Active & Discovery Cruise On The Lower Danube With Transylvania (Bucharest To Zagreb) 11D10N

Spend today all by yourself exploring the fascinating “Paris of the East” Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

Behold the majestic Palace of the Parliament, the world’s second-largest administrative building and the heaviest building in the world. With more than 3,000 rooms over 330,000 square metres and constructed with marble and steel, this is an architectural brilliance that is surely a sight to behold.

Discover The Arch of Triumph, Bucharest’s first Arch of Triumph designed by architect Petre Antonescu at a height of 27 metres, and dedicated to the fallen soldiers of Romania who fought in World War I. Adorned with striking sculptors, this masterpiece is the central point for military parades, and will certainly inspire you to appreciate more, the sacrifices of the Romanians.

Visit the National Museum of Art of Romania, the country’s leading art museum and home to the world’s most complete collection of Romanian arts including the Royal Collection. Come across various paintings by the country’s most celebrated artists and sculptors.

Done exploring for the day, head back to your resort where you can unwind and relax before retiring for the night.

Done with a hearty breakfast this morning, begin the day with a scenic drive into the stupendous Carpathian Mountains to Sinaia, a naturally beautiful town in central Romania’s Bucegi Mountains, surrounded by ski trails.

Pay a visit to the imperial and elegant Peles Castle, a masterpiece of German neo-Renaissance castle in the Carpathian Mountains, and one of Romania’s most iconic landmarks. Wallow in the incredible architecture of the castle as well as the beautiful area and dramatic scenery. Take a break from exploring and refuel with a tasty local lunch, thereafter you continue to Brasov where you’ll be spending the night.

Wake up this morning excited and full of energy as you explore the charming city of Brasov (considered to be the heart of Romania) on your own.

Take part in a guided tour of Brasov known for its mediaeval Saxon walls and bastions. Discover the towering Gothic-style Black Church, the largest Gothic Church in Eastern Europe, and unveil the reason behind its name. Take a stroll through Bravos' historic streets lined up with lively cafes, shops, and sweet-smelling carts selling delicious dishes. Come across the White Tower and Black Tower known for their historic charms, and also relish the spectacular views of Bravos from an exciting vantage point up the tower.

This evening, you are treated to a tour of Bran Castle, a castle perched on a cliff above the surrounding valley in Bran, and a popular attraction. Built almost exclusively for the fortification and protection of German colonists in Transylvania and widely known as Dracula’s Castle, you are sure to experience the history, myth, and magic of this astonishing place.

This evening, delight in one of life’s best pleasures as you engage your palates with some of this region’s fabulous dishes. Indulge in a fascinating culinary endeavour. Delight in the tastes of new-Romanian to traditional and international cuisine, you are assured a full stomach and a warm heart.

Explore the beautiful Boulevards and learn its bold history with 3 activity types to choose from.

Active: Go on a guided nature walk and explore the Vacaresti Nature Park, home to more than 150 different species of birds and small mammals. Enjoy this green getaway and learn more about this special green area located only 4km away from the centre of Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

Discovery: Relish the sweet taste of joie de vivre of Romanian cuisine, a tasty hodge-podge of Balkan, Ottoman, French, and Russian influences.

Classic: Join a guided tour of the spectacular city of Bucharest, the capital of Romania with its tree-lined boulevards and Arc de Triomphe honouring WWI Romanian soldiers. Come across the Royal Palace Square, the scene where the 1989 riots to overthrow the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu took place.

This afternoon, journey to Oltenita and step onboard to your floating home. Living up to his name, the Avalon Passion offers all the excitement you can ever dream of as you cruise through Europe with style and relaxed luxury. Featuring wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows throughout the ship, you are provided with Europe’s gorgeous scenery in every direction. Relax with a refreshing dip in its whirlpool or swimming pool, and unwind leisurely on its premium lounge with a cocktail in hand.

Relish the sweet taste of chef-prepared meals onboard featuring international dishes, regional cuisine, seasonal cuisine as well as vegetarian options, all of which are prepared with the freshest local ingredients. Linger over a glass of wine while enjoying the terrific views on the sky deck as you reminisce over the day’s adventures.

Continue on an overnight cruise to Svistov.

After a hearty breakfast this morning, choose from the various fun-filled activities lined up for you.

Active: Bask in the breathtaking natural scenery as you embark on a trip with your expert local guide through the beautiful eco-patch up to Kroushuna Waterfalls.

Classic: Tour the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo, graced with ancient stone-cliff houses above the Yantra River. Continue to one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria, as well as the Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15-th century town of Arbanasi.

After today’s adventure, sit down for a movie night aboard your Avalon Suite ship.

Embark on an overnight cruise to Vidin.

Discover new ways of exploring beautiful Bulgaria as you choose from multiple activity types.

Active: Enjoy a panoramic trek on the rocky landscape of Belogradchik.

Discovery: Unleash your inner sommelier, learn all there is about the production technologies of fine Bulgarian wines, and partake in a wine tasting of various labels accompanied by delectable local snacks and symphonic music.

Classic: Venture on a guided sightseeing tour of Vidin and explore the Baba Vida Fortress, Bulgaria’s only completely preserved medieval castle. Admire the remarkable rock formations on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains sculpted by 200 million years of natural elements.

Wallow in the calm and therapeutic competence of the sea this evening, afterward sit down for a Bulgarian folklore show on board tonight before retiring for the night.

This evening, you’ll set sail to Donji Milanovac.

Sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge, a natural border between Serbia and Romania. Explore interesting Serbia your way.

Active: Immerse in the natural scenery as you hike through Djerdap National Park, stopping along the way for a taste of some of the region’s best dishes, thereafter you return to your Avalon ship.

Discovery: Join a guided tour to Lepenski Vir – an important Mesolithic archaeological site showing records of past cultures, settlements, and art. Take pleasure in the ancient discoveries and priceless artefacts, and revel in the spectacular views of the Danube Gorge.

Classic:
Option 1: Embark on a guided tour to Donji Milanovac, and get an up-close perspective into Serbian life. Learn the basics of the Cyrillic Serbian alphabet at the local primary school. Interact with locals and study the art of crocheting while learning about the history of this little Serbian town, afterwards go on a short sail to Golubac, a quaint village located in eastern Serbia

Option 2: Pay a visit to one of the best-preserved mediaeval fortresses in Europe, the Fortress of Golubac. Learn about its tumultuous history as a border control defence in the middle ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Ottoman Empire.

This evening, unwind onboard as you go on an overnight cruise to Belgrade.

See the wonders of Belgrade with the activity that most interests you today: Active: Learn about the insightful history of Belgrade from WWII to today as you take part in a guided bike tour. Discovery: Be exposed to Serbia's culture through its food. Explore the town, learn about its history and take pleasure in the region’s mouth-watering delicacies. Classic: Come across the meeting point of the Danube and Sava Rivers, and enjoy the city’s many fascinating sights, including Saint Sava, one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches. Go on an adventure to Knez Mihailova Street, Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafes, shops, and cultural spots. Optional Tour (additional cost): Sit down for an onboard lecture about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan States. You might also consider an optional trip to the Quarter of Skadarlija for an authentic Bohemian Dinner. Relax and de-stress onboard, followed by an overnight cruise to Novi Sad.

Continue exploring the terrific cities of Novi Sad and Iiok your way.

Active: Start your day with a hike to the Petrovaradin part of the town, a scenic location on the right bank of the Danube, across from the main part of Novi Sad.

Discovery: Drop by the Honey Museum in Novi Sad, learn about the intriguing beekeeper profession, and taste local honey specialties.

Classic: Partake in a guided tour of Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest town. Stare in admiration of its magnificent Austro-Hungarian old town, with its architectural buildings, and ancient fortifications.

Continue on a scenic cruise to Ilok, Croatia while enjoying lunch onboard.

Active: Getting to Croatia, be swept off your feet as you cycle through Croatia's easternmost town which is the beautiful Ilok.

Discovery: Explore the town of Vukovar and make merry during a beer tasting with a local beer brewer who is more than happy to share with you some of his fascinating stories.

Classic: Set out on a guided tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition still thriving and its mediaeval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage.

This evening, continue your journey as you sail overnight to Osijek.

Enjoy a delightful breakfast this morning onboard, thereafter you disembark from the ship and travel to Zagreb, where you will enjoy a delectable local lunch.

Classic: Tour the fascinating capital city of Zagreb and discover its rich history dating back to Roman times. Explore this fascinating city all by yourself, come across astonishing Austro-Hungarian architecture, and make a stop at the popular Tkalciceva Street lined with outdoor cafes.

The rest of the day is yours to do as little or as much as you like. Explore this intriguing city at your own pace. Visit the museum of broken relationships, a unique, quirky, and poignant museum. Find intriguing collections of donated personal belongings from old lovers all over the world, all displayed in a white room, and each belonging tells a story. Explore the extraordinary Zagreb Cathedral, one of the most popular landmarks in Croatia. Originally dating back to the 13th century but had to be rebuilt because of the damage caused by the 1880 earthquake, the cathedral is a must-see as it is one of the tallest buildings in Croatia. Be left completely mesmerised by its beautiful Gothic interior as you discover the inside of this cathedral and see many fine works of religious art and sacred objects at the Cathedral treasury.

This evening, you’ll dock back at Zagreb where you ought to relax and unwind from the day’s exploration.

Bring an end to this mind-blowing and insightful adventure with one last breakfast on board alongside mesmerising ocean views, and reminisce over your journey. Bid farewell as you disembark the ship for your onward journey.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.