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Balkan Discovery

Departure: Friday, May 1, 2026
Nights: 7 nights
Departs: Budapest
Returns: Oltenita
One Way Trip
One
way trip
Duration
7
Nights
Days at Sea
1
Sea Days
Ports
7
Ports
Countries Visted
5
Countries
  • Itinerary

    Balkan Discovery

    Ports of call

    To find out more about the itinerary for this cruise, select the itinerary items below.

    Day Date Port of Call Arrival Departure
    1 Friday, May 1, 2026 Budapest, Hungary Embark 5 pm
    View of Budapest, Hungary

    Budapest is the capital and largest city of Hungary, situated on both banks of the river Danube, with its 346 river cruise ships (2019). Originally with the cities of Buda on the west bank and Pest on the east bank, it became a single city with their unification in 1873. The city’s rich and colourful history, its extensive World Heritage Site including the Danube River banks, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, and the Millennium Underground Railway, have resulted in its becoming an important tourist centre in Central Europe. Read more about Budapest, Hungary

    2 Saturday, May 2, 2026 Vukovar, Croatia
    View of Vukovar, Croatia

    Vukovar is a city and municipality in eastern Croatia. Located at the junction of the Vuka River and the Danube, it is the largest Croatian town and river port. It is famous for the heroic battle in the Patriotic war and the unprecedented devastation it caused. Read more about Vukovar, Croatia

    3 Sunday, May 3, 2026 Novi Sad, Serbia
    View of Novi Sad, Serbia

    Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city after Belgrade, is located on the border of the Backa and Srem regions, on the banks of the Danube river between Budapest and Belgrade. Founded in 1694, Novi Sad is a treasured regional and cultural centre and has earned its nickname ‘Serbian Athens’. Second only to Belgrade, Novi Sad is a major cultural centre and a growing venue for numerous cultural events and music concerts. Read more about Novi Sad, Serbia

    4 Monday, May 4, 2026 Belgrade, Serbia
    View of Belgrade, Serbia

    Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia, lying on two international waterways at the junction of the Sava and Danube rivers. Here is found the statue of Pobednik (Winner), one of the symbols of Belgrade. It is also the second largest city on the Danube River and is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Read more about Belgrade, Serbia

    5 Tuesday, May 5, 2026 Golubač–Donji Milanovac. Excursion To Lepenski Vir–Iron Gates Gorge
    6 Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Vidin, Bulgaria
    View of Vidin, Bulgaria

    Vidin is a port town on the southern bank of the Danube River in NW Bulgaria. Renowned for its availability of mineral water, it is also one of the oldest towns along the Bulgarian Danube Bank, and is a starting point for excursions along the Danube. An agricultural and trade centre, Vidin has a fertile hinterland renowned for its wines. Read more about Vidin, Bulgaria

    7 Thursday, May 7, 2026 Rousse, Bulgaria
    View of Rousse, Bulgaria

    Rousse - aka Ruse, Russe - in NE Bulgaria lies on the right bank of the Danube River, opposite the Romanian city of Giurgiu. An important cultural, commercial and industrial centre, it is often called Little Vienna as it has become the most important Bulgarian river port. With more than 290 monuments and its preserved buildings from the end of 19th and the beginning of 20th centuries, it is also ‘easy visiting’ as most of the sights, such as the old city that constitutes the square around the city’s Historical Museum, are located in the centre of the city. Read more about Rousse, Bulgaria

    8 Friday, May 8, 2026 Oltenita, Romania Disembark

    Olteni?a is a small Romanian river port located on the left bank of the Danube River in Calara?i County, about 60 km southeast of Bucharest. It serves primarily as a regional cargo and passenger port and is occasionally included in Danube river cruise itineraries due to its proximity to the Bulgarian border and access to southeastern Romania. Read more about Oltenita, Romania

  • Ship

    Avalon Illumination Overview

    Avalon Illumination

    Avalon Illumination – cruising through Europe's heart in light-filled luxury.


    Avalon Illumination is a contemporary Suite Ship designed to bring Europe’s great rivers into full view. Sailing itineraries along the Rhine, Main and Danube, she combines Avalon Waterways’ signature Panorama Suites with an intimate guest capacity and welcoming social spaces. With a relaxed onboard atmosphere and immersive shore experiences, Avalon Illumination offers a refined yet unpretentious way to explore Europe’s most storied waterways.

  • Cabins

    Avalon Illumination Cabins

    Royal Suites

    Royal Suites

    Royal Suites on the Avalon Illumination Royal Suites on the Avalon Illumination

    Cabin Types

    S

    Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door with French Balcony, Full shower with glass door, Writing desk, Vanity, Bed, Sink, Toilet, Sofa, Coffee table. Size: 258 sq.ft. Stateroom Amenities: bull; Comfort Collection by Avalon bull; Deluxe beds with premium mattress covers bull; Egyptian super-combed cotton linens bull; European-style duvets bull; Choice of soft or firm pillows bull; Extra blankets bull; Choice of bed configuration bull; Nightly turn-down service bull; Bedside tables with reading lamps bull; Hairdryer bull; L'Occitane bath amenities bull; Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage bull; Easy under-bed luggage storage bull; Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels bull; Alarm clock bull; Direct-dial telephone bull; Bathrobes amp; slippers bull; Well-stocked minibar bull; Complimentary bottled water bull; In-room safe bull; Individual climate control bull; Modern Finishings bull; Large mirror in bathroom bull; Marble countertops in bathroom

    Panorama Suites P

    Panorama Suites P

    Panorama Suites P on the Avalon Illumination Panorama Suites P on the Avalon Illumination

    Cabin Types

    P

    Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door with French Balcony, Full shower with glass door, Writing desk, Vanity, Bed, Sink, Toilet. Size: 172 sq. ft. Stateroom Amenities: bull; Comfort Collection by Avalon bull; Deluxe beds with premium mattress covers bull; Egyptian super-combed cotton linens bull; European-style duvets bull; Choice of soft or firm pillows bull; Extra blankets bull; Choice of bed configuration bull; Nightly turn-down service bull; Bedside tables with reading lamps bull; Hairdryer bull; L'Occitane bath amenities bull; Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage bull; Easy under-bed luggage storage bull; Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels bull; Alarm clock bull; Direct-dial telephone bull; Bathrobes amp; slippers bull; Well-stocked minibar bull; Complimentary bottled water bull; In-room safe bull; Individual climate control bull; Modern Finishings bull; Large mirror in bathroom

    Panorama Suites B & A

    Panorama Suites B & A

    Panorama Suites B & A on the Avalon Illumination Panorama Suites B & A on the Avalon Illumination

    Cabin Types

    B, A

    Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door with French Balcony, Full shower with glass door, Writing desk, Vanity, Bed, Sink, Toilet. Size: 172 sq. ft. Stateroom Amenities: bull; Comfort Collection by Avalon bull; Deluxe beds with premium mattress covers bull; Egyptian super-combed cotton linens bull; European-style duvets bull; Choice of soft or firm pillows bull; Extra blankets bull; Choice of bed configuration bull; Nightly turn-down service bull; Bedside tables with reading lamps bull; Hairdryer bull; L'Occitane bath amenities bull; Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage bull; Easy under-bed luggage storage bull; Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels bull; Alarm clock bull; Direct-dial telephone bull; Bathrobes amp; slippers bull; Well-stocked minibar bull; Complimentary bottled water bull; In-room safe bull; Individual climate control bull; Modern Finishings bull; Large mirror in bathroom

    Deluxe Stateroom

    Deluxe Stateroom

    Deluxe Stateroom on the Avalon Illumination Deluxe Stateroom on the Avalon Illumination

    Cabin Types

    E, D

    Size: 172 sq. ft. Stateroom Amenities: Two windows bull; Comfort Collection by Avalon bull; Deluxe beds with premium mattress covers bull; Egyptian super-combed cotton linens bull; European-style duvets bull; Choice of soft or firm pillows bull; Extra blankets bull; Choice of bed configuration bull; Nightly turn-down service bull; Bedside tables with reading lamps bull; Hairdryer bull; L'Occitane bath amenities bull; Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage bull; Easy under-bed luggage storage bull; Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels bull; Alarm clock bull; Direct-dial telephone bull; Bathrobes amp; slippers bull; Well-stocked minibar bull; Complimentary bottled water bull; In-room safe bull; Individual climate control bull; Modern Finishings bull; Large mirror in bathroom

  • Deck Plans

    Avalon Illumination Deck Plans

    Legend

  • Promotions

    Current Cruise Deals for Avalon Illumination

    Avalon Waterways & Clean Cruising Club Offer

    Avalon Waterways & Clean Cruising Club Offer

    Book on an Avalon Waterways sailing and receive:
    Bonus $250 per person shipboard credit per stateroom
    PLUS
    What's included with Avalon Waterways:
    • Select Avalon Choice Excursions included (average 22 per cruise)*
    • Beer & wine with lunch & dinner
    • Complimentary Happy Hour each evening (except embarkation)
    • Wellness including Yoga, bikes in port and fitness centre onboard
    • Enriching onboard entertainment
    • Complimentary Wi-Fi
    • Port taxes & fees

    Offer ends 31 March 2026. Terms & Conditions apply.

    Avalon Waterways

    Avalon Waterways

    Everything you Want. Nothing you don't. What's included with Avalon Waterways:
    • Select Avalon Choice Excursions included (average 22 per cruise)*
    • Beer & wine with lunch & dinner
    • Complimentary Happy Hour each evening (except embarkation)
    • Wellness including Yoga, bikes in port and fitness centre onboard
    • Enriching onboard entertainment
    • Complimentary Wi-Fi
    • Gratuities included with Avalon Europe*
    • Port taxes & fees

    Terms & Conditions apply.

Cabin Availability

Hold a cabin or view live cabin availability aboard Avalon Illumination for this sailing

Deluxe Stateroom at the Avalon Illumination

Deluxe Stateroom

Sold out
Panorama Suites B & A at the Avalon Illumination

Panorama Suites B & A

Sold out
Panorama Suites P at the Avalon Illumination

Panorama Suites P

Sold out
Royal Suites at the Avalon Illumination

Royal Suites

Sold out

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  • Highest rated booking service in Australia
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Speak to our team about your travel plans or book over the phone today!
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  • Balkan Discovery

    Cruiseline: Avalon Waterways Ship: Avalon Illumination Departure: Friday, May 1, 2026 Nights: 7 nights Departs: Budapest Returns: Oltenita

    Speak to one of our cruise experts
    THIS CRUISE IS SOLD OUT.
    PLEASE PHONE.

    This cruise departure is currently sold out. If you are interested in learning about waitlist options or other cruise departures please phone us and speak directly to one of our cruise specialists.

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