Begin your adventure with an included
two-night stay in Munich, Germany, during Oktoberfest.
Embark a luxurious Emerald Waterways Star-Ship in
Nuremberg and begin a relaxing seven-night cruise along
the Blue Danube River. Visit iconic and picturesque ports of
call, sample incredible cuisine onboard and absorb the local
culture as you cruise through four countries.
Day
1 Depart the USA
Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Munich, Germany,
capital of Bavaria.
Day
2 Munich, Germany
Upon arrival in Munich, you will be met at the airport by a
representative of Mayflower Cruises & Tours and assisted with the
transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day and evening are at
leisure to begin exploring and attend the Oktoberfest activities.
Day
3 Munich
After breakfast, an included panoramic tour showcases the former
Olympic site, Nymphenburg Palace, Maximilianstrasse and the
Parliament, the National Theater and Munich’s Residenz. During a
walking tour, stroll through Marienplatz Square and see the famous
Glockenspiel. After the tour, the remainder of your time in Munich is
at leisure.
Meal: B
Day
4 Munich to Nuremberg, Germany
After breakfast, depart Munich by motorcoach for Nuremberg. After a brief orientation tour of Nuremberg, board your Emerald Waterways vessel, home for the next seven nights.
Meals: B, D
Day
5 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. On a guided walking tour, see one of the oldest
bridges crossing the Danube and see the city’s architectural
highlights including the Old Town Hall.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldPLUS
Traditional Bavarian Band onboard
Day
6 Passau, Germany to Linz, Austria
Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you in the beautiful city of Passau. On this morning’s walking tour, stroll through the old town’s narrow alleyways and see the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress from the town below. Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to Europe’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. The afternoon is
spent cruising along the Danube River to Linz, where the Salzburg excursion guests re-embark.
Meals: B, L, D
DiscoverMORE
Tour to Salzburg (extra expense)
Please note, you can only choose either the included tour of Passau or the
DiscoverMORE option, as both tours operate at the same time.
Day
7 Melk to Dürnstein
Situated within Austria’s wine–growing region, Melk is home to an
imposing 900–year old Benedictine Abbey featuring Austria’s finest
Italian baroque architecture, with ornate gold-leaf walls, a 640 foot
Imperial Corridor and fresco ceilings.
After visiting the Abbey, cruise
along the Danube on a scenic journey through the picturesque
landscape of the Wachau Valley en-route to Dürnstein. One of the
most enchanting villages of the Wachau wine region, Dürnstein is also
home to the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was
imprisoned.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE
A guided biking tour along the Danube River from Melk to Dürnstein or a guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
Day
8 Vienna, Austria
Welcome to Vienna, the capital of classical music. Today you have a
choice of activities: Explore Austria’s capital with a drive along the
Ringstrasse to see the impressive Opera House, Burgtheater and
Town Hall, followed by a walking tour through the city center to see
St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Imperial Palace. Or, if you
feel more active, join the guided bike tour to Danube Island and
Prater, Vienna’s large public park.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour
DiscoverMORE
Exclusive Viennese concert with music from Mozart and Strauss (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE
Tastes of Vienna tour (extra expense)
Day
9 Bratislava, Slovakia
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
including the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall, Mirbach
Palace, the Slovak National Theater and the Gothic Cathedral of St.
Martin.
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 (this is instead of the city tour)
EmeraldPLUS
Emerald Home-Hosted Coffee and Cake with Slovakians
Day
10 Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan city.
Enjoy a guided panoramic tour starting at the Citadella, continue
down Andrássy Avenue and journey to Heroe’s Square to see the
Seven Chieftains of the Magyars.
Or, choose an exciting hike to Buda
Hill. This evening, enjoy a traditional Hungarian farewell dinner and
complete the evening with a folk dancing and music performance
onboard. The perfect nightcap is an evening cruise through the
harbor, seeing the city illuminated in nighttime splendor.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE
A guided hike to Buda Hill
EmeraldPLUS
Emerald Traditional Hungarian Folklore Show & Budapest Evening Cruise
DiscoverMORE
Tour to Szentendre (extra expense)
Day
11 Budapest / USA
It’s time to say farewell to the Captain and crew as you depart on the
transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Meal: B