BALKAN DISCOVERY WITH 2 NIGHTS IN TRANSYLVANIA

Posted on by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

River Cruise Budapest to Bucharest

See the highlights of Eastern Europe on this Danube River cruise adventure through the Balkans! This vacation has something for everybody—relaxing time on your ship and stops in the most fascinating cities, with free time and guided sightseeing. On an excursion to Pécs, Hungary, you’ll visit underground burial chambers with fascinating murals, now part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, is one of the oldest cities in Europe, where the Sava River meets the Danube. The lively pedestrian boulevard of Knez Mihailova is dotted with charming cafés and historical buildings. You’ll also see St. Sava, the world’s largest Orthodox Church. Cruise through the dramatic views of Iron Gates Gorge, marvel at Belogradchik’s fascinating rock formations, and visit the fortress in Bulgaria’s ancient capital of Veliko Târnovo. In Arbanassi, visit the Church of the Nativity, housing an impressive collection of frescoes.

This timeless European vacation continues with a stay in Romania’s vibrant capital of Bucharest, the “Paris of the East.” A local expert will show you many of its historical treasures, such as the Arc de Triomphe. Travel to Transylvania to visit Bran Castle—of Dracula lore—the city of Brasov, and beautiful Peles Castle.

DAY ONE: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (Embarkation)

Welcome to Hungary. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Budapest must arrive by 2 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Dinner and all meals are included while onboard your Avalon Waterways ship!

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS

DAY TWO: MOHACS

Hungarian History in a Harbor Town

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

ACTIVE EXCURSION

Explore Mohacs by foot as you follow the lead of your Adventure Host , OR:

CLASSIC EXCURSION

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 EXCURSION

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

DAY THREE: ILOK, CROATIA – NOVI SAD, SERBIA

History and Culture in Croatia

CLASSIC EXCURSION

Join a Guided Tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old wine making 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

The Athens of Serbia

ACTIVE EXCURSION

Get your daily dose of exercise, join your Adventure Host on this walk in and around town, OR:

CLASSIC EXCURSION

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

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DAY FOUR: BELGRADE

Fortresses and Folklore

ACTIVE EXCURSION

Discover Belgrade’s central walkway with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC EXCURSION

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 EXCURSION

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 Excursion for an authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GOLUBAČ

DAY FIVE: GOLUBAC – DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR-IRON GATES GORGE

  • Ancient Artifacts and and the Iron Gates
  • CLASSIC EXCURSION 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; OR:
  • CLASSIC EXCURSION 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

DAY SIX: VIDIN, BULGARIA

  • Rocks, ruins and Balkan Beauty Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
  • ACTIVE EXCURSION Wander and discover this town, join your Adventure Host for a bike ride around town, OR:
  • CLASSIC EXCURSION Join Guided Sightseeing to Baba Vida Fortress, 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; OR:
  • DISCOVERY EXCURSION Discover more than two centuries of a proud family history of Bulgarian winemaking with a tour and tasting at a local winery. Here, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting in the cellars.
  • AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE
Natural phenomenon in Bulgaria, Belogradchik Rocks .Sustainable development of the environment. Near Vidin CREDIT: iStock / iluziaa

DAY SEVEN: ROUSSE VELIKO TARNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION

Fortresses and Folklore

ACTIVE EXCURSION

Explore Rousse’s old town by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC EXCURSION

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 EXCURSION

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

DAY EIGHT: OLTENITA, ROMANIA (Disembarkation) – BUCHAREST

Disembark your Ship and transfer to Bucharest.

CLASSIC EXCURSION

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.

After the visit drive to Brasov for the night.

Dinner is also included tonight.

DAY NINE: BRASOV


CLASSIC EXCURSION

Enjoy a Guided Tour of Brasov and admire its gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture.

In the evening, depart for Bran Castle of Dracula lore.

CLASSIC EXCURSION

Take a Guided Tour of Bran Castle—the 1377 legendary home of the famed Romanian vampire, followed by a dinner in this amazing location.

Breakfast & Dinner are included today.

General view of Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle, in the Carpathian mountains, 200 km (124 miles) north of Bucharest. Romania returned the medieval fortress known as Dracula Castle on Friday to its pre-World War Two owners, the former royal family of Habsburg who were chased out by the communist regime almost 60 years ago.

DAY TEN: BRASOV – SINAIA – BUCHAREST

  • The “Paris of the East.”
  • CLASSIC EXCURSION Enjoy a Guided Tour of Visit Peles Castle, the summer residence of the royal family until 1947.
  • Drive out the Carpathians to Bucharest; On the way, enjoy a local lunch.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.

Breakfast & Lunch are included today.

DAY ELEVEN: BUCHAREST

Your vacation ends with breakfast (included) this morning.

I have wanted to visit Transylvania since the sixth grade, and I think this would be an ideal way to visit the castle that inspired Dracula! I mean, DINNER IN THE CASTLE?!? YES, PLEASE!!AND, to be able to check off FIVE countries from my Travel Bucket List: Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria & Romania! Contact me, and let’s begin planning your visit to Eastern Europe!

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Published by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

Hi, I’m Kenneth Reece — and I help make unforgettable vacations feel effortless. With 50 cruises under my belt (and more in the works!), I specialize in bucket-list travel experiences for grown-up travelers who want something a little more meaningful, a little more personal, and a lot more fun. Whether you're cruising the blue waters of the Caribbean, exploring the stunning coastlines of Alaska, or soaking in the magic of Europe one cobblestone street at a time — I’m here to help you plan a trip you’ll always remember. Lately, river cruising has completely captured my heart. There’s just something special about waking up each morning in a new European town, with your floating boutique hotel waiting to take you to the next charming stop. I love pairing these river cruises with guided land tours for a perfect balance of sightseeing and relaxation. Princess Cruises has long been one of my favorites at sea, but I’ve sailed with many cruise lines and know how to match each client with the right one for them. I’ve also experienced the Disney magic around the world — from Disneyland and Walt Disney World to Tokyo and Paris — and I bring that same sense of wonder and thoughtful planning into everything I do. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, traveling solo, or just need help making sense of all the choices out there, I’m here to be your guide. I love helping clients as much — or as little — as they prefer. From the first conversation to the moment you return home, you’ll know someone has your back. Let’s make your next trip easy, exciting, and completely tailored to you.