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Balkan Discovery 2025

From Budapest, Hungary to Bucharest, Romania
Length: 8 Days - Departs: Tue, Sep 30, 2025

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Special Offers

LOW UNPUBLISHED PRICES ON AVALON WATERWAYS (GLOBUS) CRUISES
We have Low Prices on Avalon Waterways (Globus) - Guaranteed!

Save $1,500 + $599 Air on select 2023 Europe River Cruises

Mention Promo Code: PT3143
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Save $1,500 + $599 Air on select 2023 Europe River Cruises

Save $1,500 + $599 Air on select 2023 Europe River Cruises

Promotion Details
Book a select 2023 Europe river cruise to receive $1500 off per couple ($750 off per person) on the cruise/land or cruise only price, combinable with $599 Airfare promotion. Plus, receive our AffordableTours.com everyday savings.
Must Book By Wed, Jan 03, 2024
View Promotion Terms & Conditions ›

*Book a select 2023 Avalon Waterways Europe river cruise to receive $750 off per person on the cruise/land or cruise only price. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between January 3, 2023 and January 3, 2024 for travel for select cruises in 2023. Not applicable to custom tours and charters. Not applicable on TBA space. Promotional discount will apply to Groups of 8 or more who provide their Group Block Deposit within the promotion's booking dates and will apply to all individual members of the Group until the due date of the passenger names/non-refundable individual deposits. Offer reliant on space availability at time of booking and may be withdrawn at any time. Combinable with $599 Airfare promotion (PRMYKU) and Welcome Back Credit and select account specific offers only. Applies to new 2023 bookings only and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply; see Travel Terms & Conditions for details. May be withdrawn at any time. Offer applies to participating GFOB offices only. PRMW1003 PRMW1003

$2,400 Off per couple on select 2023 Europe river cruises + $599 Air

Mention Promo Code: PT3166
Promotion Image

$2,400 Off per couple on select 2023 Europe river cruises + $599 Air

$2,400 Off per couple on select 2023 Europe river cruises + $599 Air

Promotion Details
Book a select 2023 Avalon Waterways Europe river cruise to receive $2400 off per couple ($1,200 off per person) on the cruise/land or cruise only price, combinable with $599 Airfare promotion. Plus, receive our AffordableTours.com everyday savings.
Must Book By Wed, Jan 03, 2024
View Promotion Terms & Conditions ›

*Book a select 2023 Avalon Waterways Europe river cruise to receive $1,200 off per person on the cruise/land or cruise only price. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between March 1, 2023 and January 3, 2024 for travel for select cruises in 2023. Not applicable to custom tours and charters. Not applicable on TBA space. Promotional discount will apply to Groups of 8 or more who provide their Group Block Deposit within the promotion's booking dates and will apply to all individual members of the Group until the due date of the passenger names/non-refundable individual deposits. Offer reliant on space availability at time of booking and may be withdrawn at any time. Combinable with $599 Airfare promotion (PRMYKU) and Welcome Back Credit and select account specific offers only. Applies to new 2023 bookings only and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply; see Travel Terms & Conditions for details. May be withdrawn at any time. Offer applies to participating GFOB offices only. PRMW1015 PRMW1015

Save $4,000 on select 2023 Europe cruises for groups of 8 or more

Mention Promo Code: PT2971
Promotion Image

Save $4,000 on select 2023 Europe cruises for groups of 8 or more

Save $4,000 on select 2023 Europe cruises for groups of 8 or more

Promotion Details
Book a select Avalon Waterways Europe river cruise for 8 or more people to receive $4000 off per couple ($2000 off per person) on the cruise/land or cruise only price. Plus, receive our AffordableTours.com everyday savings.
Must Book By Wed, Jan 03, 2024
View Promotion Terms & Conditions ›

*Book a select 2023 Avalon Waterways Europe river cruise for 8 or more people to receive $2000 off per person on the cruise/land or cruise only price. Group Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between January 4, 2022 and January 3, 2024 for travel on select 2023 departures. Offer reliant on space availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Combinable with Welcome Back Credit, Peace of Mind Credit and Group Advantage Program. Promotional discount will apply to Groups of 8 or more who provide their Group Block Deposit within the promotion's booking dates and will apply to all individual members of the Group until the due date of the passenger names/non-refundable individual deposits. Cannot be used in conjunction with any air promotion. Applies to new group bookings only and will not be applied to pre-existing group bookings. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply; see Travel Terms & Conditions for details. Offer applies to participating GFOB offices only. PRMW0935 PRMW0935


River Cruise Itinerary

Experience the extraordinary destinations of Eastern Europe on this Danube River cruise adventure through the Balkans. You’ll cruise through the rich landscapes and cultural locales of Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Embark on your Avalon Suite Ship® in Budapest, the lively Hungarian capital, and sail into beautiful Croatia. Enjoy a guided sightseeing in Vukovar and discover Ilok with its 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition. Take a fascinating guided tour of the Serbian capital of Belgrade, one of the oldest cities in Europe, where the Sava River meets the Danube. Cruise through the dramatic views of Iron Gates Gorge—a natural border between Serbia and Romania. Visit Bulgaria’s Belogradchik, and see the fascinating rock formations sculpted by natural elements for over 200 million years. On an excursion to the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Târnovo, you’ll visit Arbanassi’s Church of the Nativity, housing an impressive collection of frescoes.

  1. Day 1
    BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (EMBARKATION)
    Tue, Sep 30, 2025
    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.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VUKOVAR(D)BUDAPEST-PARLIAMENT.jpg
  2. Day 2
    VUKOVAR
    Wed, Oct 01, 2025
    History and BeerVisit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.DISCOVERY Join a Guided Walking Tour to discover the heritage, culture, and tradition of Vukovar and enjoy a beer tasting, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided City Tour to discover the captivating culture and tradition of Vukovar and learn about its rich history and heritage.Enjoy a brief cruise to Novi Sad while having lunch onboard.ILOK, CROATIA History and Culture in CroatiaCLASSIC Join a Guided tour of Ilok, with its 1,000-year-old wine making traditions still thriving and its medieval fortress protected for its Croatian cultural heritage. Refresh your spirit with a wine tasting in a local cellar and hear the stories of culture and tradition in the natural beauty of Eastern Croatia, OR:ACTIVE Explore more of Croatia on a Guided Bike Tour along Ilok’s city walls, into the central church, and the towns’ museum on your way to Principovac Castle and Estate.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NOVI SAD(B,L,D)ILOK.jpg
  3. Day 3
    NOVI SAD, SERBIA
    Thu, Oct 02, 2025
    The Athens of SerbiaACTIVE 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.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE(B,L,D)NOVI-SAD.jpg
  4. Day 4
    BELGRADE
    Fri, Oct 03, 2025
    Fortresses and Folklore ACTIVE Discover Belgrade's central walkway with your Adventure Host, 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.DISCOVERY 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. This evening, you might like to join an Optional Excursion for an authentic Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO GOLUBA?(B,L,D)BELGRADE-SAINT-SAVA.jpg
  5. Day 5
    GOLUBA?–DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR–IRON GATES GORGE
    Sat, Oct 04, 2025
    Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates CLASSIC Visit the Fortress of Goluba?, one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. You’ll hear about its tumultuous history as a border control for defense in the Middle Ages, and a source of conflict between Serbia, the Habsburg Monarchy and the Ottoman Empire, OR:CLASSIC 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(B,L,D)IRON-GATES-GORGE.jpg
  6. Day 6
    VIDIN, BULGARIA
    Sun, Oct 05, 2025
    Rocks, ruins and Balkan BeautyACTIVE Join your Adventure Host for a bike tour around the city, OR:CLASSIC 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 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(B,L,D)VIDIN-BELOGRADSHICK.jpg
  7. Day 7
    ROUSSE. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION
    Mon, Oct 06, 2025
    Fortresses and FolkloreCLASSIC 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 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(B,L,D)VELIKO-TARNOVO.jpg
  8. Day 8
    OLTENITA, ROMANIA (DISEMBARKATION)
    Tue, Oct 07, 2025
    Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.Flights should not leave Bucharest airport before noon.(B)BUCHAREST-PARLIAMENT.jpg

Countries Visited

Serbia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia, Romania

Rivers Visited

Danube

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Inclusions

•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.

Meals:





Accommodation Information

Gateway city for departures is Bucharest.

Port charges:
$210

Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).

Please call for single accommodation details and prices. Triples not available.

Health and Safety Protocols for Avalon Waterways

Today's world has changed, but what remains certain is Avalon Waterways' commitment to guest safety, comfort and peace-of-mind while traveling with us. To that end, Avalon Waterways has established a worldwide Assurance program, with enhanced on-trip protocols and procedures, to ensure the health – and happiness – of guests throughout their travels with us.

It all starts with Avalon Waterways' Global Health & Safety Team, dedicated to ensuring that cleanliness of all operations exceeds today’s travel standards—from start to finish. The following areas address Avalon Waterways' commitment to providing a safe and clean environment for guests.

WELCOME ABOARD

New embarkation procedures to offer guests a safe start to their journey, including:

  • Social distancing throughout embarkation
  • Mandatory health screening, including touch-free temperature-check, for all guests and crew
  • Luggage disinfection prior to onboarding (with crew wearing gloves and masks)

FRESH AIR, INSIDE AND OUT:

In addition to Avalon Waterways' Open-Air staterooms, the air in the ships is not circulated between staterooms; only within an individual stateroom and mixed with fresh, outside air.

BLENDING CULTURAL PROXIMITY WITH SOCIAL DISTANCE:

New social distancing guidelines for guests throughout their Avalon cruise include:

  • Reducing ship capacity as required for more space on board per guest
  • Introducing more dining venues for more dining space per person
  • Crew wearing masks for the duration of the cruise during any guest interaction
  • Providing masks for guests to wear during any event where social proximity could become an issue, including disembarkation for excursions and safety drills
  • Adjusting ratio of guides and coaches for excursions, as required

NEW TECHNOLOGY TO ENSURE CLEANLINESS:

  • Electrostatic disinfecting systems
  • UV disinfecting systems

TOUCHING HEARTS, NOT HANDS:

Reducing risk with hands-free service, including:

  • More hand-sanitizing stations throughout the ship
  • Required use of hand-sanitizing stations when leaving the ship, returning to the ship and entering dining venues as well as entering each public/common space
  • Self-serve stations, including buffets, drinks, specialty coffees and snacks have been replaced with crew service
  • All buffets (breakfast and lunch) replaced by a full range of á la carte menu choices
  • Hourly (or more frequent) disinfection of all public areas

COMMITMENT TO THE CLEANEST SHIPS:

Enhanced cleaning procedures throughout each ship, including these additional steps that go above-and-beyond Avalon’s already strict procedures:

  • Deep disinfection of each stateroom between cruises, including:
    • Use of disinfectants and cleaning materials that meet the highest standards
    • Soft goods in each stateroom (mattress, sofa, window coverings, chairs, etc.) disinfected between cruises
  • Disinfection of all dining areas between meals
  • Disinfection of all shared items like umbrellas, bicycles and other Adventure Center items
  • Disinfection of all goods prior to loading on the ship
  • Ongoing crew training in protective equipment use and hygiene

FOCUS ON CREW HEALTH:

Ensuring a healthy crew, including:

  • Medical certificate required prior to start of contract
  • Daily temperature checks
  • Social distancing in crew living quarters
  • Regular health screenings

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Ship Information

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Cabins

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Life on Board

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Questions & Answers

Question: Will the day-by-day itinerary change?

Yes, the river cruise itineraries may change due to reasons such as inclement weather or unforeseen events. Your safety is the number one concern aboard and all precautions necessary will be taken in order to ensure passenger safety, including changing itineraries. Please note that when itineraries do change, the ship staff will do their best to substitute any missed port with an alternative destination.

Question: In what language is the river cruise conducted?

The river cruise will be conducted in English only.

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
4.2
Accommodations
4.3
Itinerary
4.2
Professional Staff
4.5
Repeat with Operator
4
Value for Money
3.8

Ratings based off 58 reviews - currently showing 11 reviews with comments only

AVALON did NOT disappoint again--- this was our third Riverboat trip with Avalon. Ship was beautiful -- staff was excellent --- food was absolutely amazing. Entertainment was great -- guides for the off boat tours were very knowledgeable and personal.

Avalon vs. Viking: I would probably go back to Viking, but each has it's favorable points and room for improvement. The Avalon ship was spotless and the staff was quite good. The food was fine. The Cruise Director was the best I have experienced anywhere. The cabin was spacious, but I missed having the lanai. The guides were great and timing was spot-on. The onboard entertainer was mediocre at best, though, and that really was a downer. On our Viking cruise two years ago, the onboard entertainer was awesome and a good part of our social time was spent enjoying him in the lounge. This guy on Avalon could not sing and his music was intended for the 80 year old+ audience. No one danced or sang along. Disappointing. One of the special music guests was incredibly good, and the other was incredibly bad.

Our Avalon Waterways river cruise was phenomenal! So much fun! The cruise director was wonderful! The staff and the wait service are going to be missed! The excursions kept us up and moving everyday, which was expected. The local guides were all great! It was a dream vacation for sure! A guided tour of Europe was our best decision. Very happy indeed!

Very pleasant and helpful and resulted in significant savings versus booking directly.

I was a bit skeptical when I booked but that went away the first day. Everyone was very helpful and everything was fabulous, hope we can do another trip soon.

OUr cruise was exactly as described and actually exceeded our expectations. Everything was so well done. Ship was great. Staff wonderful. Food excellennt. Couldn't have asked for moore.

All was good EXCEPT the optional tours were not worth it. The places were beautiful by the guides were not helpful.

We had a change in boats due to water level. It seemed that this crew was not as motivated as the other trips he had with Avalon. The food though good did not give alternated to offer myself and my sister. Staff was not as good as previous trips, had this been our first trip we would not return as the others were outstanding.

Our vacation with Avalon Waterways was fantastic. The Tour Guide, Tony was the best person we have ever met for this type of tour. We are excited to look at other river cruises and will book with them again

Aga is the best. She responded to you promptly and goes out of her way to answer your questions. I had a complication situation in which the Avalon itinerary did not match and thus had arranged for buisiness in one city when indeed the ship was in another city. She call operations for the company found out the exact time things would occur and made a great recommendation for when i could have my business meeting. I encourage management to recognize her efforts!

Avalon River Cruises are GREAT!!! It is even more wonderful than Ocean Cruising. We will do this again.

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AffordableTours.com is a travel agent for Avalon Waterways. Brochure Price is based on the itinerary's highest brochure price. Our price reflects our base price for the same departure as Brochure Price. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time. All prices are USD per person and based on double occupancy. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. All prices change frequently and our website prices are not guaranteed until a deposit has been received by us. The prices on our website are intended to serve as a guide only and may not accurately reflect current prices. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in these prices until a booking has been confirmed by one of our agents. Please call us toll free at 1-800-342-0019 to confirm current prices and availability. Prices listed are per person, cruise only, and based on double occupancy.

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