TRIP HIGHLIGHTS and itinerary

DAY 1 Depart the USA
Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Prague, Czech Republic.

DAY 2 Prague, Czech Republic
Welcome to the Czech Republic! Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel in Prague. The day is at your leisure to begin discovering your new surroundings.

DAY 3 Prague
After breakfast, enjoy an included city tour, highlighting the famous sites of this beautiful city. Discover the heart of the city on foot, seeing Old Town Square with its historic astronomical clock and the medieval Charles Bridge. The tour concludes at the hotel. During free time in the afternoon, you may continue to explore the city on your own, or join an excursion to the Terezin Concentration Camp. 

DAY 4 Prague – Passau, Germany
Depart Prague and journey by motor coach to Passau, Germany, where your friendly Captain and crew welcome you onboard your luxurious Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore the ship and become acquainted with the onboard amenities. Join all guests for dinner onboard. 

DAY 5 Passau
Narrow cobblestone streets welcome you to Passau, a town nestled on the confluence of three of Europe’s main waterways. On today’s excursion, venture out to a local farm to gain a fascinating insight into the life of local Bavarian farmers and sample some of their homemade specialties. Alternatively, if you are feeling more active, join a guided hike to Veste Oberhaus where you can catch a site of the Mariahilf and St. Severin, an ancient church dating back to the Ottonian dynasty. 

DAY 6 Linz, Austria / Ceský Krumlov, Czech Republic
Today’s adventure takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Ceský Krumlov. With its 13th-century castle, meandering river, and a maze of quaint alleyways, this town has one of the best preserved centers in Europe. Join your local guide to traverse a labyrinth of winding cobblestone lanes as you experience the charming atmosphere of Ceský Krumlov’s medieval buildings, the iconic castle complex and 15th-century St. Vitus’ Church, a highlight of the town. 

DAY 7 Melk – Weissenkirchen
Relax as you cruise along the Danube River early this morning, passing delightful apricot orchards and beautiful terraced vineyards that produce some of the world’s best wine, before arriving in Melk. Enjoy a tour of Melk Abbey.

DAY 8 Vienna
Welcome to Vienna, Austria’s capital and the capital of classical music. The city perfectly encapsulates the opulence of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces. On the included city tour, see monuments and grand buildings as the coach drives along the famous Ringstrasse. During the walking tour, stroll with your guide through the city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at the classic architectural styles of the buildings, see St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Palace, right in the heart of the city center. If you are feeling more active, opt to explore on two wheels, cycling along the serene trails on Danube Island. 

DAY 9 Bratislava, Slovakia
Today you sail into the capital of Slovakia. This graceful nation became an independent country in 1993, and since then, Bratislava has flourished as a new capital and made a name for itself as a cultural center. The romantic cobblestone lanes that weave through the city are explored with your local guide as you enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town center, seeing the Slovak National Theatre and a range of Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings. For the more active guests, embark on a guided hike to Bratislava Castle, a landmark steeped in legends that looks as though it came from the pages of a fairytale book. 

DAY 10 Budapest, Hungary
Welcome to the “Pearl of the Danube”. Explore Budapest’s cobbled medieval quarter as you embark on a coach tour through the UNESCO World Heritage city center. Your guide will highlight a number of architectural wonders and also talk about Budapest’s culinary scene. The tour will end at the Grand Market Hall, the city’s most expansive indoor food and craft market, where you’ll have time to explore on your own. If you are feeling more active, you may instead choose to hike to Gellert Hill. The surrounding area has been rebuilt several times, most recently following the air raids of WWII. Some 18th-century Baroque houses still stand, best explored by foot along the medieval paths and alleyways in the area around Buda Castle. This evening, join your fellow guests for a folklore performance onboard and a traditional Hungarian dinner. Relax on the Sun Deck and enjoy the fabulous view of the city, aglow in nighttime splendor. 

DAY 11 Budapest / Return to USA
Bid a fond farewell to Europe and return home with wonderful memories of life enriching experiences from your cruise along the Danube River.