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Avalon Waterways The Danube from Germany to the Black Sea (WDOO)

16 Day River Cruise Deggendorf to Bucharest 
Embark on a 16-day Danube River cruise from Germany to Romania. This amazing odyssey through the history and beauty of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania is the trip of a lifetime! Begin in Deggendorf, Germany and sail to Passau—the “City of Three Rivers.” On your way to Linz cruise through the Danube’s dramatic horseshoe bend called Schlögen Oxbow. In Austria, visit its lovely towns along the Danube, including Linz, Melk, Dürnstein, and Vienna. See the gilded sights and indulge in Austrian specialties and sweets. Explore picturesque vineyards and ancient castles of the “Blue Danube” with a Viennese Waltz lilting in the air. Explore the incredible Habsburg Empire and see the royal family’s Imperial Palace, the historic Opera House and St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna. Visit Budapest—the “Pearl of the Danube,” and experience the beauty and history of the Balkan States of Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania—from ancient archaeological sites to amazing architecture and art. Your cruise concludes with a visit to the Romanian capital of Bucharest. Called the “Paris of the East,” its lovely tree-lined boulevards include the Arc de Triomphe and the Royal Palace Square. We look forward to sharing this fantastic journey with you on the Danube River from Germany to the Black Sea.

Ships: View - Impression - Ship TBA IV - Envision - Passion - Expression

Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing

Day 1 Deggendorf (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception

Day 2 Passau: Choice of guided walk or hike with your Adventure Host; Schlögen Oxbow scenic cruising

Day 3 Linz: Guided sightseeing, see Hauptplatz and the Trinity Column

Day 4 Ybbs. Excursion to Melk-Wachau Valley-Dürnstein: Choice of guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk or guided tour in Ybbs with Artstetten Castle visit; cruise through the Wachau Valley; choice of guided walk or hike up to the castle ruins in Dürnstein

Day 5 Vienna: Choice of guided sightseeing or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 6 Bratislava: Choice of guided sightseeing in Bratislava, visit St. Martin’s Cathedral or hike to Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host

Day 7 Budapest: Scenic cruising into Budapest; choice of guided tour, see Heroes’ Square or hike with your Adventure Host

Day 8 Budapest: Free time

Day 9 Mohács. Excursion to Pécs: Choice of guided tour in Pécs, visit the underground tombs, or sightseeing in Mohács, visit St. Nicolas watermill or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 10 Ilok-Novi sad: Ilok guided tour; choice of Novi Sad guided tour or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 11 Belgrade: Choice of guided tour or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture

Day 12 Golubac-Donji Milanovac-Iron Gates: Visit to Golubač fortress; choice of visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site or bike with your Adventure Host; scenic cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge

Day 13 Vidin. Excursion to Belogradchik: Choice of guided tour in Vidin, excursion to Belogradchik, see the rock formations or hike with your Adventure Host

Day 14 Rousse-Excursion to Veliko Târnovo and Arbanassi: Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevet's Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and to the Ethnographical Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, or a guided sightseeing in Rousse, or a walk in the park with your Adventure Host

Day 15 Oltenita (Disembarkation)-Bucharest: Guided sightseeing in Bucharest

Day 16 Bucharest: Your vacation ends this morning

Related Avalon Tours

WDOO - The Danube from Germany to the Black Sea
WDOE - With 2 Nights in Prague & 2 Nights in Transylvania
WDOQ - With 2 Nights in Prague
WDOY - With 2 Nights in Transylvania

Itinerary (2024)

Day 1DEGGENDORF, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)
 Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Munich must arrive by 2 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Explore your ship and enjoy dinner on your first evening onboard.

EVENING CRUISE TO PASSAU

(D)
Day 2PASSAU–SCHLÖGEN OXBOW
 Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet

ACTIVE Follow your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along Ilz River, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers".

Before sailing to Linz, 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.

This afternoon, cruise to Linz through the Danube’s dramatic horseshoe bend called Schlögen Oxbow.

Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ

(B,L,D)
Day 3LINZ, AUSTRIA
 Legendary and Lovely Linz

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

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.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO YBBS

(B,L,D)
Day 4YBBS. EXCURSION TO MELK–WACHAU VALLEY
 Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below

CLASSIC 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.

Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Dürnstein.

DÜRNSTEIN

A King’s Ransom and Castle Ruins

ACTIVE 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, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA


(B,L,D)
Day 5VIENNA
 Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube

ACTIVE 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-the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the grand historic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

You may decide to take a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—the former imperial summer home of the Habsburg monarchy.

Spend free time strolling in the pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse—the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna. Take a bike ride through the city and stop in a local café to enjoy 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 DOCKING IN VIENNA

(B,L,D)
Day 6BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
 Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle

ACTIVE 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.


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 BUDAPEST

(B,L,D)
Day 7BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
 War Heroes and Hot Water

ACTIVE Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.

This afternoon, select from a variety of Guided Optional or spend free time soaking in one of Budapest’s famous thermal baths. Consider a scenic hike above the Danube, or enjoy Budapest’s cafés, pubs and nightlife.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST

(B,L,D)
Day 8BUDAPEST
 The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe

Take free time to enjoy Budapest’s famed thermal baths. You can also take a scenic hike in the hills above the Danube. Take time to explore the city’s cafés and restaurants.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS

(B,L,D)
Day 9MOHÁCS
 Hungarian History in a Harbor Town

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

ACTIVE Enjoy an easy bike ride in Mohacs with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC 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 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/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ILOK

(B,L,D)
Day 10ILOK, CROATIA
 History and Culture in Croatia

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage.

Enjoy a brief cruise to Novi Sad while having lunch onboard.

NOVI SAD, SERBIA

Heritage and Hilltop Vintages

ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing walk in Novi Sad with your Adventure Host, 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.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE

(B,L,D)
Day 11BELGRADE
 Fortresses and Folklore

ACTIVE See 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 sights, including Saint Sava—one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches.

DISCOVERY 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. Alternatively, enjoy one of the Optional Excursions on offer.

This evening, you might like to join an Optional authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GOLUBAČ

(B,L,D)
Day 12GOLUBAČ–DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR–IRON GATES GORGE
 Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates

CLASSIC 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 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.

ACTIVE Explore Donji Milanovac by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC 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.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN

(B,L,D)
Day 13VIDIN, BULGARIA
 Rocks, ruins and Balkan Beauty

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

ACTIVE Enjoy an easy hiking experience in Vidin with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC 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/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE


(B,L,D)
Day 14ROUSSE. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION
 Fortresses and Folklore

ACTIVE Join a walk through the park with your Avalon Adventure Host, 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 (circa 4300 BC), as well as the Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church.


Later, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OLTENITA

(B,L,D)
Day 15OLTENITA, ROMANIA (DISEMBARKATION)–BUCHAREST
 The “Paris of the East"

CLASSIC 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.

Spend some free time exploring on your own to visit shops and museums. See the beautiful home, and churches along Victory Avenue. You might consider partaking one of the Optional Excursions available.

(B)
Day 16BUCHAREST
 Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

Avalon Pricing Details

Gateway city for arrivals is Munich.

Port charges:
$420

Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included.

Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).

Please call for single accommodation details and prices. Triples not available.

Avalon Notes

  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

Avalon Waterways Fleet

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Avalon Tour Dates

Tour Land StartAvalon RetailRequest Quote
*08/05/2024 $8,097.00
*09/28/2024 $8,697.00
*04/21/2025 $7,497.00
*06/18/2025 $8,097.00
*07/26/2025 $8,097.00
*08/15/2025 $8,197.00
*10/12/2025 $8,397.00
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