Embark on an 8-day cruise from Budapest to Munich aboard the Emerald Star. Sail the Danube on a relaxed journey through Central Europe, exploring key cultural and historical landmarks along the way. Begin in Budapest, where centuries of heritage are on display in the city's grand architecture and vibrant public spaces. In Vienna, drive along the famed Ringstrasse and witness the imperial design of Austria's capital firsthand. Continue to Melk, home to one of Europe's most renowned monastic sites, the Benedictine Melk Abbey. This itinerary offers a balanced pace, allowing for immersive guided tours, scenic cruising, and firsthand insight into each destination's traditions, architecture, and regional flavors.
Highlights
Explore Budapest’s Grand Market and culinary traditions
Discover Bratislava’s Gothic charm on a guided walking tour
Tour Vienna’s Ringstrasse and imperial city landmarks
Visit Melk Abbey’s Baroque halls and manuscript treasures
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Welcome to Budapest, often called the 'Pearl of the Danube'. Upon arrival, an Emerald Cruises representative will meet you at the airport and transferred to your ship, where your captain and crew will warmly welcome you on board.
This evening, gather with fellow guests to enjoy an authentic Hungarian folklore performance.
EmeraldPLUS
Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM.
Discover Budapest’s cobbled medieval quarter on a guided coach tour through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city center. Visit the expansive Grand Market Hall, where your guide will introduce you to the city’s culinary heritage, with ample time to explore at your leisure.
Alternatively, opt for a guided hike to Gellert Hill, where you can pass through historic areas that have been rebuilt multiple times since WWII. The hike offers views of preserved 18th-century Baroque houses and access to medieval paths surrounding Buda Castle.
Included Excursion
Budapest tour with Grand Market visit
Relax on board as you sail into the capital of Slovakia this morning. This graceful nation of leafy avenues became an independent country in 1993, and since then Bratislava has flourished as a new capital and made a name for itself as a cultural center. 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 center, including the Slovak National Theater 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 fairy tale. This striking building has been rebuilt several times, most recently in a Renaissance style.
Tonight, enjoy some local Slovakian entertainment on board.
Included Excursion
Walking tour of Bratislava
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
EmeraldPLUS
Local Slovakian entertainment on board
Day 4: Vienna
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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 be able to see during your guided coach tour of the Ringstrasse. Following this, embark on a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city center and its surrounding classical architectural styles, evidence of the melting pot of artistic influences that have existed here since the turn of the 20th century.
If you’re feeling more active, then perhaps choose to explore on two wheels, cycling along the river to the Danube Island.
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 can 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 Hike in Weissenkirchen
Included Excursion
Tour of Melk Abbey
EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour along the Danube River
This morning, your ship will dock in Linz, where you be transferred by coach to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed center 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 colorful facades 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 facades.
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 center borders Austria and boasts a distinctive blend of cultures.
Experience life on 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.
EmeraldPLUS
Bavarian Countryside Experience
EmeraldACTIVE
Hike to Veste Oberhaus
Day 8: Passau | Munich | Disembark
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, it’s time to disembark your 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 the terms and conditions for further information.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$7,5902-3 travelers
Please confirm embark/disembark locations before reserving flights, as this itinerary operates in reverse on alternating departures.
Single Stateroom (ES)
Single Occupancy Only. 117 sq ft. 2 single cabins located on the Riviera Deck with a deluxe single bed, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV and infotainment system
Stateroom (E)
162 sq ft. 9 cabins located on the Riviera Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV and infotainment system
Stateroom (D)
162 sq ft. 8 cabins located on the Riviera Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV and infotainment system
Panorama Balcony Suite (C)
180 sq ft. 19 cabins located on the Vista Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, indoor balcony with open-air system, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV and infotainment system
Panorama Balcony Suite (B)
Emerald Panorama Balcony Suite - 18 cabins located at Vista Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, indoor balcony with open-air system, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV and infotainment system
Panorama Balcony Suite (A)
180 sq ft. 23 cabins located on the Horizon Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, indoor balcony with open-air system, bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries and hairdryer, flat-screen TV and infotainment system
Grand Balcony Suite (S)
210 sq ft. 8 cabins located on the Horizon Deck with a Queen-size or twin hotel-style beds, outdoor private balcony with the open-air system, in-suite mini-bar available at own expense, a complimentary Nespresso machine and bathroom with shower, indulgent toiletries, hairdryer, on-board complimentary bathrobes, and slippers
Owner's Suite (SA)
315 sq ft. 4 cabins located on the Horizon Deck with a Queen-size or twin beds, an outdoor private balcony with the open-air system, a separate bathroom and lounge area, a walk-in wardrobe, an in-suite mini-bar, restocked daily with wine, beer, and soft drinks
Notes
Single accommodations are available on some tours for an additional single supplement rate. Contact us for details of pricing and availability.
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
