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9 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from Bucharest to Budapest 2026(WOB)
The Danube from Romania to Budapest
Starting from $3,563Ship(s): Avalon Illumination, Avalon Passion
River Cruise Description
Embark your river cruise along the beautiful Danube River to Budapest in Oltenita, Romania. Enjoy guided sightseeing in Bulgaria's ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo, and visit the Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi. Take pictures of Belogradchik's eclectic group of rock formations and the spectacular views as you cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge. Visit Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Continue up the Danube and take an excursion to the ancient city of Pécs, Hungary. These and countless other memorable moments await you on this fascinating Danube River cruise through Eastern Europe.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 8, 2026 | Avalon Illumination | $4,213 | Call Us! |
| May 31, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,413 | Call Us! |
| Jun 15, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,163 | Call Us! |
| Jun 30, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $3,813 | Call Us! |
| Jul 15, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $3,563 | Call Us! |
| Jul 30, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $3,563 | Call Us! |
| Aug 14, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $3,563 | Call Us! |
| Aug 29, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,263 | Call Us! |
| Sep 13, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,713 | Call Us! |
| Sep 28, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,713 | Call Us! |
| Oct 13, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $4,163 | Call Us! |
| Oct 28, 2026 | Avalon Passion | $3,963 | 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 OLTENITA, ROMANIA (EMBARKATION)
Your Balkan Adventure Begins
Flights into Bucharest must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.Explore your Avalon Suite Ship® this evening and enjoy a dinner onboard. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE
(D)
Day 2 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 3 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 4 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 5 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 6 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 7 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 8 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 9 BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.Flights should not leave Budapest airport before 8 am.(B)
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