Experience everything the Danube River has to offer as you cruise through four countries. History comes to life on walking tours through medieval cities. Castles perched on hilltops; quaint villages along the shores; architectural masterpieces in ports of call and spectacular scenery around every bend of the river. Bustling, cosmopolitan cities and those filled with the charm of picturesque alleyways and cobblestoned lanes lined with shops and cafés. All of these delights await your discovery on this Danube River cruise.
Day
1 Depart the USA
Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary.
Day
2 Budapest, Hungary
Upon arrival, transfer to the ship, home for the next seven nights. The afternoon is at leisure to become acquainted with the ship or begin exploring the city on your own. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a traditional Hungarian dinner and a folk dancing and musical performance by local entertainers onboard.
Meal: D
EmeraldPLUS
Traditional Hungarian Folklore Show
Day
3 Budapest
Today’s included tour presents you with a fantastic opportunity to become acquainted with Hungary’s beautiful capital. See the Hungarian Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square, Andrassy Avenue – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Buda Castle District. Alternatively, enjoy a guided hike to Buda Hill for a postcard-worthy panorama of the Danube banks. This afternoon, the ship departs for Bratislava.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike to Buda Hill (instead of city tour)
Day
4 Bratislava, Slovakia
This morning, relax onboard as the ship sails to Bratislava. Witness Bratislava Castle, perched atop a hill, as you arrive into port. During the guided walking tour, meander through the heart of the city as you view the lavish Episcopal Summer Palace, the neo-Renaissance façade of the Slovak National Theater, and charming streets lined with quaint shops and cafés.
Alternatively, choose to join the hike to the castle for a look around the gardens and overview of the Danube. This afternoon, a highlight of the day will be a home-hosted visit where you are treated to tasty homemade specialties in the home of local Slovakians. What a unique opportunity to meet the locals and learn about life in Slovakia!
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike to Bratislava Castle (instead of city tour)
EmeraldPLUS
Home-hosted coffee and cake with a local family
DiscoverMORE
Skoda Tour of Post-Communist Bratislava (additional expense)
DiscoverMORE
Carpathian wine route (additional expense) instead of included city tour
Day
5 Vienna, Austria
Welcome to Vienna, the capital of classical music and world-famous art exhibitions. Today you have a choice of activities: explore Austria’s art history on an included tour featuring a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums in the world. OR, explore on two wheels with a bike ride along the river, arriving at Danube Island.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour (instead of city tour)
DiscoverMORE
Exclusive Viennese concert with music from Mozart and Strauss (additional expense)
Day
6 Krems – Dürnstein
The day begins with a guided tour of Gottweig Abbey, one of Austria’s most important Benedictine abbeys. Sitting atop a hill near Krems, this architectural treasure overlooks the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley. Upon returning to the ship, enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this beautiful valley enroute to Dürnstein – “The Pearl of the Wachau Valley” - dominated by the magnificent Baroque Stiftskirche. Alternatively, cycle past the terraced vineyards and castles as you join a guided bike tour from Krems to Dürnstein.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE*
Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
EmeraldACTIVE*
Guided bike tour along the Danube from Krems to Dürnstein
*the EmeraldACTIVE events overlap; only one can be selected
Day
7 Engelhartzell, Germany – Passau
After a relaxing morning onboard, the ship arrives in Passau where cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you. On an included walking tour, stroll through the old town’s narrow alleyways and see the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress from the town below. St. Stephen’s Cathedral is a wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to Europe’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. After a bit of free time, return to the ship for lunch and a leisurely afternoon sailing along the river to Regensburg.
Meals: B, L, D
DiscoverMORE*
Excursion to the Bavarian Forest (from Engelhartszell) (additional expense)
DiscoverMORE*
Visit to Schuetz Museum Engelhartszell
(additional expense)
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour along the River Inn (instead of included city tour)
* the DiscoverMORE’s overlap; only one can be selected
Day
8 Regensburg
A morning arrival in Regensburg brings you to one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities and home to one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. As a local guide leads you through cobblestone lanes on a walking tour, discover the UNESCO World Heritage old town and see many of the city’s architectural highlights.
Alternatively, join a bike tour to the Walhalla Monument, towering high above the slopes of the Danube. The site affords a fascinating view of the surrounding landscape and the river below. This evening, enjoy a traditional Bavarian band onboard. The ship remains docked in Regensburg overnight.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldPLUS
Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting
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Nuremberg City Tour (additional expense)
EmeraldACTIVE
Bike tour to Walhalla Monument (instead of included tour)
EmeraldPLUS
Traditional Bavarian Band onboard
Day
9 Nuremburg – Prague, Czech Republic
After breakfast, say goodbye to your Captain and crew as you disembark your ship and depart by motorcoach for Prague, Czech Republic. Upon arrival, free time for lunch on your own, followed by an included city tour highlighting the famous sites of this beautiful city. Following a brief panoramic drive, the heart of the city is discovered on foot. See Old Town Square with its historic astronomical clock, and the medieval Charles Bridge. The tour concludes at the hotel with the evening at leisure.
Meal: B
Day
10 Prague
Your final day is left free of planned activities for your independent exploration of Prague. Or, if you choose, join the morning optional excursion to Terezin Concentration Camp.
Meal: B
DiscoverMORE
Terezin Concentration Camp (additional expense)
Day
11 Prague / 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