Visit Christmas Markets in four different countries – Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany and enjoy a seven night cruise on an Emerald Cruises Star-Ship with First-class service by an English-speaking crew. An onboard Activity Manager will host daily onboard wellness activities, games, classes and evening entertainment and experience shore excursions with personal listening devices.
Day
1 Depart the USA
Depart the USA on your overnight flight to
Munich, Germany.
Day
2 Regensburg, Germany
Welcome to Germany! All flights
must arrive by 2:00pm. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred
from the airport to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship in Regensburg.
After boarding, explore the ship and become acquainted with the
amenities. Later, enjoy dinner onboard.
Meal: D
Day
3 Regensburg, Germany
Your exploration of Germany begins
in this historic city. 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:
Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting
EmeraldPLUS:
Visit to Thurn & Taxis Christmas Market
DiscoverMORE:
Excursion to Nuremberg (additional expense)
* only 1 DiscoverMORE can be selected as they operate simultaneously
Day
4 Passau
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. The tour ends at St.
Stephen’s Cathedral, where you’ll find a Chirstkindlmarkt filled with
gingerbread-like stalls selling handmade gifts and tasty treats in an
atmosphere of twinkling lights.
Meals: B, L, D
Day
5 Krems, Austria
Enjoy a leisurely morning sailing through the
spectacular Wachau Valley, on the list of UNESCO World Heritage
Sites, to Krems. Upon arrival, depart for a guided tour of Göttweig
Abbey. This Benedictine monastery, perched high atop a vineyard
and forest-covered hill, offers stunning views over the Wachau
Valley. Inside the abbey, admire its architectural highlights, antique
decorations and furnishings.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldPLUS:
Christmas Traditions in Europe onboard presentation
Day
6 Vienna
This capital city is comprised of grand boulevards,
ornate palaces, amazing architecture and storied history. Also
famous for art exhibitions and museums, your included tour
visits the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in
the country. After the tour, enjoy free time to visit the wonderful
Christmas Markets throughout the city.
Meals: B, L, D
DiscoverMORE:
Exclusive Viennese concert (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, 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
(instead of EmeraldPLUS)
DiscoverMORE
Carpathian wine route (additional expense)
(instead of EmeraldPLUS)
DiscoverMORE
Skoda tour of post-communist Bratislava
(additional expense)
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 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 Andrássy 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 a traditional Hungarian folklore show
onboard.
Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldPLUS
A traditional Hungarian folklore show
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
Itinerary is subject to change.