Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest and get settled on board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. The day is yours to explore Hungary's capital at whatever pace works for you. Come evening, there's a folklore show on board with a traditional Hungarian dinner, so you can relax after traveling.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Hungarian dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
- Traditional dinner on board
Optional Activities
- Explore Budapest at leisure
- Day 2
Budapest
Budapest's architecture is the focus today, with several options to choose from. A guided coach tour takes you to Heroes' Square, the UNESCO-listed Andrássy Avenue, and Buda Castle District if that appeals to you. If you prefer something more active, there's a hike up Gellert Hill where you'll get panoramic views of the Danube.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest including Heroes' Square, Andrássy Avenue, and Buda Castle District
Optional Activities
- Hike to Gellert Hill
Landmarks/POIs Heroes' Square Andrássy Avenue Buda Castle District Gellert Hill - Day 3
Budapest to Bratislava
The ship sails to Bratislava, and you'll join a walking tour through the city center to see the Episcopal Summer Palace and Slovak National Theatre. You can either spend time exploring Bratislava Castle's gardens or stick with the walking tour. Later in the afternoon, you'll visit a local family's home for coffee and cake, which gives you a real sense of Slovak traditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava
- Home-hosted coffee and cake with a local family
Optional Activities
- Hike to Bratislava Castle
- Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
- Carpathian wine route (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Episcopal Summer Palace Slovak National Theatre Bratislava Castle - Day 4
Bratislava to Vienna
Vienna comes next, and there's plenty to do in this Habsburg capital. Join a guided art tour of the Kunsthistorisches Museum if classical art interests you, or cycle along the riverbanks toward Danube Island and the Prater, where you'll find that famous 19th-century Ferris wheel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour in Vienna
- Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Kunsthistorisches Museum Danube Island Prater - Day 5
Vienna to Dürnstein
This morning starts with a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey, a significant Benedictine monastery overlooking the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley. Then you sail through the valley to Dürnstein, or join a guided bike tour from Krems that passes terraced vineyards and castles. In the afternoon, there's a hike available up to the medieval Dürnstein Castle ruins.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour along the Danube from Krems to Dürnstein
- Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
Landmarks/POIs Göttweig Abbey Wachau Valley Dürnstein Castle - Day 6
Dürnstein to Passau
Passau is where three rivers meet (the Danube, Inn, and Ilz), which is why locals call it the 'city of three rivers.' A guided tour shows you the Gothic and Baroque architecture, then you have free time to wander. There's an optional bike tour along the River Inn or a hike to Engelharstzell if you want to stay active. By evening, the ship heads toward Regensburg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Passau
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour along the River Inn
- Hike into town, Engelharstzell
- Visit to Schuetz Museum Engelhartszell (extra expense)
- Excursion to the Bavarian Forest (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Passau Schuetz Museum Engelhartszell 
- Day 7
Passau to Regensburg
You arrive in Regensburg, which was built on an ancient Roman fort. Choose between a walking tour through the UNESCO-listed medieval center with its narrow cobbled lanes, or bike to the Walhalla monument for views across the Danube landscape. Tonight brings a traditional Bavarian band performance on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting
- Traditional Bavarian band performance on board
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour to the Walhalla monument
- Excursion to Nuremberg (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Regensburg Medieval Centre Walhalla monument - Day 8
Regensburg to Munich
After breakfast, you'll disembark your Star-Ship and transfer to the airport with memories of Roman architecture and the rich culture of the Danube River behind you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
