Day
1 Depart the USA
Depart the USA on your overnight flight to
Munich, Germany, capital of Bavaria.
Day
2 Munich, Germany
Welcome to Germany! Upon arrival
in Munich you will be met at the airport by a representative of
Mayflower Cruises and Tours and transferred to your 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,
Maximillianstrasse 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 – Passau
Depart Munich and journey by
motorcoach to Passau 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
Day
5 Passau
Narrow cobblestone streets welcome you to
Passau, a town nestled on the confluence of three of Europe’s
main waterways. This important historic trading center borders
Austria and Croatia, and a distinctive blend of cultures can be
found here. Your local guide will take you on a walking tour of
the town, touching on its distinctive historic buildings.
See the
Baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral with its ornate columns and
arches and the Altes Rathaus, or Town Hall, a collection of eight
historic patrician houses built between the 14th and 15th centuries.
Alternatively, if you are feeling more active, participate in a guided
hike to Veste Oberhaus.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
6 Linz, Austria / Ceský Krumlov, Czech Republic
Today’s
adventure takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town
of Ceský Krumlov. With its 13th-century castle, meandering river, and a maze of quaint alleyways, this town has one of the best-
preserved centers in Europe.
Join your local guide to traverse
a labyrinth of winding cobblestone lanes as you experience the
charming atmosphere of Ceský Krumlov’s medieval buildings and
iconic castle complex. During the excursion, visit the 15th-century
St. VItus’ Church, a highlight of the town.
Meals: B, D
Day
7 Melk – Dürnstein, Austria
Relax as you cruise down
the Danube River early this morning, passing delightful apricot
orchards and beautiful terraced vineyards that produce some of
the world’s best wine, before arriving in Melk. Enjoy an included
tour of Melk Abbey, originally a lavish castle that was gifted to
Benedictine monks during the 11th century.
This opulent Baroque
building features ornate gold leaf walls, seemingly endless spiral
staircases and is home to some of the most important collections
of medieval manuscripts in the world. After the tour, sail through
the idyllic Wachau Valley, passing medieval villages, vineyards and
areas of natural beauty. Upon arrival in Dürnstein, you can choose
time at leisure to wander through this enchanting village, or hike to
the ruins of Dürnstein Castle where Richard the Lionheart was held
prisoner. Alternatively, for a different perspective, stay in Melk and
join a guided bike ride from Melk to Dürnstein.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
8 Vienna
Welcome to Vienna, Austria’s capital and the
capital of classical music. The city perfectly encapsulates the
opulence of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque
palaces. On the included city tour, see monuments and grand
buildings as the coach drives along the famous Ringstrasse.
During the walking tour, stroll with your guide through the city
center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Marvel at the classic architectural styles of the buildings, see St. Stephen’s Cathedral
and the Hofburg Palace, right in the middle of the city center. If
you are feeling more active, opt to explore on two wheels, cycling
along the river to experience the city by bike.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
9 Bratislava, Slovakia
Today you sail into the capital of
Slovakia. This graceful nation became an independent country in
1993, and since then, Bratislava has flourished as a new capital
and made a name for itself as a cultural center. The romantic
cobblestone lanes that weave through the city are explored with
your local guide as you enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town
center. See the Slovak National Theatre and a range of Gothic
and Art Nouveau buildings.
Alternatively, embark on a guided hike
to Bratislava Castle, a landmark steeped in legends that looks as
though it came from the pages of a fairytale book.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
10 Budapest, Hungary
Welcome to the “Pearl of the Danube”.
Explore Budapest’s cobbled medieval quarter as you embark on a
coach tour through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city center.
Your guide will highlight a number of architectural wonders from
across the ages, enabling you to follow a journey from Budapest’s
Roman beginnings to the addition of ornate Romanesque and
Baroque architecture in the centuries that followed.
If you are
feeling more active, you may instead choose to hike to 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 by foot along the medieval paths and
alleyways in the area around Buda Castle. This evening, join your
fellow guests for a folklore performance onboard and a traditional
Hungarian dinner. Relax on the Sun Deck and enjoy the fabulous
view of the city, aglow in nighttime splendor.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
11 Budapest / 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