Danube Delights River Cruise with Oktoberfest

Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Munich, Germany.

Welcome to Germany! Upon arrival you will be met at the airport by a representative of Mayflower Cruises and Tours and transferred to your hotel in Munich. The day is at leisure to begin discovering your new surroundings.

After breakfast a city tour showcases the highlights of Munich. See the former Olympic site, Nymphenburg Palace, Maximillianstrasse and the Parliament, the National Theater and Munich’s Residenz. During a walking tour, stroll through Marienplatz Square and see the famous Glockenspiel. Later today, enjoy the festive atmosphere of Oktoberfest with an included entrance to a beer tent at the fairground. Of course a sampling of the local beer and culinary delights will be served while partaking in the merriment of the live music and fun in the tent.
Meals: B; L at Oktoberfest

Depart Munich and journey by motorcoach to Regensburg, where your friendly Captain and crew welcome you onboard your luxurious Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore the ship and become acquainted with the onboard amenities. This evening join your fellow guests for dinner onboard. Meals: B, D

EmeraldPLUS: Traditional Bavarian Band onboard

Begin the day with a leisurely walking tour as a local guide leads you through the cobblestone lanes of one of the best-preserved medieval cities. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage city center and see the city’s architectural highlights. Enjoy a Bavarian sausage tasting during the tour for a real ‘taste’ of local life! Alternatively, join a bike tour to the Walhalla Monument, towering high above the slopes of the Danube. The site affords a fascinating view of the surrounding landscape and the river below. This evening, enjoy a reception and welcome dinner followed by a traditional Bavarian band onboard. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE: bike tour to the Walhalla Monument (instead of included tour)
EmeraldPLUS: Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting

Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you in the beautiful city of Passau located at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers. On this morning’s walking tour, stroll through the old town’s narrow alleyways and see its noteworthy architecture. See St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to Europe’s largest pipe organ with more than 17,000 pipes. If you are feeling more active, join a bike tour along the River Inn. After a bit of free time, return to the ship for lunch and a leisurely afternoon sailing along the river. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour along River Inn  (instead of included tour)
DiscoverMORE: Excursion to the Bavarian Traditions (additional expense)

This morning sail through the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley enroute to the enchanting village of Dürnstein – “The Pearl of the Wachau Valley” – dominated by the magnificent Baroque Stiftskirche. Stroll through this tiny village on your own, or hike to the ruins of Dürnstein Castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Alternatively, embark on a guided bike tour along the Danube, passing terraced vineyards, castles, and ruins along the way. This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey, one of Austria’s most important Benedictine abbeys. Sitting atop a hill near Krems, this architectural treasure overlooks the spectacular Wachau Valley. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldPLUS: Göttweig Abbey with wine tasting
EmeraldACTIVE*: Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
EmeraldACTIVE*: Guided bike tour along the Danube

* the DiscoverMORE’s overlap; only one can be selected

Welcome to Vienna, the capital of classical music and world-famous art exhibitions. Today you have a choice of activities: explore Austria’s art history on an included tour featuring a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums in the world. Or, if you feel more active, explore on two wheels as you join the guided bike tour to Danube Island. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour (instead of the included city tour)
DiscoverMORE: Exclusive Viennese concert with music from Mozart and Strauss (additional expense)

Set on the crossroads of ancient trade routes in the heart of Europe, Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, embodies various cultures – primarily Celtic, Roman and Slavic. Enjoy a guided walking tour through the lanes of the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall, Episcopal Summer Palace and the Slovak National Theater. Alternatively, embark on a guided hike to Bratislava Castle, offering beautiful views of the Danube. This afternoon, 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! This evening enjoy a gala dinner onboard. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE: Hike to Bratislava Castle (instead of the city tour)
EmeraldPLUS: Home-hosted coffee and cake with Slovakians
DiscoverMORE: Carpathian wine route (additional expense)
DiscoverMORE: Skoda tour of post-communist Bratislava (additional expense)

Budapest is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan city. Enjoy a guided panoramic tour encompassing many of the city’s hot spots. See Heroes’ Square and travel along the Andrassy Avenue – a UNESCO World Heritage site, to see the historic architecture of this capital city. Alternatively, enjoy a hike to Gellert Hill. This evening, enjoy a local folklore show onboard, followed by a traditional Hungarian dinner. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike to Gellert Hill (instead of city tour)
DiscoverMORE*: Tour to Szentendre (additional expense)
DiscoverMORE*: Jewish Heritage Tour (additional expense)
EmeraldPLUS: Traditional Hungarian Folklore Show

* only 1 DiscoverMORE can be selected as they operate simultaneously

It’s time to say farewell to the Captain and crew as you depart on the transfer to the airport for your flight home, taking with you wonderful memories of your cruise along the Danube River. Meal: B