Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest
The day is yours to explore Bucharest at your own pace. You can wander through trendy shops and cafés along Victory Avenue, check out museums and churches, or just take in the architecture of this historic city. It's a good chance to get your bearings before the river journey starts.
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Bucharest
- Visit museums in Bucharest
- Shopping along Victory Avenue
- Café visits and dining
- Church sightings
Landmarks Victory Avenue - Day 2
Bucharest to Oltenita
Start with a guided tour of Bucharest's tree-lined boulevards and the Arc de Triomphe honoring WWI soldiers. You'll see Royal Palace Square, the site of the 1989 riots. Then head to Oltenita to board the Avalon Suite Ship this afternoon. Explore your ship this evening and have dinner onboard as your Balkan adventure begins.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Onboard dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Bucharest
- Visit Arc de Triomphe
- Visit Royal Palace Square
Landmarks Arc de Triomphe Royal Palace Square - Day 3
Rousse
In Rousse, you get to choose your activity. Take a bike tour with your Adventure Host, join a guided tour to see the Holy Trinity Church in Bulgaria's largest inland port, or go on a full-day trip to Veliko Tarnovo to see stone houses clinging to cliffs above the Yantra River and check out 15th-century Bulgarian revival architecture in Arbanassi. You'll sail to Svistov or rejoin the ship there later.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike tour in Rousse with Adventure Host
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rousse
- Visit Holy Trinity Church in Rousse
- Full-day Guided Tour to Veliko Târnovo
- Visit Arbanassi
Landmarks Holy Trinity Church Veliko Târnovo Yantra River Arbanassi - Day 4
Vidin
Explore Vidin with your Adventure Host's activities. You can take a bike ride to discover the town yourself or join a guided tour to Belogradchik to see rock formations on the Balkan Mountains and visit Baba Vida Fortress. Back on the ship this evening, catch a Bulgarian folklore show with live entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike ride in Vidin with Adventure Host
- Guided Tour to Belogradchik
- Visit Belogradchik rock formations
- Visit Baba Vida Fortress
- Bulgarian folklore show
Landmarks Belogradchik rock formations Baba Vida Fortress - Day 5
Iron Gates Gorge to Belgrade
Before lunch, you'll sail through the spectacular Iron Gates Gorge, a narrow passage between Serbia and Romania. Join a guided tour to Lepenski Vir, an important Mesolithic site with prehistoric discoveries and views of the Danube Gorge. Continue to the Fortress of Golubac, one of Europe's best-preserved medieval fortresses.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sailing through Iron Gates Gorge
- Guided Tour to Lepenski Vir
- Visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site
- Visit Fortress of Golubac
Landmarks Iron Gates Gorge Lepenski Vir Fortress of Golubac - Day 6
Belgrade
Choose your adventure with your Adventure Host. You can discover Belgrade's central walkway or join a guided tour to see where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet. The tour includes Saint Sava, one of the world's largest Orthodox churches, and Knez Mihailova Street with cafés and shops. Alternatively, attend an onboard lecture about Balkan history and destinations.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Discovery of Belgrade's central walkway with Adventure Host
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade
- Visit Saint Sava Church
- Onboard Lecture on Balkan history and culture
Optional Activities
- Free time exploring Knez Mihailova Street
Landmarks Saint Sava Knez Mihailova Street - Day 7
Novi Sad
Join a guided tour of Novi Sad to see Austro-Hungarian baroque buildings and ancient fortifications. Take a walking tour along narrow streets climbing to Petrovaradin Fortress at the hilltop, or visit the Museum of Beekeeping and Zivanovici Wine Cellar in nearby Sremski Karlovci and do a wine tasting there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Novi Sad
- Walking tour in Novi Sad
- Visit Petrovaradin Fortress
- Visit Museum of Beekeeping and Živanović Wine Cellar in Sremski Karlovci
- Beekeeping and wine tasting experience
Landmarks Petrovaradin Fortress Sremski Karlovci - Day 8
Ilok to Vukovar
Take a walking tour of Ilok with a wine tasting in a local cellar, learning about Croatian tradition. During lunchtime you'll sail to Vukovar, Croatia's largest river port. This afternoon, join a walking tour of Vukovar's historic streets, then relax onboard with live entertainment this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Ilok
- Wine tasting in local cellar in Ilok
- Walking tour of Vukovar
Landmarks Ilok Vukovar - Day 9
Mohács
In Mohacs, you can choose between two guided tours. Take a sightseeing tour to see historical memorial parks, statues, churches, and the medieval St. Nicholas Watermill with its stone-ground grain processing. Or tour the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pecs to explore 4th-century Christian underground tombs with murals and hear an organ concert.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mohács
- Visit St. Nicholas Watermill
- Guided Tour to Pécs
- Visit 4th-century Christian underground tombs in Pécs
- Organ concert
Landmarks St. Nicholas Watermill Pécs Christian underground tombs in Pécs - Day 10
Budapest
Start with a guided city tour including the iconic Heroes' Square. You'll have a free afternoon to explore Budapest's famous sights like the Chain Bridge, cafés, and pubs. Later, hike through the hills above the Danube to take in the city's beauty and charm.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided City Sightseeing Tour of Budapest
- Visit Heroes' Square
Optional Activities
- Visit Chain Bridge
- Explore Budapest's cafés and pubs
- Hiking in the hills above the Danube
Landmarks Heroes' Square Chain Bridge - Day 11
Budapest
Hike to a magnificent viewpoint with your Adventure Host, or take a free day to explore at your own pace. Visit the Royal Palace grounds with their historical architecture and grab some photos. Try Budapest's famous thermal bath spas, then dine at a garden or rooftop restaurant. You'll cruise to Bratislava this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hiking to viewpoint in Budapest with Adventure Host
Optional Activities
- Visit Royal Palace grounds
- Explore Budapest's thermal bath spas
- Dining in garden or rooftop eateries
Landmarks Royal Palace - Day 12
Bratislava
Hike to lofty Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host, or join a guided walk through Old Town's quaint streets. You'll see Town Hall and St. Martin's Cathedral, site of royal coronations. Explore Bratislava's history and culture, then cruise to Vienna this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Bratislava Castle with Adventure Host
- Guided City Walk in Bratislava
- Visit Old Town
- Visit Town Hall
- Visit St. Martin's Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Free time exploring Bratislava
Landmarks Bratislava Castle St. Martin's Cathedral - Day 13
Vienna
Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, or join a guided city tour of Habsburg landmarks including the Imperial Palace, Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. You can also take a guided tour to Freiburg's medieval center in the Black Forest. Stroll Karnterstrasse for shopping, grab Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel at a local café, or attend an optional Royal Waltz Concert. Cruise to Durnstein tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Danube Island bike tour with Adventure Host
- Guided City Tour of Vienna
- Visit Imperial Palace complex
- Visit Vienna Opera House
- Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Guided Tour to Freiburg
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace
- Stroll Kärntnerstrasse shopping avenue
- Bike ride to local café
- Optional Excursion to Royal Waltz Concert
Landmarks Imperial Palace Vienna Opera House St. Stephen's Cathedral Schönbrunn Palace Kärntnerstrasse Freiburg - Day 14
Durnstein to Ybbs and Melk
Hike to castle ruins for views of the village, Danube, and Wachau Valley, or join a guided walk about King Richard the Lionheart. Alternatively, bike along the river with your Adventure Host. Relax on the Sky Deck sailing through the Wachau Valley past vineyards and castles to Ybbs. Choose between a walking tour of Ybbs and Artstetten Castle, or a tour of Melk's Benedictine Abbey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Hike to castle ruins in Durnstein
- Guided Walk in Durnstein
- Bike tour along river with Adventure Host
- Sailing through Wachau Valley
- Walking tour of Ybbs
- Visit Artstetten Castle
- Guided Tour of Melk's Benedictine Abbey
Landmarks Durnstein Castle Wachau Valley Artstetten Castle Melk Benedictine Abbey - Day 15
Linz
Work with your Adventure Host on energizing or relaxing activities. Join a guided walk through Linz's historic sites along the Danube, visiting Hauptplatz and the white-marble Trinity Column. Bike around Linz along the Danube's cycle path. Consider an optional full-day guided trip to Salzburg or the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walk through Linz
- Visit Hauptplatz
- Visit Trinity Column
- Bike tour of Linz area with Adventure Host
Optional Activities
- Full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg
- Full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Cesky Krumlov
Landmarks Hauptplatz Trinity Column - Day 16
Passau
Start by cruising through the Schlugen Oxbow, a horseshoe-shaped bend in the river. Hike from Oberhaus along a trail to the valley and the Ilz River with your Adventure Host, or take a guided walk into Passau, the 'City of Three Rivers' where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz meet. Explore cobblestone streets and Artists' Alley galleries. You'll sail to Vilshofen this afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sailing through Schlögen Oxbow
- Hiking from Oberhaus with Adventure Host
- Guided City Walk in Passau
- Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral in Passau
Optional Activities
- Explore Passau's cobblestone streets
- Browse Artists' Alley galleries
- Attend concert rehearsal at St. Stephen's Cathedral
Landmarks Schlögen Oxbow St. Stephen's Cathedral Artists' Alley - Day 17
Regensburg
Join a guided city walk in Regensburg to see Altes Rathaus and Porta Pretoria from 179 AD. Take free time for a hearty lunch and local beer, then walk through historic lanes and squares of this vibrant modern city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided City Walk in Regensburg
- Visit Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall)
- Visit Porta Pretoria
Optional Activities
- Local lunch and beer tasting
- Exploring historic lanes and squares
Landmarks Altes Rathaus Porta Pretoria - Day 18
Prague
Join a guided walk in Prague to visit Hradcany Castle grounds and St. Vitus Cathedral. See Old Town's famous Astronomical Clock. Sample plum dumplings or Pilsner lager, meet locals, and catch street performers in Wenceslas Square.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided City Walk in Prague
- Visit Hradčany Castle grounds
- Visit St. Vitus Cathedral
- Visit Old Town Astronomical Clock
Optional Activities
- Plum dumpling tasting
- Pilsner lager sampling
- Explore Wenceslas Square
Landmarks Hradčany Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Old Town Astronomical Clock Wenceslas Square - Day 19
Prague
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning in Prague.
- Meals
- Breakfast
