Discover the Treasures of the Danube

Welcome to Bucharest, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, perfectly situated in the city, for your overnight stay.   Nicknamed the ‘Paris of the East’, the centre of Bucharest encapsulates a distinctive Parisian atmosphere, with wide avenues adorned by famous landmarks and quaint leafy boulevards that cross the city. 

After enjoying the plush surrounds of your hotel this morning, youll have the opportunity to learn about some of Bucharest’s most iconic attractions during a guided drive around the city, including a visit to the Spring Palace. Then, you’ll have time to explore the leafy boulevards at your leisure.   After your insightful tour, you’ll be transferred from Bucharest to Giurgiu, on the banks of the Danube, where a warm welcome from your captain and crew awaits on board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship.   Included Excursion Guided drive through Bucharest with a visit to the Spring Palace EmeraldPLUS Choir concert

Today, youll have the opportunity to learn about Bulgarian history, as you explore the city that many call “The Little Vienna”. Immerse yourself in the beauty of its Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture and stroll along the charming promenade.If you would prefer to do something more active, then instead, you could choose to embark on a guided hike to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, known for their famous 14th-century frescoes.  Tonight, you’ll have the chance to mingle with your fellow guests while enjoying the welcome reception and dinner.  Included Excursion Walking tour of Rousse EmeraldACTIVE Guided hike to Ivanovo Church DiscoverMORE Full day Tour of Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi (extra expense)

Viticulture forms the heart of life in the most western town in Bulgaria, where sun-kissed vineyards pepper the banks of the Danube and winemaking has prospered for generations. Your included tour of Vidin will introduce you to a peaceful side of life that revolves around wine, as you weave through a local vineyard and learn about their produce, before enjoying a tasting session. Afterwards, your local guide will take you to Baba Vida, a fortress that was originally constructed at the turn of the 10th century and is known for being one of only a handful of beautifully preserved castles in the country.  If you’re feeling more active, you can instead choose to embark on a guided hike to Belogradchik Fortress, located on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains.  Included Excursion Visit to a local vineyard with wine tasting & a visit to Baba Vida Fortress  EmeraldACTIVE Guided hike to Belogradchik Fortress  DiscoverMORE Traditional Bulgarian pastry making (extra expense)

This morning, relax on board and admire your surroundings as we sail along the mighty Danube to Donji Milanovac, where a visit to the Lepenski Vir archaeological site, one of Europe’s best-hidden gems, awaits. Located right on the riverbanks, the Palaeolithic site is one of the most important of its kind on the continent, effortlessly capturing more than eight millennia of history. Archaeologists from around the world have used this site to learn about a number of different Stone Age settlements and the way that prehistoric cultures moved across Europe.  Included Excursion Visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site and museum DiscoverMORE Golubac Castle Visit (extra expense)

Serbia’s vibrant capital is yours to explore today. Your local guide will take you on a coach tour through the heart of the city, highlighting its many landmarks. The coach will pass through the centre, where you’ll notice reminders of the country’s turbulent history, set amongst the quiet and peaceful streets. Witness the ornate beauty of the Church of Saint Sava, one of the largest religious buildings in Europe, before stopping for a tour of the Museum of Yugoslavia. If you’re feeling more active, then you may instead choose to learn about Belgrade’s history during a guided bike tour.  This evening, you will be invited to the Horizon Lounge where a traditional Serbian folklore show will provide spectacular entertainment.  Included Excursion Highlights of Belgrade EmeraldPLUS Serbian folklore evening show on board EmeraldACTIVE Guided bike tour in Belgrade DiscoverMORE Routes of Nikola Tesla (extra expense)

Today, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a truly unforgettable EmeraldPLUS experience, as you’re invited into the home of a local family for a traditional Croatian lunch.   Enjoy an afternoon of sailing further up the Danube towards Hungary, before joining your fellow passengers for a farewell dinner.  EmeraldPLUS Home-hosted lunch with a Croatian family DiscoverMORE Vucedol Culture Museum (extra expense)

In the morning, we will sail to Kalocsa, a place known for its paprika production and colourful festivals. Discovering Hungary’s culture is an easy task in Kalocsa, where traditional folk art can be found around every corner and old traditions pave the way for daily life.  Later, you will venture to the Puszta, or Great Hungarian Plain, to visit a traditional Puszta horse farm. Your guide will teach you about the traditional performances of the Magyar cowboys, and you’ll have the opportunity to witness some of their exceptional equestrian skills first-hand as they showcase some of their exercise drills.  This evening, enjoy an authentic Hungarian folklore show on board, followed by a traditional dinner.  EmeraldPLUS Puszta Equestrian Heritage EmeraldPLUS Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board

Today enjoy your leisure day and continue exploring the magnificent city of Budapest. This evening, enjoy an authentic Hungarian folklore show on board, followed by a traditional dinner. EmeraldPLUS A traditional Hungarian folklore show

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 DiscoverMORE Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense) DiscoverMORE Carpathian wine route (extra expense)

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-lovers 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 DiscoverMORE Viennese evening concert (extra expense)

This morning, enjoy a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey, a true treasure overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley. Visible from great distance, it’s one of Austrias 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, embark on a guided bike tourin the Wachau reagion, 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. Youll 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.   Included Excursion Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey 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 youre 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  DiscoverMORE Excursion to the Bavarian Forest (extra expense)

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.   Please book your flight to depart out of Munich after 12:45 PM. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change.