Avalon Passion, The Danube From The Black Sea To Budapest ex Bucharest to Budapest

Begin your exciting European holiday with one night in Bucharest, Romania, before embarking on your river cruise along the beautiful Danube River to Budapest, Hungary. Take in the sights in Bucharest, known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and historical treasures. See the sights here, including the Arc de Triomphe—built in honor of WWI soldiers—and the historical Royal Palace Square. Join in an excursion to the Danube Delta where the river flows into the Black Sea.

Enjoy guided sightseeing in Constanta and Bulgaria’s ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo, and visit the Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi. Take pictures of Belogradchik’s eclectic group of rock formations and the spectacular views as you cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge. Visit Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Continue up the Danube and take an excursion to the ancient city of Pécs, Hungary. These and countless other memorable moments await you on this fascinating Danube River cruise through Eastern Europe.

Day 1
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, cafes, museums, beautiful homes, and churches along Victory Avenue.

Day 2
Beautiful Boulevards and Bold History
CLASSIC - Take a Guided Tour of the Romanian capital city of Bucharest with its tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe-honoring WWI Romanian soldiers. See the Royal Palace Square-the scene of the city's 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
Travel to Oltenita to board your Avalon Suite Ship this afternoon.
OLTENITA (EMBARKATION)
Your Balkan Adventure Begins
Explore your Avalon Suite Ship this evening and enjoy a dinner on board.
DISCOVERY - After dinner, attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the Danube Delta.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ST. GHEORGHE (B,D)

Day 3
A River's Entrance into the Sea
Visit the Adventure centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
CLASSIC - Join a small-boat Guided Tour of the best preserved of Europe's deltas-2,200 square miles of rivers, canals, marshes, tree-fringed lakes and reed islands.
DISCOVERY - Enjoy a Special Celebration to mark Kilometer "0"-the end of the Danube River's 2,845 km journey-from the source in the Black Forest to its delta at the Black Sea.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO HARSOVA (B,L,D)

Day 4
Romania's Cultural Legacies
CLASSIC - Join a Guided Tour to Constanta, the most important commercial centre in Romania, situated on the Black Sea. Visit the Natural History and Archeological Museum to discover the history of early Romanian cultures.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE (B,L,D)

Day 5
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 Tarnovo-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 (B,L,D)

Day 6
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 (B,L,D)

Day 7
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 Golubac.
GOLUBAC: A Formidable Fortress
CLASSIC - Visit the Fortress of Golubac, 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 (B,L,D)

Day 8
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 cafes, 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 (B,L,D)

Day 9
A Capital of Culture
ACTIVE - Get your daily dose of excercise, 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.
Enjoy a brief cruise to Ilok while having lunch onboard.
ILOK, CROATIA: Croatian Heritage and Hilltop Vintages
CLASSIC - Join a Guided Tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHACS (B,L,D)

Day 10
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 Pecs 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 (B,L,D)

Day 11
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

2016 was another big year for Avalon, as we expand our fleet of innovative Suite Ships? once again. In addition to the Avalon Imagery II®, the beautiful Avalon Passion® will grace the waterways of Europe. Like its sister ships, Avalon Impression? and Avalon Illumination®, Passion features two full decks of Panorama Suites? with Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows that transform the living space into a unique Open-Air? Balcony. Cruise along the legendary Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers, enjoying fresh breezes and enchanting scenery from the comfort of your suite. With 200 square feet, Panorama Suites? are more than 30% larger than the industry standard, affording you the incomparable opportunity to wake each morning facing the splendid passing scenery. Onboard amenities include an alternative dining option in the Panorama Bistro, an expanded fitness center, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and a spacious Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, and light al fresco lunches at the open-air bistro.

You've always forged your own path...with your own distinct perspective of looking at the world. Avalon Waterways presents a river cruise experience with your unique style in mind-offering expansive views and wider perspectives. With river cruising's only Open-Air BalconySM, these wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows open wider than any other in the industry, blurring the line between outside and in, forming a spacious seating area for six, and creating an open invitation to discover and dream. Even if you're a seasoned traveler, you've never seen Europe like this.

Whether you'd like a romantic mini-break, an extended exploration, or something in between, with Avalon Waterways, you get to choose the river cruise that reveals the very best of Europe, Asia or South America.

What defines luxury? Is it the enjoyment of the good things in life, or is it simply having things just the way you prefer them? At Avalon Waterways, we navigate with both elegance and ease to deliver a "just right" experience - one that transports you at just the right pace, with just the right amenities, and just the right views. Along the legendary waterways of Europe, we balance enriching activities, included excursions, mouthwatering cuisine, and unmatched service to offer the perfect degree of relaxed indulgence. We call this the Avalon difference.