Day 1 Prague
When you arrive in Prague, transfer from airport to your centrally located hotel for a three-night stay.
Day 2 Prague
Today, a guided tour of Prague introduces you to many of its highlights. Visit the Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, before stopping for some cake in Lobkowicz Palace.
Day 3 Prague
Your tour director is available to help you plan your day of independent exploration today.
Day 4 Prague | Nuremberg | Embark
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
Transfer from the hotel to Nuremberg this morning, to board your Emerald Waterways Star-Ship.
Day 5 Regensburg
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning, relax as you cruise down the Main-Danube Canal.
Welcome to Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. Enjoy a guided tour of the city, visiting the Old Town Hall complex and Porta Praetoria, an ancient stone building that can be dated back to 179 AD.
Day 6 Passau | Linz
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today’s cruising takes you to the heart of Passau, where three of Europe’s main rivers converge in the shadows of the castle. Your guided tour of this illustrious city unveils how it was rebuilt following fires in the 17th century. Italian architects left their mark with a scattering of Baroque architecture, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Enjoy exploring the city before returning to your Star-Ship for lunch and an afternoon of sailing along the Danube River.
Day 7 Melk | Dürnstein
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Your included tour takes you to Melk Abbey, famous for its invaluable library. This afternoon, enjoy a guided bike tour from Melk to Dürnstein. Alternatively, cruise through the wine region and on to Dürnstein, embarking on a guided hike to Dürnstein Castle when you arrive.
Day 8 Vienna
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Welcome to Vienna. The “City of Dreams” was home to the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud. Today, you can explore the capital with a drive along the magnificent Ringstrasse and a walking tour of the city. Soak in the opulent façades of the Vienna State Opera and City Hall before admiring the multi-colored tiled roof of St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Alternatively, embark on a guided cycling tour from where your Star-Ship is docked to the idyllic Danube Island, before finishing in Prater, underneath the giant Ferris wheel.
Day 9 Bratislava
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy a guided walking tour of the beautifully restored historic quarter, venturing down winding cobbled streets and passing some architectural highlights, including the neo-Renaissance Slovak National Theatre and the Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral. Alternatively, hike to Bratislava Castle and discover how it was destroyed by Napoleon’s troops during the 19th century.
Gain a thorough understanding of Slovakian culture this afternoon as you meet a local family for coffee and cake. This evening, be welcomed to the Gala Dinner.
Day 10 Budapest
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Offering an abundance of European history, Budapest is known for its charming neo-Gothic architecture, cultural whimsy and historic monuments around every corner. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed city offers many links to the past, including the remains of the Roman city of Aquincum.
Enjoy a guided coach tour, starting at the Citadella that sits on top of Gellért Hill, overlooking the Danube. Relax as a drive down Andrássy Avenue showcases the decorative façades of neo-Renaissance townhouses and journey to Heroes’ Square to see the seven chieftains of the Magyars.
Alternatively, hike to Buda Hill, gazing up at the Buda Castle complex and admiring the Habsburg monuments that adorn the streets. This evening, a traditional Hungarian folklore show is sure to delight, as is a postcard-worthy night-time cruise along the Danube.
Day 11 Budapest | Disembark
After breakfast, it is time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembarks the ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of a Viennese skyline and Baroque masterpieces with you.