Begin this exciting journey in Nuremberg aboard the Emerald Sky and start sailing the magical Danube River. First on the list is Regensburg, where the 12th-century bridge crossing the Danube lies. In this city, visit Thurn und Taxis Palace Christmas market. Next stop is on the cobblestone streets of Passau where a charming Christkindlmarkt full of festive souvenirs and freshly baked goods can be found. Then, visit the Baroque palace of Melk Abbey and sail through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley. In Vienna, discover the Baroque cityscape and will have time to explore into the heart of one of the city's many Christmas markets. Before disembarking in Budapest, learn the Slovakian culture in Bratislava and venture to the Christmas markets.
Highlights
Take a look at the 12th-century bridge crossing the Danube in Regensburg
Visit the heart of the Thurn und Taxis Palace Christmas market
Walk to the green domes of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Passau
Venture into the heart of one of Vienna’s many Christmas markets
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive at Munich Airport and transfer to Nuremberg and board the Emerald Waterways Star-Ship, Emerald Sky. Enjoy sights of the Danube as the cruise begins.
This morning, relax as the ship cruises along the Main-Danube Canal to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Regensburg, a city that miraculously came out of the Second World War more or less intact. Here, visit the 12th-century bridge crossing the Danube and some of the city’s architectural highlights, before walking into the heart of the Thurn und Taxis Palace Christmas market, where rows of quaint wooden stalls are adorned by row-upon-row of twinkling lights.
The cobblestone streets that weave through Passau make it look as though it has been pulled from a Christmas card, especially when a thin layer of fresh snow blankets the town. Join a walking tour of Passau that will finish underneath the striking green domes of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, where a charming Christkindlmarkt full of festive souvenirs and freshly baked goods can be found.
Today, visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Melk Abbey, a Baroque palace that was gifted to monks almost a millennia ago. This afternoon, enjoy sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley, where Renaissance ruins and ancient castles pepper the surrounding landscape.
Welcome to Vienna, where opportunities abound to discover the Baroque cityscape and a generous peppering of imperial palaces during a guided tour of the Ringstrasse and the city centre, both by coach and on foot. After the tour, explore the area at leisure, perhaps venturing into the heart of one of Vienna’s many Christmas markets, each set in open squares across the city.
Today, enjoy learning about Slovakian culture while journeying into the heart of Bratislava, a capital where cultures really do sit side-by-side. A sightseeing tour of the city introduces architectural wonders, including the Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral and the neo-Renaissance Slovak National Theatre, but the city’s Christmas markets are a true delight, as they showcase handcrafted souvenirs and traditional Christmas treats.
Offering a rich abundance of historical whimsy, Budapest is known for its architectural collections and the historic 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, a guided coach tour will visit Andrássy Avenue and the neo-Renaissance façades of the townhouses that can be found there, as well as a generous scattering of Christmas decorations.
This evening, a traditional Hungarian folklore show is certain to delight, as is a postcard-worthy night-time cruise along the Danube.
Day 8: Budapest | Disembark
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the airport.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Panorama Balcony Suite (B)
180 sq ft. 18 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
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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
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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
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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.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
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