Balkan Discovery - Westbound

10 days
From $328/day
$3,280
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
96%
Trip last updated: 1/1/2018
Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule
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Overview

Highlights

    • Experience 10 day river cruise from Bucharest to Budapest
    • Deluxe 6-night cruise in an outside stateroom
    • Visit Patriarch’s Church in Veliko Târnovo
    • Vidin’s fortress
    • Excursion to Belogradchik to see the rock formations
    • See Lepenski Vir archaeological site
    • Kalemegdan Fortress
    • Fishermen’s Bastion and Heroes’ Square

What's this trip about?

    See the best of Eastern Europe on this exhilarating Balkan adventure. Your cruise vacation begins with an overnight in vibrant Bucharest, the “Paris of the East.” Enjoy guided sightseeing in each city, including inside visits of Tsarevet’s Fortress in Veliko Târnovo, Arbanassi’s Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity, the eclectic rock formations of Belogradchik, and Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade. Other highlights: visit the medieval fortress of Vidin, pass through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge, visit the Lepenski Vir archaeological site, and enjoy an organ concert in Pécs. Your journey ends with two overnights in Hungary’s lively capital of Budapest, where there’s time on your own to shop for paprika at the Central Market Hall, explore the extensive hilltop castle grounds, visit the many churches and museums, and delight in the vibrant atmosphere.
Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeOperator does not provide
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityBucharest
End CityBudapest

Travel Themes

Activities

Trip includes

    • Accommodation
    • Most of the meals as mentioned in the itinerary
    • Internal transportation
    • Wi-Fi accessibility
    • Sightseeing with Certified Local Guides
    • Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included.

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Bucharest, Romania

Welcome to Bucharest! The remainder of the day is free to start exploring this intriguing city.

Day 2: Bucharest–Oltenita (Embarkation)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Much recent history has taken place in Romania’s capital city, and its wide, tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe—built in 1922 to honor the bravery of Romanian soldiers who fought in WWI—have gained it the name “Paris of the East....

Day 3: Rousse, Bulgaria. Excursion To Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi–Svistov

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In Rousse this morning, you may choose to join a Certified Local Guide for an included CITY TOUR, rejoining your ship in time for lunch and enjoying a pleasant afternoon of cruising to Svistov. Alternatively, you may take a full ...

Day 4: Vidin. Excursion To Belogradchik

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast today a Local Guide shows you Vidin, an important Danube port in northwestern Bulgaria. Its medieval FORTRESS, known as “Baba Vidin,” served as Vidin’s main defensive installation during the Middle Ages and is the...

Day 5: Iron Gates. Excursion To Lepenski Vir

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The TRAJAN TABLE marking the Roman conquest of Dacia and the Serbian fortresses of Golubac and Smederevo are impressive sights on the left bank of the Danube. The most spectacular scenery must surely be the dramatic gorge of the ...

Day 6: Belgrade, Serbia

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The capital of Serbia is situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers. A Local Guide will be proud to show you its main sights, which include St. Sava, the world’s largest Orthodox Church; and Marshal Tito’s tomb and ...

Day 7: Mohács, Hungary. Excursion To Pécs

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, a GUIDED EXCURSION takes you to Pécs, Hungary’s fifth-largest city. Established by the Romans in the 2nd century, this was a flourishing and important town for Christianity by the 4th century. Pécs is also rich in t...

Day 8: Budapest (Disembarkation)

Meals: Breakfast

Say goodbye to your crew after breakfast this morning. Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s liveliest cities. Whether you’re seeing the sights, shopping for handcrafted embroidery or Herend porcelain, or basking...

Day 9: Budapest

Meals: Breakfast

A free day to enjoy Hungary’s exciting capital. Perhaps visit St. Stephen’s Basilica, with marvelous views of the city from its viewing platform, or walk across Chain Bridge built in 1849, a symbol of Budapest. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for many things to do.

Day 10: Budapest

Meals: Breakfast

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. 

Dates & Availability

Price from
$3,280
Price per day
$328
Single supplement
(single occupancy)
$145

Balkan Discovery - Westbound Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
1,503
Great
139
Average
46
Disappointing
16
Terrible
47
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Tour Operator

Avalon Waterways

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Associations

United States Tour Operators Association

Details

Group size:

Intimate group - 12 max

Cancellation policy:

Booking Cancellations & Cancellation Fees:

If a booking cancellation is received by Avalon prior to the final payment date of your vacation, your non-refundable land deposit and Travel Protection payments will be retained in addition to your Flex-Air deposit, Instant Purchase Air payment and service fee, and/or intra-vacation air deposit. For individual reservations, the following per person cancellation fees apply. Total price does not include discounts, promotions, or special incentives. (For group reservations, refer to the Group Policy.)

Standard Cancellation Fees:

90-60 days prior to commencement of services: 35% of total price* plus Travel Protection payments

59-30 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price* plus Travel Protection payments

29-1 days prior to commencement of services: 80% of total price* plus Travel Protection payments

On departure day and later: 100% of total price* plus Travel Protection payments

Trip Excludes:

  • Airfare
  • Airport transfers
  • Alcohol & beverages outside of the contracted menu
  • Additional excursions and activities not listed as 'included' in the itinerary
  • Travel Protection premiums
  • Applicable cruise taxes, fees, fares and port charges
  • Other items of a personal nature

Meals included:

9 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 7 Dinners

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