Classic Prague & Danube Delights

Welcome to Budapest! You will be met and transferred from the airport to your Emerald Waterways luxury river cruise ship. After boarding, enjoy some time at your leisure to explore Budapest. This evening, join your fellow travellers with a traditional Hungarian welcome dinner. Later, enjoy a Hungarian folk dancing and music performance on board (D).

EmeraldPLUS: Traditional Hungarian Folklore Show & Budapest Evening Cruise

Budapest is Eastern Europe’s 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 afternoon you depart for Bratislava (B, L, D).
 

EmeraldACTIVE: A guided active walk to Buda Hill

This morning we arrive at the city of Bratislava, capital of the Republic of Slovakia. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and the Gothic Cathedral of St Martin (B, L, D).
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike to Bratislava Castle
EmeraldPLUS: Home Hosted Coffee and Cake with Slovakians

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

In the morning we arrive in Dürnstein, 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: Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
OR
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided biking tour along the Danube River from Dürnstein to Melk

Thereafter, you will drive through the picturesque landscape of this district to the 900–year old Benedictine Abbey of Melk, which features Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture (B, L, D).

Cruise along the Danube this morning, in the afternoon we reach Passau. Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you in this beautiful city. On this afternoon’s walking tour, stroll through the old town’s narrow alleys and see the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress from the town below. Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to Europe’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes (B, L, D).

After breakfast, we arrive in magnificent Regensburg. On our guided walking tour, you will have the chance to see one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube and see the city’s architectural highlights including the Old Town Hall (B, L, D).
 

EmeraldPLUS: Traditional Bavarian Band on board

After breakfast, you will be transferred by coach to Prague to continue your tour. Situated on the banks of the River Vltava in central Bohemia, Prague is rich in history and is home to some of the world’s most pristine collections of architecture. Included is a three night stay in Prague (B).

This morning we explore the sights of the Old Town Square on a guided walking tour. We see Mozart´s Theatre, Little Square and Astronomical Clock. We continue our tour and walk across the Charles Bridge spanning the River Vltava and full of portrait artists and small vendors, to board our coach to drive to the 1,000–year–old Prague Castle area. With our local guide we walk through Hradcany Square, for the spectacle of the Changing of the Guard. See the magnificent Loreta Monastery, and arrive at Hradcany Castle (B, D).
 

EmeraldPLUS: Local Dinner with Entertainment

Your Tour Director is on hand to help plan your day’s exploring. The baroque quarter of Mala Strana is a must see, as is Josefov, the Jewish quarter. You will no doubt return to the lively atmosphere around the Charles Bridge for another look (B).

After breakfast disembark the ship (B).