Deal

Welcome to Budapest, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Eastern Europe. Here, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the comfortable surrounds of your Emerald Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to greet you. Your ship will remain docked in Budapest overnight so you can head out to discover some of the city’s legendary nightlife.

Wake in Budapest this morning. The Hungarian capital is divided by the iconic Danube River, with Buda and Pest on either side. They can be reached via the Chain Bridge, one of the city’s most symbolic structures. Included Excursion: Guided coach tour of Budapest.

Bordering Austria and Hungary, the Slovakian capital is yours to discover today. Set at the crossroads of ancient trade routes in the heart of Europe, the Slovakian capital of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is a place where Baroque palaces, boutiques and cafés adorn medieval cobblestone streets. At the same time, the complex history of Communism can be found in its Brutalist landmarks and military monuments.

Austria’s breathtaking capital is recognised for its cultural legacy. As the former residence of Mozart and Beethoven, a multitude of imperial palaces represent a rich history, and the museum district boasts contemporary buildings, housing the work of some of the world’s most prolific artists. Included Excursion:
Guided tour of Vienna.

Dürnstein is known as one of the most enchanting villages in the famed Wachau Valley, the county’s premier wine-growing region. Relax on the Sun Deck as you cruise through the World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley to Melk, nestled in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Melk is home to a 900-year-old World Heritage-listed Benedictine abbey. A charming and compact port, it is filled with flower-lined laneways, colourful buildings and sprawling green spaces. Included Excursion:
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. Included Excursion: Guided tour of Passau.

Cruise the fascinating Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg today. As you continue down the Danube, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities welcomes you with two millennia of history. Despite its ancient past, modern-day Regensburg has a relaxed atmosphere with its streets made lively by the high population of university students. Return for lunch on board and an afternoon peacefully cruising along the Danube. Included Excursion: Guided tour of Regensburg.

Welcome to Nuremberg. The second-largest city in Bavaria, it has a fascinating and complex history, from its position of power in the Middle Ages to the artistic flourishes of the Renaissance.
Included Excursion: Guided tour of Nuremberg.

The World Heritage-listed town of Bamberg is your destination today. Boasting one of the largest medieval centres in Europe, with around 2,400 listed buildings gracing its streets. Included Excursion: Guided tour of Bamberg.

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Romantic Road’, Würzburg is the centre wine capital of Franconia, a position it has held since the Middle Ages. Situated on the Main River, this Franconian city is celebrated for its stunning architecture, vibrant culture and historical significance.

Make a brief stop in Wertheim before arriving in Miltenberg, a picturesque village on the Main River, boasting an authentic atmosphere of medieval Bavaria with its 15th-century half-timbered buildings. Set on the banks of the Main River, it was a major trade hub for centuries, but today has a relaxed ambience and hidden charms waiting around every crooked corner. Included Excursion: Guided tour of Miltenberg.

Arrive in Rüdesheim today, a town with a vibrant wine-growing heritage. At the heart of the Rhine Valley, it’s surrounded by terraced vineyards and filled with striking half-timbered buildings. This afternoon will be a highlight of your trip, as you meander through the fairy tale-like surrounds of the World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge. Hilltop castles and fortresses that have stood for more than 1,000 years will be yours to admire as we traverse this legendary stretch of river. Pass the infamous Lorelai Rock, where sailors are said to have been lured onto treacherous rocks by an enchanting siren, and the impressive Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, a former stronghold. Included Excursion: Visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum.

Cruise along the Rhine from Koblenz to Cologne this morning. Founded by the Romans in 50 AD, the cathedral city of Cologne is one of the oldest cities in Germany and the largest on the Rhine. The historic capital of the Rhineland, this illustrious city is generously peppered with ancient architecture, from Roman ruins to medieval structures and the striking twin towers of the cathedral. Though much of the inner city was destroyed during World War II, it has been meticulously rebuilt. Included Excursion: Quest for Cologne’s treasures.

Beyond Amsterdam’s storied canals, a gentler rhythm unfolds as you venture into the Dutch countryside, where emerald-green pastures, mirror-like waterways and centuries-old windmills paint an impossibly picturesque scene. From charming towns like Alkmaar, famed for its historic cheese-making traditions, to Waterland, where pretty, stilted villages, glassy lakes and narrow canals offer a glimpse into traditional Dutch life, discover how the Dutch have shaped their landscape for generations. Included Excursion: Timeless Dutch countryside.