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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