Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Prague
You'll arrive in Prague and get picked up from the airport for a transfer to your hotel in the city center, where you're staying three nights. Later this evening, meet up with your Tour Director and the other travelers for a welcome drink to kick things off.
- Day 2
Prague
After breakfast, head by coach to Prague Castle to start a guided walking tour. You'll pass through three courtyards, check out St. Vitus Cathedral, then walk down the Castle steps with views spreading out over the city. Cross Charles Bridge afterward and end up at the Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square. That evening, there's a special dinner waiting at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Highlight dinner at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Prague
- Visit to St. Vitus Cathedral
- Walking tour of Prague Castle
- Cross Charles Bridge
- Visit to Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock
Landmarks/POIs Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Charles Bridge Old Town Square Astronomical Clock - Day 3
Prague
Your Tour Director is available if you need help planning the day. You've got the freedom to walk through Mala Strana's baroque quarter and Josefov, the Jewish quarter, at your own pace and timing.
Optional Activities
- Explore Mala Strana baroque quarter
- Visit Josefov Jewish quarter
- Tastes of Czechia (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Mala Strana Josefov - Day 4
Prague to Berlin
Today you'll drive through the scenic Elbe Valley heading toward Dresden, which sits on the river much like Florence does in Italy. See the Frauenkirche, the Castle of the Electors of Saxony, and the Green Vault with its collection of Meissen porcelain. Later, continue on to Berlin for a two-night stay.
Included Activities
- Visit to Frauenkirche
- Visit to Castle of the Electors of Saxony
- Visit to Green Vault with Meissen porcelain collection
Landmarks/POIs Frauenkirche Castle of the Electors of Saxony Green Vault 
- Day 5
Berlin
Walk through Berlin and see how the city has changed since the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. The itinerary covers the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, State Opera House, and Alexander Platz. You'll also pass Checkpoint Charlie and visit other sites connected to the Iron Curtain era. There's an orientation tour of Berlin included.
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Berlin
- Visit to Reichstag
- Visit to Brandenburg Gate
- Visit to State Opera House
- Visit to Alexander Platz
- Visit to Checkpoint Charlie
Optional Activities
- Visit to Potsdam & Neues Palais (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Reichstag Brandenburg Gate State Opera House Alexander Platz Checkpoint Charlie - Day 6
Berlin to Warsaw
You'll be transferred to Warsaw, Poland's energetic capital. The city has plenty to see and explore. Check into your hotel for a two-night stay.
- Day 7
Warsaw
A guided tour of the historic center shows you where much of the Old Town was reconstructed after World War II. Visit the Jewish Ghetto with a local guide, see the Ghetto Heroes monument, the Palace of Culture, and the Chopin Memorial. There's also an excursion to the Royal Castle. By evening, join other guests for a special dinner with classical music playing.
- Meals
- Dinner (Highlight Dinner & Concert in Warsaw)
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Warsaw
- Visit to Jewish Ghetto
- Visit to Monument to Ghetto Heroes
- Visit to Palace of Culture
- Visit to Chopin Memorial
- Entrance to Royal Castle
- Highlight Dinner & Concert in Warsaw
Landmarks/POIs Jewish Ghetto Monument to Ghetto Heroes Palace of Culture Chopin Memorial Royal Castle - Day 8
Warsaw to Krakow
Leave Warsaw and travel to Krakow by coach. Join a guided tour of this medieval city, taking in the cathedral and castle sitting on Wawel Hill. Then walk through the old town, stopping at St. Mary's Church and the Cloth Hall.
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Krakow
- Visit to Cathedral on Wawel Hill
- Visit to Wawel Castle
- Walking tour of Old Town
- Visit to St. Mary's Church
- Visit to Cloth Hall
Landmarks/POIs Wawel Hill Wawel Castle St. Mary's Church Cloth Hall 
- Day 9
Krakow
In the morning, visit the Auschwitz Concentration Camp for a guided tour, a sobering look at WWII history. After that, the afternoon and evening are yours in Krakow. Try some traditional Polish food at one of the local restaurants in the area.
Included Activities
- Visit to Concentration Camp at Auschwitz
Optional Activities
- Secret tales of Krakow (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Auschwitz Concentration Camp - Day 10
Krakow to Budapest
You'll travel past Oravsky Hrad Castle and cross the Tatra Mountains through Slovakia, heading into Budapest. Tonight there's a special dinner followed by a traditional folklore show for an evening centered on local culture.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner & Folklore Show in Budapest)
Included Activities
- Dinner & Folklore Show in Budapest
Landmarks/POIs Castle of Oravsky Hrad Tatra Mountains 
- Day 11
Budapest
After checking out from your hotel, transfer to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship where the captain and crew greet you. Spend the evening relaxing on board and watch an authentic Hungarian folklore show.
Included Activities
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show performance
- Day 12
Budapest
A guided tour shows you Budapest's contrasts between the two sides of the city. Buda contains elegant landmarks while Pest holds the city's complex history. Cross the Chain Bridge to see both areas separated by the Danube River. There's also an option to hike up to Gellert Hill if you prefer a more active morning.
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest
Optional Activities
- Hike to Gellert Hill
Landmarks/POIs Chain Bridge Gellert Hill - Day 13
Bratislava
The ship docks at Bratislava, Slovakia's capital. Walk down cobblestone streets with a local guide and see ornate Baroque palaces, the Renaissance courtyard of the Old Town Hall, and the Episcopal Summer Palace gardens. You'll have free time to browse boutiques. Later in the afternoon, visit a local family's home to learn about their culture while having traditional sweet treats and coffee.
- Meals
- Snack (Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family)
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 Old Town Hall Episcopal Summer Palace Bratislava Castle - Day 14
Vienna
Arrive in Vienna, Austria's capital where famous composers found their inspiration. Travel by coach and on foot past imperial palaces and significant buildings on the Ringstrasse, including the Vienna State Opera. Alternatively, take a guided cycling tour along the riverbanks, past monuments and parks, finishing near the Prater area.
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 State Opera Ringstrasse Prater 
- Day 15
Durnstein - Melk
Hike up to Durnstein Castle and imagine Richard the Lionheart being held there after the Third Crusade. Another option is a guided bike ride from Durnstein to Melk, passing vineyards and beautiful landscapes along the way. Back on the ship, relax on the Sun Deck as you sail through the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley to Melk. Tour the 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, including the ancient monastic library.
Included Activities
- Tour of Melk Abbey
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Durnstein Castle
- Guided bike tour along the Danube
Landmarks/POIs Durnstein Castle Melk Abbey Wachau Valley - Day 16
Passau
The ship reaches Passau, a postcard-perfect town where three rivers meet the Danube. The maze-like romantic streets open into large squares and charming promenades. Walk with a local guide through the Baroque buildings from the 17th century, and see the Oberhaus Fortress on the hill and St. Stephen's Cathedral with Europe's largest church organ. Later, cruise through the heart of Europe.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Passau
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Salzburg (extra expense)
- Excursion to Cesky Krumlov (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Oberhaus Fortress St. Stephen's Cathedral 
- Day 17
Regensburg
After breakfast, explore one of Germany's best-kept medieval cities with over two thousand years of history. Your local guide leads you through the UNESCO-listed Old Town, which once housed parliament. Streets are lined with historic patrician houses that show how important this was as a trading center. Later, head back to the ship and sail through the picturesque Main-Danube Canal toward Nuremberg. There's a Bavarian band performance on board this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Regensburg
- Bavarian band performance on board
Optional Activities
- Sausage-making workshop (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Regensburg Old Town - Day 18
Nuremberg
Take a guided tour of Nuremberg's historic city, looking at the architecture that inspired famous artists. After the tour, spend free time exploring the city on your own, walking past houses that were carefully rebuilt after WWII destruction.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Nuremberg
Optional Activities
- World War II tour (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Nuremberg Old Town - Day 19
Bamberg
Visit Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage town with thousands of listed buildings in the medieval center, one of Europe's best-preserved old quarters. See hundreds of ornamental facades as you walk with your local guide, passing the New Residence that shows the grandeur of the prince bishops. Relax in the Rose Garden and see the medieval Altenburg Castle overlooking the town.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg
Landmarks/POIs New Residence Rose Garden Altenburg Castle - Day 20
Wurzburg
Dock at Wurzburg, sitting on the Main River and offering a gateway to the Romantic Road, one of Bavaria's popular routes. The journey touches on sloping hills covered with vineyards in one of Germany's major wine regions. Visit the UNESCO-listed Wurzburg Residence with its Viennese Baroque style. Your local guide explains the architects' influences from different styles. Walk through the Gothic Marienkapelle and past the Town Hall.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Wurzburg
- Visit to the Bishops Residence
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Rothenburg (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Wurzburg Residence Marienkapelle Town Hall 
- Day 21
Miltenberg
See Bronnbach Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery in the Tauber Valley. Travel by coach to Miltenberg, a village that feels traditionally Bavarian. Walk down intricate cobblestone streets with colorful houses with a guide. This area prospered from river trade centuries ago, and that past wealth is still visible. Another option is an active walk to Mildenburg Castle with its art collection.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Miltenberg
- Visit to Bronnbach Abbey
Optional Activities
- Guided Active Walk to Mildenburg Castle
Landmarks/POIs Bronnbach Abbey Mildenburg Castle - Day 22
Rudesheim
Relax on deck this morning until reaching Rudesheim, a town with deep ties to wine production. Ride the Winzerexpress to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum and see rare music boxes in a half-timbered building. Or take an active walk through vineyards to understand what makes this wine region popular. After lunch, sail through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge, spotting castles and fortresses on the surrounding hilltops.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
Optional Activities
- Active Walk to Niederwalddenkmal
Landmarks/POIs Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum Niederwalddenkmal Rhine Gorge 
- Day 23
Cologne
Cruise along the Rhine from Koblenz to Cologne this morning, where two thousand years of history are waiting. The Romans founded it in 50 AD, so you'll find ancient ruins, monuments, and medieval structures. A walking tour led by your local guide goes through the Old Town, passing ancient bridges that survived WWII air raids, including the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral with its twin towers. Take part in a unique treasure hunt adventure. Tonight, the crew invites you to your farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Quest for Cologne's treasures
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town 
- Day 24
Amsterdam
Board a glass-top canal boat for a cruise through Amsterdam's UNESCO-listed canal system, passing elegant merchant houses that reflect prosperity from the Dutch Golden Age when the city was a major trading hub. Afterward, you have free time to explore on your own. Alternatively, cycle to Waterland and pass through quintessentially Dutch villages with traditional windmills.
Included Activities
- Canal cruise
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour to Waterland
- Private hidden Gems Tour of Amsterdam (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canal System Waterland 
- Day 25
Departure
After breakfast, say goodbye to your fellow travelers and leave the Star-Ship for your airport transfer, carrying memories of the Rhine Gorge and Dutch countryside with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
