Marble countertops in the bathroom, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk, Sofa, Memory foam mattress, European-style duvets
Select a Date
Royal Suite
Royal Suite: 300 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, Well-stocked minibar, Marble countertops in the bathroom, Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony, Full shower with glass door, Luxurious mattress toppers, European-style duvets.

Notes

Throughout the Ship:
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Panoramic windows
  • Elegant, contemporary design & decor
  • Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
  • Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area, and premium lounges
  • Covered Observation Lounge
  • Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day
Suites & Staterooms:
  • Comfort Collection Beds with choice of mattress firmness
  • Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
  • Bathrobes & slippers
  • Premium L'Occitane bath products
  • Large bathroom featuring a shower with glass door
  • Flatscreen satellite TV with free movie channels
  • Individual climate control and in-room safe
  • USB Ports
  • Complimentary bottled water daily
  • And, much more.
Health & Fitness:
  • Bikes
  • Canoe, kayak and jogging excursions
  • Maps for hiking, biking, and jogging routes
  • Fitness and wellness activities
  • Fitbits®
  • All through your Avalon Adventure Host
Dining:
  • FlexDining for more venue and seating options, including flexible seating times in our Panorama Dining Room
  • Avalon Fresh healthy cuisine options at every meal
  • Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with every lunch and dinner
  • Early and Late Riser breakfast options
  • Daily full buffet breakfast with made-to-order egg station, hot and cold menu items
  • Daily lunch buffet with pasta or carving stations
  • Alternative light lunch at Sky Grill on the Sky Deck (weather permitting)
  • Daily Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, sweet treats & sandwiches
  • Daily four-course a la carte dinner in the Panorama Dining Room with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. Includes selections of regional recipes, Western dishes, and vegetarian options.
  • Enjoy a tasting menu with a view in the Panorama Bistro - a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere while lingering over several satisfying selections
  • Captain’s welcome & farewell receptions and dinners with sparkling wine and canapés
  • Panorama Lounge featuring premium spirits and Avalon specialty cocktails, along with local entertainment special guests
  • Cocktails available on the Sky Deck
  • Fresh fruit available throughout the day
Notes:
  • In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.
  • Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
  • Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences.
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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
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