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12 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Bucharest to Budapest 2026(WOBQ)
The Danube from Romania to Budapest with 1 Night in Bucharest and 2 Nights in Transylvania
Starting from $4,552Ship(s): Avalon Illumination, Avalon Passion
River Cruise Description
Sail from Romania to Hungary's capital of Budapest to experience river views like no other. Begin your Danube River vacation your way before your cruise with an overnight stay and sightseeing in Bucharest. Drive into the Carpathian Mountains to Sinaia to visit the grand Peles Castle. You'll continue to Transylvania for two nights in Brasov. Take a guided tour of the city by day, followed by a tour of Dracula's Bran Castle by night, and enjoy guided sightseeing in Bucharest. Enjoy superior hotel accommodations with complimentary breakfast, an expert Local Guide, and courtesy hotel-to-ship transfer. From Bucharest, travel to Oltenita to embark on your Danube River cruise. Take in the incredible views along the way, your cruise on the Danube River carries you through the striking landscapes of the Balkans. In Bulgaria's largest inland port, take a guided sightseeing tour of Rousse, including the Holy Trinity Church, or spend a full day with a guided tour of the Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo, where ancient stone houses cling to the Yantra River cliffs. One of the oldest towns in Bulgaria, Arbanassi holds Bulgarian Revival architecture within its 15th-century locale. Guided sightseeing In Vidin is followed by a guided tour of Belogradchik, with its ancient fortress and tremendous rock formations on the Balkan Mountains. Next visit Lepenski Vir for a guided tour with ancient archaeological finds before cruising through the narrow Iron Gates Gorge. In Serbia, take a guided tour of Belgrade, including one of the world's largest Orthodox churches, and see the most preserved Croatian fortress in Osijek. You'll also attend a stirring performance by young students of the Franjo Kuha? music school. Tour the historic towns of Mohács and Pécs before cruising to Budapest to conclude your amazing cruise on the Danube.Thanks for your interest!
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I'm sorry, but an error has occurred. Try Again| Departure Date | Ship | Priced From (per person) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 5, 2026 | Avalon Illumination | $5,202 | Call Us! |
| May 28, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $5,402 | Call Us! |
| Jun 12, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $5,152 | Call Us! |
| Jun 27, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,802 | Call Us! |
| Jul 12, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,552 | Call Us! |
| Jul 27, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,552 | Call Us! |
| Aug 11, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,552 | Call Us! |
| Aug 26, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $5,252 | Call Us! |
| Sep 10, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $5,702 | Call Us! |
| Sep 25, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $5,702 | Call Us! |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $5,152 | Call Us! |
| Oct 25, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,952 | Call Us! |
Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are 3 types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You'll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Discovery
We've found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests — from cooking classes, to painting workshops — to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Active
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go — from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
- Plus independent exploration options and use of Avalon's exclusive AvalonGO APP.
River Cruise Itinerary
Day 1 BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
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.Day 2 BUCHAREST–SINAIA–BRASOV
Romanian Royalty
Drive into the Carpathians to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle. On the way, enjoy a local lunch. This afternoon, continue to Brasov for the night. (B,L)
Day 3 BRASOV
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.
(B,D)
Day 4 BRASOV–BUCHAREST–OLTENITA (EMBARKATION)
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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE
(B,D)
Day 5 ROUSSE, BULGARIA. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION
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, 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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN
(B,L,D)
Day 6 VIDIN
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 the mighty Baba Vida Fortress in nearby Vidin.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC
(B,L,D)
Day 7 DONJI MILANOVAC, SERBIA–IRON GATES GORGE. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR
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.
GOLUBAČ
A Formidable Fortress
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.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE
(B,L,D)
Day 8 BELGRADE
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.
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)
Day 9 NOVI SAD
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 Živanović Wine Cellar in Sremski Karlovci.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ILOK
(B,L,D)
Day 10 ILOK, CROATIA
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.
VUKOVAR, CROATIA
The Heroic Town on the Danube
Classic
Enjoy a walking tour of Vukovar, the city the largest river port in Croatia.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS
(B,L,D)
Day 11 MOHÁCS, HUNGARY. EXCURSION TO PÉCS
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/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST
(B,L,D)
Day 12 BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.Flights should not leave Budapest airport before 8 am.(B)
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