Have questions? We're here.
Admire the architecture of Belgrade

The Danube from the Black Sea to Budapest

Example 11 Day Cruise aboard Avalon Illumination
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Danube River trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
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.
Cruise through the Iron GatesCruise through BelgradeBudapest, the capital city of HungaryFisherman's Bastion in Budapest, HungaryAdmire Roman-inspired architecture in BucharestAdmire the architecture of Belgrade
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
Activities
  • River Cruises
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
0

Full Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Bucharest, Romania

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

This day is free to relax and enjoy Bucharest. Spend some 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
strong>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.

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

Day 3: St. Gheorghe

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
strong>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: Hârșova | Constanta

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
strong>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
strong>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
strong>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: Donji Milanovac | Golubač

  • 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.

GOLUBAČ
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.

 

Day 8: Belgrade

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
strong>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: Novi Sad | Ilok

  • 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 guided tour of Novi Sad, the second largest town in Serbia. Admire its Austro-Hungarian old town, with its baroque buildings, and ancient fortifications.

ILOK 
Classic: Join a guided tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage.

Day 10: Mohács, Hungary

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
strong>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.

Ship/Hotel

Avalon Illumination

Avalon Illumination Dining Room
Avalon Illumination
Avalon Illumination Lounge

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$4,969
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.
Included
  • 10 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners

Map

Inquire

* By providing your phone number, you consent to receive direct phone calls or SMS messages from our Trip Planners to get the process started. We do not share your information with third-parties.
Travel Agents

We Love to Talk Travel

Call 1.800.344.6118
or
Chat Now
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Constance Block
More Reasons

Why Travel With Adventure Life

All News

Recognized By