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Avalon Waterways Active & Discovery on the Lower Danube with A Taste of Croatia (XRU1)

14 Day River Cruise Bucharest to Dubrovnik 
Spend a beautiful night in Bucharest before your Active & Discovery River cruise vacation through the Balkans. Explore the Romanian capital city—called the “Paris of the East”—with a guided tour to see the WWI Arc de Triomphe and the Royal Palace Square. Spend free time browsing the lovely shops and cafes of Victory Boulevard during your stay.

Embark on your Suite Ship® in the town of Oltenita to begin your Danube River cruise through the Balkans, and cruise for Nikopol. See the incredible ancient architecture in Veliko Târnovo and Arbanassi or join your local guide and hike to the Kroushuna Waterfalls. Sail to Vidin, Bulgaria, explore the city and visit the medieval Baba Vida Fortress. You might prefer to join a panoramic trek in Belogradchik. You might prefer to explore the city by bike. Cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge and explore the amazing archaeological site of Lepenski Vir, and visit the fascinating Fortress of Golubač. Sail to Belgrade, Serbia, where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet, and discover ancient architecture in Novi Sad. Walk up the Petrovaradin Fortress or get to know Belgrade through its people. Sail into beautiful Croatia, where a 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition lives on in Ilok.

Disembark in Osijek and transfer to Zagreb to begin your 6-day Globus escorted tour of Croatia. Visit the fascinating and beautiful Croatian cities of Zagreb, Split, Ston, and Dubrovnik. Your Globus escorted tour of Croatia includes guided sightseeing, including Krka National Park, transportation, superior hotels, and delicious meals. This Danube River cruise through the Balkans with escorted vacation in Croatia reveals the beauty of its people and culture across a land of beauty and inspiration.

Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing

Day 1 Bucharest: Welcome to Bucharest

Day 2 Bucharest–Oltenita (Embarkation): Choice of guided sightseeing in Bucharest or walk the Urban Delta or food tour; onboard welcome reception

Day 3 Nikopol. 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 hike the Kroushuna Waterfalls; on board movie night

Day 4 Vidin. Excursion to Belogradchik: Choice of guided tour in Vidin, visit Baba Vida Fortress or wine tasting or hiking in Belogradchik

Day 5 Iron Gates–Donji Milanovac–Golubač: Scenic cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge;choice of visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site or Donji Milanovac off the beaten path tour or Djerdap National park hike; visit to Golubač fortress

Day 6 Belgrade: Choice of guided tour or bike tour or meet the locals; lecture on board

Day 7 Novi Sad–Ilok: Choice of Novi Sad guided tour or walk up to the Petrovaradin Fortress or wine tour; choice of Ilok guided tour or biking tour or beer tour

Day 8 Osijek (Disembarkation)–Zagreb: Transfer to Zagreb; dinner at hotel

Day 9 Zagreb: City sightseeing, visit the Cathedral

Day 10 Zagreb–Krka–Split: Krka National Park guided walking tour; dinner at hotel

Day 11 Split: Guided city sightseeing

Day 12 Split–Ston–Dubrovnik: Ston city sightseeing

Day 13 Dubrovnik–Konavle–Dubrovnik: Guided walking tour, visit Rector's Palace in Dubrovnik; guided walking tour and dinner at local restaurant in Konavle

Day 14 Dubrovnik: Your vacation ends this morning

Itinerary (2023)

Day 1BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
 Welcome to Bucharest—The “Paris of the East”

The day is yours to relax and enjoy Bucharest. Spend some free time exploring this fascinating city on your own to discover its trendy shops, cafés, museums, beautiful homes, and churches along Victory Avenue.
Day 2BUCHAREST
 Beautiful Boulevards and Bold History

ACTIVE Take a guided natural walk in the Văcărești Nature Park. Also known as Urban Delta, this wetland is home to more than 150 different species of birds and small mammals. Enjoy this green get away and learn more about this special green area located only 4km away from the centre of Romania’s capital, Bucharest. OR:

DISCOVERY Discover the joie de vivre of Romanian cuisine -- a tasty hodge-podge of Balkan, Ottoman, French, and Russian influences. OR:

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.

Travel to Oltenita to board your Avalon Suite Ship® this afternoon.

OLTENITA (EMBARKATION) Your Adventure Begins

Explore your Avalon Suite Ship® this evening and enjoy a dinner on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NIKOPOL

(B,D)
Day 3NIKOPOL. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION
 Cliff Houses and Revival Architecture

ACTIVE Follow your expert local guide through the beautiful eco-patch up to Kroushuna Waterfalls, 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.

This evening enjoy a movie night on board your Avalon ship.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN

(B,L,D)
Day 4VIDIN, BULGARIA
 Rocks, Ruins and Beauty in Bulgaria

ACTIVE Enjoy a panoramic trek on the rocky landscape of Belogradchik, OR:

DISCOVERY Get to learn everything about the production technologies of the Bulgarian wines and enjoy a tasting of the various labels produced by a local well-known winery. All accompanied by local snacks and symphonic music, OR:

CLASSIC Join Guided Sightseeing in Vidin, followed by a visit to Baba Vida Fortress, Bulgaria’s only completely preserved medieval castle.

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

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC

(B,L,D)
Day 5IRON GATES GORGE–DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR–GOLUBAČ
 Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

Sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge—a natural border between Serbia and Romania.

ACTIVE Enjoy this scenic hike through Djerdap National Park and stop along the way to taste some local specialties before returning to your Avalon ship, OR:

DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to Lepenski Vir—an important Mesolithic archaeological site chronicling prehistoric cultures, settlements, and art. Marvel at the ancient discoveries and artifacts, as well as the unique views the site affords of the Danube Gorge.

CLASSIC Join a guided tour of Donji Milanovac and learn the basic of the Cyrillic Serbian alphabet inside the local primary school. Meet locals and get to know the art of crocheting while learning about the history of this little Serbian town. OR:

Enjoy a brief sailing to Golubač.

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.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE

(B,L,D)
Day 6BELGRADE, SERBIA
 Fortresses and Folklore

ACTIVE Get a real taste of Serbia on this guided bike tour focusing on the history of Belgrade, from WWII to today, OR:

DISCOVERY Go way beyond the ordinary, and get to know Belgrade through its remarkable people and innovative minds.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.

Spend free time in Belgrade exploring Knez Mihailova Street—Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafés, shops, and cultural spots. You might consider partaking one of the Optional Excursion available.

DISCOVERY Before dinner, attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the Danube Delta.

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

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NOVI SAD

(B,L,D)
Day 7NOVI SAD
 A Capital of Culture

ACTIVE Enjoy a guided hike tour to the Petrovaradin part of the town. Located on the right bank of the Danube, across from the main part of Novi Sad, this area will amaze you for its scenic views, OR:

DISCOVERY Get to learn more about the beekeeper profession on this guided tour of Novi Sad by stopping to the Honey Museum and by tasting local honey specialties. 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.

Enjoy a brief cruise to Ilok while having lunch onboard.

ILOK, CROATIA

Croatian Heritage and Hilltop Vintages

ACTIVE Enjoy a scenic bike ride through the easternmost town in Croatia and be mesmerized by the beauty of Ilok. OR;

DISCOVERY Explore the town of Vukovar and meet a local beer brewer who will share with you his fascinating story during a beer tasting. OR;

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.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OSIJEK

(B,L,D)
Day 8OSIJEK (DISEMBARKATION)–ZAGREB
 A Night in Zagreb

Disembark your ship this morning and travel to Zagreb.

Spend some free time exploring this fascinating city on your own to discover its Austro-Hungarian architecture. Do not miss pedestrian-friendly Tkalčićeva Street, lined with outdoor cafes.

This evening, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.

(B,D)
Day 9ZAGREB
 Roman History in the Croatian Capital

CLASSIC Take a guided tour of the Croatian capital city of Zagreb and discover its rich history dating from the Roman times to the present day.

(B)
Day 10ZAGREB–KRKA–SPLIT
 On your way to Split, stop for a guided walking tour at Krka National Park.

Tonight, enjoy dinner with regional specialties at a local restaurant.

(B,D)
Day 11SPLIT
 

Enjoy a Walking tour with a Local Guide including Diocletian’s Palace. Free time this afternoon and evening.

(B)
Day 12SPLIT,BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA–STON–DUBROVNIK
 

Leave Split after breakfast and take a Guided walking tour includes the walls and the salt pans. Free time before continuing to Dubrovnik.

ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME in Dubrovnik with an Adriatic Sunset Cruise and Dinner. This and many more options throughout your tour are available for purchase with MyGlobus. Get local maps and tips for free time with your AvalonGO mobile app.

(B)
Day 13DUBROVNIK–KONAVLE–DUBROVNIK
 

Take part to a Walking tour with a Local Guide, which includes the Rector’s Palace.

In Konavle, enjoy a Walking tour and farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

(B,D)
Day 14DUBROVNIK
 Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

Avalon Pricing Details

Port charges:
$168

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 price. 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.

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