Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest and transfer to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. After you get settled, there's time to walk around the Hungarian capital on your own before heading to a traditional Hungarian folklore show on board this evening. Dinner follows with local specialties, so you'll get a real sense of the region's food and culture right from the start.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
Landmarks/POIs Budapest - Day 2
Budapest
Pick between two options today. Join a guided coach tour hitting Heroes' Square, the UNESCO World Heritage Andrássy Avenue, and the Buda Castle District, or if you prefer being active, hike up to Gellert Hill for views across the Danube. Either way, you'll return to your Star-Ship in the evening and spend the night on board.
- 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 for panoramic views of the Danube
Landmarks/POIs Heroes' Square Andrássy Avenue Buda Castle District Gellert Hill - Day 3
Budapest to Bratislava
The ship sails to Bratislava where you can join a walking tour through the medieval center, stopping at the Episcopal Summer Palace and Slovak National Theatre. Or hike around Bratislava Castle gardens instead. In the afternoon, visit a local family's home for coffee and cake to hear about their daily lives and traditions. You'll sleep on the Star-Ship again tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava including Episcopal Summer Palace and Slovak National Theatre
- Home-hosted coffee and cake with a local family
Optional Activities
- Hike around Bratislava Castle gardens
- 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
You're heading to Vienna now. Take a guided art tour of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, one of Europe's most important art collections, or cycle along the Danube riverbanks past Danube Island and the famous Prater amusement park with its iconic 19th-century Ferris wheel. Overnight stays on your Star-Ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour in Vienna along riverbanks, Danube Island, and Prater
- Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Kunsthistorisches Museum Danube Island Prater - Day 5
Vienna to Dürnstein
Start with a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey, a major Benedictine monastery with panoramic views across the region. Then sail through the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley to Dürnstein, or bike from Krems to Dürnstein past terraced vineyards and castle ruins if that appeals more. Later, hike to the medieval Dürnstein Castle ruins where King Richard I was once held. Ship accommodation again.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour from Krems to Dürnstein
- Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle ruins
Landmarks/POIs Göttweig Abbey Wachau Valley Dürnstein Castle - Day 6
Dürnstein to Passau
Sail to Passau, the 'city of three rivers' where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz all meet. A guided tour covers its Gothic and Baroque architecture, and there's a biking option along the River Inn if you want. Spend free time exploring at your own pace before the ship heads toward Regensburg this evening. Sleep on board.
- 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 - Day 7
Passau to Regensburg
You'll arrive in Regensburg, built where an ancient Roman fort once stood. Walk through the UNESCO World Heritage medieval center with its narrow cobbled lanes on a guided tour, or bike out to the Walhalla monument for Danube landscape views. This evening there's a traditional Bavarian band performance on the Star-Ship. Another night 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 Prague
Leave your Star-Ship in Regensburg and transfer to Prague, a city with some of the world's best preserved historic architecture from many different periods. Check into your hotel and settle in for a three-night stay in the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Prague - Day 9
Prague
Join a walking tour through Prague's Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. You'll pass through three castle courtyards to reach St. Vitus Cathedral, then walk down the Castle steps with views over the whole city. After crossing the historic Charles Bridge, you'll arrive at Old Town and finish at the famous Astronomical Clock at Old Town Square. Grab coffee and cake at Lobkowicz Palace afterward.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Prague including St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge, and Old Town Square with Astronomical Clock
- Coffee and cake at Lobkowicz Palace
Landmarks/POIs St. Vitus Cathedral Charles Bridge Old Town Square Astronomical Clock Lobkowicz Palace - Day 10
Prague
Today's free to explore Prague on your own. Check out Josefov, the Jewish Quarter, and Malá Strana, one of the city's most historic neighborhoods. Your tour director is on hand if you need help planning what to see or have questions about the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Czechia (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Josefov (Jewish Quarter) Malá Strana - Day 11
Prague to Home
After breakfast, say goodbye to your fellow travelers and head out from Prague's city center. A transfer takes you to the airport with memories of the ancient sites and UNESCO World Heritage locations you've just seen.
- Meals
- Breakfast
