Treasures of the Danube

Arrive at Munich Airport and transfer to Nuremberg to embark your Emerald Waterways luxury river cruise ship and where you will be welcomed by your Captain and crew. Nuremberg is situated along the MainDanube canal, an engineering masterpiece linking the rivers of Germany with the mighty Danube which flows from the Alps to the Black Sea.

Meals Included: Dinner

This morning takes you through the final stretch of the fascinating MainDanube Canal to Regensburg, one of Germanys best preserved medieval cities. On our guided walking tour, you will have the chance to see one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube and see the citys architectural highlights including the Old Town Hall.
EmeraldPLUS: Traditional Bavarian Band on board

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you in the beautiful city of Passau. On this mornings walking tour, stroll through the old towns narrow alleys and see the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress from the town below. Visit St. Stephens Cathedral, a wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to Europes largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. Return for lunch and an afternoon cruising along the Danube River.

DiscoverMORE: Tour to Salzburg (extra expense)

*** Please note, you can only choose either included tour of Passau or the DiscoverMORE option, as both tours run at the same time.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Situated within Austrias winegrowing region, Melk is home to an imposing 900year old Benedictine Abbey which features Austrias finest Italian baroque architecture, with its ornate gold leaf walls, 640ft Imperial Corridor and fresco ceilings. Later the ship sails through the spectacular Wachau Valley and on to Drnstein, one of the most enchanting villages of the Wachau wine region. This is the site of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned after returning from the crusades in the 12th century.
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided biking tour along the Danube River from Melk to Drnstein
OR
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike to Drnstein Castle

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Welcome to Vienna, the capital of classical music. Today you have a choice of either exploring Austrias capital beginning with a drive along the magnificent Ringstrasse, where we will see the sights of the Viennas world-famous attractions such as the Opera House, Burgtheater, Town Hall, St. Stephens Cathedral and the Hofburg Imperial Palace. If you feel active, join the guided bike tour instead of the drive around and guided walk.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike Tour

DiscoverMORE: Exclusive Viennese concert with music from Mozart and Strauss (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Set on the crossroads of ancient trade routes in the heart of Europe, Bratislava the capital of Slovakia, embodies various cultures primarily Celtic, Roman and Slavic. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and the Gothic Cathedral of St Martin. This evening, the Captain will be delighted to welcome you to the Captains Gala Dinner.
EmeraldACTIVE: Hike to Bratislava castle
EmeraldPLUS: Home Hosted Coffee and Cake with Slovakians

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Budapest is Eastern Europes liveliest and most cosmopolitan city. Enjoy a guided tour of the city sights including the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest or an exciting hike on the Buda Hill. This evening, enjoy a traditional Hungarian farewell dinner; Complete the evening with folk dancing and music performance on board.
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided active walk to Buda Hill
EmeraldPLUS: Traditional Hungarian Folklore Show
EmeraldPLUS: Budapest Evening Cruise

DiscoverMORE: Budapest Jewish Heritage Tour (extra expense, may not be available on Jewish Sabath)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will have the day at leisure to explorer Budapest. This afternoon, relax on board of your ship, while sailing to Kalocsa.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Early this morning we sail out of Budapest towards Kalocsa, one of the oldest towns in Hungary, famous for the production of paprika. This afternoon, visit a local Puszta Horse Farm and enjoy a performance showcasing the exceptional riding skills of Magyar horseman. Tonight, the Captain will be delighted to host a gala dinner.
EmeraldPLUS: Visit to Puszta Horse Farm

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cruise into the border region of Croatia today, an area that was heavily damaged during the Croatian War of Independence at the end of the communist era. Compare stories back at the ship and enjoy an evening of sailing further down the Danube into Serbia, where remnants of former conflicts can be regularly seen along the river banks.
EmeraldPLUS: Home Hosted Lunch with a Croatian Family
EmeraldPLUS: Meet students from the local village

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Serbia’s vibrant capital awaits today, your city tour includes a visit to Tito’s Memorial, the impressive Fortress Kalemegdan and St Sava Church which is the world’s largest orthodox cathedral.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided Biking Tour
EmeraldPLUS: Serbian Folklore Evening Show

DiscoverMORE: National Opera Theatre Tour (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will embark on an incredible journey to the archaeological excavation site Lepinski Vir. Located on the right bank of the Danube in the Djerdap gorge (The Iron gates of the Danube) near the town of Donji Milanovac, Lepenski Vir was the centre of one of the most complex prehistoric cultures. Rich cultural layers reveal traces of a highly developed culture that had complex social relations and as such was the first discovered urban settlement in Europe. Return to the ship and sail towards the narrow gorge between the European Alps and Carpathian Mountains, known as the Iron Gates.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arrive in Vidin, the most western town in Bulgaria. Your day will begin with an included tour visiting a local vineyard with wine tasting. Later, visit the medieval Baba Vida Fortress. Alternatively, embark on an EmeraldACTIVE hike to Belogradchik rock fortress. Tonight, join your Captain for a farewell reception and dinner.
EmeraldACTIVE: Hike to Belogradchik

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today your ship will cruise to Rousse and visit the impressive cliff top town of Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital of the Bulgarian empire known once as the ‘city of the Tsars’. Visit the historic town of Arbanasi perched on a high plateau overlooking the Yantra River and lined with traditional houses. The town is known for its 17th and 18th century churches and many examples of Bulgarian National Revival architecture.
EmeraldACTIVE: Hike to Ivanovo Church
EmeraldPLUS: Choir Concert in Arbanasi

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, disembark your Emerald Waterways luxury river cruise and journey by road to Romania’s capital, Bucharest. The city’s wide avenues have a distinctly French feel; in fact, the city is often referred to as the Paris of the East. Included is a one-night stay in Bucharest.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, it is time to say farewell to your fellow passengers and transfer to the airport. Your flight home is included in the price of your holiday. Please call us to check if we can offer your preferred airport.

Meals Included: Breakfast