Balkan Discovery - Westbound
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?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
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.
Itinerary
Welcome to Bucharest! The remainder of the day is free to start exploring this intriguing city.
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....
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 ...
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...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
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...
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.
Meals: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
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
Other Avalon Waterways Reviews
Magnificent Europe…
We just finished the Magnificent Europe trip on Avalon and it was amazing. Truly a trip to remember. Everything was great, the staff was incredibly attentive, the ex...
Trip of a lifetime
This was my first trip to Europe and my first cruise. I could not have asked for, or wanted anything better....all around. The crew (from housekeeping to food serv...
Beds with a view? NOT!
We took Avalon’s Danube Balkan cruise from Serbia to Bulgaria and Romania on the Avalon Passion starting September 6, 2024. Avalon needs to pay for a docking slip a...
Tour Operator
CRUISING ELEVATED.
Innovative, transformative, original. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and
away from the ordinary. Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration, Avalon puts you in the captain’s seat to navigate your journey, fuel your passions and steer clear of the unexpected as you cruise down the world’s most memorable and mesmerizing waterways. One step aboard our modern, luxurious Suite Ships with the grandest views in cruising and you’ll see how the tides they are a-changin’.
Welcome to a new wave in cruising. Welcome aboard Avalon Waterways.
IT DOESN’T GET ANY SUITER.
Enjoy the perfect blend of elegance and ease – where little touches are bold, gestures are grand and the views even grander. There’s a reason our ships are the critics’ darlings and favorites among our most discerning guests. Our boutique-hotel-inspired Panorama Suites feature the industry’s only Open-Air Balconies with the widest-opening windows in cruising and decadent Comfort Collection beds that face the ever-changing scenery.
PACK YOUR PASSIONS.
As you set sail down the world’s most legendary waters, we’ve curated a collection of the most intriguing experiences to immerse yourself in – both on board and off.
SEE MORE THAN THE SEA/
On a typical cruise, you see waves, water and more water. On an Avalon cruise, legendary landmarks and postcard-perfect landscapes are always in view. Dock to discovery takes mere minutes.
LET’S DISH.
While we naturally present the signature delicacies of the regions you visit, we enrich the gastronomic journey by offering multiple dining venues, bringing unexpected culinary experiences to the table.
Associations
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
What's excluded
- 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
Accommodation
Yet another beautiful Suite Ship graces the rivers of Europe in 2016. The Avalon Passion welcomes passengers to their home-away-from-home with two full decks of Panorama Suites, featuring Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows that transform into a unique Open-Air Balcony. With 200 square feet, Panorama Suites are more than 30% larger than industry standard and ideal for stretching out and relaxing-or even throwing a private cocktail party for up to six adults in the spacious sitting area. On board, passengers enjoy free Wi-Fi access, complimentary computer use at the Internet Corner, a Fitness Center with state-of-the-art equipment, a hair salon, elevator, and an expansive Sky Deck with shade system, premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, deck games, and the delightful Sky Bistro for al fresco lunches of light grill fare.
Amenities Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows Sky Deck with shade awnings Non-smoking interior Elegant, contemporary design Headsets for all guided shore excursions in Europe Sightseeing with Certified Local Guides Onboard lectures, activities & nightly entertainment Room service for Continental breakfast & beverages (service fee applies) Internet Corner Complimentary Wi-Fi access Biking excursions available in Amsterdam and Durnstein Behind-the-scenes ship tour Use of Nordic walking sticks English-speaking TV channels with over 100 free movie options Panorama Bistro Self-serve beverage station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees Complimentary maps Selection of Local Favorites to bring the customs, cultures, and tastes of your destination to life Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs Expanded Fitness Center Elevator Outside viewing deck Friendly, English-speaking crew Cruise Director Revolutionary engineering Sky Deck whirlpool Hair salon (manicures available) Onboard movie nights Alternate light lunch and dinner in the Panorama Bistro Choice of Leisurely, Traditional or Independent sightseeing options Local Favorites onboard experiences with local chefs, entertainers, artisans & experts Onboard assistance is available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise Sky Deck game area Well-stocked library Fresh fruit available throughout the day
Deck Plans: Cat. E
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
9 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 7 Dinners
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations