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

Sail from the Danube Delta of the Black Sea to Hungary’s capital of Budapest through the Balkans, Hungary, and Austria on your European river cruise. Begin with an overnight stay in Bucharest for a guided sightseeing tour, including the Royal Palace Square. Travel to Oltenita to embark on your Danube River cruise, beginning with the Danube Delta preserve. Sail through the striking landscapes of the Balkans—Rousse, Bulgaria, Veliko Târnovo, and Arbanassi, one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria.

Guided sightseeing in Vidin is followed by a guided tour of Belogradchik, with its ancient fortress and tremendous rock formations on the Balkan Mountains. After cruising through the narrow Iron Gates Gorge visit Lepenski Vir for a guided tour with ancient archaeological finds. In Serbia, take a guided tour of Belgrade, including one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches, and see the most preserved Croatian fortress in Osijek. You’ll also attend a stirring performance by young students of the Franjo Kuhač music school. Tour the historic town of Pécs before sightseeing in the Hungarian capital of Budapest—the “Pearl of the Danube.” You’ll take a guided walk through Bratislava, Slovakia before cruising to Vienna—the “City of Music”.

Enjoy guided sightseeing in Vienna’s historic Habsburg Empire—including the Imperial Palace, Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Visit delightful Dürnstein and Melk—charming towns in the vineyard-rich Wachau Valley. Take a guided tour and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart in Dürnstein, and tour the magnificent Benedictine Abbey high above Melk. Visit Austria’s lovely city of Linz with a tour of the city’s historic sites, then pass through the horseshoe bend of the Danube—the beautiful Schlögen Oxbow—on your way to Passau. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Germany’s “City of Three Rivers before cruising to Vilshofen, Germany, for the conclusion of your Danube River cruise.

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 Oltenitato 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, 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 - Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour in Vidin before joining a Guided Tour to 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-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.
AFTERNOON/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 sites, including Saint Sava-one of the world's largest Orthodox churches.
You may choose to 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 exercise, 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
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 - 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
Hungary's Captivating Capital
ACTIVE - Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC - Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes' Square.
Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city's cafes and pubs, or take a hike through the hills above the Danube.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST (B,L,D)

Day 12
The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe
Visit the Adventure centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
This afternoon choose among a wide offer of Optional Guided Excursions or take a free day to explore, with time to take photographs on the Royal Palace grounds in this treasure trove of historical architecture. Try Budapest's famous thermal bath spas, then dine in a garden or rooftop eatery.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA (B,L,D)

Day 13
Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle
ACTIVE - Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to lofty Bratislava Castle, OR:
CLASSIC - Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and the sight of royal coronations at St. Martin's Cathedral.
During lunch time enjoy a short sailing to Hainburg.
HAINBURG, AUSTRIA
Enjoy some free time in the village of Hainburg or take a Guided Optional Excursion to discover the natural beauties of this area.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA (B,L,D)

Day 14
Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel, and Sachertorte
ACTIVE - Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC - Explore the Habsburg empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna's gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex- Winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen's Cathedral.
You may decide to take a Guided Optional Excursion to Schonbrunn Palace- summer home of the Habsburg Empire. Spend free time strolling in the Karntnerstrasse-the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna, or take a bike ride to a local cafe for Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel. This evening, enjoy an unforgettable musical performance with an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DURNSTEIN (B,L,D)

Day 15
A King's Ransom and Castle Ruins
ACTIVE - Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins to take in the spectacular view of the village, Danube, and the Wachau Valley below, OR:
CLASSIC - Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart-who was imprisoned in the castle during the Crusades.
Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Ybbs.
YBBS. EXCURSION TO MELK: Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below
CLASSIC - Visit the Lower Austrian little town of Ybbs. Walk through the doors of Austrian history with a guided sightseeing tour of Artstetten Castle, OR:
CLASSIC - Take a Guided Tour of Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LINZ (B,L,D)

Day 16
Legendary, Lovely Linz
Ask about today's energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.
CLASSIC - Take a Guided Walk through the city's historic and beautiful sites along the shore of the Danube and see Hauptplatz-Austria's largest medieval square-and the towering white-marble Trinity Column.
Consider a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg-the city of Mozart-or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. You may otherwise spend the afternoon on a biking picnic along the banks of the Danube, or hike through Linz's beautiful nature trails to Postlingberg for a bird's-eye view of the city and river below.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ (B,L,D)

Day 17
Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet
This morning, cruise through the Schlogen Oxbow, a particularly beautiful horseshoe-shaped bend of the river.
ACTIVE - Join your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along Ilz River, OR:
CLASSIC - Take a Guided City Walk into Passau, the beautiful "City of Three Rivers."
Before sailing to VILSHOFEN. take a little free time to explore Passau's cobblestone streets and galleries of Artists' Alley. Maybe stop at St. Stephen's Cathedral to catch a concert rehearsal.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VILSHOFEN (B,L,D)

Day 18
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Munich airport before 8 am. (B)