Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Prague
You'll arrive in Prague and get settled into your centrally located hotel. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to rest up or start getting familiar with the neighborhood around your accommodation.
- Day 2
Prague
A guided city tour takes you through Prague's main highlights. You'll walk through three castle courtyards, see St. Vitus Cathedral, head down the Castle Steps with views across the city, then cross the Charles Bridge before ending at the Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Prague
- Coffee & Cake at Lobkowicz Palace
Landmarks St. Vitus Cathedral Charles Bridge Old Town Square Astronomical Clock Lobkowicz Palace 
- Day 3
Prague
This day is yours to explore Prague on your own schedule. Your tour director can suggest activities like wandering the Baroque quarter or checking out the Jewish heritage sites in Josefov if that interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Czechia (extra expense)
- Day 4
Prague to Passau
After checking out, you'll transfer to Passau where you'll board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. Get settled in your cabin and prepare for your river cruise to begin.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5
Passau
You can choose between two activities today. Visit a local farm to try homemade specialties and learn about Bavarian agriculture, or hike through the countryside to see Mariahilf hilltop church and the ancient St. Severin Church from the Ottonian period.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bavarian Countryside Experience
Optional Activities
- Hike to Veste Oberhaus
- Bavaria Live (extra expense)
Landmarks Mariahilf Church St. Severin Veste Oberhaus - Day 6
Passau to Ceský Krumlov
The ship crosses into Czech Republic and stops at Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO site with over 300 protected buildings. On your guided tour, you'll see the medieval town center and castle complex, including the 15th-century St. Vitus Church and Gothic architecture throughout.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ceský Krumlov
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Linz with a Linzer Torte tasting (extra expense)
Landmarks Ceský Krumlov Castle St. Vitus Church, Ceský Krumlov - Day 7
Ceský Krumlov to Melk
Today the Danube takes you to Melk, where you'll tour the golden halls of Melk Abbey as part of your included activities. After that, you can either sail through the Wachau Valley to Weissenkirchen or cycle from Melk along the river for views of the region's vineyards.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Melk Abbey
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour along the Danube
- Guided hike in Weissenkirchen
- Wachau Experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Melk Abbey - Day 8
Melk to Vienna
You arrive in Vienna and have options for how to spend the day. The guided tour covers the Ringstrasse and Vienna's UNESCO-listed historic center with cafes and baroque architecture, or you might choose a bike tour along the peaceful trails on Danauinsel instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Vienna
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour in Vienna
- Exclusive Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
Landmarks Ringstrasse - Day 9
Vienna to Bratislava
The ship sails to Bratislava where a guided tour shows you the historic architecture, including the Slovak National Theatre and other sites within walking distance. Later, a guided hike takes you up to Bratislava Castle for the views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bratislava
- Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
Optional Activities
- Local Slovakian entertainment on board
- Carpathian Wine Route (extra expense)
- Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
Landmarks Bratislava Castle Slovak National Theatre - Day 10
Bratislava to Budapest
You sail from Slovakia into Hungary, arriving in Budapest by afternoon. A coach tour takes you through the medieval quarter and the UNESCO-listed city center, including a stop at the Grand Market where you can browse independently.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Budapest tour with Grand Market visit
Optional Activities
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
Landmarks Grand Market 
- Day 11
Budapest
You have the day to explore Budapest however you like. If you're up for something more active, head up to Gellert Hill and walk around the medieval streets near Buda Castle, where you'll find 18th-century Baroque houses scattered throughout the narrow alleyways. Otherwise, just wander around the city at your own pace and find whatever catches your interest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Gellert Hill
Optional Activities
- Tour to Szentendre (extra expense)
- Jewish heritage tour (extra expense)
- Budapest by Night (extra expense)
- Independent exploration of Budapest's hidden treasures
Landmarks Gellert Hill Buda Castle - Day 12
Budapest
Your last full day in Budapest includes a special dinner and traditional folklore performance on board the ship, giving you time to reflect on your travels and say goodbye to fellow passengers before heading home tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Dinner & Folklore Show in Budapest
Optional Activities
- Retro tour of post-Communist Budapest (extra expense)
- Day 13
Departure from Budapest
After breakfast, you'll disembark the Star-Ship and transfer to the airport for your flight home, carrying memories of the Danube River, the countryside, and the historic cities you've seen.
- Meals
- Breakfast
