Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Danube, Europe’s most popular river. Travel onboard our modern ship, exploring the wonderful Christmas Markets of Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Visit the enchanting cities of Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Dürnstein, Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest – all decorated in holiday splendor.
Day
1 Depart the USA
Depart the USA for your overnight flight to Munich, Germany.
Day
2 Nuremburg, Germany
Welcome to Germany! Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred
from the airport to your Emerald Waterways luxury river cruise ship
in Nuremburg. After boarding, explore the ship and become
acquainted with the amenities. Later, enjoy a welcome dinner
onboard.
Meal: D
Day
3 Regensburg, Germany
Today’s adventure brings you to magnificent Regensburg. On your
guided walking tour, view one of the oldest bridges crossing the
Danube and see the city’s architectural highlights including the Old
Town Hall. Visit the famous Christmas Market at the Thurn & Taxis
Palace grounds, try a mug of Glühwein and treat yourself to
homemade gingerbread!
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldPLUS
Traditional Bavarian Band onboard
EmeraldPLUS
Visit to Thurn & Taxis Christmas Market
Day
4 Passau or Salzburg, Austria
Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you in this
beautiful city. During the walking tour, stroll through the old town’s
narrow alleys 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. During your leisure time, visit the traditional
Christmas market in front of the Cathedral.
Meals: B, L, D
DiscoverMORE
Tour to Salzburg (additional 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
5 Melk – Dürnstein, Austria
Your included tour visits Melk’s famous 900-year old Benedictine Abbey, a UNESCO World-Heritage Site, featuring Austria’s finest Baroque architecture. This afternoon enjoy sailing through the scenic
Wachau Valley, another UNESCO World-Heritage Site, where ruins
of ancient castles dot the surrounding landscape.
Arrive in Dürnstein, one of the most enchanting villages of the Wachau wine
region. This is the site of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was
imprisoned after returning from the crusades in the 12th-century.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
6 Vienna, Austria
Explore Austria’s capital beginning with a drive along the
Ringstrasse. See some of Vienna’s world–famous attractions such as
the Opera House, Burgtheater and Town Hall. During the walking
portion through the city center, see St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the
Hofburg Imperial Palace. After the tour, enjoy free time to visit the
wonderful Christmas markets throughout the city.
Meals: B, L, D
DiscoverMORE
Tastes of Vienna Tour (additional expense)
DiscoverMORE
Exclusive Viennese concert with music from Mozart
and Strauss (additional expense)
Day
7 Bratislava, Slovakia
Learn about Slovakian culture during a visit to Bratislava, capital of
the Republic of Slovakia. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including the
enchanting Old City with its Town Hall, Mirbach Palace, Slovak
National Theater and the Gothic Cathedral of St. Martin. Bratislava is
also home to charming Christmas markets where you can shop for
handmade ornaments and holiday craft items.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldPLUS
Home Hosted Coffee and Cake with Slovakians
Day
8 Budapest, Hungary
Budapest, Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan capital, is known for
the rich architecture and historic monuments along both sides of the
Danube. This UNESCO World-Heritage listed city is a true delight
during the season with its Christmas Market and festive display of
holiday decorations. Your guided coach tour will introduce you to the city as it passes Buda Castle, the Chain Bridge and Andrassy
Avenue – the main shopping area lined with spectacular Neo-
Renaissance townhomes, cafés, boutiques and theaters, among them
the State Opera House. This evening you’ll be delighted by an
evening harbor cruise and a traditional Hungarian folklore show
onboard.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldPLUS
A traditional Hungarian folklore show
EmeraldPLUS
Budapest Evening Cruise
Day
9 Budapest, Hungary / USA
After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow travelers as you
disembark the ship. Transfer to the Budapest airport, taking home
warm memories of Europe at Christmastime.
Meal: B