Danube Explorer & Highlights of Budapest

Welcome to the ‘Pearl of the Danube’. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the contemporary surrounds of your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to welcome you. Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM. (D)

Welcome to Budapest, where an amazing end to a fantastic trip awaits. Explore the city’s cobbled medieval quarter today, 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 and the tour will finish 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 to Buda 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 in the area 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 Buda Hill

DiscoverMORE Budapest spa experience (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Today we invite you to a special dinner and a traditional folklore show in town for a truly immersive local experience. It would be a great chance to get to know your fellow travellers and 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)

This is our last morning in Budapest so enjoy a leisure walking in town or grab one of the on board bikes for last ride through town. 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)

Relax on board as we sail into the capital of Slovakia this morning. This graceful nation of leafy avenues became an independent country in 1993, and since then, has flourished as a new capital and made a name for itself as a cultural centre. The romantic cobblestone lanes that weave through the city are yours to explore with your local guide, as you enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town centre, including the Slovak National Theatre and a range of Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings.

Alternatively, embark on a guided hike to Bratislava Castle, a landmark steeped in legend, that looks as though it has been plucked from the pages of a fairytale. This striking building has been rebuilt several times, most recently in a Renaissance style. 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 art exhibitions welcome you to Vienna, the birthplace of revolutionary breakthroughs in the fields of music and psychology. The city perfectly encapsulates the opulence of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces, some of which you will be able to see during your guided coach tour of the Ringstrasse, followed by a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre and its surrounding classical architectural styles, evidence of the melting pot of artistic influences that existed here at the turn of the 20th century.

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

EmeraldACTIVE 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 that was gifted to Benedictine monks during the 11th century, this opulent Baroque building is home to some of the most important collections of medieval manuscripts in the world.

EmeraldACTIVE Guided bike tour along the Danube River

EmeraldPLUS Hike in Weissenkirchen with Activity Manager

Included Excursion Tour of Melk Abbey

DiscoverMORE Visit to Schallaburg Castle (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE Vineyard hike & tasting in Weissenkirchen (extra expense) (B/L/D)

This morning, your Star-Ship will dock in Linz and you will be transferred by coach 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 about how they have 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 gingerbread welcome you to Passau, a town nestled on the confluence of three of Europe's main waterways. This important 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 specialties. 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, it’s time to disembark the Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of Europe’s iconic skylines with you. Please book your flight to depart out of Munich after 01:00 PM. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change. (B)