The Danube from Romania to Budapest with 1 Night in Bucharest and 2 Nights in Transylvania 2026 - 12 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 2026

12 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 2026 - 12 Day River Cruise Bucharest to Budapest
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Dates & Pricing

Monday 04 May 26 — Saturday 16 May 26Starting at $5,068 Get a Quote
Wednesday 27 May 26 — Monday 08 Jun 26Starting at $5,168 Get a Quote
Thursday 11 Jun 26 — Tuesday 23 Jun 26Starting at $5,918 Get a Quote
Friday 26 Jun 26 — Wednesday 08 Jul 26Starting at $5,818 Get a Quote
Saturday 11 Jul 26 — Thursday 23 Jul 26Starting at $5,818 Get a Quote
Sunday 26 Jul 26 — Friday 07 Aug 26Starting at $5,818 Get a Quote
Monday 10 Aug 26 — Saturday 22 Aug 26Starting at $5,818 Get a Quote
Tuesday 25 Aug 26 — Sunday 06 Sep 26Starting at $6,218 Get a Quote
Wednesday 09 Sep 26 — Monday 21 Sep 26Starting at $5,468 Get a Quote
Thursday 24 Sep 26 — Tuesday 06 Oct 26Starting at $5,468 Get a Quote
Friday 09 Oct 26 — Wednesday 21 Oct 26Starting at $6,018 Get a Quote
Saturday 24 Oct 26 — Thursday 05 Nov 26Starting at $5,718 Get a Quote


Destination & Sightseeing

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

Day 2
BUCHAREST–SINAIA–BRASOV Romanian Royalty CLASSIC Drive into the Carpathians to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle. On the way, visit the legendary Cantacuzino Castle and enjoy a local lunch. This afternoon, continue to Brasov for the night
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Day 3
BRASOV Transylvania Tales CLASSIC Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Brasov followed by free time. CLASSIC In the evening enjoy a tour of Bran Castle of Dracula lore followed by dinner
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Day 4
BRASOV–BUCHAREST–OLTENITA (EMBARKATION) Historic Bucharest 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 ROUSSE

Day 5
ROUSSE, BULGARIA. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION Fortresses and Fountains in “Little Vienna” ACTIVE Join a bike tour 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. Later, enjoy a short scenic drive to explore the rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo, a UNESCO World Heritage. 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. Sail to Svistov or join your ship there if you opted for the full-day tour. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN
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Day 6
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 bike ride, OR: CLASSIC Join 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. Then, visit the mighty Baba Vida Fortress in nearby Vidin. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC
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Day 7
IRON GATES GORGE–GOLUBAČ, SERBIA. 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. 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. Continue to the Fortress of Golubač, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE
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Day 8
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
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Day 9
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. 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. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ILOK
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Day 10
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. Enjoy a short sailing to Vukovar during lunchtime VUKOVAR, CROATIA The Heroic Town on the Danube CLASSIC Enjoy a walking tour of Vukovar, the city the largest river port in Croatia. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS
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Day 11
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
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Day 12
BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Budapest airport before 8 am

Accommodations

BucharestBrasovBrasov
Intercontinental Athenee Palace
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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