Passion, From the Black Sea to Germany 2022 ex Bucharest to Deggendorf – 13 Jun 2022

16 Night Cruise sailing from Cernavoda to Deggendorf aboard Avalon Passion. Hotel stay pre-cruise in Bucharest.

DAY 1: BUCHAREST, 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, cafes, museums, beautiful homes, and churches along Victory Avenue.

DAY 2: BUCHAREST
Beautiful Boulevards and Bold History 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 Cernavoda to board your Avalon Suite Ship this afternoon. CERNAVODA (EMBARKATION) Your Balkan Adventure Begins Explore your Avalon Suite Ship this evening and enjoy a dinner on board. DISCOVERY – After dinner, attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the Danube Delta. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ST. GHEORGHE (B,D)

DAY 3: ST. GHEORGHE. EXCURSION TO THE DANUBE DELTA
A River’s Entrance into the Sea Visit the Adventure centre for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. CLASSIC – Join a small-boat Guided Tour of the best preserved of Europe’s deltas-2,200 square miles of rivers, canals, marshes, tree-fringed lakes and reed islands. DISCOVERY – Enjoy a Special Celebration to mark Kilometer “0”-the end of the Danube River’s 2,845 km journey-from the source in the Black Forest to its delta at the Black Sea. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO HAR?OVA (B,L,D)

DAY 4: HAR?OVA. EXCURSION TO CONSTANTA
Romania’s Cultural Legacies CLASSIC – Join a Guided Tour to Constanta, the most important commercial centre in Romania, situated on the Black Sea. Visit the Natural History and Archeological Museum to discover the history of early Romanian cultures. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUSSE (B,L,D)

DAY 5: ROUSSE, BULGARIA. VELIKO TARNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION
Fortresses and Fountains in “Little Vienna” CLASSIC – Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Bulgaria’s largest inland port and visit its impressive Holy Trinity Church, OR: ACTIVE – Join a walk through the park with your Avalon Adventure Host. Sail to Svistov, OR: CLASSIC – Join a full-day Guided Tour to the former Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo-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 Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi. Later, join your ship in Svistov. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN (B,L,D)

DAY 6: VIDIN
Rocks, ruins and Balkan Beauty Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities. CLASSIC – Join Guided Sightseeing in Vidin, followed by a Guided Tour of Belogradchik. See the remarkable rock formations on the slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of nature’s elements. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC (B,L,D)

DAY 7: DONJI MILANOVAC, SERBIA-IRON GATES GORGE. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR
Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates Before lunch on board, you’ll sail through the spectacular and narrow Iron Gates Gorge-forming a natural border between Serbia and Romania. CLASSIC – 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. Enjoy a brief sailing to Goluba?. GOLUBA? A Formidable Fortress 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 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 8: BELGRADE
Fortresses and Folklore Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. 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. You may choose to join an Optional Guided Biking tour or spend free time in Belgrade exploring Knez Mihailova Street-Belgrade’s central pedestrian thoroughfare with many lively cafes, shops, and cultural spots. DISCOVERY – Attend an onboard Lecture to learn about the rich history, destinations, and culture of the Balkan states. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NOVI SAD (B,L,D)

DAY 9: NOVI SAD
A Capital of Culture 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 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 MOHACS (B,L,D)

DAY 10: MOHACS, HUNGARY. EXCURSION TO PECS
Underground Tombs and Heavenly Music CLASSIC – Take a Guided Tour to nearby Pecs 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. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B,L,D)

DAY 11: BUDAPEST
Hungary’s Captivating Capital Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square. Take in the beauty of Budapest while enjoying a free afternoon exploring such famous sights as the Chain Bridge. Get to know the city’s cafes and pubs, or take a hike through the hills above the Danube. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST (B,L,D)

DAY 12: BUDAPEST
The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe Visit the Adventure centre for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. This afternoon choose among a wide offer of Optional Guided Excursions or take a free day to explore, with time to take photographs on the Royal Palace grounds in this treasure trove of historical architecture. Try Budapest’s famous thermal bath spas, then dine in a garden or rooftop eatery. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA (B,L,D)

DAY 13: BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle CLASSIC – Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and the sight of royal coronations at St. Martin’s Cathedral. During lunch time enjoy a short sailing to Hainburg HAINBURG, AUSTRIA Enjoy some free time in the village of Hainburg or take a Guided Optional Excursion to discover the natural beauties of this area. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA (B,L,D)

DAY 14: VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Strauss, Schnitzel, Strudel, and Sachertorte CLASSIC – Explore the Habsburg empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex- Winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. You may decide to take a Guided Optional Excursion to Schonbrunn Palace- summer home of the Habsburg Empire. Spend free time strolling in the Karntnerstrasse-the most famous shopping avenue in central Vienna, or take a bike ride to a local cafe for Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel. This evening, enjoy an unforgettable musical performance with an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall. OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DURNSTEIN (B,L,D)

DAY 15: DURNSTEIN-WACHAU VALLEY
A King’s Ransom and Castle Ruins CLASSIC – Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart-who was imprisoned in the castle during the Crusades, OR: ACTIVE – Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins to take in the spectacular view of the village, Danube, and the Wachau Valley below. Later, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Ybbs. YBBS. EXCURSION TO MELK Frescoes Above and Vineyards Below DISCOVERY – This afternoon, learn more about sweet Austrian pastry. A workshop in a local bakery with an expert chef will let you create your own pastry, fill it and enjoy it as well, OR: CLASSIC – Visit the Lower Austrian little town of Ybbs. Admire the fine architecture of the Babenberger and its romantic old town, OR: CLASSIC – Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LINZ (B,L,D)

DAY 16: LINZ
Legendary, Lovely Linz Ask about today’s energizing or relaxing Adventure Host activities. CLASSIC – Take a Guided Walk through the city’s historic and beautiful sites along the shore of the Danube and see Hauptplatz-Austria’s largest medieval square-and the towering white-marble Trinity Column. Consider a full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Salzburg-the city of Mozart-or to the picturesque Bohemian town of Cesky Krumlov. You may otherwise spend the afternoon on a biking picnic along the banks of the Danube, or hike through Linz’s beautiful nature trails to Postlingberg for a bird’s-eye view of the city and river below. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LINZ (B,L,D)

DAY 17: SCHLOGEN OXBOW-PASSAU, GERMANY
Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet This morning, cruise through the Schlogen Oxbow, a particularly beautiful horseshoe-shaped bend of the river. CLASSIC – Take a Guided City Walk into Passau, the beautiful “City of Three Rivers.” ACTIVE – Join your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along Ilz River. Before sailing to Deggendorf. take a little free time to explore Passau’s cobblestone streets and galleries of Artists’ Alley. Maybe stop at St. Stephen’s Cathedral to catch a concert rehearsal. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DEGGENDORF (B,L,D)

DAY 18: DEGGENDORF (DISEMBARKATION)
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Munich airport before Noon. (B)