19-night The Danube From Romania To Germany With 2 Nights In Prague Cruise/Land Package

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA Welcome to Bucharest—The “Paris of the East”The day is yours to explore this fascinating city on your own to discover its trendy shops, cafés, museums, beautiful homes, and churches along Victory Avenue.BUCHAREST-PARLIAMENT.jpg

BUCHAREST Beautiful Boulevards and Bold HistoryCLASSIC 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 Oltenita to board your Avalon Suite Ship® this afternoon.OLTENITA (EMBARKATION)Your Balkan Adventure BeginsExplore your Avalon Suite Ship® this evening and enjoy a dinner on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CERNAVODA(B,D)BUCHAREST-ARC-DE-TRIOMPHE.jpg

Oltenita is the ancient Constantiola, which was the seat of the first bishopric established in Dacia. In the Crimean War the Turks forced the river at this point and inflicted heavy losses on the Russians. Oltenita is also the birthplace of Romanian president Ion Iliescu. and the starting point for a day trip to Bucharest, the capital of Romania since 1862. Gracious old Bucharest is being restored following its communist past, and many of its mansions, villas, and parks -- once reserved for the exclusive use of the Ceausescu family -- are now open to the public. The city's charm lies in its patchwork pattern of different districts. The spirit of old is most apparent in the north along the Calea Victoriei and near Cismigiu Gardens, where life retains a small-town intimacy. The Civic Center, built in a different era and on the orders of Nicolae Ceausescu, is an incredible structure, as well as a powerful political symbol.

CERNAVODA. EXCURSION TO CONSTANTA Romania’s Cultural LegaciesCLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to Constanta, the most important commercial center in Romania, situated on the Black Sea. Visit the Natural History and Archaelogical Museum to discover the history of early Romanian cultures.DISCOVERY Enjoy a visit to a local winery to learn about traditional Romanian wines with a tasting.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE(B,L,D)CONSTANTA.jpg

The Romanian city of Cernavoda is home to over 20,000 inhabitants. The Danube-Black Sea Canal, opened in 1984, runs from Cernavoda to Agigea and Navodari. The city was founded by the ancient Greeks in the 45th century B.C., under the name Axiopolis, and was a commercial trade point for the local Dacians.

ROUSSE, BULGARIA. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION Fortresses and Fountains in “Little Vienna” ACTIVE Join a walk through the park in Rousse with your Avalon Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church.Sail to Svistov, OR:CLASSIC 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, as well as Bulgarian revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi.Later, join your ship in Svistov.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN(B,L,D)VELIKO-TARNOVO.jpg

VIDIN Rocks, ruins and Balkan Beauty Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.ACTIVE Wander and discover this town, join your Adventure Host for a walk, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour in Vidin before joining a Guided Tour to Belogradchik. See the remarkable rock formations on the slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of nature’s elements.This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC(B,L,D)VIDIN-BELOGRADSHICK.jpg

Donji Milanovac is a small town on the right bank of Lake Derdap in Serbia. The town is situated between picturesque hills, and enchanting views overlooking the lake. The Mediterranean like climate is very favorable to visitors.

This scenic passage is truly a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Iron Gates are a narrow gorge between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. The gorge, one of the most dramatic sights in Europe, forms a natural border between Serbia and Romania.

BELGRADE Fortresses and Folklore Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.ACTIVE Discover Belgrade's central walkway with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade—where the Danube and Sava Rivers converge—and see the city’s many fascinating sites, including Saint Sava—one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches.You may choose to spend free time in Belgrade exploring Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots.DISCOVERY Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NOVI SAD(B,L,D)BELGRADE-SAINT-SAVA.jpg

NOVI SAD A Capital of CultureACTIVE Get your daily dose of exercise, join your Adventure Host on this walk in and around town, OR:CLASSIC 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 Enjoy a walking tour in Novi Sad along the narrow streets that climb slowly to the top of the hill above the city to Petrovaradin Fortress, OR:DISCOVERY Experience the sweet life in Serbia with a visit and tasting at the Museum of Beekeeping and Živanovic Wine Cellar in Sremski Karlovci.This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ILOK(B,L,D)NOVI-SAD.jpg

ILOK, CROATIA Croatian Heritage and Hilltop VintagesDISCOVERY Take a walking tour of Ilok with a wine tasting in a local cellar with stories of Croatian tradition.VUKOVAR, CROATIAThe Heroic Town on the DanubeCLASSIC Enjoy a walking tour of Vukovar, the city the largest river port in Croatia.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS(B,L,D)ILOK.jpg

Ilok lies on Croatia's eastern border, and has a long history of affilitation with multiple entities, including the Kingdom of Bulgaria, Kingdom of Croatia, Ottoman Empire, Austrian Empire and Yugoslavia. The Ilok Castle provides panoramic views of the city and Serbia, and several Gothic churches give visitors a look into Ilok's heritage as these structures present old art and Islamic architecture. There is also an annual wine event that celebrates the region's Traminer, Burgundy and Grasevina wines.

MOHÁCS, HUNGARY. EXCURSION TO PÉCS Underground Tombs and Heavenly MusicCLASSIC Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mohács—the quiet Danube harbor 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:CLASSIC 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.AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST(B,L,D)PECS.jpg

BUDAPEST Hungary’s Captivating CapitalACTIVE Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC 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.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST(B,L,D)BUDAPEST-HEROS-SQUARE.jpg

BUDAPEST The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of EuropeVisit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.This afternoon choose among a wide offer of Optional Guided Excursions or take a free day to explore, with time to take photographs on the Royal Palace grounds in this treasure trove of historical architecture. Try Budapest’s famous thermal bath spas, then dine in a garden or rooftop eatery.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA(B,L,D)BUDAPEST-COFFEE-PASTRY.jpg

BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning CastleACTIVE Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to lofty Bratislava Castle, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and the sight of royal coronations at St. Martin’s Cathedral.This afternoon, enjoy free time to discover on your own Bratislava, the beautiful capital of Slovakia, rich in history and culture, but also a green city with its forests and parks just a hop away from the city center.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA(B,L,D)BRATISLAVA.jpg

VIENNA, AUSTRIA Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel, and SachertorteACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—Winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral, OR:CLASSIC Join A Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.You may decide to take a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—summer home of the Habsburg Empire. Spend free time strolling in the Kärntnerstrasse—the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna, or take a bike ride to a local café for Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel.This evening, enjoy an unforgettable musical performance with an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DÜRNSTEIN(B,L,D)VIENNA-HOFBURG-PALACE.jpg

DÜRNSTEIN–WACHAU VALLEY A King’s Ransom and Castle RuinsACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins to take in the spectacular view of the village, Danube, and the Wachau Valley below, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart—who was imprisoned in the castle during the Crusades.Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Ybbs.ACTIVE Alternatively join your Adventure Host for a bike along the river.YBBS. EXCURSION TO MELKFrescoes Above and Vineyards BelowCLASSIC Visit the Lower Austrian little town of Ybbs. Walk through the doors of Austrian history with a guided sightseeing tour of Artstetten Castle, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LINZ(B,L,D)DURNSTEIN.jpg

The Wachau Valley has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 2000, and it is an area known for its wine, landscape and medieval towns. Tiered vineyards line the green hillsides, where history melds into the landscape in picturesque villages.

LINZ Legendary, Lovely LinzAsk about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities.CLASSIC Take a Guided Walk through the city’s historic and beautiful sites along the shore of the Danube and see Hauptplatz—Austria’s largest medieval square—and the towering white-marble Trinity Column.Consider a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg-the city of Mozart-or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov.You may otherwise spend the afternoon on a biking picnic along the banks of the Danube, or hike through Linz’s beautiful nature trails to Pöstlingberg for a bird’s-eye view of the city and river below. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ(B,L,D)LINZ.jpg

SCHLÖGEN OXBOW–PASSAU, GERMANY Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers MeetThis morning, cruise through the Schlögen Oxbow, a particularly beautiful horseshoe-shaped bend of the river.ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along Ilz River, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk into Passau, the beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” Before sailing to Vilshofen, take a little free time to explore Passau’s cobblestone streets and galleries of Artists’ Alley. Maybe stop at St. Stephen’s Cathedral to catch a concert rehearsal. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VILSHOFEN(B,L,D)PASSAU.jpg

VILSHOFEN (DISEMBARKATION)–REGENSBURG–PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC Bavaria’s Medieval MiracleCLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk in Regensburg and see Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.Take free time to enjoy a hearty lunch and a local beer, then step back in time through historic lanes and squares of today’s modern and vibrant Regensburg.(B)REGENSBURG.jpg

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC Gothic Cathedrals, Grand Castles, and Great CuisineCLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk to visit the Hradcany Castle Grounds; see St. Vitus Cathedral and Old Town’s Astronomical Clock.Sample plum dumplings or Pilsner lager by the Vltava River, meet the locals, and see street performers in Wenceslas Square.(B)PRAGUE-BEER.jpg

PRAGUE Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)PRAGUE-CLOCK.jpg