Day 1 – Depart the USA: Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Prague, the Czech Republic, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
Day 2 – Prague, the Czech Republic: Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. The day is at leisure to begin discovering your new surroundings.
Day 3 – Prague: After breakfast, an included walking tour highlights the famous sites of the city. See Old Town Square, the historic Astronomical Clock and the medieval Charles Bridge. During free time this afternoon, explore the city on your own, or join the optional excursion to Terezin Concentration Camp.
Day 4 – Nuremberg, Germany: After breakfast, depart Prague by motorcoach for Nuremberg. After a brief city 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 (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 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 640ft Imperial Corridor and fresco ceilings. After visiting the Abbey, cruise along the Danube for 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 for exploring Austria’s capital: drive along the Ringstrasse to see the impressive Opera House, Burgtheater and Town Hall, followed by a stroll through the city center to see St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Imperial Palace. OR a take guided bike tour through the city. Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour
DiscoverMORE: Tastes of Vienna (additional expense)
DiscoverMORE: Exclusive Viennese concert with music from Mozart and Strauss (additional 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 sightseeing tour including the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall, Mirbach Palace 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! Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: Hike to Bratislava castle (this is instead of the city tour)
EmeraldPLUS: 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 seeing the city sights including the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest. 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
DiscoverMORE: Traditional Hungarian Folklore Show & Budapest Evening Cruise
DiscoverMORE: Budapest Jewish Heritage Tour (extra expense)
Day 11 – Hungary/ 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 |
