From

US $5,318 per person

Balkan Discovery with 1 Night in Bucharest & 2 Nights in Transylvania 2026

11 days

•

From Budapest to Bucharest

4.6

234 traveler reviews

View all
View all

From

US $5,318 per person

+ $231 Taxes

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Operator: Avalon Waterways
River Cruise: Scenic waterways and effortless exploration
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity: Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 30 - 160
Ages 8+

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Budapest
Meals
Dinner
Day 2
Ilok
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Brief cruise to Ilok while having lunch onboard
Optional Activities
- Guided Walking Tour of Vukovar with beer tasting
- Guided City Tour of Vukovar
- Guided Tour of Ilok with wine tasting in local cellar
- Guided Bike Tour along Ilok's city walls, central church, museum, and Principovac Castle Estate
Landmarks
Principovac Castle and Estate
Day 3
Novi Sad
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Live entertainment on board
Optional Activities
- Guided Tour of Novi Sad with focus on Austro-Hungarian architecture
- Guided Hike Tour to Petrovaradin
- Guided Tour of Novi Sad with Honey Museum visit and honey tasting
Landmarks
Petrovaradin
Honey Museum
Day 4
Belgrade
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Discover Belgrade's central walkway with Adventure Host
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade
- Onboard Lecture about Balkan history, destinations, and culture
- Optional Excursion for Bohemian Dinner in the Quarter of Skadarlija
Landmarks
Saint Sava
Knez Mihailova Street
Quarter of Skadarlija
Day 5
Iron Gates - Vidin
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit the Fortress of Golubač
- Visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site
- Sail through Iron Gates Gorge
Landmarks
Fortress of Golubač
Lepenski Vir
Iron Gates Gorge
Day 6
Belogradchik
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Bike tour around Vidin with Adventure Host
- Guided Sightseeing to Baba Vida Fortress
- Guided Tour of Belogradchik rock formations
- Tour and tasting at a local winery featuring Bulgarian winemaking
Landmarks
Baba Vida Fortress
Belogradchik
Day 7
Veliko Tarnovo - Arbanassi - Ivanovo
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Live entertainment on board with Bulgarian folklore show
Optional Activities
- Explore Rousse's old town by bike with Adventure Host
- Full-day Guided Tour to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rousse, Holy Trinity Church, and Ivanovo rock-hewn churches
Landmarks
Veliko Tarnovo
Arbanassi
Holy Trinity Church
Ivanovo Rock-hewn Churches
Day 8
Bucharest - Brasov
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Bucharest
Landmarks
Arc de Triomphe
Royal Palace Square
Day 9
Bran Castle
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Bran Castle)
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Brasov
- Guided Tour of Bran Castle
- Dinner at Bran Castle
Landmarks
Bran Castle
Day 10
Peles Castle - Bucharest
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch (Local lunch during drive through the Carpathians)
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Peles Castle
- Local lunch during drive to Bucharest
Landmarks
Peles Castle
Victory Avenue
Day 11
Bucharest
Meals
Breakfast

Landmarks
Principovac Castle and Estate

Landmarks
Petrovaradin
Honey Museum

Landmarks
Saint Sava
Knez Mihailova Street
Quarter of Skadarlija

Landmarks
Fortress of Golubač
Lepenski Vir
Iron Gates Gorge

Landmarks
Baba Vida Fortress
Belogradchik

Landmarks
Veliko Tarnovo
Arbanassi
Holy Trinity Church
Ivanovo Rock-hewn Churches

Landmarks
Arc de Triomphe
Royal Palace Square

Landmarks
Bran Castle

Landmarks
Peles Castle
Victory Avenue

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Optional
Additional Services

Operated by

Avalon Waterways

4.6

(234 reviews)

Number of tours

571

Age Range

8 to 99 years old

Response time

within 1 day

Response rate

85%

Introduced in 2003, Avalon Waterways sets the standard in river and...

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Other

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Avalon Waterways Ship

Avalon Passion
Offering splendid river views, the Avalon Passion offers an exciting array of state-of-the-art amenities. Each Panorama Suite is fitted w… Read more
Built
2016
Guests
84 - 166
Crew
47
Length
135 m / 443 ft
Suites
67
Staterooms
16
Gross Tonnage
2775 gt
Beam
12 m / 39 ft
Cruising Speed
12 kn / 22 kph / 14 mph
Staterooms / Suites Deck Plans Dining

Reviews from other tours by Avalon Waterways

Tour Operator
4.6

Charles
September 8th, 2025
5.0
We would like to thank our Statesman Attendee that took care of all our needs in our room 107. He was friendly and...
We would like to thank our Statesman Attendee that took care of all our needs in our room 107. He was friendly and did an amazing job, Marisio our waiter served us with the highest respect and friendliness. Over all Avalon have very good staff and always a smile- nothing too much trouble. The ship was so clean, food was spectacular. We had a surprise group of singers Gwen and Charles who brought great entertainment. The other entertainer was amazing. Loved the top deck BBQ. We met lots of new friends aboard. Thank you Avalon for a trip well executed.Show more
Julie
August 7th, 2025
5.0
Unforgettable, stress-free trip.
Annette
September 14th, 2024
4.0
Tour advertised as 6-day tour but in fact the first day we were provided with hotel accommodation only. The second...
Tour advertised as 6-day tour but in fact the first day we were provided with hotel accommodation only. The second day was largely free time as well. Pre-accommodation in Budapest was difficult to organise having been provided with the name of our hotel only a few weeks before departure. As we arrived in Budapest a few days prior to the commencement of the tour, by the time we were advised of the name of our hotel, it was completely booked and we were forced to find alternate accommodation. Discussions with other travellers (who booked with Globus) advised their cost was lower than ours by quite a substantial amount - plus, they were provided with higher level accommodation on the boat. So, for us, TourRadar seems like an overpriced broker and we would not choose to deal with TourRadar again. The boat trip was really enjoyable, great food, great staff and the room perfectly satisfactory.Show more

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Upcoming departures

Hurry, deals only available for a limited time!

Ends on 22 Apr, 2026

From Sunday
24 May, 2026
To Wednesday
3 Jun, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
Avalon Passion
From:
US $7,667 per person
Multiple Room Types
Taxes
$231
From Monday
8 Jun, 2026
To Thursday
18 Jun, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
Avalon Passion
From:
US $7,267 per person
Multiple Room Types
Taxes
$231
From Tuesday
23 Jun, 2026
To Friday
3 Jul, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
Avalon Passion
From:
US $7,117 per person
Multiple Room Types
Taxes
$231
From Wednesday
8 Jul, 2026
To Saturday
18 Jul, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
Avalon Passion
From:
US $7,217 per person
Multiple Room Types
Taxes
$231
From Thursday
23 Jul, 2026
To Sunday
2 Aug, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
Avalon Passion
From:
US $5,318 per person
Multiple Room Types
Taxes
$231
From Friday
7 Aug, 2026
To Monday
17 Aug, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
Avalon Passion
From:
US $5,318 per person
Multiple Room Types
Taxes
$231
From Saturday
22 Aug, 2026
To Tuesday
1 Sep, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
Avalon Passion
From:
US $7,317 per person
Multiple Room Types
Taxes
$231
From Tuesday
6 Oct, 2026
To Friday
16 Oct, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
Avalon Passion
From:
US $7,317 per person
Multiple Room Types
Taxes
$231
From Wednesday
21 Oct, 2026
To Saturday
31 Oct, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
Avalon Passion
From:
US $7,317 per person
Multiple Room Types
Taxes
$231

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From

US $5,318 per person

+ $231 Taxes

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 288128

Currencies
лв.
Bulgarian Lev
Bulgaria
€
Euro
Croatia
Ft
Forint
Hungary
Plugs & Adapters
As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.
Type C
Hungary and Serbia
Type E
Hungary and Serbia
Type F
Hungary and Serbia
Vaccines
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for Bulgaria.Hungary.Serbia.Romania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Tuberculosis - Recommended for Bulgaria.Romania. Ideally 3 months before travel.
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for Bulgaria.Croatia.Hungary.Serbia.Romania. Ideally 2 months before travel.
- Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for Croatia.Hungary. Ideally 6 months before travel.
- Typhoid - Recommended for Romania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before July 20th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after July 20th, 2026, a minimum payment of $250 is required to confirm your booking with Avalon Waterways. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 95 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- The following cards are accepted for "Avalon Waterways" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- TourRadar can request Avalon Waterways to hold spaces for you for up to 48 hours without any credit card details.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of Avalon Waterways. Please familiarize yourself with the Avalon Waterways payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Balkan Discovery with 1 Night in Bucharest & 2 Nights in Transylvania 2026

Itinerary

Budapest

Ilok

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Novi Sad

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Belgrade

Optional Activities

Iron Gates - Vidin

Included Activities

Belogradchik

Optional Activities

Veliko Tarnovo - Arbanassi - Ivanovo

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Bucharest - Brasov

Included Activities

Bran Castle

Included Activities

Peles Castle - Bucharest

Included Activities

Bucharest

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What's Included