Danube Explorer & Budapest with Prague

Welcome to Budapest, the ‘Pearl of the Danube', where you will be greeted by one of our Emerald Cruises representatives and transferred to your contemporary Star-Ship. Once on board, you receive a warm welcome from our friendly crew.

Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 01:00 PM. (D)

Your journey starts in Budapest, where a fantastic trip and exciting experiences await. Explore the city's cobbled medieval quarter as you embark on a coach tour through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre. Your guide will teach you about the Hungarian capital's culinary scene, finishing at the neo-Gothic Grand Market, Budapest's largest and most expansive indoor market, where you'll have time to explore on your own. If you are feeling more active, you can instead choose to hike up 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 from the medieval paths and alleyways around Buda Castle.

This evening, join your fellow guests for a traditional Hungarian folklore show.

• EmeraldPLUS Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
• Included Excursion Culinary tour of Budapest with Grand Market visit
• EmeraldACTIVE Hike to Gellert Hill
• DiscoverMORE Hungarian Bath Experience (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Today, we invite you to a special dinner and a traditional folklore show for a truly immersive local experience, presenting you with a great chance to get to know your fellow travellers and to spend the evening in town just like the locals do.

• EmeraldPLUS Dinner & folklore show in Budapest
• DiscoverMORE Retro tour of post-Communist Budapest (extra expense)
• DiscoverMORE Jewish heritage tour (extra expense)
• DiscoverMORE Budapest by Night (extra expense) (B/L/D)

On our last morning in Budapest, enjoy a leisurely walk in town or use one of the on board bikes for one last ride through the Hungarian capital. In the afternoon, our ship sets sail on the magnificent Danube River onto our next destination – Slovakia.

• DiscoverMORE Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense) (B/L/D)

This morning, we sail into the Slovakian capital. The romantic cobblestone lanes weaving through the city are yours to explore. Enjoy guided walking tours of the ancient town centre, passing a range of Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, including the incredible Slovak National Theatre.

Alternatively, embark on a guided hike to Bratislava Castle, a fairy tale-like landmark steeped in legend. This striking building has been rebuilt several times. Most recently in the mid-20th century. Tonight, enjoy some local Slovakian entertainment on board.

• EmeraldPLUS Local Slovakian entertainment on board
• EmeraldACTIVE Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
• Included Excursion Walking tour of Bratislava
• DiscoverMORE Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Sweeping boulevards and world-famous exhibition halls welcome you to Vienna, the birthplace of revolutionary breakthroughs in the fields of music and psychology. The city perfectly encapsulates the extravagance of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces. s A walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre uncovers the classical architectural styles of the city, evidence of the melting pot of artistic influences that existed here at the turn of the 20th century.

If you are feeling more active, choose to explore on two wheels, cycling along the river to Donauinsel, Danube Island.

• EmeraldACTIVE Guided bike tour in Vienna
• Included Excursion Guided tour of Vienna
• DiscoverMORE Exclusive Viennese evening concert (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Effortlessly suspended in time, Weissenkirchen is one of the most frequented parts of the Wachau wine region, where the delightful warm weather creates the perfect setting for viticulture. Today, join your Activity Manager for a hike in town before you set sail to Melk.

Later, sail through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley and arrive in Melk, where you'll enjoy a guided tour of Melk Abbey. Originally a lavish castle gifted to Benedictine monks during the 11th century, this opulent Baroque building is home to some of the most important collections of medieval manuscripts.

• EmeraldACTIVE Guided bike tour along the Danube River
• EmeraldACTIVE Hike in Weissenkirchen with activity manager
• Included Excursion Tour of Melk Abbey
• DiscoverMORE Visit to Schallaburg Castle (extra expense) (B/L/D)

This morning, your Star-Ship will dock in Linz. Transfer by coach across the border into the Czech Republic to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed centre of Ceský Krumlov, a town built around a 13th-century castle. Join your local guide on a walk along the labyrinth of winding cobblestone streets, passing the colourful façades of buildings, as you learn how the architecture survived the test of time. The town surrounds the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ceský Krumlov Castle, and your guided tour will include the 15th-century St. Vitus Church and a number of delightful Gothic façades.

• EmeraldPLUS Guided tour of Ceský Krumlov
• DiscoverMORE Linzer torte making workshop (extra expense) (B/D)

Narrow cobblestone streets and the aroma of freshly baked goods welcome you to Passau, a town nestled on the confluence of three of Europe's main waterways. This historic trading centre borders Austria and boasts a distinctive blend of cultures.

Experience a typical Bavarian farm for some interesting insights into the life of local farmers and livestock farming, then try their homemade specialities. Alternatively, you can set off on a hike, catching sights such as the Mariahilf and St. Severin, an ancient church dating back to the Ottonian dynasty.

• EmeraldACTIVE Hike to Veste Oberhaus
• EmeraldPLUS Bavarian brunch
• DiscoverMORE Bavaria Live (extra expense) (B/L/D)

After breakfast, disembark your Star-Ship to be transferred to Prague, home to some of the world's most pristine collections of architecture from across the ages. Included is a comfortable three-night stay in the city. (B)

The centre of Prague is a true delight, where some of Europe's most pristine collections of architecture from across the ages can be found. After passing through three castle courtyards, you will visit St. Vitus Cathedral, then we walk down the Castle steps with a wonderful view over the city of Prague and we continue to Charles Bridge which we cross to reach the Old Town of Prague. We finish the city sightseeing tour in front of the famous Astronomical Clock at Old Town Square.

• Included Excursion A guided tour of Prague
• EmeraldPLUS Coffee & Cake at Lobkowicz Palace (B)

Prague is yours to explore independently today, perhaps enjoying some delicious Czech treats or immersing yourself in the culture that surrounds you. Your tour director will be available to help plan your day's exploring and to answer any questions that you may have.

• DiscoverMORE Tastes of Czechia (extra expense) (B)

After breakfast, it is time to bid farewell to your fellow guests and leave Prague's idyllic centre for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of ancient wonders and idyllic panoramic views of UNESCO World Heritage-listed areas with you. (B)