Splendours of Europe | Budapest to Amsterdam

You will be met at the airport and transferred to the comfortable surrounds of your Emerald Waterways Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to greet you. This evening, relax on board as you watch an authentic Hungarian folklore show and indulge in a dinner of traditional cuisine. Afterwards, enjoy a night-time cruise along the Danube, as the illuminated façades of some of Hungary’s most illustrious buildings adorn the riverbanks. (D)
EmeraldPLUS: A traditional Hungarian folklore show
EmeraldPLUS: Budapest evening cruise

Budapest is a place of striking contrasts, with Buda on one side housing a generous scattering of the city’s elegant landmarks and Pest on the other encapsulating Budapest’s fascinating past. The two are separated by the mighty Danube, and you can explore them both by crossing the Chain Bridge, one of the most symbolic structures in the capital. Today, you will have the opportunity to discover the city’s history during a guided tour, including the Castle District, where sights of Buda Castle perched on top of a rocky outcrop overlooking the city are certain to delight. If you are feeling active, then you may instead choose to hike to Buda Hill, following a maze of cobblestone streets to the massive Baroque masterpiece towering overhead. (B,L,D)
EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Budapest
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike to Buda Hill

Bordering Austria and Hungary, the Slovakian capital is yours to discover today. Wander down cobblestone streets and witness the sheer majesty of ornate Baroque palaces as you explore with a local guide, passing the Renaissance courtyard of the Old Town Hall and the picturesque gardens of the Episcopal Summer Palace. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore at leisure, perhaps perusing some of the quaint boutiques that line the streets. This afternoon, you will be welcomed into the home of a local family to learn about their culture over traditional sweet treats and coffee. (B,L,D)
EmeraldPLUS: Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike to Bratislava Castle
EmeraldEXCURSION: A walking tour of Bratislava

A wave of culture paves the way for life in the Austrian capital, where some of history’s most prestigious composers once walked the streets and found their inspiration, before taking to the opulent surrounds of the Vienna State Opera. Today, you will have the opportunity to pass iconic imperial palaces and a number of noteworthy buildings adorning the Ringstrasse, both by coach and on foot. Alternatively, embark on a guided cycling tour past idyllic riverbanks, monuments and lush parks before finishing in Prater, underneath the shadow of Vienna’s iconic 19th-century Ferris wheel. (B,L,D)
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided bike tour
EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of the Ringstrasse and Vienna

DiscoverMORE: A visit to Schönbrunn Palace (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE: An exclusive Viennese concert with music from Mozart and Strauss (extra expense)

This morning, you will have the opportunity to hike to Dürnstein Castle, perhaps stopping to imagine how it would have looked when it held Richard the Lionheart captive following the Third Crusade. Alternatively, enjoy a guided bike ride from Dürnstein to Melk, passing noteworthy vineyards and settling down for lunch on the riverbanks. After visiting Dürnstein Castle, relax on the Sun Deck as you sail through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley and on to Melk, nestled in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Your local guide will take you on a tour of the spectacular 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, including its ancient monastic library and medieval manuscripts, saved by the monks from fires in the 13th century. (B,L,D)
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided bike tour along the Danube
EmeraldEXCURSION: A tour of Melk Abbey

Sat on the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, Passau is a postcard-worthy destination that has been shaped by the surrounding waterways. Maze-like romantic lanes weave through the city, opening up into large squares and magical promenades adorned with classical boutiques. This afternoon, join your local guide for a tour of Passau and discover a peppering of delightful Baroque buildings, some of which date back to the 17th century. Stop to admire the silhouette of the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress and witness St. Stephen’s Cathedral, home of the largest church organ in Europe. Later, return for an afternoon spent peacefully cruising through the heart of Europe. (B,L,D)
EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Passau
DiscoverMORE: A tour of Salzburg (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE: A tour of Ceský Krumlov (extra expense)

After breakfast, set out on an exploration of one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany, where more than two millennia of history is yours to discover. Your local guide will lead you through the heart of Regensburg’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, once home to the seat of parliament. Delightful historic patrician houses line the streets, a visible testament to the area’s importance as a trading centre hundreds of years ago. Later, return to your Star-Ship to sail through the picturesque surrounds of the Main-Danube Canal, passing Kelheim as you make your way to Nuremberg. (B,L,D)
EmeraldPLUS: A Bavarian band performance
EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Regensburg
DiscoverMORE: Excursion to Kuchlbauer brewery (extra expense)

Enjoy a sightseeing coach tour of the historic city of Nuremberg. Your coach will pass by some of the historical parts of Nuremberg, such as St. John’s cemetery, Maxbrücke, before a guided walking tour and beer tasting. Enjoy time at leisure to explore Nuremberg before returning to the ship. (B,L,D)
EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Nuremberg
DiscoverMORE: A World War II tour with Documentation Centre visit (extra expense)

This morning, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Bamberg awaits. Thousands of listed buildings can be found in the medieval town centre, an area bursting with character, charm and one of the best-preserved old quarters in Europe. Admire hundreds of ornamental façades as you explore the town with your local guide, passing the New Residence, a building that truly captures the opulence that was enjoyed by the prince bishops. Relax in the Rose Garden before witnessing the opulence of the medieval Altenburg Castle, overlooking the town. (B,L,D)
EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Bamberg

Set alongside the Main River, Würzburg offers a perfect introduction to the Romantic Road, one of Bavaria’s most popular tourism routes that links stunning medieval locations throughout the country. Your own charming journey of discovery will touch on the sloping vineyard-laden hills of one of the biggest wine-producing areas in Germany. Today, you will have the opportunity to visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Würzburg Residence, perhaps stopping to admire the Viennese Baroque architecture and secular features from Italy. Your local guide will teach you about how the architects behind the Würzburg Residence drew inspiration from a spectrum of different popular styles. After the tour, enjoy a guided walking tour of Würzburg, including the Gothic Marienkapelle and Town Hall. (B,L,D)
EmeraldEXCURSION: Visit to the Würzburg Residence and a tour of Würzburg
DiscoverMORE: A tour of Rothenburg (extra expense)

This morning, you will have the opportunity to explore the medieval glass-blowing town of Wertheim independently, perhaps stopping to admire the traditional craft that has put Wertheim on the map in a local museum. Then, travel by coach to the picturesque village of Miltenberg, a place that perfectly encapsulates traditional Bavarian life. Enjoy a guided tour of the village, as your local guide leads you down an intricate network of cobblestone streets, each adorned with colourful houses. Centuries ago, this area benefited from trade that was brought by river traffic, and that past affluence can still be seen today. Alternatively, embark on a guided hike to Mildenburg Castle, where a wonderful collection of artwork can be found inside of a castle that was once little more than a set of ruins. (B,L,D)
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided active walk to Mildenburg Castle
EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Miltenberg

Relax on your Star-Ship this morning until we reach Rüdesheim, a town with a rich history of viticulture. When you arrive, ride the Winzerexpress to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum to see spectacular displays, including rare music boxes that have stood the test of time in a postcard-worthy building with a half-timbered façade. Alternatively, enjoy an active walk through vineyards to see what makes this wine region so popular. After lunch, sail through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge, perhaps standing on the Sun Deck and watching for the castles and fortresses that pepper the surrounding hilltops. (B,L,D)
EmeraldACTIVE: An active walk through the vineyards
EmeraldEXCURSION: A visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Instrument Museum

Cruise along the Rhine from Koblenz to Cologne this morning, where an illustrious 2,000-year-old history awaits. The Romans founded Cologne in 50 AD, and it is one of the oldest cities in the country. This status has granted it a number of ancient monuments, including Roman ruins and medieval structures. Enjoy a walking tour of the city today, as your local guide takes you through the Old Town, passing ancient bridges that survived the air raids of WWII, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral and its filigree twin towers, a recognisable aspect o the city’s skyline. This evening, enjoy a Gala Dinner. (B,L,D)
EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided walking tour of Cologne’s Old Town

This morning, board a glass top canal boat cruise to venture down the UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system that weaves across Amsterdam, passing elegant merchant’s residences that reflect the prosperity of the Dutch Golden Age, a time when Amsterdam was an important trading centre. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore at leisure. Alternatively, explore on two wheels, cycling from the comfortable surrounds of your Star-Ship to Waterland, passing a number of quintessentially Dutch villages and traditional windmills along the way. (B,L,D)
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided bike tour to Waterland
EmeraldEXCURSION: A canal cruise
DiscoverMORE:Tour of Haarlem (extra expense)

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests and depart the Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport (B)