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From the Black Sea to the North Sea

This enchanting Danube river cruise from the Danube Delta to Amsterdam is truly an adventure. Glide past quaint towns, beautiful views, and historic buildings along the Danube, Main, and Rhine Rivers—and onshore enjoy guided sightseeing and free time to explore

Fly Cruise
26 nights

River Cruise Holiday
Bucharest
Constanta
Veliko Tarnovo
Iron Gates
Budapest
Vienna
Nuremberg
Bamberg

Call us now on 01756 706500

Exclusive special early booking discounts on 2025 cruises - call us for details! T&Cs apply

From the Black Sea to the North Sea Special Offer

This enchanting Danube river cruise from the Danube Delta to Amsterdam is truly an adventure. Glide past quaint towns, beautiful views, and historic buildings along the Danube, Main, and Rhine Rivers—and onshore enjoy guided sightseeing and free time to explore.

From Fetesti set sail for the mouth of the Danube River and the exquisite Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s guided sightseeing in Constanta and Bulgaria’s ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo. Visit the Ethnographical Museum, Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, and take pictures of Belogradchik’s eclectic group of rock formations and the spectacular scenery of the Iron Gates. A local expert will introduce you to Serbia’s capital of Belgrade, home of the world’s largest Orthodox Church. In Pecs, Hungary, visit the Underground Tombs, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On this fabulous river cruise, you’ll visit the capitals of two countries: Budapest, Hungary, and Vienna, Austria. Located in the heart of the Wachau wine region is charming Dürnstein, where you’ll go on a guided walk, and later visit Melk’s famous Benedictine Abbey. This evening, savor some of the famous Wachau wines. In Germany, there is guided sightseeing in Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, and Würzburg. Cruise the Main Danube Canal, a true feat of engineering, and pass through the dramatic Rhine Gorge—the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. This river cruise vacation concludes in Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam where you get a unique perspective of the city on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.”

V123 Operated by Avalon Waterways

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From the Black Sea to the North Sea 2020

Day 1 - UK to Bucharest (Romania)

Fly from the UK to Romania. 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

Take a Guided Tour of the Romanian capital city of Bucharest with its tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe—honoring WWI Romanian soldiers. See the Royal Palace Square—the scene of the city’s 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Travel to Fetesti to board your Avalon Suite Ship® this afternoon. Explore your Avalon Suite Ship® this evening and enjoy a dinner on board. After dinner, attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the Danube Delta. (B,D)

Day 3 - St. Gheorghe

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. 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 of Bavaria to its delta into the Black Sea. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Cernavoda

Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host. 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. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Rousse (Bulgaria)

Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church, or join a Jog through the park with your Avalon Adventure Host. Sail to Svistov, or 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. Later, join your ship in Svistov. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show. (B,L,D) EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN

Day 6 - Vidin

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. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Cruising Iron Gates - Lepenski Vir

Before lunch on board, you’ll sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge—forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. 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.

Day 8 - 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. You may choose to join an Optional Guided Biking Tour, or spend remaining free time in Belgrade exploring Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - Osijek (Croatia)

Join a morning Guided Walking Tour of the city of Osijek, located at the confluence of the Danube and Drava Rivers. Visit Tvrđa, the most well preserved fortress of Croatia, home of many educational institutions. Attend a musical concert performed by the talented young artists of the music school of Osijek at Franjo Kuhac. This afternoon you might join a Guided Optional Excursion to the famous marshland area of Kopački rit, where you can choose among multiple activities such as fishing, biking, or canoeing. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - Mohács (Hungary)

Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host. 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. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - Budapest

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. (B,L,D)

Day 12 - Vienna (Austria)

Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host. Enjoy sailing the Danube, which shares dozens of miles with Hungary and Slovakia. Relax on the Sky Deck to see the rolling landscape and red-rooftops of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava come into view. This evening in Vienna, you may choose to join an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall. (B,L,D)

Day 13 - Vienna

Venture into the Habsburg empire this morning on a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the historic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—the Habsburg empire summer home for 300 years. This afternoon, enjoy free time to take a tram to visit Austria’s Prater amusement park or one of the many museums nearby. You may also decide to borrow a bike from the ship to explore the streets and squares of Vienna, or ride along the banks of the Danube at your leisure. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. (B,L,D)

Day 14 - Dürnstein

Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart—who was imprisoned in the castle above the village during the Crusades, or join a Hike up to the castle ruins with your Adventure Host for a spectacular view of the village, Danube, and the Wachau Valley below. Enjoy coffee or a cocktail on the Sky Deck as you sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk. Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ. Enjoy the flavors of the Wachau Valley with a Wine Tasting on board. (B,L,D)

Day 15 - Passau, (Germany)

Join an afternoon Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” Alternatively, join a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg—the city of Mozart—or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. Meet your ship back in Passau after your full-day selected activity for sailing. (B,L,D)

Day 16 - Regensburg

Join a Guided City Walk and see the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress. You may join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg. Spend a free afternoon exploring Regensburg on foot or by bike through its charming streets. Later, indulge in a Beer Tasting on board. This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner as you cruise toward Roth. (B,L,D)

Day 17 - Roth

While sailing to Roth, enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the Main-Danube Canal—linking these two rivers to make a vital connection enabling navigation between the North and Black Seas. Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the Bavarian town of Roth—with its half-timbered houses, market square, and 1535 hunting lodge, Schloss Ratibor, or choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, or join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Rounds—used by the Third Reich. Tonight, relax on board with live entertainment as you sail to Bamberg. (B,L,D)

Day 18 - Nuremberg.

Take a full-day Guided Tour of the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace—a former residence of German monarchs, along with the old and new Town Halls of Marienplatz. (B,L,D)

Day 19 - Bamberg

Take a Guided Walking Tour of the former home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches. Enjoy free time this afternoon strolling through the city. Later, indulge in a Beer Tasting on board. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board. (B,L,D)

Day 20 - Volkach

Join a Walking Tour of the quaint town of Volkach with its half-timbered houses and cobblestoned streets. During lunch time enjoy a relaxing cruise to Kitzingen. Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing Tour and hear about the legend of a Countess, a shepherd, and a monastery. Explore Bavaria’s largest wine-producing area. (B,L,D)

Day 21 - Würzburg

Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Würzburg with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residenz—with the largest known ceiling fresco. You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the beautiful Bavarian town of Rothenburg. See the local sights and enjoy the fairytale atmosphere that has inspired artists. Alternatively, you may enjoy free time to take in the charm and culinary specialties of Würzburg. Enjoy live entertainment on board as you set sail. (B,L,D)

Day 22 - Main river village

Join a Guided Walking Tour of a picturesque Main River village. This afternoon relax on the Sky Deck while passing along the beautiful villages on the Main River shores. (B,L,D)

Day 23 - Mainz

Take a half-day Guided Tour that includes the magnificent Heidelberg Castle and the Great Vat—the world’s largest wine barrel. Sail to Rüdesheim while having dinner on board. (B,L,D)

Day 24 - Rüdesheim

Based on your departure, enjoy either a Coffee Tasting or a Wine Tasting. Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience. Take a Guided Hike through the vineyards with your Adventure Host, and enjoy the view with a cable car ride back down. Relax on the Sky Deck for an afternoon cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge to Koblenz. Sail past the legendary rock of The Lorelei—where the siren of mythology sang songs to lure ill-fated sailors. Travel Through 2,000 Years Of Monumental History. Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 25 - Cologne (Germany)

Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host while cruising to Cologne. Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—explore the Old City and see its soaring twin-steepled Gothic cathedral, or join a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites. Enjoy free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years! This evening, enjoy dinner on board your ship. (B,L,D)

Day 26 - Amsterdam, holland

Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam with a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” You might consider an Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans—a quintessential Dutch town complete with windmills, waterways, and flower farms, or a Guided Optional Biking Tour to the Dutch countryside. (B,L,D)

Day 27 - Amsterdam - UK

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)

Key: B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner

Price Includes

  • 24-night full board cruise
  • 2-night hotel stay in Bucharest
  • Return flights from the UK
  • Overseas transfers
  • Private VIP home pick-up service within 100 miles
  • 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 and airport taxes
  • Onboard local entertainment
  • Services of a professional Cruise Director

Please contact us for the latest dates and prices

Call us now on 01756 706500

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