Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll arrive in Paris and check into your hotel for three nights. After getting settled, take time to walk around at your own pace. The tree-lined boulevards and UNESCO World Heritage sites are there for you to explore whenever you'd like, so just wander and get a feel for the city.
Landmarks/POIs Paris 
- Day 2
Paris
Meet up with a local guide who'll take you through Paris's main landmarks. You'll see Notre-Dame Cathedral and head to the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Élysées. Later in the afternoon, board a river cruise along the Seine where you can watch the Eiffel Tower pass by from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Paris including Notre-Dame de Paris and Arc de Triomphe
- Seine River cruise
Landmarks/POIs Notre-Dame de Paris Arc de Triomphe Champs-Élysées Eiffel Tower Seine River 
- Day 3
Paris
Today is yours to organize however you'd like. You could spend time at the Louvre looking at the Mona Lisa, or if you're feeling adventurous, head below the city to check out the catacombs. Your tour director is around if you need help figuring out what to do.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit to the Louvre Museum
- Exploration of Paris Catacombs
- Tastes of Paris (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Louvre Museum Paris Catacombs - Day 4
Paris to Amsterdam
After breakfast, you'll transfer from Paris to Amsterdam and board the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. Meet the captain and crew, then join other guests for dinner that evening as you prepare for your river cruise through Europe.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Dinner on board ship
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam - Day 5
Amsterdam
You have options for today in Amsterdam. Take a glass-top canal boat cruise through the UNESCO-listed canals and see the Dutch Golden Age architecture, or go on a guided bike tour to Waterland to see historical villages and traditional windmills. Later this afternoon, the ship sails through the Dutch countryside toward the Rhine River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Glass-top canal boat cruise of Amsterdam canal system
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour to Waterland
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canal System Waterland - Day 6
Cologne
Pull into Cologne, one of Germany's oldest cities with roots going back to Roman times around 50 AD. Walk through the Old Town to see its nice squares and historic buildings, and you'll end up at Cologne Cathedral with its twin towers that are UNESCO-listed.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cologne's Old Town including Cologne Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town - Day 7
Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
The Rhine Gorge cruise today is the scenic part of the river. You'll pass hilltop castles and Lorelai Rock as the ship moves through this UNESCO-listed section. When you reach Rüdesheim, you can ride the Winzerexpress to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum or hike up to Niederwalddenkmal for views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
Optional Activities
- Winzerexpress train ride
- Active hike to Niederwalddenkmal
Landmarks/POIs Rhine Gorge Lorelai Rock Pfalzgrafenstein Castle Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum Niederwalddenkmal - Day 8
Miltenberg and Wertheim
Visit Miltenberg, a medieval Bavarian village with half-timbered buildings from the 15th century and the Gothic Merchant Hall. If you want to be active, there's an optional hike to Mildenburg Castle. Later, head to Wertheim for a glassblowing presentation at the Glass Art Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Miltenberg
- Exclusive visit to the Glass Art Museum in Wertheim with presentation
Optional Activities
- Guided active walk to Mildenburg Castle
Landmarks/POIs Miltenberg Gothic Merchant Hall, Miltenberg Mildenburg Castle Glass Art Museum, Wertheim - Day 9
Würzburg
Arrive in Würzburg, known as the 'Pearl of the Romantic Road' and an important wine-growing area. You'll tour the Würzburg Residence, which is UNESCO-listed and shows off Baroque architecture. It was damaged in WWII but has been carefully restored to its original beauty.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Würzburg
- Visit to the Bishops Residence
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Rothenburg (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Würzburg Residence - Day 10
Bamberg
Relax on board as you cruise to Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage town with one of Europe's largest medieval centers. Once there, your guide will show you around, including the opulent New Residence. You'll also take a quiet walk through the Rose Garden.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg
Optional Activities
- Sausage Making Workshop (only available on select dates)
Landmarks/POIs Bamberg Bamberg New Residence - Day 11
Nuremberg
Join a guided tour through historic Nuremberg where you'll see architectural highlights and learn about the city's history during WWII. After the tour, you'll have free time to walk around the beautifully rebuilt half-timbered houses on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Nuremberg
Optional Activities
- World War II tour (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Nuremberg - Day 12
Regensburg
The ship sails the final stretch of the Main-Danube Canal into Regensburg, one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities with two thousand years of history. Walk through the UNESCO Old Town's romantic narrow alleys and cross the 12th-century Stone Bridge. Back on board, there's a traditional Bavarian band performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Regensburg
- Traditional Bavarian band performance on board
Optional Activities
- Sausage-making workshop (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Regensburg Old Town Regensburg Stone Bridge Old Town Hall, Regensburg - Day 13
Passau
Pull into Passau, a city shaped by where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers meet. Stroll through Baroque streets and visit the Gothic Town Hall, Bishop's Residence, and St. Stephen's Cathedral, which has Europe's largest church organ. Lunch is served back on the ship, then you can relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Passau
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Salzburg (extra expense)
- Excursion to Český Krumlov (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Passau St. Stephen's Cathedral, Passau Passau Gothic Town Hall - Day 14
Melk and Dürnstein
Visit Melk's 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, a UNESCO site where you'll see opulent rooms with Italian Baroque architecture and an ancient monastic library. Later the ship sails through the Wachau Valley to Dürnstein. You can hike up to Dürnstein Castle or bike tour along the Danube through vineyards.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Melk Abbey
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour along the Danube
- Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
Landmarks/POIs Melk Abbey Wachau Valley Dürnstein Dürnstein Castle - Day 15
Vienna
Explore Vienna, where Mozart and Beethoven once lived. Your coach and walking tour will take you along the Ringstrasse and through the city center, where you'll see the Opera House, Baroque Burgtheater, and Gothic Parliament. Later you can join a guided bike tour or just spend time exploring on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Vienna
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour of Vienna
- Visit to Schönbrunn Palace (extra expense)
- Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Vienna Ringstrasse Vienna State Opera House Burgtheater Austrian Parliament Schönbrunn Palace 
- Day 16
Bratislava
Arrive in Bratislava, Slovakia's capital positioned at crossroads of old trade routes. Walk through the Old City with your guide to see Baroque palaces and Renaissance courtyards, and visit the Slovak National Theatre. Later, a local family invites you for traditional sweet treats and coffee.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava
- Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
- Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
- Carpathian wine route (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Bratislava Old Town Bratislava Castle Slovak National Theatre Episcopal Summer Palace, Bratislava - Day 17
Budapest
Reach Budapest, Eastern Europe's liveliest city divided by the Danube River and connected by the Chain Bridge. You can take a guided coach tour or hike to Gellert Hill for views. This evening features a traditional Hungarian folklore show and your farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell Dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
Optional Activities
- Hike to Gellert Hill
- Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
- Jewish heritage tour (extra expense) - Please note: This is not available on Saturdays due to the museum being closed
Landmarks/POIs Budapest Danube River Chain Bridge Gellert Hill - Day 18
Budapest to Prague
After breakfast, you'll disembark the Star-Ship and transfer to Prague, which has some of Europe's most well-preserved architectural collections. Check into your hotel for a three-night stay in this historic city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Prague - Day 19
Prague
Join a guided tour through Prague's remarkable architecture. You'll pass through three castle courtyards to reach St. Vitus Cathedral, come down the Castle steps for city views, cross the historic Charles Bridge, and arrive at Old Town Square with its famous Astronomical Clock.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Prague including St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge and Old Town Square
- Coffee & Cake at Lobkowicz Palace
Landmarks/POIs Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Charles Bridge Old Town Square Astronomical Clock Lobkowicz Palace - Day 20
Prague
Prague is open for you to explore on your own today. Try some Czech treats and spend time discovering the city's culture. Your tour director can help you figure out what to do and answer any questions you have about what's around.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Czechia (extra expense)
- Day 21
Prague to Airport
After breakfast, say goodbye to your traveling group and head to the airport from Prague's center. You're taking with you memories of ancient sites and UNESCO World Heritage locations from this river cruise through Europe.
- Meals
- Breakfast
