2022 European Cruise – Black Sea to Germany

We did an 18 day Danube River cruise which started in Romania and ended in Germany. In between we made stops in Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria. Our boat was the Avalon Passion which has 16 staterooms, 67 suites and can accommodate 168 passengers plus 47 crew. On the first leg of the cruise from Romania to Vienna there were about 80 passengers.

The following provides highlights by country and links to various photo albums which provide additional details of our touring.

June 12 - 14 – Bucharest Romania

June 15 Constanta, Romania

In the afternoon we did a tour of Murfatlar Winery which is about 18km west of Constanta. It is a very large industrial winery and has 3,000ha (6,000 acres) under vine. The tour included a wine tasting and an entertainment show of traditional dance. Photos of Constanta

June 16 Arbanasi & Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

We spent the full day exploring two of Bulgaria's most historically significant sites. The first was Tsarevets Hill, which is part of modern day Veliko Tarnovo, the "City of the Tsars" and capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire from the 12th to the 14th centuries.  At the top of Tsarevets Hill is Ascension Cathedral, the original being destroyed by the Ottomans in 1393, and reconstructed in the 20^th century with some very interesting contemporary murals inside.

Following our tour of Tsarevets Hill we went to the nearby village of Arbanasi where we visited a 15th-century Nativity Church and Konstantsalieva House, built in the 17th century and an example that era's merchant class housing.

June 17 Vidin, Bulgaria

Vidin is a port city on the Danube in north-western Bulgaria close to both Romania and Serbia. It is one of the poorest areas in the European Union with an aging and shrinking population. It has existed since Roman times. It has a medieval fortress called Baba Vida which was built by the Bulgarians in the 10th to the 13th centuries. It was the most important fortress in northwestern Bulgaria, and is believed to be the country’s only completely preserved medieval castle.

About one hour's drive south-east of Vidin on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains is another ancient fortress, Belogradchik. It originated in Roman times, was partially expanded by the Bulgarians in the 14^th century and expanded further by the Ottomans during their rule of the region. Photos of Vidin, Baba Vida and Belogradchik Fortress

June 18 Serbia

In the morning we went through the locks at the Iron Gate I Hydroelectric Power Station which is the largest dam on the Danube. It is located at the lower end of the Iron Gate gorge, between Romania and Serbia. After navigating the locks we sailed through the Iron Gate gorge which forms part of the boundary between Serbia and Romania. Prior to the completion of the Iron Gate I Hydroelectric Power Station the Iron Gate consisted of a series of rapids that made navigation very dangerous.The rapids are now submerged and the towering cliffs on either side of the river are dramatic as you sail through.

Early in the afternoon we moored at the Serbian town of Donji Milanovac and took a bus to Lepenski Vir an important archaeological site of an ancient Mesolithic village overlooking the Danube and dating back to between 9500/7200–6000 BC.

We  then ended the day at Golubac Fortress which guards the upper entrance to the

Iron Gate gorge. Photos of Iron Gate gorge, Lepenski Vir and Golubac Fortress

June 19 & 20 Belgrade, Serbia

The metropolitan region of Belgrade has a population in excess of 1.6 million and it is the seat of the central government, administrative bodies, and government ministries, as well as home of almost all of the largest Serbian companies, media, and scientific institutions. The Avalon Passion docked near the mouth of the Sava River where it flows into the Danube River. Above the port was the Belgrade Fortress, the most significant landmark in Belgrade and a testament to the city’s strategic importance to the Roman, Byzantine,Ottoman, Serbian and Austrian empires. A second major landmark not far from the Fortress is the Temple of Saint Sava which is the largest Orthodox Church in Serbia. The central dome is modeled after Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey and the mosaics and painting in the interior are spectacular.

Photos of Belgrade, Belgrade Fortress and Temple of Saint Sava

June 21 Novi Sad, Serbia & Ilok, Croatia

In the morning we walked around the Serbian city of Novi Sad then in the early afternoon sailed to Ilok, Croatia. Novi Sad is in northern Serbia and is a small city with an ethnically diverse population of around 300,000.  It was founded in 1694 when Serb merchants build a colony to supply the Habsburg Petrovaradin Fortress. The old center of Novi Sad has many restored merchant mansions, churches and civic buildings with some of the main roads dedicated to pedestrians which make it easy to explore.

In the afternoon we sailed to Ilok Croatia. Our stay in Croatia was brief but interesting. The boat dropped us off at the town of Ilok and continued up the Danube River to Vukovar. We visited a winery in Ilok then traveled by bus through the Croatian countryside to Vukovar where we visited the Vukovar Municipal Museum then re-boarded the boat. Photos of Novi Sad and Croatia

June 22 Pécs, Hungary

Because of its historical buildings cultural history, the city of Pécs is known as Hungary's "Cultural Pearl". Our boat docked Mohács Hungary and we took a bus 45km west to Pécs. Its central Saint István Square is surrounded by the impressive Pécs Cathedral, the Mosque of Pasha Gazi Kasim built in the 16th century during the Ottoman occupation and latter converted to a Catholic church, the City Hall, and other architecturally interesting buildings.

We went to an organ concert in the Candlemas Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Mosque of Pasha Gazi Kasim) and spent time walking through the square and surrounding area.

Pictures of Pécs, Pécs Cathedral and Candlemas Church

June 23 &  24 Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is Hungary’s capital with a history dating back to the Roman times. It is the largest city in Hungary and the political, administrative, industrial and commercial centre of the country with a population of 1.7 million. The city as it stands today generally dates back to the 19^th century. It was originally two cities, Buda on the high river terraces and hills on the western side of the Danube and Pest on the flat plains on the opposite side of the river. We spent two days in Budapest which meant we only got a glimpse of what this amazing city has to offer. Photos of Budapest, Buildings, Markets, Statues

June 25, Bratislava, Slovakia and Carnuntum, Austria

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and its largest city. Our boat docked at the entrance to the old town which is a pedestrian-only area with a lot of 18^th century buildings that have been converted to shops, cafes and bars. It has a small central square with some outdoor markets and several historically interesting buildings. In the morning it was raining so that dampened the walk and views a bit. We visited the St. Martin’s Cathedral which served as the coronation church of the Kingdom of Hungary between 1563 and 1830.

In the afternoon we took a bus tour to the Archaeological Park Carnuntum in Austria.

Photos of Bratislava, St. Martin’s Cathedral and Carnuntum

June 26, Vienna, Austria

Vienna is the capital and most populous city in Austria with a population of 2.9 million in the greater metropolitan area. It is the political, cultural and economic center of Austria. It is a city renowned for its artistic and intellectual legacy (Mozart, Beethoven, and Sigmund Freud), its architecture (Imperial Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the State Opera House) and its history as the joint capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The old city, situated within the Ring Boulevard is very pedestrian friendly and has many historic and contemporary buildings, squares, statues, monuments, shops, cafés and other interesting sites.

The Danube River runs through the city and in the 19^th century a flood control canal was built parallel to the river creating a 21km long island park and recreation area. Photos or Vienna and Vienna Monuments

June 27, Wachau Valley, Austria

The Wachau Valley is a 36 kilometer (22 mi) stretch of the Danube Valley between Melk and Krems. First settled in prehistoric times, it is known for its rolling hills, vineyards, orchards monasteries, castles and ruins. It is listed in the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites in recognition of its architectural and agricultural history. Photos of Wachau Valley

June 28, Linz, Austria

Linz is the capital of Upper Austria and with a population of 200,000, is Austria’s third largest city. It was founded by the Romans and is an important trading point because of its situation on the Danube River. Around the Old Town square are many historically relevant and architecturally interesting buildings, churches and houses. During the Second World War the Germans built Linz into a major industrial centre and it is still one of Austria’s main economic centers. 

We also visited the Mauthausen Memorial on the site of the former Mauthausen Concentration Camp which has exhibits and displays detailing the slave labour and mass murder perpetrated by the German Republic between 1938 and 1945. Photos of Linz, Mauthausen and Mauthausen Monuments

June 29, Passau, Germany

The city of Passau lies at the confluence of three rivers, The Danube, Inn and Ilz and since Roman times has attracted traders and travelers. The old town of Passau is dominated by Oberhaus Fortress which is a castle complex originating in the 13^th century sitting on top of a hill on the opposite bank of the Danube.  Passau old town is known for its gothic and baroque architecture which was the result of rebuilding after a fire in 1662 which destroyed much of the city. St Stephen's Cathedral in the old town is one of the largest Baroque churches north of the Alps. Photos of Passau and Oberhaus Fortress