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Classic Prague & Christmas Markets on the Danube

5.0/5 Based on 1 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor

Classic Prague & Christmas Markets on the Danube

5.0/5 Based on 1 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
River View
$5,341
Balcony
$6,361
Suite
$7,499
* Port charges, taxes and fees included
 Cruise Length
11 Days
 Cruise Starts
Prague
 Cruise Finishes
Budapest
11 Day Classic Prague & Christmas Markets on the Danube Itinerary (Emerald Cruises)
Countries Explored: Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
 Cruise Length
11 Days
 Cruise Starts
Prague
 Cruise Finishes
Budapest
11 Day Classic Prague & Christmas Markets on the Danube Itinerary (Emerald Cruises)
Countries Explored: Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
Ship
Departures
Passengers
180
Crew
51
Launched
2017
Cruise Code
EWPX-1
Ship
Departures
Passengers
180
Crew
51
Launched
2017
Cruise Code
EWPX-1

Overview

Prague is a fascinating city full of historical sights, like the Astrological Clock, and Charles Bridge. This special festive twist on our classic itinerary down the Danube makes time for explorations of quirky Budapest, a traditional lunch with Slovakian locals, and marvelling at Vienna’s iconic architecture. All before perusing the Christmas markets of Regensburg, highly regarded as ‘one of the loveliest’.
Prague is a fascinating city full of historical sights, like the Astrological Clock, and Charles Bridge. This special festive twist on our classic itinerary down the Danube makes time for explorations of quirky Budapest, a traditional lunch with Slovakian locals, and marvelling at Vienna’s iconic architecture. All before perusing the Christmas markets of Regensburg, highly regarded as ‘one of the loveliest’.

Itinerary

Welcome to Prague and your centrally located hotel for a three-night stay.

Today, you will have the opportunity to explore Prague as it is effortlessly enveloped by the wonder of the seasonal period. Your local guide will take you through the old town square, a cobblestoned area that perfectly captures the city’s architectural heritage.

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

Your tour director will be available to help you plan your day of independent exploration today. We would recommend going to one of Prague’s memorable Christmas markets, where colourful stalls owned by local craftsmen are full of handcrafted ornaments and freshly baked Czech Christmas treats.

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

After breakfast, you will be transferred from your hotel to Regensburg, to board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. (B/D)

Spend the day in Regensburg. Today, you'll have the chance to explore some of the city's architectural highlights, crossing the 12th-century bridge over the Danube. Your EmeraldPLUS excursion takes you into the heart of the Thurn and Taxis Palace Christmas market, where row-upon-row of twinkling lights adorn the quaint wooden stalls.

  • EmeraldPLUS Traditional Bavarian band on board
  • EmeraldPLUS Visit to the Christmas markets at Thurn and Taxis Palace grounds
  • EmeraldPLUS Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting
  • DiscoverMORE Excursion to Nuremberg (extra expense) (B/L/D)

The cobblestone streets that weave through Passau resemble a picture-perfect Christmas card, especially when a thin layer of fresh snow blankets the town. Your included walking tour will finish underneath the striking green domes of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, where you’ll discover a charming Christkindlmarkt full of festive souvenirs and freshly baked goods.

  • Included Excursion Guided tour of Passau (B/L/D)

Today, enjoy a morning sailing on your Star-Ship as it sails through the fascinating Wachau Valley, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Cultural Landscape, and on to Krems.

This afternoon, embark on a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey, a true treasure overlooking the valley from a hill covered by vineyards and forests. Built in 1083, it’s one of Austria's most important Benedictine abbeys, attracting visitors from around the globe. Run by a community of about 45 monks, it’s visible from a great distance and provides epic panoramas from the grounds.

  • EmeraldPLUS Christmas traditions in Europe (on board presentation)
  • Included Excursion Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey (B/L/D)

Sweeping boulevards and world-famous art exhibitions welcome you to Vienna, a city perfectly encapsulating the extravagance of the Habsburg Monarchy and their love of ornate Baroque palaces. For art lovers, there is no place like the Austrian capital, not just because the city is bursting with museums and artwork, but because of the variety. Your tour will include a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums worldwide.

  • Included Excursion Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum
  • DiscoverMORE Viennese evening concert (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Today, enjoy learning about Slovakia as we take you into the heart of Bratislava, a capital where cultures sit side-by-side. A sightseeing tour of the city will introduce you to its architectural wonders, including the Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral and the neo-Renaissance Slovak National Theatre. The Christmas markets showcase handcrafted souvenirs and traditional Christmas treats, a true seasonal delight.

  • EmeraldPLUS Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
  • Included Excursion Walking tour of Bratislava
  • DiscoverMORE Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
  • DiscoverMORE Carpathian wine route (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Offering an abundance of historical whimsy, Budapest is known for its architectural diversity and famed monuments that pepper both sides of the Danube. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed city is a true delight at Christmas, when the locals take to thermal baths to beat the crisp chill of the season. Today, your guided coach tour will introduce you to Andrássy Avenue and the neo-Renaissance façades of the townhouses found there, as well as a generous scattering of Christmas decorations.

This evening, an on board traditional Hungarian folklore show is certain to delight.

  • EmeraldPLUS Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
  • Included Excursion Guided coach tour of Budapest
  • DiscoverMORE Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
  • DiscoverMORE Jewish Heritage Tour (extra expense) (B/L/D)

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests. Disembark your Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport and take memories of Christmas stalls and crisp winter mornings 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)

Welcome to Prague and your centrally located hotel for a three-night stay.

Today, you will have the opportunity to explore Prague as it is effortlessly enveloped by the wonder of the seasonal period. Your local guide will take you through the old town square, a cobblestoned area that perfectly captures the city’s architectural heritage.

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

Your tour director will be available to help you plan your day of independent exploration today. We would recommend going to one of Prague’s memorable Christmas markets, where colourful stalls owned by local craftsmen are full of handcrafted ornaments and freshly baked Czech Christmas treats.

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

After breakfast, you will be transferred from your hotel to Regensburg, to board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. (B/D)

Spend the day in Regensburg. Today, you'll have the chance to explore some of the city's architectural highlights, crossing the 12th-century bridge over the Danube. Your EmeraldPLUS excursion takes you into the heart of the Thurn and Taxis Palace Christmas market, where row-upon-row of twinkling lights adorn the quaint wooden stalls.

  • EmeraldPLUS Traditional Bavarian band on board
  • EmeraldPLUS Visit to the Christmas markets at Thurn and Taxis Palace grounds
  • EmeraldPLUS Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting
  • DiscoverMORE Excursion to Nuremberg (extra expense) (B/L/D)

The cobblestone streets that weave through Passau resemble a picture-perfect Christmas card, especially when a thin layer of fresh snow blankets the town. Your included walking tour will finish underneath the striking green domes of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, where you’ll discover a charming Christkindlmarkt full of festive souvenirs and freshly baked goods.

  • Included Excursion Guided tour of Passau (B/L/D)

Today, enjoy a morning sailing on your Star-Ship as it sails through the fascinating Wachau Valley, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Cultural Landscape, and on to Krems.

This afternoon, embark on a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey, a true treasure overlooking the valley from a hill covered by vineyards and forests. Built in 1083, it’s one of Austria's most important Benedictine abbeys, attracting visitors from around the globe. Run by a community of about 45 monks, it’s visible from a great distance and provides epic panoramas from the grounds.

  • EmeraldPLUS Christmas traditions in Europe (on board presentation)
  • Included Excursion Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey (B/L/D)

Sweeping boulevards and world-famous art exhibitions welcome you to Vienna, a city perfectly encapsulating the extravagance of the Habsburg Monarchy and their love of ornate Baroque palaces. For art lovers, there is no place like the Austrian capital, not just because the city is bursting with museums and artwork, but because of the variety. Your tour will include a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums worldwide.

  • Included Excursion Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum
  • DiscoverMORE Viennese evening concert (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Today, enjoy learning about Slovakia as we take you into the heart of Bratislava, a capital where cultures sit side-by-side. A sightseeing tour of the city will introduce you to its architectural wonders, including the Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral and the neo-Renaissance Slovak National Theatre. The Christmas markets showcase handcrafted souvenirs and traditional Christmas treats, a true seasonal delight.

  • EmeraldPLUS Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
  • Included Excursion Walking tour of Bratislava
  • DiscoverMORE Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
  • DiscoverMORE Carpathian wine route (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Offering an abundance of historical whimsy, Budapest is known for its architectural diversity and famed monuments that pepper both sides of the Danube. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed city is a true delight at Christmas, when the locals take to thermal baths to beat the crisp chill of the season. Today, your guided coach tour will introduce you to Andrássy Avenue and the neo-Renaissance façades of the townhouses found there, as well as a generous scattering of Christmas decorations.

This evening, an on board traditional Hungarian folklore show is certain to delight.

  • EmeraldPLUS Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
  • Included Excursion Guided coach tour of Budapest
  • DiscoverMORE Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
  • DiscoverMORE Jewish Heritage Tour (extra expense) (B/L/D)

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests. Disembark your Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport and take memories of Christmas stalls and crisp winter mornings 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)

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5.0
AVG. RATING 5.0 / 5
1 Review
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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.

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Europe River Cruises

Emerald Europe River Cruises (2024)

As small ship experts, we know that our minimal guest numbers, relaxed ambience, and high level of personal service, provide the perfect setting from which to enjoy Europe’s network of iconic rivers. The small ship lifestyle brings you to the heart of each destination for an intimate look at the local life along the riverbanks. Revolutionary in design,...more life on board our deluxe Emerald Cruises Star-Ships, promises contemporary comfort and unique innovations, while our suite of generous inclusions delivers exquisite dining experiences, exceptional service, and handpicked immersive itineraries.

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Europe River Cruises

Emerald Europe River Cruises (2025)

Award-winning Emerald Cruises delivers exceptional small ship river cruising through the heart of Europe, on board our fleet of luxury Star-Ships. From the North Sea to the Black Sea, revel in a European river journey like no other. Our unique collection of itineraries — showcasing seven mesmerising rivers — offers you an immersive insight into the...more incredible history, culture and traditions of the diverse regions we visit.

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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.

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