Discover the Treasures of the Volga & Danube Rivers

Welcome to Moscow, Russia’s capital city on the banks of the Moskva River. The city’s architecture is a reflection of its 860-year-old history with many reminders of both its imperial and Soviet past. A sprawling metropolis, Moscow is the financial and political centre of Russia with a population of around 13 million inhabitants. You will be met and transferred from the airport to MS N. Novgorod, where a warm welcome awaits from your crew. Tonight, enjoy your first dinner with your fellow travellers. (D)

After breakfast, your city tour will start with a drive along Leningradskaya Street, Tverskaya Street, Novodevichy convent and have a chance to see Moscow’s main highlights, including the sights of KGB, Cathedral of Christ the Savior, inside visit to the famous department store GUM and enjoy some free time at the Red square. After lunch in the city, you will head to one of the highlights to your trip, a visit to the Kremlin Grounds. For many people the symbol of Moscow and indeed Russia, the Kremlin is the former seat of the Russian Government and a unique historical, architectural and artistic reserve.

During a stroll around the Kremlin Grounds you will see the majestic Cathedral Square which still retains its original form, the Palace of Congresses, Senate square with the Arsenal and Senate buildings, residence of the President of the Russian Federation. The evening is yours to explore on own or take part in our carefully planned optional tours. Included Excursion Guided coach tour of Moscow & Visit to the Kremlin Grounds (B/L/D)

The day is yours to continue exploring the main sights and attractions of Moscow or just enjoy and relax on board of MS N. Novgorod. We have also prepared various optional tours for you to choose from. Tonight, your Captain is delighted to host a welcome cocktail with sparkling wine. (B/L/D)

Your day starts with a visit to Uglich, one of most beloved towns in Old Russia, which is part of the Golden Ring around Moscow. Throughout its 1000-year history, the town has been used by various Monarchs including Ivan the Terrible as a base for attacks on the Tatars and Poles. During your walking tour you will get to see the renowned green-domed Cathedral of Transfiguration. Your walk will also include a stop at the Church of St. Dmitry on the Blood, which was built on the site where Dmitry, the youngest son of Ivan the Terrible was murdered. Included Excursion Tour of Uglich (B/L/D)

Founded in the 11th century by Yaroslav the Wise, the ancient city of Yaroslavl retains many monuments of its noteworthy and colourful past. Your tour will include a stop at the 17th century Church of St. Elijah the Prophet, as well as an inside visit to the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and an interactive tour to former Governor’s House (Art Gallery). Included Excursion Tour of Yaroslavl (B/L/D)

Goritsy is a typical Russian village set in the most scenic countryside. Take a coach from the ship to the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery. Founded in 1397, by Cyril, one of the most honoured saints in the Russian Orthodox Church, the monastery houses the Assumption Cathedral and many ancient icons, which were loved by Ivan the Terrible. Included Excursion Visit to the Monastery of St. Cyril on the White Lake (B/L/D)

Today you will cruise Lake Onega, Europe’s second largest lake, and arrive at the small island of Kizhi. You will be taken on a walking tour through the Open Air Museum of Architecture, housing a collection of restored 18th century Russian wooden buildings, including the breath-taking Church of the Transfiguration. Built in 1714, the structure of the Church was built without a single nail. Tour of Kizhi (B/L/D)

Your next stop is the picturesque village of Mandrogi located on the River Svir. The charming landscape is dotted with colourful “izbas” – wooden houses with finely carved roofs and window frames. The town also offers many of opportunities for you to admire items of Russian handicrafts, such as pottery and the famous “matryioshka” dolls. You will also have free time to enjoy some of Mandrogi’s other attractions, like the Vodka Museum, which contains thousands of different brands and types of one of Russia’s most famous exports. Included Excursion Shashlik lunch in Mandrogi (B/L/D)

You will sail on the Neva River into St. Petersburg early this morning. Founded by Peter the Great, St. Petersburg was the capital of the Russian Empire for more than 200 years. Nicknamed ‘Venice of the North’, the historic centre, threaded with canals dotted with baroque bridges, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your guided bus tour will take you along the Spire of the Basil Island (buildings of Stock Exchange, Kunstkamera, Zoo Museum), pass by the buildings of the Senate and the Synod, St. Isaac´s cathedral and drive along Nevsky prospect, the main boulevard of St. Petersburg. One cannot miss the splendid of the church of the Savior on spilled blood, emblematic for St. Petersburg. Your tour will conclude with a visit to Peter and Paul Fortress: The Boat house, Peter I monument, Commandant´s house, Nevsky Gate and St. Peter and Paul´s Cathedral.

Later on, enjoy a guided visit of Peterhof gardens which represent nearly two centuries of European aristocratic fashion executed to the highest standards. Marvel at the beaty of this open-air encyclopedia of park design through the age of empire. Master landscapers and garden designers managed to overcome the extremely inclement conditions of this region to create a wonderland of greenery and flowers, sweeping vistas and ornate architectural decorations. Included Excursion Guided coach tour of St. Petersburg Included Excursion Peterhof (lower park) (B/L/D)

Your day will start with a visit to the Hermitage Museum. Rival to the Louvre in Paris, the Hermitage Museum is one of the largest and oldest museums in the world. Formerly the Winter Palace and home of the Tsars, the museum’s collection comprises of nearly three million exhibits including the largest collection of paintings in the world and early collections dating back to Catherine II. Included Excursion Visit to the Hermitage Museum (B/L/D)

The day is yours to continue exploring the main sights and attractions of St. Petersburg or just enjoy and relax on board of MS Nizhny Novgorod. We have also prepared various optional tours for you to choose from. Included Excursion Visit to the Hermitage Museum (B/L/D)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport (flight not included) and continue your journey on the Danube river from Budapest. You will have some time to settle on board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, before enjoying time at leisure to explore Budapest. This evening, enjoy an authentic Hungarian folklore show on board, followed by a traditional dinner. EmeraldPLUS A traditional Hungarian folklore show

The ancient Roman city of Aquincum once sat on the site of modern Budapest, where architecture from across the centuries shines a light on the history of the Hungarian capital. Originally two separate cities, Buda on the right and Pest on the left offer incredibly different views on the culture of one of the liveliest cities in Eastern Europe. Today, you will have the opportunity to explore the city during a guided tour, including Heroes’ Square and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Andrássy Avenue and Buda Castle District. Alternatively, enjoy a hike to Buda Hill for a postcard-worthy panorama of the Danube banks. EmeraldACTIVE A hike to Buda Hill Included Excursion A guided coach tour of Budapest (B/L/D)

This morning, relax on board as we sail to Bratislava. An ancient landscape awaits, where remarkable towers add to a skyline that perfectly encapsulates the history of the city, and preserved medieval fortifications tell tales of a turbulent past. Your local guide will take you through the heart of the city, as you soak in sights of the lavish Episcopal Summer Palace and the neo-Renaissance façade of the Slovak National Theatre.

If you are feeling more active, then you could instead choose to hike around the serene gardens of Bratislava Castle, offering the perfect environment for the Shakespeare festival that occurs during the summer months. This afternoon, you will be invited into the home of a local family to learn about their culture over coffee and cake. EmeraldPLUS Home-hosted coffee and cake with a local family EmeraldACTIVE A hike to Bratislava Castle Included Excursion A walking tour of Bratislava DiscoverMORE Skoda Tour of Post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Set on the banks of the Danube, Vienna has been considered to be Europe’s capital of music for centuries. Viennese Classicism is still highly regarded around the world, as the 18th century brought with it the First Viennese School, consisting of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Today, your local guide will take you for a drive around the world-famous Ringstrasse and a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Historic Centre of Vienna, including a peppering of lavish Baroque mansions and the Vienna State Opera.

If you are feeling more active, then choose to explore on two wheels instead, cycling along the riverbanks before touching on Danube Island and Prater, home to a traditional 19th-century Ferris wheel. EmeraldACTIVE A guided bike tour in Vienna Included Excursion A guided tour of Vienna DiscoverMORE Viennese evening concert DiscoverMORE Tastes of Vienna (B/L/D)

This morning, arrive in Dürnstein; a small town nestled in the heart of the Wachau wine region. When you arrive, you will have the chance to hike to the medieval ruins of Dürnstein Castle, the site where King Richard I was held prisoner following his return from the Third Crusade, and part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Cultural Landscape, a place peppered with natural lookout points that highlight the beauty of the region. Alternatively, enjoy a guided bike ride from Dürnstein to Melk, traversing the banks of the Danube.

Later, sail through the Wachau Valley, a place that showcases a plethora of historic architecture, in the form of monasteries, castles and ruins, and the development of urban design through the ages. When you arrive in Melk, you will be taken for a tour of the 900-year-old Melk Abbey, touching on the lavish surrounds of the former palace and viewing ancient manuscripts in the monastic library. EmeraldACTIVE A guided hike to Dürnstein Castle EmeraldACTIVE A guided bike tour along the Danube Included Excursion A tour of Melk Abbey (B/L/D)

After a morning of sailing along the Danube, perhaps relaxing with a drink in hand on the Sun Deck, we will take you into the heart of Passau. As the point at which the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers meet, Passau is also known as the Dreiflüssestadt, meaning the “City of Three Rivers”. Your included guided tour of Passau will unveil its noteworthy Gothic and Baroque architecture. The town was destroyed by a series of fires in the 17th century, leaving a blank canvas for Italian architects to work with. After your tour, enjoy some free time to explore Passau at leisure, before an afternoon spent sailing towards Regensburg. Included Excursion A guided tour of Passau EmeraldACTIVE A hike to Veste Oberhaus DiscoverMORE Excursion to the Bavarian Forest (extra expense) (B/L/D)

This morning, we will arrive in Regensburg, a city that has been generously steeped in history, built on the site of an ancient Roman fort that went on to become a major centre for trade during the Middle Ages. Your guided walking tour of Regensburg will showcase its UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval centre, where ancient Roman architecture can be found sitting alongside 11th – 13th century patrician houses. Narrow cobbled lanes and tall façades help to define the character of this enchanting Bavarian city. This evening, enjoy a traditional Bavarian band on board. EmeraldPLUS A traditional Bavarian band on board Included Excursion A guided tour of Regensburg DiscoverMORE Excursion to Nuremberg (extra expense) (B/L/D)

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of Roman architecture and the cultural divide in Budapest 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)