Discover the Danube on an 8-day cruise from Budapest to Oltenita aboard Avalon Passion. Visit historic towns and cities, including Vukovar, Ilok, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Golubac, Vidin, and Rousse. Take guided walking, city, and bike tours, explore medieval fortresses, ancient archaeological sites, and scenic gorges. Enjoy regional wine and beer tastings, visit museums, and experience local culture through lectures and folklore performances. The journey combines history, culture, and scenic cruising through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania.
Highlights
Take a guided walking tour of Vukovar with beer tasting
Explore Ilok’s medieval fortress and taste local wines on tour
Tour Novi Sad’s Austro-Hungarian old town and historic sites
See Belgrade’s Saint Sava and central pedestrian thoroughfare sights
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
History and Beer
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with the Adventure Host.
Discovery Excursion
Take a guided walking tour of Vukovar to learn about its heritage, culture, and traditions, and include a beer tasting.
Classic Excursion:
Take a guided city tour of Vukovar to learn about its history and culture.
Enjoy a short cruise to Ilok with lunch onboard.
Ilok, Croatia
History and Culture in Croatia
Classic Excursion
Join a guided tour of Ilok, known for its 1,000-year-old winemaking traditions and medieval fortress. Taste local wine and learn about the region’s culture and history.
Active Excursion
Take a guided bike tour of Ilok, including the city walls, central church, museum, and Principovac Castle and Estate.
Classic Excursion
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 Excursion
Enjoy a Guided Hike Tour to the Petrovaradin part of the town. Located on the right bank of the Danube, across from the main part of Novi Sad, this area amazes you for its scenic views, OR:
Discovery Excursion
Get to learn more about the beekeeper profession on this Guided Tour of Novi Sad by stopping at the Honey Museum and by tasting local honey specialties.
Active Excursion
Discover Belgrade's central walkway with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
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.
Discovery Excursion
Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states.
Spend your free time exploring the city on your own this afternoon on Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots.
This evening, you might like to join an Optional Excursion for an authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.
Day 5: Golubac | Donji Milanovac, Excursion to Lepenski Vir | Iron Gates Gorge
Classic Excursion
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 for defense in the Middle Ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Ottoman Empire. Continue to the Mesolithic archaeological site of Lepenski Vir with unique views of the Danube Gorge.
Sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge—a natural border between Serbia and Romania.
Active Excursion
Join your Adventure Host for a bike tour around the city, OR:
Classic Excursion
Join Guided Sightseeing to Baba Vida Fortress, 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, OR:
Discovery Excursion
Discover more than two centuries of a proud family history of Bulgarian winemaking with a tour and tasting at a local winery. Here, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting in the cellars.
Day 7: Rousse | Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanassi Excursion
Active Excursion
Explore Rousse's old town by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
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, OR:
Classic Excursion
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.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.
Day 8: Oltenita, Romania | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Bucharest airport before noon.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$4,5302-3 travelers
Rates are subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Initial deposit is $250pp, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, Discover/Novus, and American Express. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
7 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Port Fees
Onboard Adventure Center with active gear, bikes, maps, canoe, kayak and jogging excursions
Wifi
Complimentary fresh fruit available daily
Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
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
Panoramic windows
Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area and premium lounges
Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with every lunch and dinner
Cruise taxes
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or on board your vessel
Porterage
Passport or Visa fees
Prices do not include airfare, taxes and other government-imposed fees
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.
