Compare The Danube from Romania to Budapest with 1 Night in Bucharest, 2 Nights in Transylvania & 1 Night in Budapest by Avalon Waterways vs Along the Danube, the Balkan peninsula and Budapest by CroisiEurope
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| Trip |
The Danube from Romania to Budapest with 1 Night in Bucharest, 2 Nights in Transylvania & 1 Night in Budapest
by
Avalon Waterways
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 14 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 5,727 | $ 3,330 |
| Price Per Day | $ 409 | $ 370 |
| Highlights |
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CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
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| Trip Style | Group tour | River cruise |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | No | Internal airfare and ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | Begin your exciting vacation with a visit to Peles Castle in Sinaia, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. Continue with an excursion to Transylvania to enjoy guided sightseeing of Brasov and a visit to the Bran Castle of Dracula lore, believed to be the home of Romanian vampires. In Bucharest, Romania, known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and historical treasures, enjoy guided sightseeing and see the Arc de Triomphe—built in honor of WWI soldiers—and the historical Royal Palace Square. Your Danube River cruise will take you to Constanta and Bulgaria’s ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo. Visit the Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, and take pictures of Belogradchik’s rock formations and the spectacular scenery of the Iron Gates. Visit Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Continue your cultural discoveries on an excursion to Pécs, Hungary, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are countless memorable moments on this fascinating river cruise through Eastern Europe, culminating in the unique energy of Budapest. A local expert introduces you to the must-see sights, such as Heroes’ Square. |
From Romania to Hungary via Serbia, you'll be surprised and delighted by this cruise that will take you to the heart of Eastern Europe. You will discover cities with remarkable landscapes and elegant architecture such as Novi Sad, the capital of the province of Vojvodina regarded as the "Serbian Athens", whose cultural and artistic backgrounds will surprise you. Do not miss out on Ruse, one of the largest ports in Bulgaria and a true melting pot of Bulgarian and Romanian cultures. |
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.
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Day 2: BUCHAREST–SINAIA–BRASOV
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.
(Breakfast,Lunch)
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Day 3: BRASOV
Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Brasov followed by free time. In the evening enjoy a tour of Bran Castle of Dracula lore followed by dinner.
(Breakfast,Dinner)
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Day 4: BRASOV–BUCHAREST–OLTENITA (EMBARKATION)
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.Join your Avalon Suite Ship® this afternoon, for embarkation in Oltenita.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CERNAVODA
(Breakfast,Dinner)
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Day 5: CERNAVODA. EXCURSION TO CONSTANTA
Romania’s Cultural Legacies
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.
DISCOVERY Enjoy a visit to a local winery to learn about traditional Romanian wines with a tasting.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 6: ROUSSE, BULGARIA. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION
Fortresses and Fountains in “Little Vienna”
ACTIVE Join a walk through the park 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.
Sail to Svistov, 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.
Later, join your ship in Svistov.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 7: 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 walk, OR:
CLASSIC Join Guided Sightseeing in Vidin, followed by 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.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 8: 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.
Enjoy a brief sailing to Golubač.
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
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 9: 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.
You may 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.
DISCOVERY Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NOVI SAD
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 10: 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.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ILOK
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 11: 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
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 12: 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
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 13: BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)
The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing tour of Budapest, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.
Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city’s cafés and pubs, or take a hike through the hills above the Danube.
(Breakfast)
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Day 14: BUDAPEST
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
(Breakfast)
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Day 1 OLTENITA (Romania)
Passengers are welcome to board our ship in Oltenita. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Diner. Our ship will sail towards Cernavoda through the night.
Day 2 CERNAVODA - Danube-Black Sea Canal - CONSTANTA (Romania)
We’ll spend the morning cruising on the Danube-Black Sea Canal. The completion of the Danube-Black Sea Canal is a colossal work in the history of Communism in Romania and Eastern Europe. Arrival in the late morning in Constanta. Excursion for both packages: guided tour of Constanta and local wine tasting. Our ship will cruise through the night to Cernavoda.
Day 2 CERNAVODA - Danube-Black Sea Canal - CONSTANTA (Romania)
We’ll spend the morning cruising on the Danube-Black Sea Canal. The completion of the Danube-Black Sea Canal is a colossal work in the history of Communism in Romania and Eastern Europe. Arrival in the late morning in Constanta. Excursion for both packages: guided tour of Constanta and local wine tasting. Our ship will cruise through the night to Cernavoda.
Day 3 CERNAVODA - OLTENITA - Bucharest - RUSE (Bulgaria)
We'll spend the morning sailing.In the afternoon, join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Bucharest.We'll return on board in Ruse.
Day 4 RUSE (Bulgaria)
Join us on an excursion for both packages: Full-day excursion to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi, including lunch at a restaurant. We'll return on board in Ruse. Enjoy dinner and an evening of traditional folk entertainment on board.
Day 5 RUSE
Join us on an excursion for both packages: Tour of Ruse, a very attractive town thanks to the wide avenues, large squares and wonderful buildings which pay tribute to the national Renaissance architecture. The afternoon will be spent cruising.
Day 6 The Iron Gates
The entire day will be spent cruising on the Danube. Our ship will pass through the Iron Gates, the gorge on the Danube that forms part of the boundary between Serbia and Romania. It was called "The Cauldrons” by ancient sailors, since the water, held tightly between two steep cliffs, seemed to be boiling.
Day 7 BELGRADE - NOVI SAD (Serbia)
Join us for the excursions proposed: CLASSIC: Guided tour of Belgrade whose rich cultural heritage will surprise you. DISCOVERY: Discover Belgrade by bike. You'll cycle along the history-filled streets with your guide who will explain the city's recent past from World War II to current times. In the afternoon, join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Discover the multi-ethnic city of Novi Sad, the industrial and financial center of the Serbian economy and a major cultural center, and the Krusedol Monastery. We'll return on board in Novi Sad and keep cruising towards Osijek.
Day 8 OSIJEK - MOHACS (Hungary)
Join us for the excursions proposed: CLASSIC: Guided tour of Osijek. DISCOVERY: Discover Osijek by bike. The old part of the town, Tvr?a, was built at the beginning of the 18th century and is a dream to cycle through. It is the best-preserved, largest ensemble of Baroque buildings in Croatia. We'll spend the afternoon cruising towards Mohacs and through customs before sailing on to Budapest. Tonight's our gala dinner and evening. Our ship will cruise through the night.
Day 9 BUDAPEST (Hungary)
Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.
