Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary. Welcome to Budapest, the ‘Pearl of the Danube’, where you will be greeted by a representative of Mayflower / Emerald Cruises and transferred to your contemporary Star-Ship. Once on board, you receive a warm welcome from our friendly crew. Meal: D Your journey starts in Budapest, where a fantastic trip and exciting experiences await. Explore the city’s cobbled medieval quarter as you embark on a coach tour through the UNESCO World Heritage city center. Your guide will teach you about the Hungarian capital’s culinary scene, finishing at the neo-Gothic Grand Market, Budapest’s largest and most expansive indoor market, where you’ll have time to explore on your own.

If you are feeling more active, alternatively choose to hike up Buda Hill. The surrounding area has been rebuilt several times, most recently following the air raids of WWII. Some 18th-century Baroque houses still stand, best explored from the medieval paths and alleyways around Buda Castle. This evening, join your fellow guests for a traditional Hungarian folklore show. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldPLUS Traditional Hungarian folklore show onboard

EmeraldACTIVE Hike to Buda Hill

DiscoverMORE Hungarian Bath Experience (additional expense)

The day is at leisure to pursue independent interests or join a DiscoverMORE excursion. This evening, we invite you to a special dinner and a traditional folklore show for a truly immersive local experience, presenting you with a great chance to get to know your fellow travellers and to spend the evening in town just like the locals do. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldPLUS Dinner & folklore show in Budapest

DiscoverMORE Retro tour of post-Communist Budapest (additional expense)

DiscoverMORE Jewish heritage tour (additional expense)

DiscoverMORE Budapest by Night (additional expense)

On the last morning in Budapest, enjoy a leisurely walk in town or use one of the onboard bikes for one last ride through the Hungarian capital. In the afternoon, the ship sets sail on the magnificent Danube River for the next destination – Slovakia. Meals: B, L, D

DiscoverMORE Excursion to Szentendre (additional expense)

This morning, the ship arrives in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava. The romantic cobblestone lanes weaving through the city are yours to explore. Enjoy guided walking tours of the ancient town center, passing a range of Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, including the incredible Slovak National Theater.

Alternatively, embark on a guided hike to Bratislava Castle, a fairy tale-like landmark steeped in legend. This striking building has been rebuilt several times, most recently in the mid-20th century. Tonight, enjoy some local Slovakian entertainment onboard. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE Guided hike to Bratislava Castle

DiscoverMORE Skoda tour of post -Communist Bratislava (additional expense))

EmeraldPLUS Local Slovakian entertainment onboard

Sweeping boulevards and world-famous exhibition halls welcome you to Vienna, the birthplace of revolutionary breakthroughs in the fields of music and psychology. The city perfectly encapsulates the extravagance of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces.

A walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage city center uncovers the classical architectural styles of the city, evidence of the melting pot of artistic influences that existed here at the turn of the 20th century. If you are feeling more active, choose to explore on two wheels, cycling along the river to Donauinsel, Danube Island. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE Guided bike tour in Vienna

DiscoverMORE Exclusive Viennese evening concert (additional expense)

Effortlessly suspended in time, Weissenkirchen is one of the most frequented parts of the Wachau wine region, where the delightful warm weather creates the perfect setting for viticulture. Join your Activity Manager for a hike in town before setting sail and cruising through the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley en route to Melk.

Upon arrival, enjoy a guided tour of Melk Abbey. Originally a lavish castle gifted to Benedictine monks during the 11th century, this opulent Baroque building is home to some of the most important collections of medieval manuscripts. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE Guided bike tour along the Danube River

EmeraldACTIVE Hike in Weissenkirchen with activity manager

DiscoverMORE Visit to Schallaburg Castle (additional expense)

This morning, your Star-Ship will dock in Linz. Journey by coach across the border into the Czech Republic to the UNESCO World Heritage center of Český Krumlov, a town built around a 13th-century castle. Join your local guide on a walk along the labyrinth of winding cobblestone streets, passing the colorful façades of buildings, as you learn how the architecture survived the test of time. The town surrounds the UNESCO World Heritage Český Krumlov Castle, and your guided tour will include the 15th-century St. Vitus Church and a number of delightful Gothic façades. Meals: B, D

EmeraldPLUS Guided tour of Český Krumlov

DiscoverMORE Linzer torte making workshop (additional expense)

Narrow cobblestone streets welcome you to Passau, a town nestled on the confluence of three of Europe’s main waterways. This historic trading center borders Austria and boasts a distinctive blend of cultures. Experience a typical Bavarian farm for some interesting insights into the life of local farmers and livestock farming, then try their homemade specialities. Alternatively, you can set off on a hike, catching sights such as the Mariahilf and St. Severin, an ancient church dating back to the Ottonian dynasty. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE Hike to Veste Oberhaus

EmeraldPLUS Bavarian brunch

DiscoverMORE Bavaria Live (additional expense)

After breakfast, it’s time to disembark the Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of Europe’s iconic skylines and charming small towns along the Danube River with you. Meal: B

 

Itinerary is subject to change.