Day 7 – Bulgaria, Castles, Cocktails, and Knowing When to Rest

Posted on by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

Some travel days are packed from sunrise to sunset with nonstop sightseeing. Others offer a little more balance, giving you time to relax, reflect, and simply enjoy the journey. Today was one of those days, and it turned out to be exactly what I needed.

The morning began with a leisurely breakfast aboard the Avalon Passion. Instead of rushing off to an excursion, I carried my Duolingo French lesson up to the Sun Deck. With the Danube quietly flowing beneath us, the temperature hovering around a perfect 72 degrees, and the sunshine warming the deck, it was one of those peaceful moments that remind me why I love river cruising so much. There was no schedule to keep, no crowds to navigate, just the gentle rhythm of the river and time to appreciate where I was.

Later that morning, we gathered in the Panorama Lounge for what I expected to be another interesting port talk. Instead, we were given something far more meaningful.

Our cruise director, Adrian, shared his personal memories of growing up under communist rule in Romania and living through the Romanian Revolution of 1989. His presentation was one of the most moving experiences I’ve had while traveling. His story deserved far more than a few paragraphs in today’s travel diary, so I’ve written a separate blog devoted entirely to his remarkable experiences. If you have a chance, I hope you’ll read it.

After such a powerful morning, lunch was a welcome change of pace. Although the buffet looked wonderful, our little group unanimously decided that fresh cheeseburgers and fries sounded even better. Sometimes the simplest meal is exactly what hits the spot, and today’s lunch certainly did.

In the afternoon, we crossed into northwestern Bulgaria to visit two remarkable historic sites.

Our first stop was Baba Vida Fortress in Vidin, the best-preserved medieval fortress in Bulgaria. Standing along the banks of the Danube, its massive stone walls and sturdy towers have watched over this region for centuries. Walking through the fortress, it wasn’t difficult to imagine the generations of soldiers, merchants, and rulers who once passed through its gates.

From there, we traveled to one of the most spectacular landscapes I’ve seen on this trip, Belogradchik Fortress. Built directly into towering natural rock formations, the fortress seems to grow right out of the cliffs themselves. The views stretched for miles across the Bulgarian countryside, and everywhere I looked there was another incredible photograph waiting to be taken. Before this cruise, I knew very little about Belogradchik. Now it’s become one of my favorite stops along the Danube.

Back aboard the Avalon Passion, Happy Hour introduced another of Avalon’s signature cocktails, the Avalon Breeze. Made with vanilla vodka, Aperol, mango, fresh lemon, and just a hint of vanilla, it was refreshing and perfect after a warm afternoon of sightseeing. While I still think The Cruiser remains my favorite drink of the trip, the Avalon Breeze definitely earned a well-deserved second place.

Dinner this evening was a barbecue on the Sun Deck featuring grilled shrimp, chicken and vegetable skewers, fresh coleslaw, a small salad bar, green beans, and fries. The menu sounded wonderful, but after spending much of the afternoon in the Bulgarian sunshine, the heat on the Sun Deck was more than I wanted. Elizabeth and I decided to enjoy the exact same meal inside the air-conditioned Panorama Lounge instead. Sometimes comfort wins, and neither of us regretted the decision. Although, I did miss my friends Ginny & Susan! I’m sure they had a fabulous time on the sun deck.

Tonight’s entertainment featured children from Bulgaria performing traditional music and dance. I had been looking forward to seeing the show, but by evening I knew my body was asking for something different. Between a headache, an aching back, and the accumulated excitement of the past week, I decided to take some ibuprofen, head back to my cabin, and get some much-needed rest. Susan sent me the following video. I really hate I missed the show.

Travel isn’t only about squeezing every possible activity into every single day. Sometimes the best decision you can make is listening to your body so you’ll be ready for whatever tomorrow brings.

And tomorrow promises to be something truly special as we sail through the spectacular Iron Gates Gorge, one of the most scenic stretches of the Danube.

I have a feeling it’s going to be another unforgettable day. For now, it’s good night from the Danube!

Unknown's avatar

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.