Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest
Start your time in Bucharest with a full day to wander at your own pace. Walk down Victory Avenue checking out the trendy shops, local cafés, and museums scattered throughout. You'll find beautiful homes and churches to see as you move through the city. This is your chance to get familiar with the rhythm of the place without any scheduled activities.
Optional Activities
- Explore trendy shops and cafés
- Visit museums
- Walk along Victory Avenue to see beautiful homes and churches
Landmarks Victory Avenue - Day 2
Bucharest to Brasov
Head into the Carpathian Mountains toward Sinaia, stopping first at the legendary Cantacuzino Castle to look around. Then continue to Peles Castle, which sits impressively in the mountain setting. Grab lunch locally somewhere along the way, then drive on to Brasov where you'll spend the night. The drive takes you through some beautiful mountain scenery throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local lunch)
Included Activities
- Visit Peles Castle
- Visit Cantacuzino Castle
- Local lunch
Landmarks Peles Castle Cantacuzino Castle - Day 3
Brasov
Join a guided tour of Brasov in the morning to get oriented with the city's main attractions and history. The rest of the day is free, so you can explore on your own, grab lunch wherever appeals to you, or just relax before evening. Later, take a tour out to Bran Castle, the fortress connected to Dracula stories, and finish with dinner before heading back.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Brasov
- Tour of Bran Castle
- Dinner
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Brasov
Landmarks Bran Castle - Day 4
Brasov to Oltenita
Spend your morning on a guided tour of Bucharest hitting Royal Palace Square, where the 1989 riots took place against Nicolae Ceausescu's communist regime. This afternoon, head to Oltenita and board the Avalon Suite Ship, then sail toward Rousse as evening approaches. You'll settle into your cabin and adjust to life on the river.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Excursion in Bucharest
- Visit Royal Palace Square
Landmarks Royal Palace Square - Day 5
Rousse
Multiple options for your day in Rousse. Join an Adventure Host bike tour if you want activity, or take a guided sightseeing tour of the town with a visit to Holy Trinity Church and optional stops at the UNESCO rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo. Alternatively, spend a full day on a guided tour to Veliko Turnovo, the former capital, seeing ancient stone houses and Bulgarian revival architecture in Arbanassi. Later, cruise to Svistov or rejoin the ship there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike tour in Rousse (active option)
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rousse (classic option)
- Visit Holy Trinity Church (classic option)
Optional Activities
- Rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Full-day Guided Tour to Veliko Târnovo
- Visit Arbanassi
Landmarks Holy Trinity Church Rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo Veliko Târnovo Arbanassi - Day 6
Vidin
Choose between lighter activities with your Adventure Host, like wandering the town or taking a bike ride, or go bigger with a guided tour to Belogradchik to see the remarkable rock formations on the Balkan Mountain slopes, then visit Baba Vida Fortress in Vidin. Back on board this evening, there's a Bulgarian folklore show to catch before bed.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour to Belogradchik (classic option)
- Visit Belogradchik rock formations (classic option)
- Visit Baba Vida Fortress (classic option)
- Bulgarian folklore show
Optional Activities
- Bike ride with Adventure Host (active option)
- Wander and discover the town (active option)
Landmarks Belogradchik Rock Formations Baba Vida Fortress - Day 7
Donji Milanovac
Before lunch, sail through the Iron Gates Gorge, a narrow and dramatic section where Serbia and Romania meet. After eating, join a guided tour to Lepenski Vir, an important Mesolithic archaeological site where prehistoric discoveries and unique Danube Gorge views await. Continue on to see the Fortress of Golubac, one of Europe's best-preserved medieval fortresses, before heading back to the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sail through Iron Gates Gorge
- Guided Tour to Lepenski Vir
- Visit Fortress of Golubačí
Landmarks Iron Gates Gorge Lepenski Vir Fortress of Golubačí - Day 8
Belgrade
Choose your Belgrade experience. Walk through the city's central walkway with your Adventure Host, or take a guided tour to the spot where the Danube and Sava Rivers converge, checking out Saint Sava, one of the world's largest Orthodox churches. You might also explore Knez Mihailova Street on your own with its cafés and shops, or catch an onboard lecture about Balkan history and culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade (classic option)
- Visit Saint Sava church (classic option)
Optional Activities
- Walk central Belgrade with Adventure Host (active option)
- Free time exploring Knez Mihailova Street
- Onboard Lecture about Balkan states
Landmarks Saint Sava Knez Mihailova Street - Day 9
Novi Sad
Join a guided tour of Novi Sad to see Serbia's second largest town and its Austro-Hungarian old town filled with baroque buildings and ancient fortifications. Alternatively, climb the narrow streets up to Petrovaradin Fortress for views over the city, or visit the Museum of Beekeeping and Zivanovic Wine Cellar in Sremski Karlovci to try local wines and learn about Serbian tradition.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Novi Sad
Optional Activities
- Walking tour to Petrovaradin Fortress (active option)
- Visit Museum of Beekeeping and wine tasting (discovery option)
Landmarks Petrovaradin Fortress Museum of Beekeeping Živanović Wine Cellar - Day 10
Ilok to Vukovar
Start with a walking tour of Ilok and taste wines in a local cellar with stories about Croatian tradition. Sail to Vukovar, Croatia's largest river port, during lunch. Then take a walking tour through this heroic Danube town and check out its history. This evening, live entertainment happens on board before sailing to Moha´cs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Ilok
- Wine tasting in local cellar
- Walking tour of Vukovar
- Live entertainment on board
Landmarks Vukovar - Day 11
Mohács
Morning brings choices in Mohacs. Join a guided tour of this quiet Danube harbor town with its historical memorial parks, statues, and distinctive churches, or visit the remarkable medieval St. Nicholas Watermill to see stone-ground grain processing. Alternatively, take a guided tour to nearby Pecs to see 4th-century Christian underground tombs (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and enjoy an organ concert.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mohács (classic option)
- Tour medieval St. Nicholas Watermill (classic option)
- Guided Tour to Pécs (classic option)
- Organ concert in Pécs (classic option)
Landmarks St. Nicholas Watermill Pécs Underground Tombs - Day 12
Budapest
Start with a guided city tour that includes the iconic Heroes' Square. Then the afternoon is free to explore Budapest on your terms, walking the Chain Bridge, finding cafés and pubs, or hiking through the hills above the Danube. Your ship stays docked overnight, giving you plenty of time to settle into the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided City Sightseeing Tour
- Visit Heroes' Square
Optional Activities
- Free afternoon exploring the Chain Bridge
- Explore cafés and pubs
- Hike through hills above the Danube
Landmarks Heroes' Square Chain Bridge - Day 13
Budapest to Bratislava
Early on, hike up to a magnificent viewpoint with your Adventure Host, or take the day to explore however you want. Visit the Royal Palace grounds to see historical architecture, try Budapest's famous thermal bath spas, or dine at a garden or rooftop restaurant. By evening, you'll cruise toward Bratislava.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to viewpoint with Adventure Host (active option)
Optional Activities
- Free day to explore independently
- Visit Royal Palace grounds
- Try thermal bath spas
- Dine at garden or rooftop eatery
Landmarks Royal Palace - Day 14
Bratislava to Vienna
Follow your Adventure Host on a hike up to lofty Bratislava Castle, or take a guided walk through Old Town's quaint streets, seeing the Town Hall and St. Martin's Cathedral where royal coronations happened. After lunch, you have free time to discover the capital with its history and parks. Tonight, live entertainment happens on board before cruising to Vienna.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided City Walk of Old Town (classic option)
- Visit Town Hall (classic option)
- Visit St. Martin's Cathedral (classic option)
Optional Activities
- Hike to Bratislava Castle (active option)
- Free time to explore the city
Landmarks Bratislava Castle St. Martin's Cathedral - Day 15
Vienna
Bike through Vienna's Danube Island with your Adventure Host, or join a guided tour of Habsburg landmarks including the Imperial Palace, the Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Optional visits to Schönbrunn Palace and the famous Kärntnerstrasse shopping avenue are possible, as is an optional Royal Waltz Concert. The ship sails to Dürnstein this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided City Tour of Vienna (classic option)
- Visit Imperial Palace (classic option)
- Visit Vienna Opera House (classic option)
- Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral (classic option)
Optional Activities
- Bike tour of Danube Island (active option)
- Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace
- Stroll Kärntnerstrasse shopping avenue
- Attend Royal Waltz Concert
Landmarks Imperial Palace Vienna Opera House St. Stephen's Cathedral Schönbrunn Palace Kärntnerstrasse - Day 16
Dürnstein to Ybbs
Hike up to castle ruins for spectacular views of the village and Wachau Valley, or take a guided walk hearing the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart's imprisonment here. Relax on the Sky Deck sailing through the Wachau Valley with vineyards and castles passing by, or bike along the river with your Adventure Host. In Ybbs, visit a pastry workshop and bee farm, tour Artstetten Castle, or see Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey with its frescoed ceilings and ornate pipe organ.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Hike to castle ruins (active option)
- Guided Walk with King Richard story (classic option)
- Sail through Wachau Valley
Optional Activities
- Pastry-baking workshop and bee farm visit (discovery option)
- Guided tour of Artstetten Castle (classic option)
- Guided Tour of Melk Benedictine Abbey (classic option)
- Bike along the river (active option)
Landmarks Wachau Valley Artstetten Castle Melk Benedictine Abbey - Day 17
Linz
Take a guided walk through Linz's historic sites along the Danube shore, seeing Hauptplatz (Austria's largest medieval square) and the white-marble Trinity Column. Bike the Danube's cycle path with your Adventure Host, or consider a full-day optional excursion to Mozart's Salzburg or the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. Your ship remains docked overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walk through Linz
Optional Activities
- Bike ride with Adventure Host around Linz area (active option)
- Full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg
- Full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Cesky Krumlov
Landmarks Hauptplatz Trinity Column - Day 18
Linz to Vilshofen
This morning, cruise through the Schlögen Oxbow, a beautiful horseshoe-shaped river bend. Hike with your Adventure Host from Oberhaus down to the valley and along the Ilz River, or take a guided walk into Passau, the 'City of Three Rivers.' Later, explore Passau's cobblestone streets and Artists' Alley galleries, maybe catching a concert rehearsal at St. Stephen's Cathedral before sailing to Vilshofen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Schlögen Oxbow
- Guided City Walk into Passau (classic option)
Optional Activities
- Hiking from Oberhaus with Adventure Host (active option)
- Explore cobblestone streets and Artists' Alley
- Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral
Landmarks Schlögen Oxbow Passau St. Stephen's Cathedral - Day 19
Regensburg
Join a guided city walk in Regensburg to see the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria, built way back in 179 AD as the fortress entrance. Take free time to enjoy a hearty lunch and local beer, then walk through the historic lanes and squares of this medieval city that still feels vibrant and alive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided City Walk in Regensburg
- Visit Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall)
- Visit Porta Pretoria
Optional Activities
- Enjoy local lunch and beer
- Explore historic lanes and squares
Landmarks Altes Rathaus Porta Pretoria - Day 20
Prague
Take a guided walk to visit Hradcany Castle grounds and see St. Vitus Cathedral and Old Town's Astronomical Clock. Sample plum dumplings or Pilsner lager, meet some locals, and catch street performers in Wenceslas Square as you move through Prague.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided City Walk
- Visit Hradčany Castle Grounds
- Visit St. Vitus Cathedral
- Visit Astronomical Clock
Optional Activities
- Sample plum dumplings
- Try Pilsner lager
- Meet locals and see street performers in Wenceslas Square
Landmarks Hradčany Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Astronomical Clock Wenceslas Square - Day 21
Prague
Your vacation winds down with breakfast this morning, marking the end of your river cruise journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
