EMERALD WATERWAYS
11 Days | Danube Delights & Classic Prague
Westbound

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BUDAPEST TO PRAGUE

Day 1 | Arrive Budapest, Hungary. Embark. Welcome to Budapest! On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your riverboat. This evening you’ll meet your Tour Director and other guests for a welcome drink and Captain's Welcome Dinner. (D)

Day 2 | Budapest, Hungary. For an amazing end to a fantastic holiday, we welcome you to Budapest — Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan city. Your private guided tour takes you past the Royal Palace of Buda — home to the Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest History Museum, the National Library, Lion Courtyard, Matthias Well, and the statue of the Turul Bird; the mythological bird of the Magyars. The tour then continues to Fisherman’s Bastion situated on Castle Hill, where you’re free to admire the most breath-taking panoramic views of the city, before moving on to see Matthias Church and the iconic Chain Bridge that links Buda and Pest. Today one of Budapest’s most symbolic landmarks, the Chain Bridge was originally worked on by English engineer, William Tierney Clark, and the construction supervised by Scottish engineer, Adam Clark. The day concludes with an evening cruise along the Danube, where you’ll enjoy a traditional Hungarian Dinner, complete with folk dancing and music. (B,L,D)

Included excursion. Guided tour of Budapest.

Day 3 | Bratislava, Slovakia. Today you’ll experience the bustling pedestrian plazas and stylish street cafés of Bratislava. And for a more profound insight, you’ll be taken on a sightseeing tour of the Old City. Must-see sights include the sobering Holocaust Memorial, the Museum of Jewish Culture and Slavin War Memorial, the magnificent Mirbach Palace, the Town Hall, and the Gothic cathedral of St Martin. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a special home-hosted afternoon tea with a local Slovakian family, providing you with a truly authentic insight into Slovakian culture. Here you’ll feast on traditional fare in the company of new friends, and discover what everyday life is like in Slovakia’s largest city. This evening, you have an extra special invite to the Captain’s Gala Dinner. EmeraldPLUS: a home-hosted afternoon tea with a local Slovakian family. (B,L,D)

Included excursion. Guided tour of Bratislava.

Day 4 | Vienna, Austria. Austria’s vibrant city of Vienna is a fantastic fusion of old and new. Today, we take you on an icon-filled coach tour along the Ringstrasse where you’ll see Vienna’s world-famous Opera House, Burgtheatre, Town Hall and Hofburg Imperial Palace, before hopping off to explore on foot. This afternoon you’re free to explore the city, which is home to over 27 castles and a record-breaking 150 palaces. For a view of Vienna that simply can’t be beaten, why not take a ride on the Riesenrad — the main square’s giant Ferris Wheel? From its dizzy heights, you’ll be able to take in the city’s fabulous sights from a truly unique vantage point. Alternatively, you can swap your free time this afternoon for an optional visit to Schönbrunn Palace — Empress Sisi’s former summer residence, complete with an enchanting park, zoo and labyrinth. And in the evening, you can book an optional trip to watch a Viennese concert. (B,L,D)

Included excursion. Sightseeing drive along the Ringstrasse and a walking tour of Vienna.

Day 5 | Vienna. Dürnstein. Melk. Your tour of Austria’s wine-growing region begins in Melk — a pretty town situated on the south bank of the Danube River. Here you’ll explore a 900-year old Benedictine Abbey which is located above the town on a splendid rocky outcrop, overlooking where the Danube joins The Wachau Valley. Boasting the finest Italian architecture, elaborate gold leaf walls, a 640ft Imperial Corridor and fabulous fresco ceilings, Melk Abbey is a beautiful sight to behold. Later, you’ll sail through the great Wachau Valley — home to the 12th century castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned after returning from the crusades — and onto Dürnstein where you’ll enjoy a guided walking tour of the town and free time to explore its breath-taking scenery, rolling hillsides, and places of historic interest. (B,L,D)

EmeraldPLUS. Guided tour of Melk Abbey.
Included excursion. Guided tour of Dürnstein.

Day 6 | Linz. Passau, Germany.  Morning free to explore. As an alternative you may book an optional full day tour (including lunch) to Salzburg in Austria or to the Czech town of Ceský Krumlov.  Situated at the confluence of the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz, you'll also be visiting Passau — the “Three Rivers City”. On this morning’s walking tour, you’ll stroll through the cobblestone streets and narrow alleys before emerging to find the perfect view of the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress. Originally designed to serve the Bishop of Passau, it’s today home to a fascinating museum and restaurant. You’ll then have the chance to appreciate the wonderfully ornate architecture of St. Stephen’s Cathedral which contains a wealth of treasures, including Europe’s largest church organ, 18 amazing authentic alters, the tomb of Emperor Frederick III, and the Maria Pötsch Icon — a Byzantine style icon of St. Mary with the child Jesus. (B,L,D)

Included excursion. Walking tour of Passau.

Day 7 | Weltenburg. Regensburg. On today’s agenda is a relaxing sail along the delightful Danube Gorge which carves through magnificent 300ft cliffs before reaching Weltenburg Abbey. Founded by monks in 602 AD, Weltenburg Abbey is the oldest monastery in Bavaria and today boasts a courtyard surrounded by Baroque buildings. After exploring this ancient church and its grounds, you’ll have the chance to sample Weltenburg’s famous dark beer before returning to your ship in Regensburg. Here, you’ll take a guided tour of Germany’s best preserved medieval city, where architectural highlights include the Old Town Hall and one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube. This evening’s onboard entertainment is a traditional Bavarian Oompah Band, playing a selection of fantastic folk music into the night while you relax with a drink. (B,L,D)

EmeraldPLUS. Evening entertainment with a traditional Bavarian Oompah Band.
Included excursions. Guided tour of Weltenburg Abbey and Regensburg.

Day 8 | Nuremberg. Disembark. Prague, Czech Republic. After breakfast, you’ll transfer to your hotel in central Prague.  (B)

Day 9 | Prague. Today you’re free to explore Prague as you please. But to make sure you don’t miss out on the city’s best bits, your Tour Director is on hand to help plan your day. (B)

Day 10 | Prague. This morning you’ll explore the sights of the Old Town Square on a guided tour, including Mozart’s Theatre, Little Square and the Astronomical Clock. The tour continues across the Charles Bridge over the River Vltava where you’ll board a coach taking you to the 1,000-year-old Prague Castle area. Here, a local guide will take you through Hradcany Square and past the magnificent Loreta Monastery before moving on to Hradcany Castle, the Old Kings Palace and St. George’s Monastery. (B,D)

EmeraldPLUS. This evening you’ll enjoy a night of dancing and entertainment at a local Czech tavern.
Included excursion. Walking tour of Prague.

Day 11 | Prague. After a delicious buffet breakfast to prepare you for the day ahead, it’s time to say your goodbyes and transfer to the airport to begin your journey home . (B)

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.

WESTBOUND ITINERARY 11 DAYS | BUDAPEST TO PRAGUE Click HERE to view 11-day EASTBOUND itinerary.