Active & Discovery on The Lower Danube with 2 Nights in Transylvania

10 days
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River Cruise
Looking for countless ways to experience four of the most fascinating European countries along the Lower Danube? Avalon’s Active & Discovery cruises present a diverse range of hands-on adventures that also engage your heart and mind throughout Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Croatia. Our exciting menu of Classic, Discovery and Active excursions along the ...
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Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Highlights

    • Welcome to Bucharest
    • Visit Peles Castle
    • Guided tour of Brasov; guided visit of Dracula’s Bran Castle
    • Choice of guided sightseeing in Bucharest or walk the Urban Delta or food tour; onboard welcome reception
    • Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevet’s Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and to the Ethnographical Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi or hike the Kroushuna Waterfalls
    • Choice of guided tour in Vidin, visit Baba Vida Fortress or wine tasting or hiking in Belogradchik
    • Scenic cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge; choice of visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site or Donji Milanovac off the beaten path tour or Djerdap National park hike; visit to Golubač fortress
    • Choice of Novi Sad guided tour or walk up to the Petrovaradin Fortress or wine tour; choice of Ilok guided tour or biking tour or beer tour
    • Choice of guided tour or bike tour or meet the locals
    • Looking for countless ways to experience four of the most fascinating European countries along the Lower Danube? Avalon’s Active & Discovery cruises present a diverse range of hands-on adventures that also engage your heart and mind throughout Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Croatia

What's this trip about?

    Looking for countless ways to experience four of the most fascinating European countries along the Lower Danube? Avalon’s Active & Discovery cruises present a diverse range of hands-on adventures that also engage your heart and mind throughout Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Croatia. Our exciting menu of Classic, Discovery and Active excursions along the Lower Danube leads you off the beaten path and onto the winding bike paths, scenic hiking trails, and cultural and culinary avenues of the beautiful Balkans. Prepare to uncover the past and dive into the present in the most interactive ways. No other river cruise offers more elevating experiences on the Lower Danube than an Active & Discovery cruise. Move. Enjoy a little get-up-and-go on your cruising vacation when you: •Get ready to gush on a guided walk through the beautiful eco-patch up to Kroushuna Waterfalls. •Hike through the famous Belogradchik rock formations resembling people and animals in the Balkan mountain range. •Pedal from WWII to today on a historic bicycling tour through the waterfront capital of Belgrade. And be moved. Get off the beaten path and relish the world when you: •Feast on a foodie tour of Romanian cuisine – a perfect mix of Balkan, Ottoman, French and Russian influences. •Celebrate the comeback of Bulgarian wines post-communism with a music-accompanied winery tour and tasting. •Taste local honey specialties at the Museum of Beekeeping while learning about Serbia’s sweet beekeeping profession. Plus, Classic sightseeing is always available in every port along the way. Start sooner with a two-night hotel stay in Brasov to discover the beautiful and mysterious Transylvania! Avalon Choice sightseeing is the perfect highlight of your stay. Activate your senses and discover a world of wonder in all-new, entirely “you” ways on your personal, passion-packed cruise along the Lower Danube.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityBUCHAREST, ROMANIA
End CityBELGRADE (DISEMBARKATION)

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • River Cruise

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

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.

BUCHAREST-PARLIAMENT.jpg

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,Dinner)

SINAIA.jpg

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)

BRASOV-BRAN-CASTLE.jpg

Day 4: BUCHAREST

Beautiful Boulevards and Bold History

ACTIVE Take a guided natural walk in the Văcărești Nature Park. Also known as Urban Delta, this wetland is home to more than 150 different species of birds and small mammals. Enjoy this green get away and learn more about ...

Day 5: NIKOPOL. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION

Cliff Houses and Revival Architecture

ACTIVE Follow your expert local guide through the beautiful eco-patch up to Kroushuna Waterfalls. OR: CLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo—with its ancient stone houses clin...

Day 6: VIDIN, BULGARIA

Rocks, Ruins and Beauty in Bulgaria

ACTIVE Enjoy a panoramic trek on the rocky landscape of Belogradchik. OR: DISCOVERY Get to learn everything about the production technologies of the Bulgarian wines and enjoy a tasting of the various labels produced by a loc...

Day 7: IRON GATES GORGE—DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR—GOLUBAČ

Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

Sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge—a natural border between Serbia and Romania.

ACTIVE Enjoy this scenic hike through Djerdap Natio...

Day 8: NOVI SAD

A Capital of Culture

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 ...

Day 9: BELGRADE, SERBIA

Fortresses and Folklore

ACTIVE Get a real taste of Serbia on this guided bike tour focusing on the history of Belgrade, from WWII to today, OR: DISCOVERY Go way beyond the ordinary, and get to know Belgrade through its remarkable people and innovative minds.....

Day 10: BELGRADE (DISEMBARKATION)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(Breakfast)

BELGRADE-SCENIC.jpg

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,348
Price per day$435
Last Updated: 6/19/2024

Port charges: $180 Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability). Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Avalon Waterways.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Avalon Waterways Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
1,559
Great
145
Average
48
Disappointing
16
Terrible
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c

crezet kickartz

Feb 2025

Written on

My husband and I went on our first trip from Amsterdam to Basel. It was so great and as it was my first big OE the sights were very breath-taking.

The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lo...

J

James Allen

Jan 2025

Written on

Great Staff

The staff was interactive, polite, and memorable. We were lucky enough to have met and interacted with the staff on 2 different boats. Avalon handled the necessary c...

J

Janis Lloyd

Jan 2025

Written on

Avalon consistency—good!

Cabins always great. Food very good. I wish there were semi-dry white wine offered at dinner. (Rieslings, not dry). Christmas market in Colmar was not enjoyable, way...

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Logistics

Accommodation

Radisson Blu

Overlooking the former Royal Palace and near the Romanian Athenaeum Concert Hall and Cismigiu Park, the Radisson Blu provides modern accommodation in the heart of Romania's capital. Guests can choose from the exclusive selection of five on site restaurants and three bars. The hotel also hosts the World Class Health Academy including indoor 22-meter swimming, outdoor Jacuzzi and pool, gym and fitness facilities. When you feel like relaxing, visit our Bali Spa, offering a nice menu of massages and body treatments (against a fee). Within the same complex as the Radisson Blu Hotel you can enjoy Romania's biggest casino.

Bucharest

Romania

Calea Victoriei 63 - 81 Sector 1

Kronwell Brasov Hotel

The Kronwell hotel in Brasov boasts stylishly luxurious guestrooms equipped with state-of-the art facilities, as well as free of charge wireless internet access that will satisfy the hotel's most exclusive guests. This centrally located hotel offers a stylish à la carte restaurant, a casual bar, a sleek European/Asian bistro and formal dining with a terrace. The spa has an indoor pool, a fitness studio and sauna.

Brasov

Romania

Bulevardul Garii Nr 7A

Radisson Collection Hotel Old Mill Belgrade

This 236-room property preserves the heritage of the 19th-century Old Mill in which it is partially housed and mixes modern chic with industrial design and offers Free Wi-Fi internet access is throughout. The hotel's restaurant offers modern Serbian menus with a twist and the lounge bar serves cool cocktails, leisure facilitites include a fitness centre and a spa with sauna and steam bath.

Belgrade

Serbia

Vojvode Misica Boulevard 15

Travel Insurance
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Visa requirements
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Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
AVALON-WOKQ

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