Balkan Discovery with 2 Nights in Transylvania 2024 - 11 Day River Cruise Budapest to Bucharest

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Balkan Discovery with 2 Nights in Transylvania 2024

11 Day River Cruise Budapest to Bucharest



Tour Description:

See the highlights of Eastern Europe on this Danube River cruise adventure through the Balkans! This vacation has something for everybody—relaxing time on your ship and stops in the most fascinating cities, with free time and guided sightseeing. On an excursion to Pécs, Hungary, you’ll visit underground burial chambers with fascinating murals, now part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, is one of the oldest cities in Europe, where the Sava River meets the Danube. The lively pedestrian boulevard of Knez Mihailova is dotted with charming cafés and historical buildings. You’ll also see St. Sava, the world’s largest Orthodox Church. Cruise through the dramatic views of Iron Gates Gorge, marvel at Belogradchik’s fascinating rock formations, and visit the fortress in Bulgaria’s ancient capital of Veliko Târnovo. In Arbanassi, visit the Church of the Nativity, housing an impressive collection of frescoes.

This timeless European vacation continues with a stay in Romania’s vibrant capital of Bucharest, the “Paris of the East.” A local expert will show you many of its historical treasures, such as the Arc de Triomphe. Travel to Transylvania to visit Bran Castle—of Dracula lore—the city of Brasov, and beautiful Peles Castle.

Map for Balkan Discovery with 2 Nights in Transylvania 2024 - 11 Day River Cruise Budapest to Bucharest
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Dates & Pricing



Destination & Sightseeing

Day 1 Budapest (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Mohács. Excursion to Pécs: Choice of guided tour in Pécs, visit the underground tombs, or sightseeing in Mohács, visit St. Nicolas watermill or walk with your Adventure Host
Day 3 Ilok-Novi Sad: Ilok guided tour; choice of Novi Sad guided tour or walk with your Adventure Host
Day 4 Belgrade: Choice of guided tour or walk with your Adventure Host; on board lecture
Day 5 Golubac-Donji Milanovac-Iron Gates: Choice of visit to Golubač fortress or visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site scenic cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge
Day 6 Vidin. Excursion to Belogradchik: Choice of guided tour to Baba Vida Fortress and Belogradchik, see the rock formations or visit a local winery with wine tasting or biking in Vidin with your Adventure Host
Day 7 Rousse-Excursion to Veliko Târnovo and Arbanassi: Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevet's Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and to the Ethnographical Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, or a guided sightseeing in Rousse, or biking in Rousse with your Adventure Host
Day 8 Oltenita (Disembarkation)-Brasov: Transfer to Bucharest, guided sightseeing
Day 9 Brasov: Brasov guided tour; visit Bran Castle
Day 10 Brasov-Sinaia-Bucharest: Visit Peles Castle
Day 11 Bucharest: Your vacation ends this morning
Notes:
  • 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.

ITINERARY

Day 1
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION) Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Budapest must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS BUDAPEST-PARLIAMENT.jpg

Day 2
MOHÁCS Hungarian History in a Harbor Town Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. ACTIVE Explore Mohacs by foot as you follow the lead of your Adventure Host , OR: 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 ILOK PECS.jpg
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Day 3
ILOK, CROATIA History and Culture in Croatia CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old wine making tradition still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage. Enjoy a brief cruise to Novi Sad while having lunch onboard. NOVI SAD, SERBIA The Athens of Serbia 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. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE NOVI-SAD.jpg
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Day 4
BELGRADE Fortresses and Folklore 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 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. Alternatively, enjoy one of the Optional Excursions on offer. This evening, you might like to join an Optional Excursion for an authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GOLUBAČ BELGRADE-SAINT-SAVA.jpg
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Day 5
GOLUBAČ–DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR–IRON GATES GORGE Ancient Artifacts and and the Iron Gates CLASSIC Visit the Fortress of Golubač, 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; OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to the Mesolithic archaeological site of Lepenski Vir with unique views 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 IRON-GATES-GORGE.jpg
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Day 6
VIDIN, BULGARIA Rocks, ruins and Balkan Beauty Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. ACTIVE Wander and discover this town, join your Adventure Host for a bike ride around town, OR: CLASSIC Join Guided Sightseeing to Baba Vida Fortress, 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; OR: DISCOVERY Discover more than two centuries of a proud family history of Bulgarian winemaking with a tour and tasting at a local winery. Here, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting in the cellars. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE VIDIN-BELOGRADSHICK.jpg
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Day 7
ROUSSE. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION Fortresses and Folklore ACTIVE Explore Rousse's old town by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: 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. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OLTENITA VELIKO-TARNOVO.jpg
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Day 8
OLTENITA, ROMANIA (DISEMBARKATION)–BUCHAREST Disembark your Ship and transfer to Bucharest. 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. After the visit drive to Brasov for the night. BUCHAREST-ARC-DE-TRIOMPHE.jpg

Day 9
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. BRASOV-BRAN-CASTLE.jpg
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Day 10
BRASOV–SINAIA–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; On the way, enjoy a local lunch. 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. SINAIA.jpg
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Day 11
BUCHAREST Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. BUCHAREST-SUNRISE.jpg
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Accommodations

BrasovBucharest
Kronwell Brasov Hotel
Superior First-Class

Hotel as shown or similar

Bulevardul Garii Nr 7A Brasov Romania

The Kronwell hotel in Brasov boasts stylishly luxurious guestrooms equipped with state-of-the art facilities, as well as free of charge wireless internet access that will satisfy the hotel's most exclusive guests. This centrally located hotel offers a stylish à la carte restaurant, a casual bar, a sleek European/Asian bistro and formal dining with a terrace. The spa has an indoor pool, a fitness studio and sauna.
Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

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