Emerald Cruises

Budapest

Hungary

Northern Europe

Emerald Luna

Luxury

Welcome to Budapest, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Eastern Europe. Here, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your luxurious Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to greet you.This evening, relax on board as you enjoy an authentic Hungarian folklore show.EmeraldPLUS Traditional Hungarian folklore showPlease book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM.Meals Included: Dinner

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 its fascinating past. Separated by the mighty Danube, 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 covering some of the highlights of Budapest and learn more about its stunning landscape and architecture. The history of the Hungarian capital shows a unique blend of cultures, cuisine and vibrant lifestyle. There is so much to take in while you pass through the bustling city, which is an attractive destination for visitors from all over the world. . Enjoy, some free to continue exploring some of beautiful Christmas Market in Budapest.Included Excursion Guided coach tour of BudapestMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.Included Excursion Walking tour of BratislavaEmeraldPLUS Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian familyDiscoverMORE Carpathian wine route (extra expense)Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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. Today, by coach and on foot, you will have the opportunity to pass the iconic imperial palaces and noteworthy buildings adorning the Ringstrasse, including the Vienna State Opera.Included Excursion Guided tour of ViennaDiscoverMORE Visit to Schönbrunn Palace (extra expense)DiscoverMORE Viennese evening concert (extra expense)Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Vienna

This morning, you will have the opportunity to hike to explore the picturesque town of Dürnstein on your own. Afterwards, 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 from fires by the monks in the 13th century.Included Excursion Tour of Melk AbbeyMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dürnstein - Melk

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.Included Excursion Guided tour of PassauDiscoverMORE Excursion to Salzburg (extra expense)DiscoverMORE Excursion to Ceský Krumlov (extra expense)Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Passau

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. As part of one of your EmeraldPLUS features, you will also have a chance to visit the wonderful Christmas Market inside the Thurn & Taxis Palace grounds.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.Included Excursion Guided tour of RegensburgEmeraldPLUS Visit to the Christmas market in the Thurn und Taxis Palace groundsEmeraldPLUS Bavarian band performance on boardMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Regensburg - Kelheim

Today, the historic city of Nuremberg is yours to explore during an included sightseeing tour, touching on the architectural wonders that have acted as an inspiration for famous artists from around the world for generations.After your guided tour, enjoy time to explore the city at leisure, passing idyllic houses that were lovingly reconstructed following the destruction of the war years.Included Excursion Guided tour of NurembergMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Nuremberg

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 medieval Altenburg Castle overlooking the town.Included Excursion Guided tour of BambergMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.Included Excursion Walking tour of Würzburg and a visit to the Bishops ResidenceDiscoverMORE Excursion to Rothenburg (extra expense)Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Würzburg

This morning, discover the tranquil beauty of your EmeraldPLUS programme, Bronnbach Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery nestled in the picturesque Tauber Valley. 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 this past affluence can still be seen today.Included Excursion Guided tour of MiltenbergEmeraldPLUS Visit to Bronnbach AbbeyMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wertheim - 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 rare music boxes that have stood the test of time, showcased in a postcard-worthy building with a half-timbered façade.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.Included Excursion Visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet MuseumMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rüdesheim – Koblenz

Cruise along the Rhine from Koblenz to Cologne this morning, where an illustrious 2,000-year-long history awaits.One of the oldest cities in the country, the Romans founded Cologne in 50AD and you'll find a number of ancient ruins, monuments and medieval structures as reminders.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, an iconic part of the city’s skyline.This evening, your crew will be delighted to welcome you to your farewell dinner.Included Excursion Quest for Cologne’s treasuresMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cologne

This morning, board a glass top canal boat for a cruise 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.Included Excursion Canal cruiseDiscoverMORE Private hidden Gems Tour of Amsterdam (extra expense)Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Amsterdam

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests and depart your Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of the postcard-worthy Rhine Gorge and idyllic Dutch countryside with you.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.Meals Included: Breakfast

Christmas Markets of Europe

Christmas Markets of Europe

Christmas Markets of Europe

Travel plan

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