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8 Day River Cruise Budapest to Oltenita

Experience the extraordinary destinations of Eastern Europe on this Danube River cruise adventure through the Balkans. You’ll cruise through the rich landscapes and cultural locales of Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Embark on your Avalon Suite Ship® in Budapest, the lively Hungarian capital, and sail into beautiful Croatia. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour in Vukovar and discover Ilok with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition. 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.

Trip Highlights:

Meals

All meals included (breakfast, lunch & dinner)

Accommodations

Panorama Suite

Trip Length

8 Day River Cruise

Cruise Type

River Cruise

Day 1: Budapest, Hungary

Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Budapest must arrive by 2 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VUKOVAR
Meals Included

Dinner

History and Beer

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

Discovery Excursion

Join a Guided Walking Tour to discover the heritage, culture, and tradition of Vukovar and enjoy a beer tasting, OR:

Classic Excursion

Join a Guided City Tour to discover the captivating culture and tradition of Vukovar and learn about its rich history and heritage.
Enjoy a brief cruise to Ilok while having lunch onboard.
ILOK, CROATIA
History and Culture in Croatia
Classic Excursion
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. Refresh your spirit with a wine tasting in a local cellar and hear the stories of culture and tradition in the natural beauty of Eastern Croatia, OR:

Active Excursion

Explore more of Croatia on a Guided Bike Tour along Ilok’s city walls, into the central church, and the towns’ museum on your way to Principovac Castle and Estate.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

The Athens of Serbia

Classic Excursion

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 Excursion

Enjoy a Guided Hike Tour to the Petrovaradin part of the town. Located on the right bank of the Danube, across from the main part of Novi Sad, this area will amaze you for its scenic views, OR:

Discovery Excursion

Get to learn more about the beekeeper profession on this Guided Tour of Novi Sad by stopping at the Honey Museum and by tasting local honey specialties.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Fortresses and Folklore
Active Excursion
Discover Belgrade’s central walkway with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
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.

Discovery Excursion

Attend an onboard 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 Excursion for an authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GOLUBAČ
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates

Classic Excursion
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. Continue 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.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Rocks, Ruins and Balkan Beauty
Active Excursion
Join your Adventure Host for a bike tour around the city, OR::
Classic Excursion
Join Guided Sightseeing to Baba Vida Fortress, 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, OR:
Discovery Excursion
Discover more than two centuries of a proud family history of Bulgarian winemaking with a tour and tasting at a local winery. Here, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting in the cellars.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Fortresses and Folklore
Active Excursion
Explore Rousse’s old town by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
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:
Classic Excursion
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.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OLTENITA
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Bucharest airport before noon.

Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Starting at $5,729

per person

Balkan Discovery River Cruise with Avalon Waterways

Request to Book
What’s Included:
All Inclusive
Cabin Included
Cruise
Guided Tour
Local Guide Included

Departure Dates & Pricing:

May 24-31, 2026:

  • $6,129 per person

June 8- 15, 2026:

  • $5,729 per person

June 23- 30, 2026:

  • $6,329 per person

July 8 – 15, 2026:

  • $6,329 per person

July 23 – 30, 2026:

  • $6,329 per person

August 2 – 14, 2026:

  • $6,329 per person

August 22 – 29, 2026:

  • $6,529 per person

September 21 – 28, 2026:

  • $6,379 per person

October 6 – 13, 2026:

  • $6,179 per person

October 21 – 28, 2026:

  • $6,429 per person

Expires: 5/28/2026 • Supplier Code: AW

*Pricing and availability subject to change until booked. Pricing, unless noted otherwise, is based on double occupancy. Restrictions may apply.