Home > River Cruises > Europe River Cruises > Delights of the Danube

Delights of the Danube

5.0/5 Based on 1 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Sold Out
 Cruise Length
8 Days
 Cruise Starts
Nuremberg
 Cruise Finishes
Budapest
8 Day Delights of the Danube Itinerary (Emerald Cruises)
Countries Explored: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
Ship
Passengers
180
Crew
51
Launched
2014
Cruise Code
ENUB-1

Overview

Float along the Danube river for seven nights with Emerald Cruises.

Itinerary

Welcome to Nuremberg! You will be met and transferred from the airport to your luxurious Emerald Cruises Star-Ship and, after boarding, will enjoy some time to explore the city and its architectural wonders that have inspired famous artists for centuries. This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board. (D)

This morning, you’ll sail the final stretch of the fascinating Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg. As you continue sailing down the Danube, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities welcomes you with two millennia of history. For almost 150 years, the Old Town Hall was the seat of parliament and, dating back to the 13th century, it consists of the Town Hall Tower, the Imperial Chamber building and the Town Hall.

Wander the streets with your guide as the romantic narrow alleys of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town enable you to live through the city’s history, in the present. The main highlight of your tour will be the 12th-century Stone Bridge, a medieval structure crossing the Danube. Enjoy time to explore Regensburg at leisure after your guided tour or return to your Star-Ship. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Bavarian band performance on board.

EmeraldPLUS A Bavarian band performance Included Excursion A guided tour of Regensburg DiscoverMORE Visit to a local brewery (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Passau is a picturesque city that has been shaped by the surrounding rivers over the years, sitting right on the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz. This memorable destination is dominated by large squares, magical promenades and romantic lanes. Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you in the beautiful city of Passau.

On this morning’s walking tour, stroll through streets lined by Baroque buildings dating back to the 17th century and look at the Gothic Town Hall, Bishop’s Residence and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to the largest church organ in Europe. Return for lunch on board and an afternoon peacefully cruising along the Danube.

Included Excursion A guided tour of Passau DiscoverMORE Excursion to Salzburg (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Excursion to Ceský Krumlov (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Situated within Austria’s wine-growing region, Melk is home to a 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, which is yours to explore today during an included tour. Your guide will take you through a series of opulent rooms, each adorned with the finest Italian Baroque architecture and ornate gold leaf walls, including the ancient monastic library, renowned for its extensive collection of medieval manuscripts.

Later, the Star-Ship sails through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley and on to Dürnstein, one of the most enchanting villages in the Wachau wine region, where you can choose to hike to Dürnstein Castle, the site where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned after returning from the Crusades. Alternatively, enjoy an EmeraldACTIVE guided bike ride along the Danube from Melk to Dürnstein, passing famous vineyards and quaint towns before settling down for a picnic lunch on the riverbanks.

EmeraldACTIVE A guided bike tour along the Danube EmeraldACTIVE A guided hike to Dürnstein Castle Included Excursion A tour of Melk Abbey DiscoverMORE Vineyards hike & tasting in Weissenkirchen (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Austria’s breath-taking capital is recognised for its cultural legacy. As the former residence of Mozart and Beethoven, a multitude of imperial palaces represent a rich history, and the museum district boasts contemporary buildings, housing the work of some of the world’s most prolific artists. Explore the famous sights of the Ringstrasse and Vienna’s city centre by coach and on foot, or join a guided bike tour.

Marvel at the Renaissance-style arches that adorn the façades of the Opera House, the Baroque Burgtheater and the Flemish Gothic Parliament before enjoying time to explore Vienna at leisure. EmeraldACTIVE A guided bike tour Included Excursion A guided tour of Vienna DiscoverMORE Viennese evening concert (extra expense) DiscoverMORE A visit to Schönbrunn Palace (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Set at the crossroads of ancient trade routes in the heart of Europe, Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is a place where Baroque palaces, boutiques and cafés adorn cobblestone streets. In the morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour, including the enchanting Old City or hike to Bratislava Castle. Your local guide will take you through the heart of the city. Pass by the botanical gardens of the Episcopal Summer Palace, the Old Town Hall and its delightful Renaissance courtyard and the Slovak National Theatre, where busts of famous composers adorn the façade.

After your tour, enjoy free time to explore at leisure. This afternoon, a local family will be happy to welcome you into their home for some great conversation over traditional sweet treats and coffee. EmeraldPLUS Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family EmeraldACTIVE A guided hike to Bratislava Castle Included Excursion A walking tour of Bratislava DiscoverMORE Skoda Tour of Post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Budapest is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan city. Divided by the iconic Danube River, Buda and Pest on either side can be reached via the Chain Bridge, one of the city’s most symbolic structures. Enjoy a guided tour of the city with your local guide this morning. Alternatively, embark on a hike to Buda Hill, traversing winding cobblestone streets underneath the massive Baroque masterpiece that is Buda Castle.

This evening, you will enjoy a Hungarian folklore show before your farewell dinner. EmeraldPLUS Traditional Hungarian folklore show EmeraldACTIVE A hike to Buda Hill Included Excursion A guided coach tour of Budapest DiscoverMORE Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Jewish Heritage tour (extra expense) (B/L/D)

After breakfast, it is time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport for your onward or homebound flight, taking memories of the delightful Danube with you. 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. (B)

Life Onboard Emerald Star

Emerald Star
Emerald Star

Get lost in the romance of Europe's rivers with every comfort taken care of on Emerald Star. Read more

You're Invited & EmeraldPLUS
You're Invited & EmeraldPLUS

Authentic included adventures that take you into the cultural heart of each destination. Read more

Active Life on the River
Active Life on the River

With a small gym, walking track, heated pool and putting green you can keep active on board. Read more

Five Star Dining On Board
Five Star Dining On Board

Enjoy the finest flavours of Europe prepared by the expert culinary team aboard your river cruise. Read more

Wellness and Beauty
Wellness and Beauty

Keep up your wellness routine with a fitness class or have a treatment in the onboard salon. Read more

Swimming Pool and Cinema
Swimming Pool and Cinema

The relaxing pool deck offers views from the stern and transforms to a cinema at night. Read more

Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Delights of the Danube' Reviews

5.0
AVG. RATING 5.0 / 5
1 Review
5 Star
100%
4 Star
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Fantastic European River cruise 1 , QLD, Australia, May 2019
We had a fantastic trip from the initial contact with Global Journeys to the final day of the cruise. Nothing was too hard for Hannah and her communication with us was excellent. Emerald were great, the organisation of the cruise left nothing wanting, from pickup in Amsterdam to drop off at Budapest Airport. The cruise itself was very well planned, ...read more the ship is only three years old which was great. Wonderful and friendly staff and of course the food: what can be said about it , other than excellent. We would highly recommend this cruise. Our Cruise Director could not have been better, she was very knowledgeable of all areas of the rivers travelled. The shore tour guides supplied by Emerald, also, were very good and enthusiastic about the towns they were showing us.

Availability Click on prices below to view cabin upgrades and details

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Emerald Cruises. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Emerald Cruises. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

Similar River Cruises

9 Day Enchantment of Eastern Europe (Emerald Cruises)

9 Days Bucharest Budapest

Operated By: Emerald Cruises

From 5,207
Save 1,063
9 Day Enchantment of Eastern Europe (Emerald Cruises)

9 Days Budapest Bucharest

Operated By: Emerald Cruises

From 4,960
Save 848
14 Day Rhine Castles & Moselle Vineyards & Lucerne - Zurich (Emerald Cruises)

14 Days Amsterdam Zurich

Operated By: Emerald Cruises

From 7,034
Save 2,571
14 Day Copenhagen to Zurich & Jewels of the Rhine (Emerald Cruises)

14 Days Copenhagen Zurich

Operated By: Emerald Cruises

From 7,479
Save 1,376

Travel Styles