Day 1 Arrive in Budapest, Hungary
Welcome to Budapest, Hungary’s lively capital. The remainder of the day is free to start exploring Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan metropolis.

Day 2 Budapest
Budapest straddles both banks of the Danube, with seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connecting 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. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. (Breakfast)

Day 3 Budapest (Embarkation)
The morning is free for you to explore on your own. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4 Kalocsa–Pecs
Kalocsa was founded by St. Stephen in 1009 as an archbishopric and has a most turbulent history. This quiet town that is best known for paprika and folklore art is dominated by the Archbishop’s Palace and Kalocsa Cathedral. Here, enjoy an ORGAN CONCERT before continuing to Pecs, Hungary’s fifth-largest city and the richest in terms of Turkish architecture. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 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 6 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 7 Vidin, Bulgaria. Excursion to Belogradchik
Vidin is an important Danube port, situated in northwestern Bulgaria. Its medieval FORTRESS, known as “Baba Vidin,” and is the town’s primary landmark. It served as Vidin’s main defensive installation during the course of the Middle Ages and is the only entirely preserved medieval fortress in the country. It is now a fortress museum and has been restored to its former appearance. In the afternoon, drive to nearby Belogradchick to view the eclectic group of ROCK FORMATIONS on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 Svistov, Bulgaria–Excursion to Veliko Târnovo & Arbanassi–Rousse
A comfortable ride from the river port of 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. Rousse today is Bulgaria’s largest inland port. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9 Oltenita, Romania (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 in the city. During the included tour this afternoon, see the impressive Parliament Building, the second-largest building in the world after the Pentagon. The Royal Palace Square was the 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 10 Bucharest. Excursion to Transylvania
Head out of the city to your first stop, BRAN CASTLE of Dracula fame, built in 1377 and assumed to be the home of Romanian vampires. Then, into the Carpathians to SINAIA to visit the monastery of the same name, built in memory of Mihail Cantacuzino’s visit to Mount Sinai. This afternoon, head slowly back to Bucharest. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 11 Bucharest
A day to rest and explore Romania’s capital city. Your Cruise Director will have suggestions for things to do. (Breakfast)

Day 12 Bucharest
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

See the best of Eastern Europe on this exhilirating Balkan Adventure. Your vacation begins with two overnights in the lively Hungarian capital of Budapest. Board your ship and head south, enjoying guided sightseeing in each city, including inside visits of Fishermen’s Bastion in Budapest, Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade, the eclectic rock formations of Belogradchick, Patriarch’s Church in Veliko Târnovo, Arbanassi’s Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity and the National Art Museum in Bucharest. Other highlights: an organ concert in Kalocsa, passing through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge, and a visit to Vidin’s medieval fortress. Your journey ends with three overnights in Bucharest, including an excursion to Transylvania to visit Dracula’s Bran Castle—built in 1377—and the amazing Sinaia monastery in the breathtaking Carpathian Mountains.

• Included shore excursions with Local Guide.
• Headsets for shore excursions.
• Daily early- and late-riser breakfast.
• Full buffet breakfast with sparkling wine.
• Complimentary juices with breakfast.
• Complimentary soft drinks with lunch.
• Complimentary regional wines at dinner.
• Free soft drinks or beer with dinner.
• English-speaking crew.

• CRUISE: 6-night cruise from Budapest to Oltenita in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• BUDAPEST: Guided sightseeing, visit Fishermen’s Bastion
• KALOCSA: Orientation; organ concert
• PECS: Orientation
• BELGRADE: Guided sightseeing, visit Kalemegdan Fortress
• IRON GATES: Cruise through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge; see the Trajan Table
• VIDIN: Visit the fortress 
• BELOGRADCHIK: See the rock formations VELIKO TÂRNOVO:
  Guided sightseeing, visit the Patriarch’s Church
• ARBANASSI: Guided visit of the Ethnographical Museum and the Church of the Nativity 
• BUCHAREST: Guided sightseeing, see the Parliament Building and visit the National Art Museum. Guided full-day excursion to Transylvania, vist Dracula’s Bran Castle and Sinaia Monastery.

Budapest: InterContinental
Cruising: outside cabin onboard the Avalon Imagery or Avalon Tranquility
Bucharest: Athenee Palace Hilton

To see our key for hotel ratings, click here.

• Cabin upgrades are available.
• In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.
• Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
• Port charges: $108.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines.