2026 Iconic Europe River & Luxury Yacht Cruise

(regional and premium class flights may be available on request)

Upon arrival, transfer to the port and embark Emerald Sun for your seven night river cruise.

This evening, enjoy an authentic Hungarian folklore show on board, followed by a traditional dinner.

Architecture from across the centuries shines a light on the history of the Hungarian capital. Originally two separate cities, Buda to the west and Pest to the east offer incredibly different views on the culture of one of the liveliest cities in Eastern Europe. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the city during a guided tour, including Heroes’ Square and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Andrássy Avenue and Buda Castle District. Alternatively, enjoy a hike to Gellert Hill for a postcard-worthy panorama view of the Danube banks.

Included Excursion: Guided coach tour of Budapest

EmeraldACTIVE: Hike to Gellert Hill

This morning, relax on board as we sail to Bratislava. An ancient landscape awaits, where remarkable towers add to a skyline that perfectly encapsulates the history of the city, and preserved medieval fortifications tell tales of a turbulent past. Your local guide will take you through the heart of the city, as you soak in the sights of the lavish Episcopal Summer Palace and the neo-Renaissance façade of the Slovak National Theatre.

If you’re feeling more active, you could instead choose to hike around the serene gardens of Bratislava Castle, which provides the perfect setting for the Shakespeare festival that occurs during the summer months.

This afternoon, you will be invited into the home of a local family to learn more about their traditions and culture over coffee and cake.

Included Excursion: Walking tour of Bratislava

EmeraldPLUS: Home-hosted coffee and cake with a local family

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike to Bratislava Castle

Sweeping boulevards and world-famous art exhibitions welcome you to Vienna, a city which perfectly encapsulates the opulence of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces. The Austrian capital is an art-lover's dream, and your guided tour will include a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums worldwide.

If you’re feeling more active, then you may opt to explore on two wheels instead, cycling along the riverbanks before touching on Danube Island and Prater, the famous Viennese amusement park, home to the traditional 19th-century Ferris wheel.

Included Excursion: Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour in Vienna

This morning, enjoy a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey with wine tasting, a true treasure overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley. Visible from great distance, it’s one of Austria's most important Benedictine abbeys and attracts visitors from all over the world and provides epic panorama views.

Afterwards, your Star-Ship will sail through the fascinating Wachau Valley, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Cultural Landscape, and on to Dürnstein.

Alternatively, join our Guided hike to Dürnstein castle or embark on a guided bike touring the Wachau region, passing terraced vineyards, castles and ruins along the way, before arriving where your Star-Ship is docked in Dürnstein.

In the afternoon we arrive in Dürnstein; a small town nestled in the heart of the Wachau wine region. You'll have the chance to hike to the medieval ruins of Dürnstein Castle, the site where King Richard I was held prisoner following his return from the Third Crusade, and part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Cultural Landscape, a place peppered with natural lookout points that highlight the beauty of the region.

EmeraldPLUS: Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey with wine tasting

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour along the Danube

After a morning of sailing along the Danube, we will take you into the heart of Passau. Nicknamed the Dreiflüssestadt, meaning the ‘the city of three rivers’, it’s situated at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers.

Your included guided tour of Passau will unveil its noteworthy Gothic and Baroque architecture. If you're feeling active, you could join a bike tour along the River Inn, one of the three rivers converging in Passau.

After your tour, enjoy some free time to explore Passau at your leisure, before spending an evening sailing blissfully towards Regensburg.

Included Excursion: Guided tour of Passau

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour along the River Inn

This morning, we arrive in Regensburg, a city built on the site of an ancient Roman fort. Your guided walking tour of Regensburg will showcase its UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval centre, where narrow cobbled lanes and tall façades help to define the character of this enchanting Bavarian city. We will stop for a local Bavarian sausage tasting so you get a real feel of the daily life in Regensburg.

Alternatively, you could join a bike tour to the Walhalla monument, which towers high above the slopes of the Danube. From here, you can enjoy a fascinating view of the surrounding landscape and the river.

This evening, enjoy a traditional Bavarian band performance on board.

EmeraldPLUS: Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting

EmeraldPLUS: Traditional Bavarian band performance on board

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour to the Walhalla monument

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark your Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of Roman architecture and the rich culture of the Danube River with you.

Transfer to Munich airport for your flight to Venice (regional and premium class flights may be available on request)

Upon arrival, transfer to the Hilton Molino Stucky for your three night stay

Spend the days exploring at your leisure

Transfer to the port and embark Emerald Kaia for your seven night cruise

Your Adriatic cruise begins in the centuries-old, Italian city of Venice. Here, you will be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht to embark on a compelling journey of history, art, and natural wonders. 

Your first stop is Piran, a pretty town of red-tiled, whitewashed buildings clustered on the tip of the Piran peninsula and Slovenia’s glamorous yachting destination. Part of the Venetian empire from the late 13th century to the end of the 18th century, Piran is esteemed for its gothic-style Venetian architecture.

EmeraldPLUS: Embark on an unforgettable journey to the prestigious Lipica Stud Farm, renowned for its rich equestrian heritage and majestic Lipizzaner horses. Immerse yourself in the splendour of the stud farm with a guided walking tour, where you'll discover the elegant stables and lush pastures that have bred these noble creatures for centuries. Enjoy the added charm of a horse carriage ride through the picturesque surroundings.

Set at the apex of a long natural harbour and ringed by elegant, gently weathered Adriatic town houses and verdant hills, this fascinating Croatian town straddles both coasts on the narrowest section of the island. Mali Lošinj boasts countless natural wonders, as well as historical sites that testify to its turbulent and storied past.

Included Excursion: Step into the heart of the Adriatic with a guided Walking Tour of Mali Lošinj. This charming island town captivates with its blend of Venetian flair, Mediterranean spirit, and maritime legacy. Stroll cobbled lanes past colourful facades, explore the fragrant Losinj Aromatic Garden, and visit historic sites like the Church of St. Nicholas. Your local guide brings the island’s history to life with stories of sailors, traders, and centuries-old traditions. With stunning sea views and lush gardens, this leisurely walk reveals the soul of one of Croatia’s best-kept secrets.

Stroll around this charming Croatian coastal town, gateway to the renowned Plitvice National Park. Later in the morning, sail to Baška, famous for its old town with old stone houses and narrow streets. You will also appreciate the beautiful beaches and stunning nature here. 

Located on the western peninsula of Croatia, Opatija boasts alluring views across the Adriatic towards the Kvarner Islands and distant Istrian mountains. Known as the ‘Nice of Croatia’, Opatija  is home to lovely seaside promenades and fairy-tale villas. While here, be sure to sample some of the local specialities, mussels with pršut or fish stew.

EmeraldACTIVE: Hiking to Kamacnik Spink Board your motor coach for a scenic one-hour journey to Gorski Kotar, specifically the Vrbovsko area, where your hiking adventure begins in the breathtaking Kamacnik Canyon. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty that surrounds you, walking alongside the creek and crossing sturdy wooden bridges that elegantly arch over the small rapids or stretch over the water’s edge. The trail leads you through a lush valley, creating a truly enchanting scene.

Located on the Istrian Peninsula, the lovely Croatian town of Rovinj is interwoven with Italian influences. Rovinj is a charming, easily walkable town and visitors here love to explore the narrow, winding streets that reveal old buildings with colourful façades and small, striking squares. There are also plenty of art galleries as well as a picturesque harbour dotted with fishing boats.

Venice is an enchanting city that exudes an atmosphere not found anywhere else in the world. Established in the 5th century, this historic Italian city stretches across 118 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic. Among the many highlights in Venice, admire the grandeur of the city’s iconic canals and magnificent St. Marks Basilica. 

Venice, the city of canals, is a mesmerising masterpiece of art, architecture and history.