Blue Danube to the Black Sea with Istanbul - Eastbound

17 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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River Cruise
A deluxe Danube River cruise from Vienna to the Danube Delta is the highlight on this fascinating getaway through Eastern Europe. Sail through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge, visit the Lepenski Vir archaeological site, and see the sights with a Local Guide in each city, including Vienna, the “City of Music.” Along the way, visit Slovakia’s Bratislava, Croatia’...

Overview

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

Highlights

    • Learn about the Danube Delta at an onboard lecture

What's this trip about?

    A deluxe Danube River cruise from Vienna to the Danube Delta is the highlight on this fascinating getaway through Eastern Europe. Sail through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge, visit the Lepenski Vir archaeological site, and see the sights with a Local Guide in each city, including Vienna, the “City of Music.” Along the way, visit Slovakia’s Bratislava, Croatia’s Vukovar and Osijek, and Romania's Constanta. Explore the Danube Delta with its unique birdlife, and celebrate the end of the Danube’s journey as it flows into the Black Sea. End your Danube River cruise in Oltenita, then travel to Romania’s lively capital of Bucharest for guided sightseeing and an overnight. Fly to Istanbul, one of the most exciting places in the world, and visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Seraglio, and the Grand Bazaar—an incredible conclusion to an amazing vacation.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityArrive in Vienna
End CityIstanbul

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Austria
  • Bulgaria
  • Hungary
  • Romania
  • Slovakia
  • Croatia
  • Serbia
  • Turkey

Attractions

  • Belgrade
  • Bratislava
  • Bucharest
  • Budapest
  • Croatia
  • Istanbul
  • Romania
  • Vienna

Activities

  • Culture
  • River cruise

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1

Arrive in Vienna, Austria. Welcome to Vienna, Austria’s capital, known as the “City of Music” and which inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. The rest of the day is yours to start exploring this elegant city.

Day 2

Vienna. Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Austria’s magical capital on the blue Danube is a showcase of gilded architecture. This is home to the lavish Hofburg Imperial Palace complex with its Vienna Boys’ Choir and dazzling Lipizzaner stallions; the neo-...

Day 3

Vienna–Bratislava, Slovakia (Embarkation). Enjoy a free morning to relax or explore on your own. Then, a motorcoach transfer after lunch takes you to Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, situated at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Join your Local Guide for a to...

Day 4

Budapest, Hungary. 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 in the coffee house culture over a rich cream cake in the r...

Day 5

Mohács-Villány Wine District. This morning, cruise past the peaceful riverscapes of southern Hungary before arriving in Mohács. From here, an excursion takes you to the Villány district, where some of Hungary’s best red wines are produced. Enjoy WINE TASTING, and learn which varietals are grown and why the climate and soil here are ideal for producing excellent wines. (B,L,D)

Day 6

Osijek & Vukovar, Croatia. Today, learn about the complex history of Croatia and the events that led to the Croatian War of Independence during GUIDED SIGHTSEEING. Led by Local Guides, explore Osijek, an important economic and cultural center, as well as Vukovar, ...

Day 7

Belgrade, Serbia. Early this morning, arrive in Belgrade. One of the oldest cities in Europe, 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, including St. Sava, the world’s la...

Day 8

Excursion to Lepenski Vir–Iron Gates. This morning, dock at Donji Milanovac, from where a short drive takes you to the impressive LEPENSKI VIR EXHIBITION CENTER, which houses area archaeological artifacts and from where you have unique views of the Danube Gorge. Retu...

Day 9

Nikopol–Excursion to Veliko Târnovo, Bulgaria & Arbanassi–Rousse. The ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo is a comfortable ride from the Danube. Situated on three hills surrounding the Yantra River, the city was a natural fortress with ancient stone houses...

Day 10

Cruising. Today is a peaceful day to relax on board. Join your Cruise Director to learn about the fascinating Danube Delta at an ONBOARD LECTURE. (B,L,D)

Day 11

St. Gheorghe, Romania. Danube Delta. From St. Gheorghe this morning, an excursion in small boats takes you into the DELTA, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best preserved of Europe’s deltas, hosting over 300 species of birds as well as 45 species of freshwater fis...

Day 12

Cernavodă. Excursion to Constanta. This morning, dock in Cernavodă, a city at the western end of the 40-mile-long Black Sea Canal, the pride and joy of communist achievement. From here, a full-day excursion takes you to Constanta on the Black Sea, the most important c...

Day 13

Oltenita (Disembarkation)–Bucharest. After breakfast this morning, say goodbye to your crew. Bucharest, Romania’s lively capital, is only a short drive from Oltenita. Its wide, tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe—built in 1922 to honor the bravery of Romanian s...

Day 14

Bucharest-Istanbul, Turkey. Today, fly to Istanbul. Free time to relax and begin soaking up the unique atmosphere of this city built on two continents. (B)

Day 15

Istanbul. Founded by the Greeks as Byzantium more than 2,500 years ago, renamed Constantinople in the year 330, and finally called Istanbul, the city on the Bosporus remains one of the most exciting places in the world. Its strategic location as gateway between the Or...

Day 16

Istanbul. A free day in Istanbul to explore on your own. Or, why not join a full-day optional excursion to the fabulous archaeological site of Ephesus? Fly to Izmir, then travel to the city which later became the capital of Roman Asia Minor. When St. Paul arrived here...

Day 17

Istanbul. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Dates & Availability

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Last Updated: 7/16/2018

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.

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Avalon waterways went out of their way to accommodate our early morning arrival.

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It was the Paris to Normandy then to…

It was the Paris to Normandy then to Marseille 14 day cruise. The whole cruise was terrible, ports were bypassed, crew was very inexperienced, the restaurant was uno...

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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.

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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.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Intercontinental - Vienna A luxurious 458 room hotel with timeless elegance. Wi-Fi access is available in the lobby and guestrooms subject to a fee (payable locally) and there is also a fitness centre with sauna, steam bath, solarium and 24 hour gym. Traditional Viennese cuisine and Mediterranean favourites can be sampled in the stylish restaurant. Viennese coffee and pastries can be enjoyed in the Café and the opulent American bar has a large selection of cocktails with live piano music. Wien Austria Johannesgasse 28 Athenee Palace Hilton Explore Bucharest from the glorious Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest hotel, one of the city's most sophisticated and prestigious landmarks. The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the city and enjoys views of Revolution Square and is close to Bucharest's many local attractions. Bucharest Romania 1-3 Episcopiei,
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Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities
WVO|Blue Danube to the Black Sea – Eastbound
Trip ID
AVALON-WVOE

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