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12 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Budapest to Bucharest 2026(WBOY)
Balkan Discovery with 1 Night in Budapest, 1 Night in Bucharest & 2 Nights in Transylvania
Starting from $4,548Ship(s): Avalon Illumination, Avalon Passion
River Cruise Description
See the highlights of Eastern Europe on this Balkan river cruise adventure along the Danube River! This vacation has something for everybody-relaxing time on your ship and stops in the most fascinating cities, with free time and guided sightseeing-so you don't miss a thing! You'll begin with two overnights in the lively Hungarian capital of Budapest. See the iconic statues of Heroes' Square, and with free time, explore the lovely lookout towers of Fishermen's Bastion. Sail into beautiful Croatia, enjoy a guided sightseeing in Vukovar and discover Ilok with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition. Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, is one of the oldest cities in Europe, where the Sava River meets the Danube. The lively pedestrian boulevard of Knez Mihailova is dotted with historical buildings and charming cafés and you'll see St. Sava, the world's largest Orthodox Church. Continue your river cruise through the dramatic views of Iron Gates Gorge, visit Belogradchik's fascinating rock formations, and Bulgaria's ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo. In Arbanassi, visit the Church of the Nativity, housing an impressive collection of frescoes. From Oltenita, transfer to Bucharest for guided sightseeing. Known as the "Paris of the East," a local expert will show you many of its historical treasures, such as the Arc de Triomphe. Take a trip to Transylvania to visit the Bran Castle-of Dracula Fame-the city of Brasov, and beautiful Peles Castle.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) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 30, 2026 | Avalon Illumination | $4,848 | Call Us! |
| May 23, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $5,048 | Call Us! |
| Jun 7, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,798 | Call Us! |
| Jun 22, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,798 | Call Us! |
| Jul 7, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,798 | Call Us! |
| Jul 22, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,798 | Call Us! |
| Aug 6, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,548 | Call Us! |
| Aug 21, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,648 | Call Us! |
| Sep 5, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $5,498 | Call Us! |
| Sep 20, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $5,348 | Call Us! |
| Oct 5, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $5,248 | Call Us! |
| Oct 20, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,898 | 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 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Welcome to Budapest—Hungary’s Captivating Capital
The day is yours to relax and enjoy Eastern Europe’s shining city on the Danube.
Day 2 BUDAPEST (EMBARKATION)
The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe
Classic
Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VUKOVAR
(B,D)
Day 3 VUKOVAR
History and Beer
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.Discovery
Join a Guided Walking Tour to discover the heritage, culture, and tradition of Vukovar and enjoy a beer tasting, OR:
Classic
Join a Guided City Tour to discover the captivating culture and tradition of Vukovar and learn about its rich history and heritage.
ILOK, CROATIA
History and Culture in Croatia
Classic
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, OR:
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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NOVI SAD
(B,L,D)
Day 4 NOVI SAD, SERBIA
The Athens of Serbia
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 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 will amaze you for its scenic views, OR:
Discovery
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
Get your daily dose of exercise, join your Adventure Host on this walk in and around town.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE
(B,L,D)
Day 5 BELGRADE
Fortresses and Folklore
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 GOLUBAČ
(B,L,D)
Day 6 GOLUBAČ–DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR–IRON GATES GORGE
Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates
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 for defense in the Middle Ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Ottoman Empire, OR:
Classic
Join a Guided Tour to the Mesolithic archaeological site of Lepenski Vir with unique views of the Danube Gorge.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN
(B,L,D)
Day 7 VIDIN, BULGARIA
Rocks, Ruins and Balkan Beauty
Active
Join your Adventure Host for a bike tour around the city, OR:
Classic
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
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.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE
(B,L,D)
Day 8 ROUSSE. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION
Fortresses, and Folklore
Active
Explore Rousse's old town by bike with your Adventure Host, 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 the Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi, OR:
Classic
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OLTENITA
(B,L,D)
Day 9 OLTENITA, ROMANIA (DISEMBARKATION)–BUCHAREST–BRASOV
Disembark your ship and transfer to Bucharest.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.
(B,D)
Day 10 BRASOV
Transylvania Tales
Classic
Enjoy a Guided Tour of Brasov and admire its gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture.
Classic
Take a Guided Tour of Bran Castle—the 1377 legendary home of the famed Romanian vampire, followed by a dinner in this amazing location.
(B,D)
Day 11 BRASOV–SINAIA–BUCHAREST
The “Paris of the East.”Classic
Enjoy a Guided Tour of Visit Peles Castle the summer residence of the royal family until 1947.
(B,L)
Day 12 BUCHAREST
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)
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