The Danube from Romania to Budapest with 1 Night in Bucharest and 2 Nights in Transylvania 2024 - 13 Day River Cruise Bucharest to Budapest

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The Danube from Romania to Budapest with 1 Night in Bucharest and 2 Nights in Transylvania 2024

13 Day River Cruise Bucharest to Budapest



Tour Description:

Sail from Romania to Hungary’s capital of Budapest to experience river views like no other. Begin your Danube River vacation your way before your cruise with an overnight stay and sightseeing in Bucharest. Drive into the Carpathian Mountains to Sinaia to visit the grand Peles Castle. You’ll continue to Transylvania for two nights in Brasov. Take a guided tour of the city by day, followed by a tour of Dracula’s Bran Castle by night, and enjoy guided sightseeing in Bucharest. Enjoy superior hotel accommodations with complimentary breakfast, an expert Local Guide, and courtesy hotel-to-ship transfer.

From Bucharest, travel to Oltenita to embark on your Danube River cruise. Take in the incredible views along the way, Your cruise on the Danube River carries you through the striking landscapes of the Balkans. In Bulgaria’s largest inland port, take a guided sightseeing tour of Rousse, including the Holy Trinity Church, or spend a full day with a guided tour of the Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo, where ancient stone houses cling to the Yantra River cliffs.

One of the oldest towns in Bulgaria, Arbanassi holds Bulgarian Revival architecture within its 15th-century locale. Guided sightseeing In Vidin is followed by a guided tour of Belogradchik, with its ancient fortress and tremendous rock formations on the Balkan Mountains. Next visit Lepenski Vir for a guided tour with ancient archaeological finds before cruising through the narrow Iron Gates Gorge. In Serbia, take a guided tour of Belgrade, including one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches, and see the most preserved Croatian fortress in Osijek. You’ll also attend a stirring performance by young students of the Franjo Kuhač music school. Tour the historic towns of Mohács and Pécs before cruising to Budapest to conclude your amazing cruise on the Danube.

Map for The Danube from Romania to Budapest with 1 Night in Bucharest and 2 Nights in Transylvania 2024 - 13 Day River Cruise Bucharest to Budapest
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Dates & Pricing



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 Cernavoda. Excursion to Constanta: Guided sightseeing, visit the National History and Archaeological Museum in Constanta; wine tasting
Day 6 Rousse. Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi: Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevet's Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and to the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, or guided sightseeing in Rousse, or a walk in the park with your Adventure Host
Day 7 Vidin–Belogradchik: Choice of guided sightseeing to Vidin’s fortress, see the rock formations in Belogradchik or walk with your Adventure Host
Day 8 Iron Gates–Donji Milanovac–Golubač: Scenic cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge; choice of visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site or walk with your Adventure Host; visit to Golubač fortress
Day 9 Belgrade: Choice of guided sightseeing or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture
Day 10 Novi Sad: choice of Novi Sad guided tour or walk with your Adventure Host; choice of honey and wine tasting or hike to the Petrovaradin Fortress
Day 11 Ilok-Vukovar: Ilok guided tour with wine tasting; Vukovar guided tour
Day 12 Mohács. Excursion to Pécs: guided tour and organ concert in Pécs or sightseeing in Mohács, visit St. Nicolas watermill
Day 13 Budapest (Disembarkation): 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
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. BUCHAREST-PARLIAMENT.jpg

Day 2
BUCHAREST–SINAIA–BRASOV Drive into the Carpathians to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle. On the way, enjoy a local lunch. This afternoon continue to Brasov for the night. SINAIA.jpg
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Day 3
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. BRASOV-BRAN-CASTLE.jpg
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Day 4
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. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CERNAVODA BUCHAREST-PARLIAMENT.jpg

Day 5
CERNAVODA. EXCURSION TO CONSTANTA Romania’s Cultural Legacies CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to Constanta, the most important commercial center in Romania, situated on the Black Sea. Visit the Natural History and Archeological Museum to discover the history of early Romanian cultures. DISCOVERY Enjoy a visit to a local winery to learn about traditional Romanian wines with a tasting. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE CONSTANTA.jpg
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Day 6
ROUSSE, BULGARIA. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION Fortresses and Fountains in “Little Vienna” ACTIVE Join a walk through the park in Rousse with your Avalon Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church. Sail to Svistov, 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 Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi. Later, join your ship in Svistov. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN VELIKO-TARNOVO.jpg
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Day 7
VIDIN Rocks, ruins and Balkan Beauty Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities. ACTIVE Wander and discover this town, join your Adventure Host for a walk, OR: CLASSIC Join Guided Sightseeing in Vidin, followed by a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. See the remarkable rock formations on the slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of nature’s elements. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC VIDIN-BELOGRADSHICK.jpg
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Day 8
DONJI MILANOVAC, SERBIA–IRON GATES GORGE. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates Before lunch on board, you’ll sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge—forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. ACTIVE Stretch your legs, ease your mind and enjoy a walk lead by your Adventure Host, OR: 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. GOLUBAČ A Formidable Fortress 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 IRON-GATES-GORGE.jpg
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Day 9
BELGRADE Fortresses and Folklore Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. 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. You may choose to join an Optional Guided Biking tour or spend free time in Belgrade exploring Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots. DISCOVERY Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NOVI SAD BELGRADE-SAINT-SAVA.jpg
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Day 10
NOVI SAD A Capital of Culture 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. ACTIVE Enjoy a walking tour in Novi Sad along the narrow streets that climb slowly to the top of the hill above the city to Petrovaradin Fortress, OR: DISCOVERY Experience the sweet life in Serbia with a visit and tasting at the Museum of Beekeeping and Živanović Wine Cellar in Sremski Karlovci. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ILOK NOVI-SAD.jpg
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Day 11
ILOK, CROATIA Croatian Heritage and Hilltop Vintages DISCOVERY Take a walking tour of Ilok with a wine tasting in a local cellar with stories of Croatian tradition. VUKOVAR, CROATIA The Heroic Town on the Danube CLASSIC Enjoy a walking tour of Vukovar, the city the largest river port in Croatia. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS ILOK.jpg
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Day 12
MOHÁCS, HUNGARY. EXCURSION TO PÉCS Underground Tombs and Heavenly Music 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 to 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. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST PECS.jpg
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Day 13
BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Budapest airport before 8 am. BUDAPEST-CITY-VIEW.jpg

Accommodations

BucharestBrasov
Radisson Blu
Deluxe

Hotel as shown or similar

Calea Victoriei 63 - 81 Sector 1 Bucharest Romania

Overlooking the former Royal Palace and near the Romanian Athenaeum Concert Hall and Cismigiu Park, the Radisson Blu provides modern accommodation in the heart of Romania's capital. Guests can choose from the exclusive selection of five on site restaurants and three bars. The hotel also hosts the World Class Health Academy including indoor 22-meter swimming, outdoor Jacuzzi and pool, gym and fitness facilities. When you feel like relaxing, visit our Bali Spa, offering a nice menu of massages and body treatments (against a fee). Within the same complex as the Radisson Blu Hotel you can enjoy Romania's biggest casino.
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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