Balkan Odyssey with 2 Nights in Transylvania 2022
11 Day River Cruise Bucharest to Zagreb
Starting at $3,377
Destinations & Sightseeing
Itinerary and Meals
Accomodations
800.528.9300
Begin your Balkan Odyssey before your cruise with an overnight stay in Bucharest—the “Paris of the East.” See the Romanian capital’s the WWI Arc de Triomphe and the Royal Palace Square, and spend free time browsing the lovely shops and cafes of Victory Boulevard. Continue to Transylvania and spend two nights in Brasov to visit Peles Castle and Bran Castle—inspiration for Bram Stocker’s Dracula. Embark on your Suite Ship® in the town of Oltenita to begin your Danube River cruise through the Balkans, and cruise for Nikopol. See the incredible ancient architecture in Veliko Târnovo and Arbanassi, and sail to Vidin Bulgaria to marvel at the remarkable rock formations of the Balkan Mountains in Belogradchik. Cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge, explore the amazing archaeological site of Lepenski Vir, and visit the fascinating Fortress of Golubač. Sail to Belgrade, Serbia, where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet, and discover ancient architecture in Novi Sad. Sail into beautiful Croatia, where a 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition lives on in Ilok. Disembark in Osijek and spend the night in the Croatian capital of Zagreb—dating back to the Roman Empire. This Danube River cruise through the Balkans reveals the beauty of its people and culture across a land of beauty and inspiration.
Destination & Sightseeing
| Day 1 Bucharest: | welcome to Bucharest |
| Day 2 Bucharest–Sinaia–Brasov: | visit Peles Castle |
| Day 3 Brasov: | guided tour of Brasov; guided visit of Dracula’s Bran Castle |
| Day 4 Brasov–Bucharest–Oltenita (Embarkation): | guided sightseeing in Bucharest; transfer to ship; onboard welcome reception |
| Day 5 Nikopol. Excursion to Veliko Târnovo and Arbanassi: | full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevet’s Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and to the Ethnographical Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi |
| Day 6 Vidin. Excursion to Belogradchik: | guided tour in Vidin, excursion to Belogradchik, see the rock formations |
| Day 7 Iron Gates–Donji Milanovac–Golubač: | scenic cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge; visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site; visit to Golubač fortress |
| Day 8 Belgrade: | guided tour; lecture on board |
| Day 9 Novi Sad–Ilok: | guided tours |
| Day 10 Osijek (Disembarkation)–Zagreb: | guided sightseeing in Zagreb |
| Day 11 Zagreb: | 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
CLASSIC Join a Guided Excursion in Bucharest, see the Royal Palace Square—the scene of the city 's 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu
Day 2
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
Day 3
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
Day 4
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
Day 5
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
Day 6
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage
Day 7
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the Croatian capital city of Zagreb and discover its rich history dating from the Roman times to the present day
Day 8
DISCOVERY After dinner, attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the Danube Delta
Day 9
DISCOVERY Before dinner, attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states
Day 10
Welcome to Bucharest—The “Paris of the East”
The day is yours to relax and enjoy Bucharest. 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
Day 11
Drive into the Carpathians to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle. This afternoon continue to Brasov for the night
Day 12
Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Brasov followed by free time. In the evening enjoy a tour of Bran Castle of Dracula lore followed by dinner
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Spend some free time exploring this fascinating city on your own to discover its Austro-Hungarian architecture. Do not miss pedestrian-friendly Tkalčićeva Street, lined with outdoor cafes
Day 20
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning
Day 21
BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
Day 22
BUCHAREST–SINAIA–BRASOV
Day 23
BRASOV
Day 24
BRASOV–BUCHAREST–OLTENITA (EMBARKATION)
Day 25
NIKOPOL. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION
Day 26
VIDIN, BULGARIA
Day 27
IRON GATES GORGE–DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR–GOLUBAČ
Day 28
BELGRADE, SERBIA
Day 29
ILOK, CROATIA
Day 30
OSIJEK (DISEMBARKATION)–ZAGREB
Day 31
ZAGREB
Day 32
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ST. GHEORGHE
Day 33
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN
Day 34
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC
Day 35
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE
Day 36
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NOVI SAD
Day 37
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OSIJEK
Day 38
BreakfastDinner
Day 39
BreakfastDinner
Day 40
BreakfastDinner
Day 41
BreakfastDinner
Day 42
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 43
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 44
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 45
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 46
Breakfast
Day 47
Breakfast
Day 48 BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
Welcome to Bucharest—The “Paris of the East”
The day is yours to relax and enjoy Bucharest. 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
Day 49 BUCHAREST–SINAIA–BRASOV
Drive into the Carpathians to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle. This afternoon continue to Brasov for the night
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast
DinnerDay 50 BRASOV
Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Brasov followed by free time. In the evening enjoy a tour of Bran Castle of Dracula lore followed by dinner
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 51 BRASOV–BUCHAREST–OLTENITA (EMBARKATION)
CLASSIC Join a Guided Excursion in Bucharest, see the Royal Palace Square—the scene of the city 's 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
Join your Avalon Suite Ship® this afternoon, for embarkation in Oltenita.
DISCOVERY After dinner, attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the Danube Delta.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ST. GHEORGHE
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 52 NIKOPOL. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION
Cliff Houses and Revival Architecture
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.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN
Breakfast Dinner
Breakfast DinnerDay 53 VIDIN, BULGARIA
Rocks, Ruins and 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.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 54 IRON GATES GORGE–DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR–GOLUBAČ
Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
Sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge—a natural border between Serbia and Romania.
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.
Enjoy a brief sailing to Golubač.
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.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 55 BELGRADE, SERBIA
Fortresses and Folklore
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.
Spend free time in Belgrade exploring Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots.
DISCOVERY Before dinner, attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states.
This evening, you might like to join an Optional Excursion for an authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NOVI SAD
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 56 NOVI SAD
A Capital of Culture
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.
Enjoy a brief cruise to Ilok while having lunch onboard.
ILOK, CROATIA
Croatian Heritage and Hilltop Vintages
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OSIJEK
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 57 OSIJEK (DISEMBARKATION)–ZAGREB
A Night in Zagreb
Disembark your ship this morning and travel to Zagreb.
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of the Croatian capital city of Zagreb and discover its rich history dating from the Roman times to the present day.
Spend some free time exploring this fascinating city on your own to discover its Austro-Hungarian architecture. Do not miss pedestrian-friendly Tkalčićeva Street, lined with outdoor cafes
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 58 ZAGREB
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Accommodations
| Bucharest | Brasov | Zagreb |
Athenee Palace Hilton
Superior First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
1-3 Episcopiei Bucharest Romania
Explore Bucharest from the glorious Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest hotel, one of the city's most sophisticated and prestigious landmarks. The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the city and enjoys views of Revolution Square and is close to Bucharest's many local attractions.
Superior First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
1-3 Episcopiei Bucharest Romania
Explore Bucharest from the glorious Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest hotel, one of the city's most sophisticated and prestigious landmarks. The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the city and enjoys views of Revolution Square and is close to Bucharest's many local attractions.
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