Avalon Waterways, From the Black Sea to the North Sea, September 14, 2023

Cruising from: Bucharest, Romania;

Departure Date: 14 September, 2023;

Cruise Line: Avalon Waterways;

Cruise Ship: Impression;

Duration: 26 days;

Ports of Call: Bucharest, Bucharest, Danube Delta, Constanta, Ruse, Vidin, Donji Milanovac, Belgrade, Novi Sad, Mohacs, Budapest, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Wachau Valley, Passau, Regensburg, Roth, Bamberg, Volkach, Wurzburg, Main River, Rhine Gorge, Cologne, Amsterdam, Amsterdam;

Day 0 Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania, as well as its cultural, industrial, and financial centre. It is located in the southeast of the country. Bucharest is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle epoque buildings and a reputation for the high life which in the 1900s earned its nickname of "Little Paris. Bucharest has landmark buildings and monuments. The most prominent of these is the Palace of the Parliament, the largest Parliament building in the world, built in the 1980s during the reign of Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

Day 1 Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania, as well as its cultural, industrial, and financial centre. It is located in the southeast of the country. Bucharest is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle epoque buildings and a reputation for the high life which in the 1900s earned its nickname of "Little Paris. Bucharest has landmark buildings and monuments. The most prominent of these is the Palace of the Parliament, the largest Parliament building in the world, built in the 1980s during the reign of Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

Day 2 Danube Delta, Romania

The Danube Delta is made up of over 2,200 square miles of continually evolving rivers, canals, wetland marshes, reed islands and tree-lined lakes. This unique setting, where nature still takes its course, is a naturalist's paradise. The Delta is an untouched land. Included in UNESCO's World Heritage list, the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve is one of Romania's biggest tourist attractions.

Day 3 Constanta, Romania

Constanta is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Romania and the country's largest seaport. Constanta is an important cultural and economic centre, worth exploring for its archaeological treasures and the atmosphere of the old town centre. Its historical monuments, ancient ruins, grand Casino, museums and shops, and proximity to beach resorts make it the focal point of Black Sea coast tourism.

Day 4 Ruse, Romania

Whether you spell it Ruse, Russe, or Rousse, this city in northern Bulgaria is located on the right bank of the Danube River, not far from the mouth of the Rusenski Lom River and directly across from the Romanian city of Giurgiu via the Friendship Bridge. This is a major commercial, cultural, and industrial hub, and one of the largest cities in the country. Ruse was also known as "The Small Vienna" because to the stunning architecture and intricate interior design of the buildings created by Italian, Austrian, German, and Bulgarian architects. Ruse Carnival, March Music Days, Autumn Days of Arts and Science, etc., are only a few of the cultural events that take place in the city. There are many cultural institutions in Ruse, such as an agricultural research center, an opera house, a state symphony orchestra, a museum, and an art gallery.

Day 5 Vidin, Bulgaria

Vidin is one of the oldest towns along the Bulgarian Danube bank. The small town has a lovely, tree-lined city park along the Danube that leads from the cruise ship dock to Baba Vida, a medieval fortress built by the Bulgars in the 10th to the 13th centuries. Baba Vida is one of the last remaining intact Bulgar fortresses. Vidin also has intact sections of the city wall, a large downtown square, and a lively city market, so it's a fun place to spend a few hours exploring on foot. Some of the old buildings along the river are quite impressive, and the architecture of the town is an interesting blend of many cultures such as Roman, Bulgarian, Turk, Communist, and modern

Day 6 Donji Milanovac, Serbia

Donji Milanovac is a small place in Bor county, in Majdanpek town. It is located on the riverside of Danube, near locality Lepenski Vir and National park Djerdap. It's location today is in the central place of National park Djerdap. There can be found very old traces of humanity and human origins from a long time ago.

Day 7 Belgrade, Serbia

Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. One of the oldest cities in Europe and the only one built on the confluence of two rivers, Belgrade is the city that never sleeps and the symbol of great nightlife. Belgrade has wildly varying architecture. The oldest architecture is found in Kalemegdan Park. Like any other metropolis, it has many museums, annual cultural events and different sites to visit

Day 8 Novi Sad, Serbia

Novi Sad is the second-largest city in Serbia. Lying on the banks of the Danube river, the city faces the northern slopes of Fruška Gora. Novi Sad is the city of young people, music, fun and great nightlife. It is the home of The EXIT festival, one of the best music events in Europe. The most visited tourist attraction in Novi Sad is Petrovaradin Fortress.

Day 9 Mohacs, Hungary

Mohacs is a town in Hungary on the right bank of the Danube. The town's identity is rooted in a major battle that took place here in 1526 when the Turks swept in, defeated the Hungarians, and then ruled over them for some 450 years. The Historical Memorial Park just outside of town has a comprehensive collection of clothing, tools, and arms. Main sights are the Cathedral of Pecs, and Szechenyi Square.

Day 10 Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is the capital and the most populous city of Hungary. With its wide boulevards and stunning architecture, steamy thermal baths, Budapest is a true cosmopolitan European capital. No trip to Budapest is complete without a visit to the Castle Quarter, including Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, and the quaint cobbled streets and pastel buildings throughout. In a city filled with spectacular architecture and sites, the Hungarian Parliament Building stands out as a symbol of the city and impossible-to-ignore presence on the Danube.

Day 11 Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is the capital and the most populous city of Hungary. With its wide boulevards and stunning architecture, steamy thermal baths, Budapest is a true cosmopolitan European capital. No trip to Budapest is complete without a visit to the Castle Quarter, including Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, and the quaint cobbled streets and pastel buildings throughout. In a city filled with spectacular architecture and sites, the Hungarian Parliament Building stands out as a symbol of the city and impossible-to-ignore presence on the Danube.

Day 12 Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is one of the smaller capitals of Europe but still the country's largest city. One of the city dominants is The Castle of Bratislava. The most attractive part of Bratislava is the Old Town where the most historical sights, as well as cultural institutions, are concentrated. Its tiny lanes offer an ideal atmosphere for romantic walks to those who love to follow signs of history in the middle of the modern world.

Day 13 Vienna, Austria

Vienna is the federal capital, largest city and one of nine states of Austria. It is famous for its cultural events, imperial sights, coffee houses, cozy wine taverns, and the very special Viennese charm. Apart from being regarded as the City of Music because of its musical legacy, Vienna is also said to be "The City of Dreams" because it was home to the world's first psychoanalyst - Sigmund Freud. Vienna is Austria's main centre of education and home to many universities, professional colleges and high schools.

Day 14 Wachau Valley, Austria

Austria's Wachau Valley, nestled between the towns of Krems and Melk, is a 30-kilometer (18-mile) stretch alongside the Danube River. Just about an hour's drive away from the capital city of Vienna, it's a place worth exploring for its intriguing history and its incredible wines. The Wachau Valley is very European- in the sense the countryside reminds you of historic times with rivers, castles and churches. The towns and landscapes of the Wachau Valley have survived the test of changing times, whilst keeping the natural evolution intact. The entire valley was listed as an UNESCO Heritage site in 2000.

Day 15 Passau, Germany

Passau in the southeast of Germany is located at the Austrian border. Situated at the confluence of the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz, Passau is worldwide known as "The Three Rivers City". In the heart of Passau on the Old Town's highest point rises St. Stephen's Cathedral, in which the world's largest cathedral organ sounds. The majestic fortress Veste Oberhaus on the Danube's side and the Pilgrimage Church "Mariahilf" on the Inn's side give the city outstanding beauty.

Day 16 Regensburg, Germany

Regensburg is a city in south-east Germany, at the confluence of Danube, Naab and Regen rivers. Long an important trade and cultural center, Regensburg's medieval Old Town, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is made up of lovely churches and fine old aristocratic houses from the 13th and 14th centuries.Located near the Stone Bridge in Old Town lies the Domplatz, the Cathedral Square, for centuries the hub of the city.

Day 17 Roth, Germany

Roth is located about 25 km south of Nuremberg, Germany. The main tourist attraction is the Schloss Ratibor, a castle built as a hunting lodge, a remarkable sight for its various styles of decor, ranging from German Renaissance to Louis XVI. The Marktplatz (Market Square) is a charming area full of shops and restaurants, surrounded by cheerfully-painted buildings and a cobblestone walk.

Day 18 Bamberg, Germany

Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a German medieval town in Upper Franconia, Bavaria. The town consistently charms tourists with its beautiful architecture, abundant culture, beauty spots and lively gardens. Some of the main sights are: Cathedral, Altenburg, and The Neue Residenz and its Rosengarten with over 4500 roses. Bamberg is known for its smoked Rauchbier and is home to nine breweries.

Day 19 Volkach, Germany

Volkach is a town in Bavaria, Germany. Volkach's main tourist attraction is its annual wine festival. There are two City Gates, both are the only remainders from the town's original defense wall. Volkach's Local History Museum can explain a lot more of the area's history.

Day 20 Wurzburg, Germany

Wurzburg, a city in the region of Franconia, is located on the Main River. The city itself is set in a beautiful hilly location on a river and possesses a wealth of history. One of the city's most important sites is the Fortress Marienberg, a castle on a hill across the Old Main Bridge, that overlooks the whole town area as well as the surrounding countryside. Another significant point-of-interest is the Wurzburg Residenz, a vast compound on the eastern edge of the town. Wurzburg is also smack in the middle of one of Germany's biggest wine-producing areas and has superb connections to other parts of the country.

Day 21 Main River, Germany

The Main river cruises provide travellers with the opportunity to cruise along the serene waters of the Main, through the heart of Germany. The Main river is considered the most significant right tributary of the Rhine and bridges western and eastern Europe together by connecting to the Danube via the Main-Danube canal. Cruising the Main is a nice way to take in the beauty of Germany's rolling countryside, forests, and vineyards, and charming architecture.

Day 22 Rhine Gorge, Germany

Rhine Gorge, Germany. Cruising Rhine. Germany river cruise.

Day 23 Cologne, Germany

Cologne is fourth largest city in Germany and largest city of the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia. One of the key inland ports of Europe, it is the historic, cultural, and economic capital of the Rhineland. Cologne is famous for its 12 great Romanesque churches - especially the magnificent Cologne Cathedral - all an easy walk from the historic Old Town. Its university is one of the oldest and largest in Europe. Among its attractions are Roman remains, medieval churches, Baroque palaces, and museums that reflect such diverse subjects and the various products for which it is known: fragrances, mustard, and chocolate.

Day 24 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands. Amsterdam has a rich history and famous Amsterdam residents include the diarist Anne Frank, artists Rembrandt and Van Gogh, and philosopher Baruch Spinoza. Beside many parks, open spaces, and squares throughout the city, Amsterdam is famous for De Wallen, the red-light district. It is an unusual city to explore.

Day 25 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands. Amsterdam has a rich history and famous Amsterdam residents include the diarist Anne Frank, artists Rembrandt and Van Gogh, and philosopher Baruch Spinoza. Beside many parks, open spaces, and squares throughout the city, Amsterdam is famous for De Wallen, the red-light district. It is an unusual city to explore.