Oltenita is the ancient Constantiola, which was the seat of the first bishopric established in Dacia. In the Crimean War the Turks forced the river at this point and inflicted heavy losses on the Russians. Oltenita is also the birthplace of Romanian president Ion Iliescu. and the starting point for a day trip to Bucharest, the capital of Romania since 1862. Gracious old Bucharest is being restored following its communist past, and many of its mansions, villas, and parks -- once reserved for the exclusive use of the Ceausescu family -- are now open to the public. The city's charm lies in its patchwork pattern of different districts. The spirit of old is most apparent in the north along the Calea Victoriei and near Cismigiu Gardens, where life retains a small-town intimacy. The Civic Center, built in a different era and on the orders of Nicolae Ceausescu, is an incredible structure, as well as a powerful political symbol.
The Avalon Passion was christened to reflect a deep passion for Suite Ships. Gracing Europe's waterways with style and relaxed luxury, the Avalon Passion lives up to its name. Guests experience this passion for new discoveries aboard a home-away-from-home, featuring two full decks of Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that create river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony. Spanning 200 square feet, the Panorama Suites are 30% larger than the industry standard, providing the perfect spot to stretch out on a window-facing Comfort Collection bed with the world at your feet. Host a private cocktail party in the spacious sitting area, comfortably accommodating six guests. On board, enjoy complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi, computer use in public areas, a Fitness Center with state-of-the-art equipment, an elevator, and an expansive Sky Deck with a shade system, premium lounge chairs, a whirlpool, deck games, and the delightful Sky Bistro for al fresco lunches of light grill fare. Pack your passions and cruise your way on the Avalon Passion.
Aug 10, 2027 - Oltenita
Oltenita is the ancient Constantiola, which was the seat of the first bishopric established in Dacia. In the Crimean War the Turks forced the river at this point and inflicted heavy losses on the Russians. Oltenita is also the birthplace of Romanian president Ion Iliescu. and the starting point for a day trip to Bucharest, the capital of Romania since 1862. Gracious old Bucharest is being restored following its communist past, and many of its mansions, villas, and parks -- once reserved for the exclusive use of the Ceausescu family -- are now open to the public. The city's charm lies in its patchwork pattern of different districts. The spirit of old is most apparent in the north along the Calea Victoriei and near Cismigiu Gardens, where life retains a small-town intimacy. The Civic Center, built in a different era and on the orders of Nicolae Ceausescu, is an incredible structure, as well as a powerful political symbol.
Aug 11, 2027 - Rousse
Rousse is an ancient Bulgarian port on the Danube River. People originally settled there because the river produced a living. Today the municipality enjoys a rich cultural lifestyle, hosting an Arts and Culture club, the Rousse Art Gallery, a community art center for children, and the Sava Ognyanov Drama Theatre, one of the most successful professional theatre companies in Bulgaria.
Aug 12, 2027 - Vidin
The town is situated at 199 km north-west of Sofia, on the right bank of Dunabe it is linked with Kalafat town (in Romania) by a ferry. A major factor making the city a resort is the availability of mineral water.
Vidin is one of the oldest towns along the Bulgarian Danube bank. It appears as the Roman fortress of Bononia on the foundations of a Thracian settlement. During the First Bulgarian Kingdom it is known as Budin (Bdin). Bishop's centre. During the Second Bulgarian Kingdom it is a strong fortress and after 1371 a capital of the Vidin Kingdom under Tsar Ivan Sratsimir.
To this day the following sites have been preserved: Baba Vida fortress, built in the 9th-10th centuries on the ruins of a Roman fortress (rebuilt many times, its present appearance dating back to the 18th C.), the Turkish konak (the second half of the 18th C.), the mosque and library of Osman Nuri Pasha, the cruciform barracks of 1798, old Renaissance buildings, a synagogue.
Aug 13, 2027 - Iron Gates (Cruising)
This scenic passage is truly a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Iron Gates are a narrow gorge between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. The gorge, one of the most dramatic sights in Europe, forms a natural border between Serbia and Romania.
Aug 13, 2027 - Golubac
Aug 14, 2027 - Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital of Serbia with about 1.6 million inhabitants. It is located in southeast Europe, in the Balkan Peninsula, at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. It is one of the oldest cities in Europe and since ancient times it has been an important traffic focal point, an intersection of the roads of Eastern and Western Europe. Belgrade is the capital of Serbian culture, education, science and economy. As a result of its tumultuous history, many nations live in Belgrade for centuries, and the majority of the population make Serbs (86%) of Orthodox persuasion.
Aug 15, 2027 - Novi Sad
Novi Sad is a simple city, hospitable and open-hearted to all of its visitors, built by measure of man.
It is a city one gets to know and love easily, but also a place hard to forget and leave forever.
Aug 16, 2027 - Ilok
Ilok lies on Croatia's eastern border, and has a long history of affilitation with multiple entities, including the Kingdom of Bulgaria, Kingdom of Croatia, Ottoman Empire, Austrian Empire and Yugoslavia. The Ilok Castle provides panoramic views of the city and Serbia, and several Gothic churches give visitors a look into Ilok's heritage as these structures present old art and Islamic architecture. There is also an annual wine event that celebrates the region's Traminer, Burgundy and Grasevina wines.
Aug 17, 2027 - Mohacs
The town of Mohacs, located in southern Hungary, is an important river port and railroad terminus. It was also the site of 1526's Battle of Mohacs, where Louis II of Hungary suffered a crushing defeat by the Turkish army. The defeat brought with it more than 150 years of Ottoman domination. There are monuments commemorating the famous battle, of which the slain have ever since been regarded as martyrs to Christianity and Hungarian independence.
Aug 18, 2027 - Budapest
Caught between eastern and western Europe, Budapest has a character uniquely its own. It's also the last cheap, civilised city in Europe. Budapest can seem like one big sight, with each phase in its history, from the Ottoman period until the Communist days and from renaissance to revolution, leaving its mark on the city. For the tourist, a trip to Hungary's capital is dominated by the majestic sights of Buda. In the summer, there are open-air festivals at Szeged, Diosgyor Castle in Miskolc, Gyor and Pecs. Visit the former Royal Palace complex, the Matyas templom and the Belvaros. Margaret Island is a giant recreational park and feels pleasantly separated from the city bustle. Hungarian National Gallery houses Hungarian art since the birth of the nation. Although Esztergom is Hungary's most sacred city, home of the Archbishop and the nation's biggest church, it has a real-life edge. The first-time visitor to Szeged is invariably struck by its space and grandeur. One's immediate impressions of Hungary's third largest provincial city are of greenery and plazas, of broad.
Aug 19, 2027 - Budapest
Caught between eastern and western Europe, Budapest has a character uniquely its own. It's also the last cheap, civilised city in Europe. Budapest can seem like one big sight, with each phase in its history, from the Ottoman period until the Communist days and from renaissance to revolution, leaving its mark on the city. For the tourist, a trip to Hungary's capital is dominated by the majestic sights of Buda. In the summer, there are open-air festivals at Szeged, Diosgyor Castle in Miskolc, Gyor and Pecs. Visit the former Royal Palace complex, the Matyas templom and the Belvaros. Margaret Island is a giant recreational park and feels pleasantly separated from the city bustle. Hungarian National Gallery houses Hungarian art since the birth of the nation. Although Esztergom is Hungary's most sacred city, home of the Archbishop and the nation's biggest church, it has a real-life edge. The first-time visitor to Szeged is invariably struck by its space and grandeur. One's immediate impressions of Hungary's third largest provincial city are of greenery and plazas, of broad.
Aug 20, 2027 - Bratislava
Bratislava is Slovakia's capital and largest city. The Carpathian Mountains, which begin at the Iron Gate of Romania, finally come to an end here. Vineyards on the slopes of the Little Carpathian Mountains meet the Danube River. The Austrian border is almost within sight of the city and Hungary is less than 15 miles away. Many beautiful monuments survive in the old town to tell of its past under Hungarian rule, and Bratislava's numerous museums are surprisingly rich. Franz Lizst visited Bratislava 15 times, and the opera productions of Slovak National Theatre rival anything in Europe. The old city, which is packed with museums and palaces, and the castle are the best parts of Bratislava - the rest of the city is pretty drab. Climb up the castle for great views and to check out the very interesting Museum of Folk Music within. The Slovak National Museum and the Slovak National Gallery on the river are also worth a visit. Hviezdoslavovo námestie (square) is a convenient orientation point, with the old town to the north, the Danube to the south, and Bratislava Castle to the west.
Aug 21, 2027 - Vienna
Vienna is dominated by imperial castles and places: Schonbrunn, the magnificent summer residence, the Imperial Coach Collection, the Palm House, the Butterfly House, Belvedere Palace, magnificent state rooms in Hofburg, and the imperial crown in the Treasury. Stop by Ringstraße - the showplace of the monarchy built where Emperor Franz Joseph ordered the demolition of city walls. Important buildings include the State Opera, the Museums of Fine Arts and Natural History, Parliament, City Hall and Vienna University. The world capital of music. A long line of great composers Johann Strauss, Haydn and Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, Mahler and Schonberg all worked here. A city with splendid concert halls, such as the Golden Hall, from which the Philharmonic's New Year's Day concert is broadcast annually. International stars love to appear here in the State Opera, Volksoper, Konzerthaus, and at festivals like the Vienna Festival, the Klangbogen concerts during the Musical Summer, the Jazz Festval and the Haydn, Mozart and Schubert festivals.
Aug 22, 2027 - Duernstein
Here in the heart of the beautiful Wachau wine region where vineyards lace softly rolling hills lies Duernstein (Durnstein). See the ruins of Kuenringer Castle where Richard the Lionheart was reputedly held prisoner. Visit the former Collegiate Church. A stroll through medieval cobblestone streets reveals old burgher houses, wine taverns and quaint 16th and 18th century townhouses. Enjoy a wine tasting in one of the many charming taverns.
Aug 23, 2027 - Linz
This Roman-built capital city is an important trade town along the Danube. For people interested in its past, it has an impressive list of important historical figures who have passed through or made Linz their home. Friedrich III, the Hapsburg Emperor, spent his last days in Linz, and for a time it was the most important city in the empire. Adolph Hitler went to school here for a brief period of time before moving on. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote his Symphony No. 36 in Linz, and today it is called the Linz Symphony. Sights to see include the Dreifaltigkeitssäule - a monument constructed in memorial of the people who died in the plague epidemics. There are several museums and castles in the area as well. Once in Linz, you'll understand why it was such a place of historical significance.
Aug 24, 2027 - Passau
In the third millennium, Passau was considerably enlarged by the prince bishops of Passau, who made it their royal residence and capital of the largest Danube diocese. The wonderful Baroque buildings dominating the city today were built after a fire of 1662. One of the most striking is cathedral of St. Stephan, with the world's biggest church organ. One of the best ways to enjoy the magic of Passau is with a sightseeing tour. Other sights to see include: Neue Residenz - an Episcopal palace; Veste Oberhaus - Citadel of the prince bishops with the best view of the Old Town and confluence of the three rivers; Town Hall, which is lavishly decorated halls with monumental paintings; Niedernburg Abbey - tomb of Gisela, first queen of Hungary; Maria Hilf - an abbey and place of pilgrimage overlooking the town center; Dreiflusse-Eck - the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz; and St. Nikolai - a University church with Romanesque crypt.
Aug 25, 2027 - Vilshofen
Vilshofen is a small town on the banks of the Danube, and it has a welcome blend of modernity and history along its city streets. The old city center with its tower and St. John cathedral, antiquated narrow streets, monuments, and Baroque architecture. In the old tower, view rotating art exhibitations at the City Gallery, or visit the African Museum within the Benedectine Abbey Schweiklberg, as well as other sculpture parks that give Vilshofen its modern flare. Nearby, for exploring the region's outdoors, hike and bike through Vilsengtal, a nature reserve.