Danube Serenade with 2 Nights in Transylvania 2020

Day 1 PASSAU, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding

Flights into Munich must arrive by 10:00 am.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

EVENING CRUISE TO LINZ (D)

Day 2 LINZ–MAUTHAUSEN, AUSTRIA
Fall in Love with Legendary Art, Music, and the Linzer Torte

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, OR:

ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to Mount Pöstlingberg to get an incredible bird’s-eye view of Linz and the mighty Danube River.

Enjoy a brief sailing to Mauthausen while having lunch.

You may choose to join an Optional Excursion to Mauthausen Concentration Camp.

Enjoy sailing on your way to Ybbs tonight. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN YBBS (B,L,D)

Day 3 WACHAU VALLEY–KREMS
An Ancient Village and Wachau Valley Vintages

Relax on board this morning and enjoy the picturesque Wachau Valley scenery as you cruise to Krems.

CLASSIC Join a guided walk to explore this small valley town, seemingly untouched by the new world, OR:

DISCOVERY Join an interactive Wine World Experience with wine tasting.

AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO VIENNA (B,L,D)

Day 4 VIENNA
A Feast for the Soul in Vienna

CLASSIC Venture into the Habsburg empire with a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex — the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the historic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. 

Optional tours today include a Guided Tour of magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, the former imperial summer residence of Habsburg royalty. You may also choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.

Alternatively you can choose to spend your free time strolling through Kärtnerstrasse, the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna; stop in a local café to enjoy authentic Austrian confections of Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA (B,L,D)

Day 5 BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Classic and Contemporary—from Cathedrals to Castles

CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and fantastic St. Martin’s Cathedral. 

ACTIVE Grab Nordic walking sticks and follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a Hike to Bratislava Castle.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B,L,D)

Day 6 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square. 

Take free time to enjoy Budapest’s famed thermal baths. You can also take a scenic hike in the hills above the Danube. Take time to explore the city’s cafés, pubs, and nightlife at your leisure.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS (B,L,D)

Day 7 MOHÁCS
Archaeology, Architecture, and an Ancient Watermill

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 of nearby Pécs 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. 

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OSIJEK (B,L,D)

Day 8 OSIJEK, CROATIA
History and Culture of Croatia

CLASSIC Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of the city of Osijek, located at the confluence of the Danube and Drava Rivers. Visit Tvrda, the most well preserved fortress of Croatia, home of many educational institutions. 

DISCOVERY Attend a musical concert performed by the talented young artists of the music school of Osijek at Franjo Kuhac.

This afternoon you might join a Guided Optional Excursion to Vukovar.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE (B,L,D)

Day 9 BELGRADE, SERBIA
Fortresses and Folklore of Serbia Past and Present

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. 

DISCOVERY Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states. 

Spend your free time exploring the city on your own this afternoon on Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship before dinner.

This evening, you might like to join an Optional authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GOLUBAC (B,L,D)

Day 10 GOLUBAC—DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR— IRON GATES GORGE
Ancient Art, Archaeological Artifacts, and Gauntlet of the Iron Gates

CLASSIC Visit the Fortress of Golubac, one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. For the most part, the fortress was a sort of “a border control” of the past and couple of time was a knot of conflicts between Serbia, Habsburg Monarchy and Ottoman Empire.

Enjoy a brief sailing to Donji Milanovac.

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. 

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

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN (B,L,D)

Day 11 VIDIN, BULGARIA
Rocks and Ruins—Things of Beauty in Bulgaria

CLASSIC Join Guided Sightseeing in Vidin, followed by a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. Marvel at the remarkable rock formations on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of natural elements.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE (B,L,D)

Day 12 ROUSSE. EXCURSION TO VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI
Cliff Houses, Castle Ruins, Fortresses, and Folklore

CLASSIC Join a full-day Guided Tour to the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo—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 the Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church, OR: 

ACTIVE Join a walk through the park with your Avalon Adventure Host. 

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OLTENITA (B,L,D)

Day 13 OLTENITA, ROMANIA (DISEMBARKATION)–BUCHAREST
A Night in Bucharest—the “Paris of the East”

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. 

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. (B)

Day 14 BRASOV
CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Tour of Brasov and admire its gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture. 

In the evening depart for Bran Castle of Dracula lore.

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Bran Castle—the 1377 legendary home of the famed Romanian vampire, followed by a dinner in this amazing location. (B,D)

Day 15 BRASOV–SINAIA–BUCHAREST
A Night in Bucharest—the “Paris of the East.”

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Tour of Visit Peles Castle,— the summer residence of the royal family until 1947.

Drive out the Carpathians to Bucharest and 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. (B)

Day 16 BUCHAREST
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

• Day 1 Passau (Embarkation): onboard welcome reception
• Day 2 Linz: choice of guided walk, or guided hike
• Day 3 Wachau Valley–Krems: scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; guided walk
• Day 4 Vienna: guided sightseeing
• Day 5 Bratislava: guided sightseeing, visit St. Martin’s Cathedral
• Day 6 Budapest: guided sightseeing
• Day 7 Mohács. Excursion to Pécs: choice of guided tour in Pécs, visit the underground tombs, or sightseeing in Mohács, visit St. Nicolas watermill
• Day 8 Osijek: guided tour; concert performance
• Day 9 Belgrade: guided tour; lecture on board
• Day 10 Golubac–Donji Milanovac–Iron Gates: visit to Golubac fortress; visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site; scenic cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge
• Day 11 Vidin. Excursion to Belogradchik: guided tour in Vidin, excursion to Belogradchik, see the rock formations
• Day 12 Excursion to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi–Rousse: choice of full day guided sightseeing, visit Tsarevet’s Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and the Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi; or guided sightseeing
• Day 13 Oltenita (Disembarkation)–Brasov: transfer to Bucharest, guided sightseeing
• Day 14 Brasov: Brasov guided tour; visit Bran Castle
• Day 15 Brasov–Sinaia–Bucharest: visit Peles Castle
• Day 16 Bucharest: your vacation ends this morning

Take in the views on your European river cruise from the Danube Delta through the Balkans, Austria, and Germany. Embark from the “City of Three Rivers” in Passau, Austria, and visit the lovely city of Linz. Sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Krems and explore the small village—seemingly untouched by the modern world. You may choose to enjoy a wine tasting with a Wine World Experience to discover the secrets of winemaking and its history. Next, sail to Vienna—the City of Music—for a guided city tour its landmarks—including the Imperial Palace, the Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Visit Bratislava, Slovakia, to explore the quaint streets of Old Town and St. Martin’s Cathedral.

Continue to Budapest—the “Pearl of the Danube,” followed by the historic Hungarian towns of Mohács and Pécs. Cruise through remarkable landscapes of the Balkan states of Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Visit the most preserved Croatian fortress in Osijek, and attend a performance by students of the Franjo Kuhac music school. In Serbia, take a guided tour of Belgrade, and visit Lepenski Vir to discover ancient archaeological finds and the amazing Danube Gorge before cruising through the narrow Iron Gates Gorge. You’ll cruise through Bulgaria with guided sightseeing in Vidin, Rousse, Veliko Târnovo, and Arbanassi. Marvel at Belogradchik’s remarkable rock formations; ancient stone cliff houses above the Yantra River. Your cruise concludes in Oltenita. Drive to Bucharest for sightseeing, including the Royal Palace Square and Romanian soldier remembrances.

Continue your European vacation after your cruise with 2 nights in Brasov. Take a guided tour of the city by day, and a tour of Dracula’s Bran Castle by night. Visit Peles Castle in the Carpathian Mountains. Legends and legendary views fill your Balkan adventure!

• Ship Amenities - Avalon Passion:
  • Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows
  • Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs, whirlpool, shade awnings, & outdoor deck game area
  • State-of-the-art fitness center
  • Non-smoking staterooms & ship interior
  • Convenient Elevator Service
  • Elegant, contemporary design
  • Outside viewing deck
  • Headsets for guided shore excursions
  • English-speaking friendly crew, staff & professional Cruise Director
  • Sightseeing with Expert Local Guides
  • Onboard lectures, activities & entertainment
  • Complimentary room service for Continental breakfast
  • Sky Deck whirlpool
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi access
  • Biking excursions available in Amsterdam and Durnstein
  • Onboard Adventure Center with active gear, bikes, Nordic walking sticks, watercraft & maps
  • Casual dinner in the Panorama Bistro
  • Behind-the-scenes galley tour
  • Choice of Classic, Active or Discovery excursions so that you can experience your cruise your way
  • Nordic walking sticks available onboard for complimentary check-out
  • Onshore & Onboard experiences with regional customs, cultures & tastings with local artisans, experts & entertainers
  • Flatscreen satellite TV with English-speaking channels & over 100 free movie options
  • Onboard assistance is available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise
  • Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro's tasting menu for a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere
  • Self-serve beverage station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, including decaf options
  • Well-stocked library with books, cards, and board games
  • Complimentary bottled water, fresh fruit, and cookies available throughout the day
  • Full-size closet mirror
• Ship Dining - Avalon Passion:
  • Avalon Fresh^SM healthy cuisine options at every meal
  • Self-serve beverage station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, including decaf options
  • Welcome & farewell cocktails with sparkling wine & canapés
  • Spacious, open-seating Panorama Dining Room
  • Daily early-riser breakfast
  • Daily late-riser breakfast
  • Full buffet breakfast with sparkling wine and made-to-order egg station
  • Lunch buffet with carving and pasta stations
  • Al fresco lunch in the Sky Grill
  • Cocktails with a view on the Sky Deck
  • Healthy Corner options including low calorie, low fat, high fiber, low cholesterol, and high energy choices
  • Vegetarian options at every meal, as well as vegan and allergy-free selections
  • Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, and sweet treats
  • Happy Hour every evening including featured drink specials
  • Seasonal cuisine featuring the freshest local ingredients
  • Chef-prepared onboard meals with regional cuisine and familiar favorites
  • Four-course dinners with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts or cheese
  • Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Complimentary room service for Continental breakfast
  • Panorama Lounge & Bar with premium spirits, cozy seating, panoramic windows & dance floor
  • Healthy meal options
  • Casual dinner in the Panorama Bistro
  • Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro's tasting menu for a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere
  • Tastings - sample the destination's famous delicacies
  • Coffee or tea after dinner
  • Light lunch in the Panorama Lounge
  • FlexDining flexible dining times with menu & venue options

Cruising: Cabin onboard Avalon Passion
Brasov: Kronwell Brasov Hotel 
Bucharest: Athenee Palace Hilton 

Extra nights per person in Bucharest:
in single room from $153 to $394,in twin room from $85 to $217

• In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
• Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
• Port Charges: $312
• Gratuities to Local Guides & excursion drivers are included.
• Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability). Please call for single accommodation details and prices. Triples not available.
• All prices per person based on double occupancy. Cruise price based on Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom on Indigo Deck.
• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the trip origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package at the price quoted.