Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest
Your flights arrive in Bucharest by 2 pm, giving you time to get to the port. You'll board the Avalon Suite Ship at 5 pm and spend the evening exploring the vessel before dinner onboard. The ship then cruises toward Rousse overnight.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Avalon Suite Ship
- Day 2
Veliko Tarnovo - Svistov
In Rousse, you have several choices for the day. Take a bike tour with your Adventure Host, join a guided sightseeing walk through Bulgaria's largest inland port and Holy Trinity Church, or do the full-day guided tour to ancient Veliko Tarnovo with its cliff-hanging stone houses and Bulgarian Revival architecture in Arbanassi. Later you'll meet the ship in Svistov and sail to Vidin for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Bike tour in Rousse with Avalon Adventure Host
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rousse and Holy Trinity Church
- Guided Tour to rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Full-day Guided Tour to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi
Landmarks Holy Trinity Church Rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo Veliko Tarnovo Arbanassi - Day 3
Vidin
Vidin offers multiple activities: explore the town with your Adventure Host, take a bike ride, or join a guided tour of the remarkable Belogradchik rock formations and Baba Vida Fortress. This evening features a Bulgarian folklore show as live entertainment while you cruise toward Donji Milanovac.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bulgarian folklore show
Optional Activities
- Wander and discover Vidin
- Bike ride in Vidin with Adventure Host
- Guided Tour of Belogradchik and Baba Vida Fortress
Landmarks Belogradchik rock formations Baba Vida Fortress - Day 4
Iron Gates - Belgrade
The day centers on sailing through the Iron Gates Gorge, a narrow passage between Serbia and Romania. You'll take a guided tour to Lepenski Vir, an important Mesolithic archaeological site, and visit the Fortress of Golubac, one of Europe's best preserved medieval fortresses. The ship then cruises to Belgrade for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour to Lepenski Vir archaeological site
- Visit Fortress of Golubac
- Sail through Iron Gates Gorge
Landmarks Iron Gates Gorge Lepenski Vir Fortress of Golubac - Day 5
Belgrade
In Belgrade, you can walk the central walkway with your Adventure Host, take a guided sightseeing tour of where the Danube and Sava Rivers converge and visit Saint Sava Orthodox Church, or explore Knez Mihailova Street on your own. Optional guided biking tours and onboard lectures about Balkan history and culture are also available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Onboard Lecture about Balkan history, destinations, and culture
Optional Activities
- See Belgrade's central walkway with Adventure Host
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade and Saint Sava Orthodox Church
- Explore Knez Mihailova Street independently
- Optional Guided Biking Tour
Landmarks Saint Sava Knez Mihailova Street - Day 6
Novi Sad
Novi Sad features Austro-Hungarian baroque buildings and ancient fortifications. You can take a guided tour, do a walking tour up narrow streets to Petrovaradin Fortress, or visit the Museum of Beekeeping and Zivanovic Wine Cellar in nearby Sremski Karlovci for Serbian honey and wine tasting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided Tour of Novi Sad
- Walking tour to Petrovaradin Fortress with Adventure Host
- Visit and tasting at Museum of Beekeeping and Živanović Wine Cellar in Sremski Karlovci
Landmarks Petrovaradin Fortress Museum of Beekeeping Živanović Wine Cellar - Day 7
Vukovar
Start with a walking tour of Ilok and wine tasting in a local cellar to discover Croatian tradition. You'll have a short sail to Vukovar during lunchtime, then take a walking tour of this heroic Danube river port city. Live entertainment happens onboard this evening as the ship cruises to Mohacs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Vukovar
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Ilok with wine tasting in local cellar
Landmarks Vukovar - Day 8
Pécs
In Mohacs, choose a morning guided sightseeing tour of the memorial parks and distinctive churches, plus the remarkable medieval St. Nicholas Watermill, or take a full-day guided tour to nearby Pecs to see 4th-century Christian underground tombs (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with fascinating murals and an organ concert.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mohács and St. Nicholas Watermill
- Guided Tour to Pécs with 4th-century Christian underground tombs and organ concert
Landmarks St. Nicholas Watermill Pécs Christian Underground Tombs - Day 9
Budapest
A guided city sightseeing tour includes the iconic Heroes' Square and key sights throughout Budapest. The afternoon is free for you to explore the Chain Bridge, relax in cafes and pubs, or hike above the Danube at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided City Sightseeing including Heroes' Square
Optional Activities
- Explore Chain Bridge independently
- Hike above the Danube
Landmarks Heroes' Square Chain Bridge - Day 10
Budapest
Multiple options for the day: hike to a magnificent viewpoint with your Adventure Host, take photographs at the Royal Palace grounds, explore Budapest's thermal bath spas, or discover the city at your own pace. You'll relax and enjoy this historical city before the ship cruises to Bratislava this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Hike to magnificent viewpoint with Adventure Host
- Free day to explore and photograph Royal Palace grounds
- Visit Budapest's famous thermal bath spas
- Dine in garden or rooftop eatery
Landmarks Royal Palace - Day 11
Bratislava
In Bratislava, you can hike to the lofty Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host, or take a guided walking tour of Old Town's cobblestone streets to Town Hall and the Gothic halls of St. Martin's Cathedral, Hungary's centuries-old coronation church. Alternatively, bike and picnic along the Danube. Live entertainment happens onboard this evening before cruising to Vienna.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Live entertainment onboard
Optional Activities
- Short hike to Bratislava Castle with Adventure Host
- Guided Walking Tour of Old Town, Town Hall, and St. Martin's Cathedral
- Bicycle and picnic exploration along the Danube
Landmarks Bratislava Castle St. Martin's Cathedral - Day 12
Vienna
Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, or take a morning guided city tour of the Habsburg Empire including the Imperial Palace, Vienna Opera House, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Optional excursions include guided tours to Schonbrunn Palace, the Prater amusement park, museums, or a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning Guided City Tour of Vienna
Optional Activities
- Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with Adventure Host
- Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace
- Visit Prater amusement park
- Visit nearby museums
- Optional Excursion to attend Royal Waltz Concert
Landmarks Imperial Palace Vienna Opera House St. Stephen's Cathedral Schönbrunn Palace Prater - Day 13
Melk
In Durnstein, choose between a guided hike to castle ruins with spectacular views of the village and Wachau Valley, or a guided walk hearing the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart. Later, you'll sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages to Melk. Explore Melk by walking along the Danube or take a guided tour of Melk's Benedictine Abbey with its frescoed ceilings and incredible library. Optional wine tasting happens before sailing to Passau.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sail through Wachau Valley
Optional Activities
- Guided Hike to castle ruins in Dürnstein
- Guided Walk of Dürnstein about King Richard the Lionheart
- Walking tour of Melk with Adventure Host
- Guided Tour of Melk's Benedictine Abbey
- Wine Tasting onboard
Landmarks Dürnstein Castle Wachau Valley Melk Benedictine Abbey - Day 14
Passau
Join an afternoon guided city walk to learn about Passau, the beautiful City of Three Rivers. Alternatively, choose a full-day guided optional excursion to Mozart's Salzburg or the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov before cruising to Regensburg this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Afternoon Guided City Walk of Passau
Optional Activities
- Full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg
- Full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Cesky Krumlov
Landmarks Salzburg Cesky Krumlov - Day 15
Regensburg
Explore Walhalla by bike with your Adventure Host, or take a guided city walk to see Altes Rathaus and Porta Pretoria fortress entrance from 179 AD. Optional guided excursion to Weltenburg Benedictine Monastery is available. A free afternoon follows for exploring Regensburg's charming streets by foot or bike, then live entertainment onboard this evening before cruising to Roth.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Live entertainment onboard
Optional Activities
- Explore Walhalla by bike with Adventure Host
- Guided City Walk of Regensburg
- Guided Optional Excursion to Weltenburg Benedictine Monastery
Landmarks Walhalla Altes Rathaus Porta Pretoria Weltenburg Benedictine Monastery - Day 16
Nuremberg - Bamberg
An onboard lecture discusses the Main-Danube Canal linking two vital rivers. Choose your activity: guided sightseeing tour of Roth's half-timbered houses and historic hunting lodge, guided tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture and Kaiserburg Castle, or guided tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds. Live entertainment happens onboard this evening as you sail to Bamberg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Onboard Lecture about Main-Danube Canal
Optional Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Roth
- Guided Tour of Nuremberg's medieval architecture
- Guided Tour of historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds
Landmarks Schloss Ratibor Nuremberg Kaiserburg Castle Nuremberg Rally Grounds - Day 17
Bamberg
Take a guided walking tour of Bamberg, the former home to imperial dynasties, to see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches. An onboard lecture covers European history and culture before cruising to Wurzburg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walking Tour of Bamberg
- Onboard lecture about European history and culture
Landmarks Bamberg Cathedral Bamberg Old Town Hall - Day 18
Würzburg
Enjoy an easy bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, or take a guided sightseeing tour of Wurzburg to see the Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop's Residenz with the largest known ceiling fresco. The afternoon allows leisurely sailing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Leisurely sailing this afternoon
Optional Activities
- Easy bike ride along river with Adventure Host
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Würzburg
Landmarks Old Main Bridge Würzburg Fortress Bishop's Residenz - Day 19
Miltenberg
Discover Miltenberg by bike with your Adventure Host, or join a guided walking tour to see medieval half-timber homes and Germany's oldest inn. Onboard entertainment happens as you cruise to Rudesheim.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Onboard entertainment
Optional Activities
- Discover Miltenberg by bike with Adventure Host
- Guided Walking Tour of Miltenberg
- Day 20
Rüdesheim
Choose your activity: hike through Rudesheim's picturesque vineyards, visit the historic 18th-century barrel cellar of Johannisberg Castle with wine tasting, or tour the Mechanical Music Museum with authentic Rudesheimer coffee tasting. This afternoon, cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge past the famous Lorelei rock. Optional classical music concert happens in the baroque venue at Engers Castle. You'll stay overnight docked in Engers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Hike through Rüdesheim vineyards with Adventure Host
- Guided Visit to Johannisberg Castle 18th-century barrel cellar with wine tasting
- Tour Mechanical Music Museum with Rüdesheimer coffee tasting
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge and see Lorelei rock
- Remarkable classical music concert at Engers Castle
Landmarks Johannisberg Castle Mechanical Music Museum Rhine Gorge Lorelei Engers Castle - Day 21
Cologne
Multiple activity options available: bike ride like the locals with your Adventure Host, guided walking tour of Cologne's important Jewish heritage sites, or guided city walk of the Old City to see the soaring twin-steepled Gothic cathedral. Free time follows for enjoying a glass of Kolsch pale lager, locally brewed for over 100 years, before cruising to Amsterdam.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Bike ride in Cologne with Adventure Host
- Guided Walking Tour of Cologne's Jewish heritage sites
- Guided City Walk of Cologne Old City and Gothic Cathedral
- Taste locally brewed Kölsch pale lager
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral - Day 22
Amsterdam
Several ways to discover Amsterdam: early morning walk with your Adventure Host, off-the-beaten-path guided walking tour through cobblestone streets, or guided canal cruise past stately homes from Amsterdam's Golden Age. Afternoon options include optional culinary walk sampling Dutch specialties, optional biking tour of the countryside, or optional excursion to Zaanse Schans historic windmills. Explore colorful cafes, galleries, bridges, and canals on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Early morning walk in Amsterdam with Adventure Host
- Off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour of Amsterdam
- Guided Canal Cruise past Golden Age homes
- Optional Culinary Walk sampling Dutch specialties
- Optional Biking Tour to discover countryside
- Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals Zaanse Schans - Day 23
Amsterdam
Your Balkan Adventure cruise ends this morning with breakfast in Amsterdam.
- Meals
- Breakfast
