Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary. Welcome to Budapest! You will be met and transferred from the airport to your Emerald Waterways luxury river cruise ship. After boarding, enjoy some time at your leisure to explore Budapest. This evening, enjoy a traditional Hungarian dinner, then a Hungarian folk dancing and music performance. Meal: D This morning, arrive in Bratislava, capital of the Republic of Slovakia. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and the gothic Cathedral of St Martin. Alternatively, join an active hike to Bratislava Castle. A highlight of the day may be the included home-hosted visit to meet the locals. Meal: B, L, D. EmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike to Bratislava Castle. EmeraldPLUS: Home Hosted Coffee and Cake with Slovakians Today, you have a choice for discovering Vienna: explore Austria’s capital beginning with a drive along the Ringstrasse, where you see the sights of Vienna’s world–famous attractions such as the Opera House, Burgtheater and Town Hall. Continue the tour with a guided walk in the city center, seeing St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Imperial Palace. Alternatively, join the guided bike tour. Free time is available this afternoon to sample the wonderful sights and tastes of Vienna on your own. Meals: B, L, D EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike Tour. DiscoverMORE: Visit to Schönbrunn Palace (additional cost) AND / OR Exclusive Viennese concert with music from Mozart and Strauss (extra expense) This morning, 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. Thereafter, drive through the picturesque landscape of this district to the 900-year-old Benedictine Abbey of Melk, which features Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture. Meals: B, L, D. EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle OR EmeraldACTIVE: Guided biking tour along the Danube River from Dürnstein to Melk. Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising along the Danube before reaching Passau. Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you in this beautiful city. On this afternoon’s 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. Meals: B, L, D. DiscoverMORE: Tour to Salzburg (additional cost) *** Please note, you can only choose either the included tour of Passau OR the DiscoverMORE option, as both tours run at the same time. After breakfast, arrive in magnificent Regensburg. On the guided walking tour you will have the chance to 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. DiscoverMORE: Excursion to Kuchlbauer Brewery (additional cost) Depart on a sightseeing tour by coach of the historic city of Nuremberg. Pass by some of the historical parts of Nuremberg, such as the 900-year-old ramparts and the Nazi party rally grounds where rallies were held from 1933 until 1938. Meals: B, L, D DiscoverMORE: WWII Tour (additional cost) After breakfast, disembark the ship and journey by coach to Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour showcasing the highlights of the city. Nymphenburg Palace, Maximilianstrasse and the Parliament, the National Theater, Munich’s Residenz and the former Olympic site are all seen during the panoramic drive. During the walking portion, stroll the Marienplatz Square and see the famous glockenspiel. Check-in to your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure. The hotel is within walking distance of the Oktoberfest fairgrounds. Meal: B Enjoy the full day at leisure to explore the city as you wish. Meal: B It’s time to say ‘Auf wiedersehen’ to Germany and depart for the Munich Airport, taking with you fond memories of your cruise along the Danube. Meal: B