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Balkan Discovery

Experience the extraordinary destinations of Eastern Europe on this Danube River cruise adventure through the Balkans

Cruise Only
8 nights from £1745pp

River Cruise Holiday
Bucharest
Belgrade
Budapest

Call us now on 01756 706500 to secure your cabin!

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Expect outstanding views on your Danube River cruise from Hungary to Romania. and cruise to Pécs, where you’ll visit underground burial chambers with fascinating murals, now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a fascinating guided tour of the Serbian capital of Belgrade, one of the oldest cities in Europe, where the Sava River meets the Danube.

Cruise through the dramatic views of Iron Gates Gorge—a natural border between Serbia and Romania. Visit Bulgaria’s Belogradchik, and see the fascinating rock formations sculpted by natural elements for over 200 million years. On an excursion to the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo, you’ll visit Arbanassi’s Church of the Nativity, housing an impressive collection of frescoes.

To round out this timeless Eastern European river cruise, you’ll stay in Romania’s vibrant capital of Bucharest, known as the “Paris of the East.” A local expert will show you many of its historical treasures, such as the Arc de Triomphe, built in honor of WWI soldiers.

V135 Operated by Avalon Waterways

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Balkan Discovery Itinerary

Day 1 - Budapest (Hungary)

Embark your ship in Budapest. Overnight cruise to Mohacs. (D)

Day 2 - Mohács

Join a morning guided sightseeing tour of Mohács, the quiet Danube harbour 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 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 and overnight cruise to Ilok. (B, L, D)

Day 3 - Ilok (Croatia) - Novi Sad

Join a Guided tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old wine making traditions still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage. Enjoy a brief cruise to Novi Sad while having lunch onboard. 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. (B, L, D)

Day 4 - Belgrade (Serbia)

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. Attend an on-board 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. This evening, you might like to join an optional authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija. Evening and overnight cruise to Golubac. (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Golubac - Donji Milanovac

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 for defense in the Middle Ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy and the Ottoman Empire. Enjoy a brief sailing to Donji Milanovac. 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. (B, L, D)

Day 6 - Vidin (Bulgaria)

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. Afternoon and overnight cruise to Rousse. (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Rousse

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 join a guided sightseeing tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church, or join a walk through the park with your Avalon Adventure Host. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show. Overnight cruise to Oltenita. (B, L, D)

Day 8 - Oltenita (Romania) - Bucharest

Disembark ship in Oltenita and transfer to the Romanian capital city of Bucharest for a guided tour of its tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe honouring WWI Romanian soldiers. See the Royal Palace Square, the scene of the city’s 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. 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. (B)

Day 9 - Bucharest

Check out of the hotel. (B)

For navigational reasons the Captain of the ship reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary. Key: B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner

Price Includes

  • 7-night full board cruise
  • 1-night hotel stay in Bucharest
  • Guided shore excursions
  • Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board ship
  • Complimentary tea and coffee on board ship
  • Daily afternoon tea on board ship
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi on board ship
  • All tipping and gratuities
  • Port taxes
  • Onboard local entertainment
  • Services of a professional Cruise Director
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2024 Departures £ price per person based on 2 people sharing

  • April
    • Apr 12th - Budapest to Bucharest - Sailing on: Avalon View From: £2455
      Cat E Deluxe Stateroom Cat D Deluxe Stateroom Cat B Panorama Suite Cat A Panorama Suite Cat P Panorama Suite Cat S Royal Suite
      Blue Water Price from: £2455 Blue Water Price from: £2604 Blue Water Price from: £3404 Blue Water Price from: £3454 Blue Water Price from: £3504 Blue Water Price from: £4454
    • Apr 23rd - Budapest to Bucharest - Sailing on: Avalon Expression From: £2530
      Cat E Deluxe Stateroom Cat D Deluxe Stateroom Cat B Panorama Suite Cat A Panorama Suite Cat P Panorama Suite Cat S Royal Suite
      Blue Water Price from: £2530 Blue Water Price from: £2679 Blue Water Price from: £3479 Blue Water Price from: £3529 Blue Water Price from: £3579 Blue Water Price from: £4529
  • May
    • May 19th - Budapest to Bucharest - Sailing on: Avalon Passion From: £2880
      Cat E Deluxe Stateroom Cat D Deluxe Stateroom Cat B Panorama Suite Cat A Panorama Suite Cat P Panorama Suite Cat S Royal Suite
      Blue Water Price from: £2880 Blue Water Price from: £3029 Blue Water Price from: £3829 Blue Water Price from: £3879 Blue Water Price from: £3929 Blue Water Price from: £4879
  • June
    • Jun 7th - Budapest to Bucharest - Sailing on: Avalon Expression From: £2880
      Cat E Deluxe Stateroom Cat D Deluxe Stateroom Cat B Panorama Suite Cat A Panorama Suite Cat P Panorama Suite Cat S Royal Suite
      Blue Water Price from: £2880 Blue Water Price from: £3029 Blue Water Price from: £3829 Blue Water Price from: £3879 Blue Water Price from: £3929 Blue Water Price from: £4879
    • Jun 30th - Budapest to Bucharest - Sailing on: Avalon Illumination From: £2680
      Cat E Deluxe Stateroom Cat D Deluxe Stateroom Cat B Panorama Suite Cat A Panorama Suite Cat P Panorama Suite Cat S Royal Suite
      Blue Water Price from: £2680 Blue Water Price from: £2829 Blue Water Price from: £3629 Blue Water Price from: £3679 Blue Water Price from: £3729 Blue Water Price from: £4679
  • July
    • Jul 16th - Budapest to Bucharest - Sailing on: Avalon Illumination From: £2680
      Cat E Deluxe Stateroom Cat D Deluxe Stateroom Cat B Panorama Suite Cat A Panorama Suite Cat P Panorama Suite Cat S Royal Suite
      Blue Water Price from: £2680 Blue Water Price from: £2829 Blue Water Price from: £3629 Blue Water Price from: £3679 Blue Water Price from: £3729 Blue Water Price from: £4679
  • August
    • Aug 12th - Budapest to Bucharest - Sailing on: Avalon Envision From: £2680
      Cat E Deluxe Stateroom Cat D Deluxe Stateroom Cat B Panorama Suite Cat A Panorama Suite Cat P Panorama Suite Cat S Royal Suite
      Blue Water Price from: £2680 Blue Water Price from: £2829 Blue Water Price from: £3629 Blue Water Price from: £3679 Blue Water Price from: £3729 Blue Water Price from: £4679
    • Aug 24th - Budapest to Bucharest - Sailing on: Avalon Passion From: £2755
      Cat E Deluxe Stateroom Cat D Deluxe Stateroom Cat B Panorama Suite Cat A Panorama Suite Cat P Panorama Suite Cat S Royal Suite
      Blue Water Price from: £2755 Blue Water Price from: £2904 Blue Water Price from: £3704 Blue Water Price from: £3754 Blue Water Price from: £3804 Blue Water Price from: £4754
  • September
    • Sep 17th - Budapest to Bucharest - Sailing on: Avalon View From: £3105
      Cat E Deluxe Stateroom Cat D Deluxe Stateroom Cat B Panorama Suite Cat A Panorama Suite Cat P Panorama Suite Cat S Royal Suite
      Blue Water Price from: £3105 Blue Water Price from: £3254 Blue Water Price from: £4054 Blue Water Price from: £4104 Blue Water Price from: £4154 Blue Water Price from: £5104
  • October
    • Oct 5th - Budapest to Bucharest - Sailing on: Avalon Passion From: £2830
      Cat E Deluxe Stateroom Cat D Deluxe Stateroom Cat B Panorama Suite Cat A Panorama Suite Cat P Panorama Suite Cat S Royal Suite
      Blue Water Price from: £2830 Blue Water Price from: £2979 Blue Water Price from: £3779 Blue Water Price from: £3829 Blue Water Price from: £3879 Blue Water Price from: £4829

Price Information

  • Please note prices are updated regularly from a third party price feed and may fluctuate from those shown. Please contact us for latest prices
  • Prices shown usually include all available discounts
Map for Balkan Discovery