AVALON Tours: Overview
A deluxe Danube River cruise from Vienna to Bucharest is the highlight on this fascinating getaway through Eastern Europe. Sail through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge and see the sights with a Local Guide in each city, including Vienna, the “City of Music.” Along the way, explore the Hungarian capital of Budapest, Croatia’s Vukovar, Belgrade’s Kalemegdan Fortress, Bulgaria’s Arbanassi and Veliko Târnovo, and Constanta on the Black Sea. End your Danube River cruise in Oltenita, then travel to Romania’s lively capital of Bucharest for guided sightseeing and an overnight. Fly to Istanbul, one of the most exciting places in the world, and visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Seraglio, and the Grand Bazaar—an incredible conclusion to an amazing vacation.
AVALON Tours: Highlights & Sightseeing
CRUISE: Deluxe 9-night cruise from Vienna to Oltenita in an outside stateroom with hotel-style bedsVIENNA: Guided sightseeing; welcome receptionBUDAPEST: Guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen’s BastionMOHÁCS: Excursion to PecsVUKOVAR: Guided sightseeingBELGRADE: Guided sightseeing, visit Kalemegdan FortressIRON GATES: Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge; see the Trajan TableVELIKO TÂRNOVO: Guided sightseeing, visit the Patriarch’s ChurchARBANASSI: Guided visit of the Ethnographical Museum and the Church of the NativityCONSTANTA: Guided sightseeing, visit the National History and Archaeological MuseumBUCHAREST: Guided sightseeing, see the Parliament Building and visit the National Art MuseumISTANBUL: Guided sightseeing, visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Seraglio, and Grand Bazaar; Host service during your stay
Map
AVALON Tours: Meals
Full buffet breakfast (B) in Vienna, Bucharest, and Istanbul; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain’s reception and farewell dinner; quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements.
AVALON Tour: Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Vienna, Austria
Welcome to Vienna, Austria’s capital, which is known as the “City of Music” and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. The remainder of the day is yours to start exploring this elegant city.
Day 2 Vienna
Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen’s Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will enjoy during your included tour. You do not rush through Vienna—you waltz, taking your time to savor each classic sight and sound. An optional concert is available during your stay. (Breakfast)
Day 3 Vienna (Embarkation)
Time today to browse the shops along the Kärntnerstrasse and perhaps enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4 Budapest, Hungary
Spanning the banks of the Danube, Budapest is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan metropolis. Seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connect ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with FISHERMEN’S BASTION and the Matthias Church is among the many sights your Local Guide will show you. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5 Budapest
A free day to explore Budapest at your own pace. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for things to do. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6 Mohács. Excursion to Pecs
Mohács, on the border with Croatia, was the scene of two famous battles that marked the beginning and the end of the Ottoman dominance of Hungary. From here, an excursion takes you to Pecs, Hungary’s fifth-largest city and the richest in terms of Turkish architecture. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7 Vukovar, Croatia
Today, learn more about the complex history of Croatia and the events that led to the Croatian War of Independence. Vukovar, Croatia’s largest river port located at the confluence of the Danube and Vuka Rivers, was scene to an 87-day siege in 1991, known as The Battle of Vukovar. This and other dramatic events in the recent past have shaped both the present and the future of this region. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 Belgrade, Serbia
The capital of Serbia is situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers. A local expert will be proud to show you its main sights which include the city’s principal landmark, KALEMEGDAN FORTRESS; St. Sava, the world’s largest Orthodox church; and Marshal Tito’s tomb and monument. The city center has a lively pedestrian area and charming outdoor cafés. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9 Iron Gates
The Serbian fortresses of Smederevo and Golubac and the Trajan Table marking the Roman conquest of Dacia are impressive sights on the right bank of the Danube. The most spectacular scenery must surely be the dramatic gorge of the IRON GATES, a narrow and formerly very dangerous passage dividing Europe’s Alps in the northwest from the Carpathians in the southeast and forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10 Svistov, Bulgaria–Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi–Rousse
A comfortable ride from Svistov is the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo. Situated on three hills surrounding the Yantra River, the city was a natural fortress with ancient stone houses clinging to the steep slopes. The oldest part is Tsarevets Hill, home of the Royal Fortress, palaces, and the PATRIARCH’S CHURCH. The historic village of Arbanassi is best known for its ETHNOGRAPHICAL MUSEUM and the outstanding collection of frescoes in the CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY. Rejoin your ship in Rousse. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11 Harsova, Romania. Excursion to Constanta, Black Sea–Cernavodă
Constanta, situated on the Black Sea, is the most important commercial center in Romania. Enjoy a guided tour of this popular resort town and visit the NATURAL HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM. Return to your ship at Cernavodă. From here, the 40-mile-long canal, the pride and joy of communist achievement, runs to Agigea and Năvoradi on the Black Sea. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 12 Oltenita (Disembarkation)–Bucharest
Bucharest, Romania’s lively capital, is only a short drive from Oltenita. Its wide boulevards and Arc de Triomphe have gained it the name “Paris of the East.” Much recent history has taken place here. During your included tour, see the impressive Parliament Building, the second-largest building in the world after the Pentagon, and Royal Palace Square, scene of riots in 1989, which led to the collapse of the communist dictatorship. The former Royal Palace now houses the NATIONAL ART MUSEUM. (Breakfast)
Day 13 Bucharest–Istanbul, Turkey
Today, fly to Istanbul. Free time to relax and begin soaking up the unique atmosphere of this city built on two continents. (Breakfast)
Day 14 Istanbul
Founded by the Greeks as Byzantium more than 2,500 years ago, renamed Constantinople in the year 330, and finally called Istanbul, the city on the Bosporus remains one of the most exciting places in the world. Its strategic location as gateway between the Orient and the Occident, the Islamic and the Christian worlds, and the Black Sea and the Mediterranean predestined it for a turbulent history. Guided sightseeing includes Emperor Justinian’s HAGIA SOPHIA and Sultan Ahmet’s BLUE MOSQUE, magnificent monuments to two competing world religions that stand peacefully side by side; TOPKAPI SERAGLIO, residence of the Ottoman Sultans; and the GRAND BAZAAR. (Breakfast)
Day 15 Istanbul
A free day in Istanbul to explore on your own. Or, why not join a full-day optional excursion to the fabulous archaeological site of Ephesus? Fly to Izmir, then travel to the city which later became the capital of Roman Asia Minor. When St. Paul arrived here he was so awestruck that he asked, “Is there a greater city?” Visit the Library of Celsus, the Amphitheater, and listen to exciting “inside stories” of life in ancient Ephesus as you walk down its “Champs Elysées.” Also visit the House of the Virgin Mary before returning to Istanbul for a final evening in Turkey. (Breakfast)
Day 16 Istanbul
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)