Experience the Danube River onboard an award-winning Emerald Cruises Star-Ship through four stunning countries. Explore fascinating ports of call with local English-speaking guides. Experience local culture, visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites, taste regional specialties and beverages and more on your seven-night cruise. During the two-night stay in the majestic city of Prague, included touring showcases its historic and picturesque sites.
Day
1 Depart the USA
Depart the USA on your overnight flight to
Budapest, Hungary.
Day
2 Budapest, Hungary
Welcome to the ‘Pearl of the Danube’.
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your Emerald Cruises
Star-Ship, home for the next seven nights. This evening, join your
fellow guests for a folklore performance onboard and a traditional
Hungarian dinner.
After dinner, relax on the Sun Deck and enjoy the
fabulous view of the city, aglow in nighttime splendor.
Meal: D
Day
3 Budapest:
Explore Budapest’s cobbled medieval quarter, as
you embark on a coach tour through the UNESCO World Heritage
city center. Your guide will highlight a number of architectural
wonders and also talk about Budapest’s culinary scene. The tour
will end at the Grand Market Hall, the city’s most expansive indoor
food & craft market, where you’ll have time to explore on your own.
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.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
4 Bratislava, Slovakia
This morning, relax onboard while
sailing 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, seeing the Slovak National Theater and
a range of Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings.
For the more active guests, 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
5 Vienna, Austria
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 buildings
of grandeur 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 classical
architectural styles of the buildings, see St. Stephen’s Cathedral
and the Hofburg Palace, right in the heart of the city center. If you
are feeling more active, opt to explore on two wheels, cycling along
the river to Danube Island.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
6 Weissenkirchen – Melk
Effortlessly suspended in time,
Weisenkirchen is one of the most frequented parts of the Wachau
wine region, where the delightful warm weather creates the perfect
setting for viticulture. Join your Activity Manager for a hike in town
before sailing to Melk. Later this morning, sail through the UNESCO
World Heritage Wachau Valley, passing medieval villages, terraced
vineyards and areas of natural beauty.
Upon arrival in Melk, enjoy
a guided tour of Melk Abbey, originally a lavish castle that was
gifted to Benedictine monks during the 11th-century. This opulent
Baroque building is home to some of the most important collections
of medieval manuscripts in the world.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
7 Linz, Austria / Ceský Krumlov, Czech Republic
Today’s adventure takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage 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
8 Passau, Germany
Narrow cobblestone streets welcome you
to Passau, a town nestled on the confluence of three of Europe’s
main waterways. On today’s excursion, venture out to a local farm to
gain a fascinating insight into the life of local Bavarian farmers.
Tour the farm, see the animals and learn how the family is utilizing methods
of sustainable agriculture. Meet with the farmers and sample some of
their homemade specialties during an included tasting.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
9 Passau – 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,
you’ll have free time for lunch on your own before the 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 the 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
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