BLACK SEA - BALKAN - DANUBE EPSLORER WITH BUDAPEST - CATEGORY E

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 (EMBARKATION)

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 Fetesti to board your Avalon Suite Ship this afternoon. FETESTI (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 Mighty River's Entrance into the Sea 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 into the Black Sea. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CERNAVOD? (B,L,D)

Day 4 - CERNAVOD?. EXCURSION TO CONSTANTA

Romanian Commerce and Cultural Legacies on the Black Sea 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 Bulgaria's "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 Jog 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 the Bulgarian Revival architecture in the 15th-century town of Arbanassi. Later, join your ship in Svistov. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board with a Bulgarian folklore show. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIDIN (B,L,D)

Day 6 - VIDIN

Rocks and Ruins-Things of Beauty in Bulgaria CLASSIC - Join Guided Sightseeing in Vidin, 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. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC (B,L,D)

Day 7 - DONJI MILANOVAC, SERBIA-IRON GATES GORGE. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR

Ancient Art, Archaeological Artifacts, and Gauntlet of 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. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE (B,L,D)

Day 8 - BELGRADE

Fortresses and Folklore of Serbia Past and Present 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. AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO OSIJEK (B,L,D)

Day 9 - OSIJEK, CROATIA

History and Culture of Croatia CLASSIC - Join a morning Guided Walking Tour of the Croatian city of Osijek, located at the confluence of the Danube and Drava Rivers. Visit Tvr?a, the most well preserved fortress of Croatia, home of many educational institutions. DISCOVERY - Attend a musical concert performed by the talented young artists of the music school of Osijek at Franjo Kuhac. This afternoon you might join a Guided Optional Excursion to the famous marshland area of Kopa?ki rit, where you can choose among multiple activities such as fishing, biking or canoeing. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHACS (B,L,D)

Day 10 - MOHACS, HUNGARY. EXCURSION TO PECS

Underground Tombs and Soaring Music Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host. 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. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST (B,L,D)

Day 11 - BUDAPEST (DISEMBARKATION)

The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe CLASSIC - Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing tour of Budapest, 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. (B)

Day 12 - BUDAPEST

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)