Day 1 – Depart the USA: Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary.
Day 2 – Arrive Hungary: Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred from the airport to your Emerald Waterways luxury river cruise ship. After boarding, enjoy some time at your leisure to explore Budapest. This evening, join your fellow travelers with a traditional Hungarian welcome dinner. Later, enjoy Hungarian folk dancing and music with a special performance onboard. The perfect nightcap is an evening cruise through the harbor, seeing the city illuminated in nighttime splendor. Meal: B
EmeraldPLUS: Traditional Hungarian Folklore Show & Budapest Evening Cruise
Day 3 – Budapest, Hungary: Today’s included tour presents you with a fantastic opportunity to become acquainted with Hungary’s beautiful capital Budapest, Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan city. Enjoy a guided tour of the city sights including the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest OR, take an exciting hike to Buda Hill. The cruise begins with a leisurely afternoon onboard as the ship departs for Bratislava. This evening, the Captain welcomes you with a reception, followed by his Gala Dinner. Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike to Buda Hill
Day 4 – Bratislava, Slovakia: The day begins with an included walking tour of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Set on the crossroads of ancient trade routes in the heart of Europe, Bratislava embodies various cultures. See the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and the Gothic Cathedral of St. Martin. OR, the active travelers can choose to go on a guided hike to Bratislava Castle. After lunch onboard, a highlight of the day will be a home-hosted visit where you are treated to tasty home-made specialties in the home of local Slovakians. What a unique opportunity to meet the locals and learn about life in Slovakia. Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
EmeraldPLUS: Home-Hosted Coffee and Cake with a Slovakian family
Day 5 – Vienna, Austria: Welcome to Vienna, the capital of classical music. Today you have a choice for exploring Austria’s capital: drive along the Ringstrasse to see the impressive Opera House, Burgtheater and Town Hall, followed by a stroll through the city center to see St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Imperial Palace. OR a take guided bike tour through the city. Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour
DiscoverMORE: Tastes of Vienna (additional expense)
DiscoverMORE: Exclusive Viennese concert with music from Mozart and Strauss (additional expense)
Day 6 – Dürnstein – Melk, Austria: Awaken this morning in the medieval town of Dürnstein, where you have free time to enjoy one of the most enchanting villages of the Wachau wine region. The ruins of Dürnstein Castle, which served as a prison to England’s Richard the Lionheart, can be seen on the hilltop. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Wachau Valley while cruising along the Danube before arriving in Melk. On an included excursion, visit the magnificent 900-year-old Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which boasts an opulent Baroque interior. Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour along the Danube River from Dürnstein to Melk
Day 7 – Passau OR Salzburg, Austria: From a brief stop in Brandstatt, depart on the optional excursion to Salzburg to see sights from The Sound of Music and walk along the famous Getreidegasse Lane past Monart’s birthplace. OR, remain onboard until the cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you to Passau. On an included walking tour, stroll through the old town’s narrow alleyways and see the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress from the town below. St. Stephen’s Cathedral is a wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to Europe’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. The excursions operate at the same time and only one can be selected. Each excursion concludes at the ship in Vilshofen. Meals: B, L, D
DiscoverMORE: Tour to Salzburg (additional expense)
Day 8 – Regensburg, Germany: This morning takes you through the final stretch of the fascinating Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. Explore the city on a guided walking tour, seeing one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube, the Old Town Hall and other architectural highlights. Travel by coach to Kelheim to rejoin the ship and continue sailing to Nuremberg. Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldPLUS: Traditional Bavarian Band onboard
Day 9 – Nuremburg, Germany: After breakfast, disembark the ship and enjoy a guided tour of Nuremberg. Learn the importance of this city during the war and pass the courthouse where the Nazi War Trials were held. During the walking tour, discover the medieval charm of the Altstadt (old town) with its amazing architecture, fortifications and stone towers from past centuries. Free time is provided for lunch on your own prior to departing by coach for Prague, Czech Republic, for a two-night stay. Meal: B
Day 10 – Prague, Czech Republic: The day begins with an included tour highlighting the famous sites of this beautiful city including Old Town Square with its astronomical clock and the medieval Charles Bridge. Following a brief panoramic tour, the heart of the city is discovered on foot. During free time this afternoon, continue exploring on your own or join the optional excursion to Terezin Concentration Camp. Meal: B
Day 11 – Prague/ USA: Bid a fond farewell to Europe and return home with wonderful memories of life enriching experiences from your cruise along the Danube River. Meal: B |
