The Danube from Germany to Romania with 1 Night in Bucharest and 2 Nights in Transylvania

18 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
97%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
River Cruise
Embark on an 18-day journey from Germany to Romania, concluding with two nights in mysterious Transylvania. Spend time exploring the beauty of this area with expert Local Guides after your cruise, including superior accommodations, sightseeing, and complimentary transfer from your Avalon Suite Ship®. Begin your Danube River cruise in Vilshofen, Germany and ...
$1,039 OFF
$10,526
From$9,487
See departure dates

Member Savings

Save up to $700!

Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)

Unlock Savings

Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Highlights

    • Onboard welcome reception
    • Choice of guided walk or hike with your Adventure Host; Schlögen Oxbow scenic cruising
    • Guided sightseeing, see Hauptplatz and the Trinity Column
    • Cruise through the Wachau Valley; choice of guided walk or hike up to the castle ruins in Dürnstein OR guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk
    • Choice of guided sightseeingor bike with your Adventure Host
    • Choice of guided sightseeing in Bratislava, visit St. Martin’s Cathedral or hike to Bratislava Castle with your Adventure Host
    • Scenic cruising into Budapest; choice of guided tour, see Heroes’ Square or hike with your Adventure Host
    • Free time
    • Choice of beer experience or guided tour in Vukovar; choice of guided tour with wine tasting or guided bike tour in Ilok
    • Choice of highlights of Novi Sad with hike to Petrovaradin Fortress or honey and wine tasting or walk in Novi Sad with your Adventure Host

What's this trip about?

    Embark on an 18-day journey from Germany to Romania, concluding with two nights in mysterious Transylvania. Spend time exploring the beauty of this area with expert Local Guides after your cruise, including superior accommodations, sightseeing, and complimentary transfer from your Avalon Suite Ship®. Begin your Danube River cruise in Vilshofen, Germany and sail to Passau—the “City of Three Rivers.” In Austria, visit its lovely towns along the Danube, including Linz, Dürnstein—from where you can take a visit to Melk Abbey, and Vienna. See the gilded sights and indulge in Austrian specialties and sweets. Explore picturesque vineyards and ancient castles of the “Blue Danube” with a Viennese Waltz lilting in the air. Explore the incredible Habsburg Empire and see the royal family’s Imperial Palace, the historic Opera House, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna. Visit Budapest—the “Pearl of the Danube,” and experience the beauty and history of the Balkan States of Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania—from ancient archaeological sites to amazing architecture and art. Your cruise concludes with a visit to the Romanian capital of Bucharest. Called the “Paris of the East,” its lovely tree-lined boulevards include the Arc de Triomphe and the Royal Palace Square. This amazing odyssey through history and legendary beauty on a European river cruise, concluding with an escorted tour of Transylvania, is the trip of a lifetime!

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityVILSHOFEN, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)
End CityBUCHAREST

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Attractions

  • Belgrade
  • Belogradchik
  • Brasov
  • Bratislava
  • Bucharest
  • Budapest
  • Croatia
  • Linz
  • Passau
  • Romania
  • Transylvania
  • Vienna

Activities

  • Culture
  • River Cruise

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: VILSHOFEN, GERMANY (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Germany. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Munich must arrive by 2 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

Explore your ship and enjoy dinner on your first evening onboard.

EVENING CRUISE TO PASSAU

(Dinner)

Day 2: PASSAU–SCHLÖGEN OXBOW

Where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers Meet ACTIVE Follow your Avalon Adventure Host for Hiking from Oberhaus along a trail down to the valley and along Ilz River, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers".

...

Day 3: LINZ, AUSTRIA

Legendary and Lovely Linz

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

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 squ...

Day 4: WACHAU VALLEY–DÜRNSTEIN

A King’s Ransom and Castle Ruins

This morning, stretch out on the Sky Deck as you sail through the Wachau Valley past vineyards, castles, and charming villages on your way to Dürnstein.

ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins to take in the specta...

Day 5: VIENNA

Viennese Waltzes on the Blue Danube

ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex-the winter re...

Day 6: BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA

Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle

ACTIVE Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to lofty Bratislava Castle, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk, including the quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and the sight of royal coronations at St. Martin...

Day 7: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

War Heroes and Hot Water

ACTIVE Hike up to a magnificent viewpoint in Budapest with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square. This afternoon, select from a variety of Guided Optional or spend free ti...

Day 8: BUDAPEST

The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe Take free time to enjoy Budapest’s famed thermal baths. You can also take a scenic hike in the hills above the Danube. Take time to explore the city’s cafés and restaurants.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VUKOVAR

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 9: VUKOVAR

History and Beer

Visit 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...

Day 10: NOVI SAD, SERBIA

The Athens of Serbia

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.

ACTIVE Enjoy a Guided Hike Tour to the Petrovaradin part of the to...

Day 11: BELGRADE

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 o...

Day 12: GOLUBAČ–DONJI MILANOVAC. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR–IRON GATES GORGE

Ancient Artifacts and the Iron Gates CLASSIC Visit the Fortress of Golubač, 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, t...

Day 13: VIDIN, BULGARIA

Rocks, Ruins and Balkan Beauty

ACTIVE 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...

Day 14: ROUSSE. VELIKO TÂRNOVO & ARBANASSI EXCURSION

Fortresses and Folklore

ACTIVE Explore Rousse's old town by bike with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC 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. Di...

Day 15: OLTENITA, ROMANIA (DISEMBARKATION)–BUCHAREST

Disembark your Ship and transfer to Bucharest.

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 riot...

Day 16: BRASOV

Dracula Bites & Castle Sights

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Tour of Brasov and admire its gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture. In the evening, depart for Bran Castle of Dracula lore.

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Bran Castle—the 1377 legendary home of the famed Romanian vampire, followed by a dinner in this amazing location. (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 17: BRASOV–SINAIA–BUCHAREST

The “Paris of the East”

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Tour of Visit Peles Castle, the summer residence of the royal family until 1947.

Drive out the Carpathians to Bucharest; On the way, enjoy a local lunch.

Spend some free time exploring this fascinating...

Day 18: BUCHAREST

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(Breakfast)

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $9,487
Price per day$527
Last Updated: 3/11/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
21 Apr 2025
08 May 2025
$8,547
18 Jun 2025
05 Jul 2025
$9,047
26 Jul 2025
12 Aug 2025
$9,047
15 Aug 2025
01 Sep 2025
$9,147
12 Oct 2025
29 Oct 2025
$9,547
24 Apr 2026
11 May 2026
$8,887
17 May 2026
03 Jun 2026
$9,487

Gateway city for arrivals is Munich. Port charges: $462 are included. 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.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Avalon Waterways.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Avalon Waterways Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
1,559
Great
145
Average
48
Disappointing
16
Terrible
47
Write a Review

Other Avalon Waterways Reviews

c

crezet kickartz

Feb 2025

Written on

My husband and I went on our first trip from Amsterdam to Basel. It was so great and as it was my first big OE the sights were very breath-taking.

The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lo...

J

James Allen

Jan 2025

Written on

Great Staff

The staff was interactive, polite, and memorable. We were lucky enough to have met and interacted with the staff on 2 different boats. Avalon handled the necessary c...

J

Janis Lloyd

Jan 2025

Written on

Avalon consistency—good!

Cabins always great. Food very good. I wish there were semi-dry white wine offered at dinner. (Rieslings, not dry). Christmas market in Colmar was not enjoyable, way...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

Qosmo Brasov Hotel

Perfect for travelers seeking a modern and comfortable stay in Brasov, Qosmo Brasov Hotel offers an informal atmosphere with understated elegance in its rooms. Each space features a minimalist aesthetic, allowing the contemporary hospitality services to take center stage. An ideal location for exploring Transylvania, Qosmo Brasov caters to your needs with amenities such as Free Wi-Fi and in-room TVs. For a relaxing evening, unwind at the hotel's restaurant, or socialize with a handcrafted cocktail at the on-site bar.

Brasov

Romania

5 Turnului Street

Kronwell Brasov Hotel

The Kronwell hotel in Brasov boasts stylishly luxurious guestrooms equipped with state-of-the art facilities, as well as free of charge wireless internet access that will satisfy the hotel's most exclusive guests. This centrally located hotel offers a stylish à la carte restaurant, a casual bar, a sleek European/Asian bistro and formal dining with a terrace. The spa has an indoor pool, a fitness studio and sauna.

Brasov

Romania

Bulevardul Garii Nr 7A

Intercontinental Athenee Palace

Explore Bucharest from the glorious Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest hotel, one of the city's most sophisticated and prestigious landmarks. The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the city and enjoys views of Revolution Square and is close to Bucharest's many local attractions.

Bucharest

Romania

1-3 Episcopiei

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Optional Activities
[object Object]
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
AVALON-WDOY

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!