Compare From the Black Sea to the North Sea with 2 Nights Transylvania by Avalon Waterways vs The Backpacker by Interrailing Packages

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, cafés, museums, beautiful homes, and churches along Victory Avenue.

Day 2

BUCHAREST. EXCURSION TO TRANSYLVANIA–BRASOV Depart Bucharest for Bran Castle of Dracula lore. Take a Guided Tour of the 1377 legendary home of the famed Romanian vampire. Continue to Brasov for the night.

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Day 3

BRASOV–BUCHAREST Join a morning Guided Sightseeing Tour of Brasov, followed by an afternoon drive into the Carpathians to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle.

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Day 4

BUCHAREST 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

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Day 5

ST. GHEORGHE. EXCURSION TO THE DANUBE DELTA From the Black Forest to the Black 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 of Bavaria to its delta into the Black Sea.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CERNAVODĂ

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Day 6

CERNAVODĂ. EXCURSION TO CONSTANTA Romanian Commerce and Cultural Legacies on the Black Sea

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to Constanta, the most important commercial center 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

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Day 7

ROUSSE, BULGARIA 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 Târnovo—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

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Day 8

VIDIN Rocks and Ruins—Things of Beauty in Bulgaria

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to Belogradchik to see the remarkable rock formations on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains, sculpted by 200 million years of nature’s elements.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DONJI MILANOVAC

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Day 9

DONJI MILANOVAC, SERBIA–IRON GATES GORGE. EXCURSION TO LEPENSKI VIR Ancient Art, Archaeological Artifacts, and Gauntlet of the Iron Gates

Sail through the spectacular Iron Gates Gorge—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.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BELGRADE

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Day 10

BELGRADE, SERBIA Fortresses and Folklore of Serbia Past and Present

CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Belgrade—where the Danube and Sava Rivers converge.

DISCOVERY Attend an onboard Lecture about the rich history and culture of the Balkan states.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship before dinner.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MOHÁCS

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Day 11

MOHÁCS, HUNGARY Archaeological Tombs and Turkish Architecture

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour to nearby Pécs to see its 4th-century Christian underground tombs, murals, and Turkish architecture. You’ll also enjoy an organ concert on your tour.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST

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Day 12

BUDAPEST The Pearl of the Danube in the Heart of Europe

The day is yours to relax and enjoy Eastern Europe’s shining city on the Danube.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BUDAPEST

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Day 13

BUDAPEST The Danube’s Shining Pearl and Heroes’ Pride

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Sightseeing, including the iconic Heroes’ Square.

The afternoon is free to enjoy Budapest on your own. Be sure to savor a piece of cream cake in the world-famous Gerbeaud Café. Consider a scenic hike in the hills above the Danube.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA

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Day 14

BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA Castles, Vineyards, and Cosmopolitan Culture

CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Old Town’s cobblestone streets to Town Hall. Visit the gothic halls of St. Martin’s Cathedral—Kingdom of Hungary’s centuries-old coronation church, OR:

ACTIVE Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to lofty Bratislava Castle.

Alternatively, in your free time take a bicycle and a picnic from the ship to explore the local sights along the Danube. Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA

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Day 15

VIENNA, AUSTRIA Royal Collections, Amusing Attractions, and Culinary Confections

CLASSIC Step into the legendary Habsburg Empire with a morning Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex—the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the historic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Join a Guided Optional Excursion to Schönbrunn Palace—the Habsburg empire summer home for 300 years.

You may also take a tram to Austria’s Prater amusement park or to one of the many museums nearby. Consider joining an Optional Excursion to attend a Royal Waltz Concert in an elegant hall.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO DÜRNSTEIN

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Day 16

DÜRNSTEIN —WACHAU VALLEY Fairytale Castles, Kings, and Cobblestones

CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk, and hear the legendary tale of King Richard the Lionheart—who was imprisoned in the castle above the village, OR:

ACTIVE Take a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins for a spectacular view of the Wachau Valley.

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

MELK

Striking Frescoes and Breathtaking Views of the Wachau Valley

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Melk’s magnificent Benedictine Abbey to marvel at its frescoed ceilings, statues, incredible library, and ornate pipe organ.

DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a Wine Tasting on board as you prepare to sail to Passau.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PASSAU

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Day 17

PASSAU, GERMANY The Three Rivers of Medieval Passau

CLASSIC Join an afternoon Guided City Walk to learn more about this beautiful “City of Three Rivers.”

Alternatively, consider a Guided Optional Excursion such as a full day in Salzburg—the city of Mozart.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO REGENSBURG

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Day 18

REGENSBURG Magical Regensburg—Bavaria’s Medieval Miracle

CLASSIC Join a Guided City Walk and see the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) and Porta Pretoria—built in 179 AD as the entrance to Castra Regina fortress.

You may join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Benedictine Monastery in Weltenburg. This evening, enjoy live entertainment after dinner as you cruise toward Roth.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTH

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Day 19

ROTH. EXCURSION TO NUREMBERG Living Heritage and History Lessons

DISCOVERY While sailing to Roth, enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the Main-Danube Canal—linking these two rivers to make a vital connection enabling navigation between the North and Black Seas.

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the Bavarian town of Roth—with its half-timbered houses, market square, and 1535 hunting lodge, Schloss Ratibor, OR:

CLASSIC Choose a Guided Tour of Nuremberg’s medieval architecture, gilded fountain, gothic cathedral, and Kaiserburg Castle, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the historic Nuremberg Rally Grounds—used by the Third Reich.

Tonight, relax on board with live entertainment as you sail to Bamberg.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BAMBERG

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Day 20

BAMBERG One Thousand Years of History in the City of Seven Hills

CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of the former home to imperial dynasties, and see its Romanesque cathedral, Old Town Hall, and seven hills crowned with churches.

Enjoy live entertainment onboard while sailing this evening.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO WÜRZBURG

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Day 21

WÜRZBURG A Pearl, a Painting, and a Glass of Wine for the Perfect Afternoon

CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Pearl of the Romantic Road” with its Old Main Bridge, towering fortress, and baroque Bishop’s Residenz—with the largest known ceiling fresco.

On your own you may explore the city or enjoy a smoked beer. Later, enjoy onboard entertainment.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAIN RIVER VILLAGE

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Day 22

MAIN RIVER VILLAGE Hidden Gems and Bavarian Beauty of a Main River Village

Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host.

CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of a picturesque Main River village.

Spend free time riding a bike through the beautiful villages on the Main River shores. Later, enjoy onboard entertainment as you cruise to Rüdesheim.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO RÜDESHEIM

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Day 23

RÜDESHEIM—RHINE GORGE Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country

DISCOVERY Tour the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience, OR:

ACTIVE Take a Hike up to the Niederwald Monument with your Avalon Adventure Host.

DISCOVERY Based on your departure date, enjoy either a Coffee Tasting or a Wine Tasting.

This afternoon cruise through the dramatic Rhine Gorge and see the famous rock of The Lorelei—where the mythological siren lured ill-fated sailors to shore.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO COLOGNE

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Day 24

COLOGNE Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland’s Capital City

Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host.

CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—explore the Old City and see its soaring twin-steepled Gothic cathedral, OR:

DISCOVERY Join a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites.

Enjoy free time over a glass of Kölsch pale lager—locally brewed for over 100 years! Local musicians will join us on board for live entertainment.

AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM

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Day 25

AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND Colorful Amsterdam—with Canals, Crooked Houses, and Cuisine of a Golden Age

CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam with a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”

Spend free time on your own to explore the colorful cafés, galleries, bridges, and canals of Amsterdam.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM

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Day 26

AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

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DAY 1: Arrive in Amsterdam and stay overnight in Amsterdam

Day 2 and 3: Explore Amsterdam and overnight in Amsterdam

First stop on your interrail holiday around Europe's glorious cities is Amsterdam, often referred to as 'Venice of the North'. The capital of the Netherlands is a city on everyone's bucket list, and I think it's safe to say you need to visit the Dam at least once in your life! From unconventional restaurants, local craft beers to world-class museums, it's easy to see why it's at the top of everyone's list. Don't forget that this city has more bicycles than people, therefore the only way to explore is in true Netherlands style!

Day 4: Train from Amsterdam to Berlin and stay overnight in Berlin

Days 5 and 6: Explore Berlin and stay overnight in Berlin

Our Backpacker holiday package takes you to the city in Europe often compared to New York, as it never sleeps! The locals of Berlin are known as the lotus-eaters of Germany as they love nothing more than a good time. Don't let this put you off! As this city is pulsating with museums, tasty beer, and an unimaginable history! It's safe to say that Berlin is a city loved by those on an interrail trip. Remember that history will greet you at every corner, as Berlin once staged a revolution, headquartered by Nazis, bombed to bits, divided in two and then finally reunited.

Day 7: Train from Berlin to Prague and stay overnight in Prague

Days 8 and 9: Explore Prague and stay overnight in Prague

It's no secret that Prague is one of Europe's most magical, affordable and beautiful cities, a perfect addition to any interrail route. The 'City of a Thousand Spires' is an architectural gem, the city has been an important UNESCO World Heritage Site which attracts more and more tourists every year! The narrow streets open up onto fantastic squares which host to medieval-looking homes and historical buildings for you to explore! Start in the centre of the Old Town, home to the major sights and has been the city's main marketplace for a millennium.

Day 10: Train from Prague to Krakow and stay overnight in Krakow

Day 11: Explore Krakow and stay overnight in Krakow

When you take a holiday in Europe, you will find that there are many beautiful cities, but nothing compares to the beauty of the Old Town in Krakow. You can take on this city on foot as all the main sights are within walking distance. All of the cobbled streets and squares, scenic parks and medieval castle walls are added extras! Thousands of people visit this city every year with the aim to visit the poignant Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, which is unquestionably the most important trip to do on this interrail route.

Day 12: Train from Prague to Vienna and stay overnight in Vienna

Day 13: Explore Vienna and stay overnight in Vienna

Vienna, a beautiful city in Eastern Europe that looks like it was lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale, with its clean, wide boulevards, efficient transport system, pleasant sights, and large green spaces. It's not hard to fall in love with this beautiful city. Vienna holds a considerable reputation for being the music capital of the world, with the likes of Mozart calling this place home. Coffeehouses have been an essential part of the city's cultural fabric since 1685. They make for great places to gather for a coffee, gossip and to eat Sacher Torte, of course. Finding your favourite is one of the real joys of visiting this city on any holiday in Europe!

Day 14: Train from Vienna to Budapest and stay overnight in Budapest

Day 15 and 16: Explore Budapest and stay overnight in Budapest

Visit the city in Europe nicknamed the City of Spas for a reason, as it's filled with beautiful baths all with healing properties on this Backpacker holiday. Not to mention, the architecture surrounding the baths is a sight to see on its own! Take a walk through the streets of this city and you will notice the beauty becomes apparent. You will soon understand why many tourists flock here for a city break every year. The buildings here take on many architectural styles and the city is famous for its Art Nouveau architecture. Budapest's foodie scene is increasingly interesting, with plenty of restaurants and cafes serving up delicious local dishes such as goulash!

Day 17: Train from Budapest to Ljubljana and stay overnight in Ljubljana

Day 18 and 19: Explore Ljubljana and stay overnight in Ljubljana

Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital city is the hidden gem of Europe and is loved by our customers! A holiday to Europe deserves to have Ljubljana included. This is a city renowned for green space, beautiful bridges and buildings. As well as dozens of different urban design elements such as lamposts, pillars, and pyramids. While you're here you need to visit Lake Bled. This is definitely one of the most spellbinding places in Slovenia, if not Europe. This incredibly scenic lake near the Alps looks too good to be real! With the island church, clifftop castle, and mountain backdrop, you're sure to find more than enough to keep you entertained here!

Day 20: Train from Ljubljana to Venice and stay overnight in Venice

Day 21: Explore Venice and stay overnight in Venice

Welcome to the ancient town built on a lagoon, Venice! This city has a collection of domes and spires rising out of the Adriatic Sea. Filled with life and stunning architecture. Venice is filled with bars, cafes, and restaurants where locals and travelers meet up to have a good time with food and a drink or two. This city built on water is famous for the beautiful gondola rides which take you back in time and allow you to appreciate the rich beauty of this city, a holiday experience in Europe you will never forget!

Day 22: Last day of Trip