The Danube from the Black Sea to Germany with 2 Nights in Transylvania, 2 Nights in Prague & 2 Nights in Berlin 2021

Your grand European river cruise is an adventure from the Danube Delta to the German capital of Berlin. From the legend of Dracula’s castle, to the “Paris of the East” in Bucharest, to the “Golden City” of Prague, in the Czech Republic, you’ll embark on an odyssey of new discoveries to treasure. Begin with two nights in mysteriously beautiful Transylvania, with a drive into the soaring Carpathian Mountains to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle and continue to Brasov for a guided tour. In the evening, visit Romania’s Bran Castle, inspiration for Bram Stoker’s legendary Dracula.

Enjoy guided sightseeing in Bucharest, before embarking your Avalon Suite Ship®, and sail overnight to St. Gheorghe for an excursion to the Danube Delta at the entrance to the Black Sea. Join a small-boat guided tour of the delta’s rivers, canals, and marshes. Enjoy a special “Kilometer 0” celebration of the mighty Dan-ube’s 2,845km journey from the Black Forest to the Black Sea. Sail through the Balkans and Budapest to Vi-enna and Austria, and to the exquisite city of Prague for a 2-night stay. Continue to Dresden en route to Ber-lin, where you’ll spend two nights, including sightseeing of the historic Brandenburg Gate and a visit to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. From Romania to the Black Sea Delta to the Golden City of Prague, and the Rhineland’s capital city of Berlin, seeing such a variety of landscapes, languages, cultures, and historic sites will be an unmatched treasure not to be missed.

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The Danube from the Black Sea to GermanyWODY
The Danube from the Black Sea to GermanyWODY

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 Drive into the Carpathians to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle. This afternoon continue to Brasov for the night
Breakfast Dinner

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
Breakfast Dinner

Day 4

BRASOV–BUCHAREST–CERNAVODA (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 Cernavoda. DISCOVERY After dinner, attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the Danube Delta. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ST. GHEORGHE

Day 5

ST. GHEORGHE. EXCURSION TO DANUBE DELTA A River’s Entrance into the Sea Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. CLASSIC Join a small-boat Guided Tour of the best preserved of Europe’s deltas -2,200 square miles of rivers, canals, marshes, tree-fringed lakes and reed islands. DISCOVERY Enjoy a Special Celebration to mark Kilometer “0”—the end of the Danube River’s 2,845 km journey—from the source in the Black Forest to its delta at the Black Sea. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO HÂRȘOVA
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 6

HÂRȘOVA. 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. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 7

ROUSSE, BULGARIA. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION Fortresses and Fountains in “Little Vienna” CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church, OR: ACTIVE Join a walk through the park with your Avalon Adventure Host. 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, as well as Bulgarian revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi. Later, join your ship in Svistov. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 8

VIDIN Rocks, ruins and Balkan Beauty Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities. CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour in Vidin before joining a Guided Tour to Belogradchik See the remarkable rock formations on the western 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 9

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. 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. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 10

BELGRADE 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 sites, including Saint Sava—one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches. You may choose to spend free time in Belgrade exploring Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NOVI SAD
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 11

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 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 MOHÁCS
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 12

MOHÁCS, HUNGARY. EXCURSION TO PÉCS Underground Tombs and Heavenly Music 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 13

BUDAPEST Hungary’s Captivating Capital CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square. Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city’s cafés and pubs, or take a hike through the hills above the Danube. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 14

BUDAPEST The Pearl of the Danube Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. This afternoon choose among a wide selection of Optional Guided Excursions or take a free day to explore, with time to take photographs on the Royal Palace grounds in this treasure trove of historical architecture. Try Budapest’s famous thermal bath spas, then dine in a garden or rooftop eatery. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 15

BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and the sight of royal coronations at St. Martin’s Cathedral. During lunch time enjoy a short sailing to Hainburg HAINBURG, AUSTRIA Enjoy some free time in the village of Hainburg or take a Guided Optional Excursion to discover the natural beauties of this area. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 16

VIENNA, AUSTRIA Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel, and Sachertorte CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—Winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. You may decide to take a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg Empire. Spend free time strolling in the Kärntnerstrasse—the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna, or take a bike ride to a local café for Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel. This evening, enjoy an unforgettable musical performance with an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DÜRNSTEIN
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 17

DÜRNSTEIN–WACHAU VALLEY A King’s Ransom and Castle Ruins CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart—who was imprisoned in the castle during the Crusades, OR: ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins to take in the spectacular view of the village, Danube, and the Wachau Valley below. Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Ybbs. YBBS. EXCURSION TO MELK Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below DISCOVERY This afternoon, learn more about sweet Austrian pastry. A workshop in a local bakery with an expert chef will let you create your own pastry, fill it and enjoy it as well, OR: CLASSIC Visit the Lower Austrian little town of Ybbs. Admire the fine architecture of the Babenberger and its romantic old town, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ. DISCOVERY Enjoy the flavors of the Wachau Valley at a Wine Tasting on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LINZ
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 18

LINZ Legendary, Lovely Linz Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities. CLASSIC Take a Guided Walk through the city’s historic and beautiful sites along the shore of the Danube and see Hauptplatz—Austria’s largest medieval square—and the towering white-marble Trinity Column. Consider a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg-the city of Mozart-or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. You may otherwise spend the afternoon on a biking picnic along the banks of the Danube, or hike through Linz’s beautiful nature trails to Pöstlingberg for a bird’s-eye view of the city and river below. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 19

SCHLÖGEN OXBOW–PASSAU, GERMANY Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet This morning, cruise through the Schlögen Oxbow, a particularly beautiful horseshoe-shaped bend of the river. CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk into Passau, the beautiful “City of Three Rivers,” OR: ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along Ilz River. Before sailing to Deggendorf, take a little free time to explore Passau’s cobblestone streets and galleries of Artists’ Alley. Maybe stop at St. Stephen’s Cathedral to catch a concert rehearsal. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DEGGENDORF
Breakfast

Day 20

DEGGENDORF (DISEMBARKATION)–REGENSBURG–PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk in Regensburg and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress. Take free time to enjoy a hearty lunch and a local beer, then step back in time through historic lanes and squares of today’s modern and vibrant Regensburg

Day 21

PRAGUE Explore the City of 100 Spires CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk to visit the Hradčany Castle Grounds; see St. Vitus Cathedral and Old Town’s Astronomical Clock. Sample plum dumplings or Pilsner lager by the Vltava River, meet the locals, and see street performers in Wenceslas Square.This evening, you might join an Optional Folklore Dinner Show, sampling traditional Czech cuisine in an authentic Prague setting
Breakfast

Day 22

PRAGUE–DRESDEN, GERMANY–BERLIN This morning travel to Dresden, a city badly damaged by Allied bombing during WWII. During your guided walk visit the courtyard of the Zwinger Palace to admire its impressive architecture, see the magnificent baroque Semper Opera, built in 1841, destroyed once by fire and once by bombing and finally restored in 1985; and the newly rebuilt Frauenkirche. Enjoy free time during lunch before continuing to Berlin, Germany’s reunited capital, where you arrive in the late afternoon
Breakfast

Day 23

BERLIN Today join a Local Expert for a guided tour of the major sites of this metropolis, including the restored Reichstag building, Charlottenburg Palace, and the elegant Kurfürstendamm. See the Holocaust Memorial and the 210-foot Victory Column and make a picture stop at monumental Brandenburg Gate, one of the best-known landmarks of Germany where President John F. Kennedy once famously said “I am a Berliner”. Visit the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church with its bomb-damaged tower, drive along Unter den Linden boulevard and pass the State Opera House and Checkpoint Charlie. This afternoon is free for your own exploration
Breakfast

Day 24

BERLIN Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning
Breakfast

Accommodations