EMERALD WATERWAYS
15 Days | Splendors of Europe
Northbound

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BUDAPEST TO AMSTERDAM

Day 1 | Budapest, Hungary. A warm welcome awaits you in the amazing city of Budapest. You’ll be met on arrival and transferred to your revolutionary ‘Star Ship’, where you can relax and unpack at your leisure. As evening falls, you’re invited to meet fellow guests at a Welcome Dinner. (D)

Day 2 | Budapest. For an amazing end to a fantastic vacation, we welcome you to Budapest. Your guided tour takes you past the Royal Palace of Buda, a hilltop castle complex with the Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church, and the iconic Chain Bridge that links Buda and Pest. This evening we bring the waters of Budapest to life with a traditional Hungarian Farewell Dinner, complete with folk dancing and music. After our feast, you can dance the night away as we cruise along the Danube. (B,L,D)
EmeraldPlus — authentic Hungarian Farewell Dinner with traditional entertainment.
Included Excursions — a guided tour of Budapest.

Day 3 | Bratislava, Slovakia. Today you’ll experience the pedestrian plazas, 18th century Rococo buildings and stylish street cafés of Bratislava. For a more profound insight, you’ll be taken on a sightseeing tour of the Old City with its magnificent Mirbach Palace and the Gothic cathedral of St Martin, before enjoying home-hosted afternoon tea with a local Slovakian family. And this evening, you have an extra special invite to the Captain’s Gala Dinner. (B,L,D)
EmeraldPlus — a home-hosted afternoon tea with a local Slovakian family.
Included Excursions — a 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 a spectacular coach tour along the Ringstrasse where you’ll see Vienna’s world-famous Opera House, Burgtheatre, Town Hall and the Hofburg Imperial Palace before hopping off to explore the city on foot. This afternoon you’re free to discover Vienna for yourself or take a Discover More tour of Schönbrunn Palace. In the evening, you can book a Discover More trip to watch an exclusive Viennese concert. (B,L,D)
Included Excursions — a sightseeing tour along the Ringstrasse and walking tour of Vienna.

Day 5 | Melk. Vienna. Your tour of Austria’s wine-growing region begins in Melk. Here you’ll explore a 900-year old Benedictine Abbey which boasts the finest Italian architecture, elaborate gold leaf walls, a 640ft Imperial Corridor and fabulous fresco ceilings. Later today, you’ll sail through the great Wachau Valley and on to Vienna. (B,L,D)
EmeraldPlus — a guided tour of Melk Abbey.

Day 6 | Passau, Germany. Situated at the confluence of the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz, is Passau - the “Three Rivers City”. On this morning’s walking tour, you’ll stroll through the cobblestone streets to find the perfect view of the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress before admiring the wonderfully ornate architecture of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. As an alternative to your included visit to Passau, you may book a Discover More full day tour to Salzburg or Ceský Krumlov. (B,L,D)
Included Excursions — a guided tour of Passau.

Day 7 | Kelheim. Regensburg. This morning’s sailing takes you through the final stretch of the fascinating Main-Danube Canal to Kelheim. As you continue cruising along the Danube River you’ll reach Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. On your guided walking tour you’ll have the chance to see one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube and the city’s architectural highlights including the Old Town Hall. As an alternative to your guided tour of Regensburg, you can book a Discover More boat cruise along the Danube Gorge and a tour of Weltenburg Abbey. This evening’s on-board entertainment is a traditional Bavarian Oompah Band, playing a mix of contemporary and folk music. (B,L,D)
EmeraldPlus — evening entertainment with a traditional Bavarian Oompah Band.
Included Excursions — a guided tour of Regensburg.

Day 8 | Nuremberg. With its colourful past, a sightseeing walking and coach tour of Nuremberg has a lot to offer. Stepping into a world of history, you’ll see the 900-year-old ramparts; the Holy Roman Empire’s Imperial Castle; the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946; and the Nazi party’s rally grounds. To complete your journey into the past, you’ll take a self-guided audio tour of the WWII Documentation Centre. Back on-board your ship, you’re invited to join a guest speaker in the lounge for an interesting and informative lecture on the European Union. (B,L,D)
EmeraldPlus — an on-board guest lecture on the European Union.
Included Excursions — a guided tour of Nuremberg.

Day 9 | Bamberg. Enjoy a relaxing morning in the comfort of your cabin or taking in the scenery on the Sun Deck as we cruise the Main-Danube Canal to Bamberg. Known as the ‘city of experience’, Bamberg is built on 1,000 years of art and culture. Boasting one of Europe’s largest intact medieval town centers, stylish shops weave between historical buildings and centuries-old gardens, creating a truly enchanting place for you to discover on your guided tour. (B,L,D)
Included Excursions — a guided tour of Bamberg.

Day 10 | Würzburg. Welcome to Würzburg - the “Pearl of the Romantic Road”. Today we take you to the Bishops’ Residenz - one of Germany’s largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace’s famous staircase, elaborate 18th century frescoes and amazing three-dimensional stuccowork create a truly unique setting and ensure a memorable experience. Afterwards, you’ll get to explore Würzburg on a guided walking tour. Alternatively, you can choose to participate in a Discover More full day tour of Rothenburg. (B,L,D)
Included Excursions — a guided trip to Würzburg’s Bishops’ Residenz.

Day 11 | Miltenberg. This morning you’ll be given a demonstration of the traditional glassblowing this region is famous for as you sail to Miltenberg. Afterwards, you’ll take a walking tour of the rural district, strolling between its half-timbered buildings and past Miltenberg Castle. Originally a military fortress, the castle is now a museum of art collections. (B,L,D)
EmeraldPlus — a glassblowing demonstration.
Included Excursions — a guided walking tour of Miltenberg.

Day 12 | Rhine Gorge. Rüdesheim. Today you’re cruising the mighty Rhine Gorge. Have your camera ready to capture the stunning scenery as you sail past storybook castles on the valley’s vine-littered banks, before coming face-to-face with Lorelei Rock, which legend says, was haunted by a lovelorn maiden whose singing lured sailors onto the treacherous rocks. In the afternoon you’ll board the Winzerexpress - a mini-train ride through the fruitful vineyards and on to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Instrument Museum. (B,L,D)
Included Excursions — ride the Winzerexpress mini-train and take a guided tour of Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Instrument Museum.

Day 13| Cologne. This morning, you’ll enjoy free time on-board your ship as you sail to Cologne. Why not take a dip in the heated swimming pool or make the most of the views from the Sun Deck? On arrival, get ready for a guided tour of Cologne - Germany’s oldest city. You’ll take a humbling step back in time to the Old Town, which was lovingly rebuilt after its destruction during WWII, and the tour concludes with entry to the Kölner Dom - a World-Heritage listed Gothic Cathedral and a true masterwork of medieval architecture. (B,L,D)
Included Excursions — a guided city tour of Cologne.

Day 14 | Amsterdam, Holland. Cruising. Today you’ll take to the waters on a glass-top canal boat to explore Amsterdam’s picturesque canals. Charming churches, 16th century merchant houses and the city’s bustling streets glide by, providing an illustrative introduction to the guided walking tour of the city centre to follow. (B,L,D)
EmeraldPlus — a glass-top canal boat cruise.
Included Excursions — a walking tour of Amsterdam.

Day 15 | Depart Amsterdam. After breakfast, it’s time to say your goodbyes before you’re transferred to the airport. (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.

NORTHBOUND ITINERARY 15 DAYS | BUDAPEST TO AMSTERDAM Click HERE to view 15-day SOUTHBOUND itinerary.