DAY 1 – THURSDAY, JULY 8

Depart the U.S. for Bucharest, Romania

Meet your Champlain Tours escort and board your overnight flight bound for Romania. Relax in the knowledge that everything is fully organized and accompanied.

DAY 2 – FRIDAY, JULY 9

Arrival in Bucharest – The “Paris of the East”

Land in Bucharest, Romania’s bustling capital. After check-in, enjoy free time to stroll Victory Avenue with its cafés, boutiques, and historic churches, or simply rest after your travels. With elegant boulevards and Belle Époque architecture, Bucharest sets the stage for the grand journey ahead.

DAY 3 – SATURDAY, JULY 10

Embarkation in Oltenita – A Grand Beginning on the Danube

Spend the morning seeing Bucharest highlights such as the Arc de Triomphe and Royal Palace Square, where history turned during the 1989 revolution. By afternoon, transfer to Oltenita and board the Avalon Illumination. Unpack in your spacious Panorama Suite, toast with fellow travelers at a welcome dinner, and watch the Romanian shoreline drift away as your ship begins its passage down the legendary Danube.

DAY 4 – SUNDAY, JULY 11

Ruse, Bulgaria – Fortresses and “Little Vienna”

Awake in Ruse, Bulgaria’s largest river port.

• Active Option: Join your Adventure Host on a bike tour, pedaling past parks, fountains, and 19th-century façades.

• Classic Option: Take a guided walking tour, visiting Holy Trinity Church and elegant city squares.

• Discovery Option: Full-day excursion to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s medieval capital, and Arbanassi, famous for its painted churches and traditional architecture.

Rejoin the ship in Svistov and continue your voyage. Evening sailing carries you toward Vidin.

DAY 5 – MONDAY, JULY 12

Vidin – Rocks, Ruins & Balkan Beauty

Dock in Vidin, framed by the Balkan Mountains.

• Classic Tour: Excursion to Belogradchik, where towering red sandstone formations rise like castles, animals, and mythical figures, followed by a visit to Baba Vida Fortress, Bulgaria’s best-preserved medieval stronghold.

• Active Option: Walking or biking tour with your Adventure Host.

Return to the ship for a lively evening of Bulgarian folk music and dance, a celebration of Balkan spirit.

DAY 6 – TUESDAY, JULY 13

Donji Milanovac & the Iron Gates Gorge

Sail through the Iron Gates Gorge, one of the most dramatic stretches of the Danube, where sheer cliffs loom high above the river.

• Classic Tour: Visit Lepenski Vir, a Mesolithic site with 8,000-year-old artifacts and mysterious stone carvings.

• Active Option: Guided walk through Donji Milanovac to experience village life.

Later, see the imposing Golubač Fortress, still standing guard over the river. Evening sailing brings you toward Belgrade.

DAY 7 – WEDNESDAY, JULY 14

Belgrade, Serbia – Fortresses & Folklore

Wake to the vibrant Serbian capital where East meets West.

• Classic Tour: Guided sightseeing including Saint Sava Cathedral, Kalemegdan Fortress, and lively Republic Square.

• Active Option: Join your Adventure Host for a city walk along bustling pedestrian streets.

• Optional: Guided biking tour of Belgrade’s neighborhoods.

Free time to explore Knez Mihailova Street or linger in cafés. Back onboard, enjoy a Discovery lecture on Balkan traditions. Evening departure for Novi Sad.

DAY 8 – THURSDAY, JULY 15

Novi Sad, Serbia – A Capital of Culture

Arrive in Serbia’s cultural heart, brimming with baroque squares and youthful energy.

• Classic Tour: Guided exploration of Novi Sad’s Old Town, pastel buildings, and Austro-Hungarian heritage.

• Active Tour: Walk up to Petrovaradin Fortress for sweeping Danube views.

• Discovery Tour: Visit Sremski Karlovci for honey tasting and wine sampling at the Živanović Wine Cellar.

This evening, sail toward Croatia with Novi Sad’s glow behind you.

DAY 9 – FRIDAY, JULY 16

Ilok & Vukovar, Croatia – Heritage & Resilience

Morning in Ilok, renowned for its vineyards and centuries-old wine traditions. Enjoy tastings in a historic cellar.

Afternoon in Vukovar, Croatia’s largest river port. On a guided walking tour, see Austro-Hungarian architecture alongside moving memorials of the town’s resilience.

Return for a festive evening of live Croatian entertainment onboard.

DAY 10 – SATURDAY, JULY 17

Mohács & Pécs, Hungary – Ancient Tombs & Music

In Mohács, stroll historic streets or visit the medieval St. Nicholas Watermill. Alternatively, join a full excursion to Pécs:

• Explore UNESCO-listed 4th-century Christian tombs, decorated with frescoes.

• See Turkish-era architecture and Europe’s influence on this cultural hub.

• End with a stirring organ concert in one of Pécs’s historic churches.

Evening sail toward Budapest with Hungarian wine in hand.

DAY 11 – SUNDAY, JULY 18

Scenic Sailing – Toward Budapest

Spend the day enjoying the panoramic views from the Sky Deck: rolling hills, vineyards, and villages drifting by. Optional onboard enrichment, yoga, or simply relax as anticipation builds for Budapest.

DAY 12 – MONDAY, JULY 19

Budapest, Hungary – The Pearl of the Danube

Discover one of Europe’s most enchanting capitals on a Classic Guided Tour:

• Heroes’ Square with its statues of Hungarian leaders.

• The elegant Parliament Building and sweeping views from Buda Castle.

The afternoon is free for personal exploration: soak in Budapest’s thermal baths, stroll cobblestone lanes, or enjoy shopping and cafés.

Tonight, gather for a farewell dinner in Budapest — a perfect finale to your Danube adventure.

DAY 13 – TUESDAY, JULY 20

Departure from Budapest

Enjoy a final breakfast on the Avalon Illumination before transferring to the airport. Fly home with memories of castles, capitals, cultures — and the timeless beauty of the Danube.

Optional extensions available to continue through Austria, Vienna, and Amsterdam.