Danube Explorer with Oktoberfest

Depart the USA on your overnight flight to 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. Flights should arrive Budapest prior to 5:00pm. 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 EmeraldPLUS: A traditional Hungarian folklore show onboard

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 Gellert 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 EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike to Gellert Hill (instead of city tour) DiscoverMORE: Szentendre (additional expense)

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 EmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike to Bratislava Castle (instead of city tour) EmeraldPLUS: Local Slovakian entertainment onboard DiscoverMORE: Carpathian Wine Route (additional expense)

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 EmeraldACTIVE: Bike tour in Vienna (instead of city tour) DiscoverMORE: An exclusive Viennese evening concert with the music of Mozart and Strauss (additional expense)

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, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 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 EmeraldACTIVE: Hike in Weissenkirchen (instead of bike ride along the Danube) EmeraldACTIVE: A guided bike ride along the Danube (instead of hike in Weissenkirchen) DiscoverMORE (from Melk): Visit to Schallaburg Castle (additional expense)

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 EmeraldPLUS*: A guided tour of Ceský Krumlov DiscoverMORE*: Linz Walking Tour with a Linzer-torte making (additional expense) DiscoverMORE*: Full day to Salzburg (additional expense) *The EmeraldPLUS and both DiscoverMORE’s operate simultaneoulsy; only 1 can be selected

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. Meet with the farmers and sample some of their homemade specialties. Meals: B, L, D EmeraldPLUS: Bavarian Countryside Experience EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike to Veste Oberhaus (instead of farm visit) DiscoverMORE: Bavaria Live (additional expense)

After breakfast, say goodbye to your Captain and crew as you disembark your ship and depart by motorcoach for Munich. Upon arrival, an included panoramic tour showcases the former Olympic site, Nymphenburg Palace, Maximillianstrasse and the Parliament, the National Theater and Munich’s Residenz. During a walking tour, stroll through Marienplatz Square and see the famous Glockenspiel. Enjoy the festive atmosphere of Oktoberfest with an included entrance to a beer tent at the fairground. Of course a sampling of the local beer and food will be served while partaking in the merriment of the music and fun in the tent. Meal: B, snack at Oktoberfest

Your final day is left free of planned activities to pursue individual interests. Continue discovering the sights of the city, shopping for last minute souvenirs, or return to the Oktoberfest fairgrounds independently. Meal: B

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