Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary.
Upon arrival, you will be met by a local representative and transferred 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 authentic Hungarian folklore show onboard. Meal: D
EmeraldPLUS: Traditional Hungarian Folklore Show
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 Gellert 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 Gellert Hill (instead of city tour)
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: Hike to Bratislava Castle (instead of city tour)
EmeraldPLUS: Home-hosted coffee and cake with a local family
DiscoverMORE: Carpathian wine route (additional expense) instead of included city tour
DiscoverMORE: Skoda tour of post-communist Bratislava (additional expense)
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)
This morning sail along the river and through the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley en route to Dürnstein. Enjoy time at leisure in this charming village, known as “The Pearl of the Wachau Valley”. This afternoon, depart on 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. Alternatively, cycle past the terraced vineyards and castles as you join a guided bike tour. Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldPLUS: Gottweig Abbey
EmeraldACTIVE*: Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
EmeraldACTIVE*: Guided bike tour along the Danube
*the EmeraldACTIVE events overlap; only one can be selected
After a relaxing morning onboard, the ship arrives in Passau where cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you. On an included walking tour of this city on the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers, stroll through the old town’s narrow alleyways and see its noteworthy architecture. St. Stephen’s Cathedral is a wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to Europe’s largest pipe organ with more than 17,000 pipes. After a bit of free time, return to the ship for a leisurely sailing along the river to Regensburg. Meals: B, L, D
DiscoverMORE: Excursion to the Bavarian Traditions (additional expense)
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour along the River Inn
(instead of included city tour)
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 city center and see many of the city’s architectural highlights. Enjoy a Bavarian sausage tasting during the tour for a real ‘taste’ of local life! 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, a traditional Bavarian band performs onboard. The ship remains docked in Regensburg overnight. Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: Bike tour to Walhalla Monument (instead of included tour)
EmeraldPLUS: Traditional Bavarian Band onboard
EmeraldPLUS: Walking tour of Regensberg with sausage tasting
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. 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
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)
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
