River Danube Explorer

• Day 1 Budapest
  Welcome to the ‘Pearl of the Danube’. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the contemporary surrounds of your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to welcome you. This evening, join your fellow guests for a traditional Hungarian folklore show.EmeraldPLUSTraditional Hungarian folklore show on boardPlease book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM.
• Day 2 Budapest
  Welcome to Budapest, where an amazing end to a fantastic trip awaits. Explore the city’s cobbled medieval quarter today, as you embark on a coach tour through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre. Your guide will teach you about the Hungarian capital’s culinary scene and the tour will finish at the neo-Gothic Grand Market, Budapest's largest and most expansive indoor market, where you’ll have time to explore on your own.    If you are feeling more active, you can instead choose to hike to Buda Hill. The surrounding area has been rebuilt several times, most recently following the air raids of WWII. Some 18th-century Baroque houses still stand, best explored from the medieval paths and alleyways in the area around Buda Castle.EmeraldACTIVEHike to Buda HillIncluded ExcursionCulinary tour of Budapest with Grand Market visitDiscoverMOREExcursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
• Day 3 Bratislava
  Relax on board as we sail into the capital of Slovakia this morning. This graceful nation of leafy avenues became an independent country in 1993, and since then, has flourished as a new capital and made a name for itself as a cultural centre. The romantic cobblestone lanes that weave through the city are yours to explore with your local guide, as you enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town centre, including the Slovak National Theatre and a range of Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings.Alternatively, embark on a guided hike to Bratislava Castle, a landmark steeped in legend, that looks as though it has been plucked from the pages of a fairytale. This striking building has been rebuilt several times, most recently in a Renaissance style.Tonight, enjoy some local Slovakian entertainment on board.EmeraldPLUSLocal Slovakian entertainment on boardEmeraldACTIVEGuided hike to Bratislava CastleIncluded ExcursionWalking tour of Bratislava
• Day 4 Vienna
  Sweeping boulevards and world-famous art exhibitions welcome you to Vienna, the birthplace of revolutionary breakthroughs in the fields of music and psychology. The city perfectly encapsulates the opulence of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces, some of which you will be able to see during your guided coach tour of the Ringstrasse, followed by a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre and its surrounding classical architectural styles, evidence of the melting pot of artistic influences that existed here at the turn of the 20th century. If you are feeling more active, then perhaps choose to explore on two wheels, cycling along the river to the Danube Island.EmeraldACTIVEBike tour in ViennaIncluded ExcursionGuided tour of ViennaDiscoverMOREArt tour of Vienna including Kunsthistorisches Museum (extra expense)DiscoverMOREExclusive Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
• Day 5 Dürnstein - Melk
  Effortlessly suspended in time, Dürnstein is one of the most frequented parts of the Wachau wine region, where the delightful warm weather creates the perfect setting for viticulture. Today, you will have the opportunity to walk around and discover the hidden charms of this small Wachau town.Later, sail through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley and arrive in Melk, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Melk Abbey. Originally a lavish castle that was gifted to Benedictine monks during the 11th century, this opulent Baroque building is home to some of the most important collections of medieval manuscripts in the world.EmeraldACTIVEGuided bike tour along the Danube RiverIncluded ExcursionTour of Melk AbbeyDiscoverMOREVisit to Schallaburg Castle (extra expense)
• Day 6 Linz – Ceský Krumlov
  This morning, your Star-Ship will dock in Linz and you will be transferred by coach to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed centre of Ceský Krumlov, a town built around a 13th century castle. Join your local guide on a walk along the labyrinth of winding cobblestone streets, passing the colourful façades of buildings, as you learn about how they have survived the test of time. The town surrounds the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ceský Krumlov Castle, and your guided tour will include the 15th-century St. Vitus Church and a number of delightful Gothic façades. EmeraldPLUSGuided tour of Ceský KrumlovDiscoverMORELinzer torte making workshop (extra expense, not available on all departures)
• Day 7 Passau
  Narrow cobblestone streets and the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread welcome you to Passau, a town nestled on the confluence of three of Europe’s main waterways. This important historic trading centre borders Austria and boasts a distinctive blend of cultures.Experience a typical Bavarian farm for some interesting insights into the life of local farmers and livestock farming, then try their homemade specialties. Alternatively, you can set off on a hike, catching sights such as the Mariahilf and St. Severin. an ancient church dating back to the Ottonian dynastyEmeraldACTIVEHike to Veste Oberhaus EmeraldPLUSBavarian brunchDiscoverMOREBavaria Live (extra expense)
• Day 8 Passau
  After breakfast, it’s time to disembark the Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of Europe’s iconic skylines with you. Please book your flight to depart out of Munich after 01:00 PM.

Danube Explorer Itinerary