Splendours of Europe - Amsterdam to Budapest or v.v

Splendours of Europe - Emerald Cruises

✔ Airport transfers to and from your Star-Ship
✔ Complimentary wine, beer & soft drinks to accompany lunch & dinner on board
✔ 41 meals: 14 breakfasts (B), 13 lunches ( L), and 14 dinners(D)
✔ Welcome and Farewell Reception and Dinner
✔ Included Emerald Discovery excursion at each port
✔ The services of an Emerald Cruises cruise director
✔ Port taxes and charges
✔ All tipping and gratuities

Included Excursions

• Canal cruise in Amsterdam
• Visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
• Guided tour of Milternburg
• Walking tour of Wurzburg and a visit to the Bishops Residence
• Guided tour of Bamberg
• Guided tour of Nuremberg
• Guided tour of Regensburg
• Guided tour of Passau
• Tour of Melk Abbey
• Guided tour to Vienna
• Walking tour of Bratislava
• Guided coach tour of Budapest
• Includes EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE experiences
• 41 meals including wine & beer with lunch & dinner while cruising

Day 1 – Budapest (D)

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 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 show

Day 2 – Budapest (B, L, D)

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. If you are feeling active, then you may instead choose to hike to Gellert Hill.

Included excursion: Guided coach tour of Budapest
EmeraldACTIVE: Hike to Gellert Hill

Day 3 – Bratislava (B, L, D)

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. Afterward, 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 coffees.

Included excursion: Walking tour of Bratislava
EmeraldPLUS: Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike to Bratislava Castle

Day 4 – Vienna (B, L, D)

A wave of cultures 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, the 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.

Alternatively, embark on a guided cycling tour past idyllic riverbanks, monuments, and lush parks before passing by Prater.

Included excursion: Guided tour of Vienna
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour of Vienna
DiscoverMORE: Visit to Schönbrunn Palace (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE: Viennese evening concert (extra expense)

Day 5 - Dürnstein – Melk (B, L, D)

This morning, you will have the opportunity to hike to Dürnstein Castle, perhaps stopping to imagine how it would have looked when Richard the Lionheart was held captive following the Third Crusade.

Alternatively, enjoy a guided bike ride from Dürnstein to Melk passing noteworthy vineyards and beautiful landscapes.

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 from fires by the monks in the 13^th century.

Included excursion: Tour of Melk Abbey
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike of Dürnstein Castle
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour along the Danube

Day 6 – Passau (B, L, D)

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 17^th 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 Passau
DiscoverMORE: Excursion to Salzburg (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE: Excursion to Cesky Krumlov (extra expense) 

Day 7 – Regensburg (B, L, D)

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 hundred 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.

Included excursion: Guided tour of Regensburg
EmeraldPLUS: Bavarian band performance on board
DiscoverMORE: Sausage-making workshop (extra expense)

Day 8 – Nuremberg (B, L, D)

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 Nuremberg
DiscoverMORE: World War II tour (extra expense)

Day 9 – Bamberg (B, L, D)

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, and charm and one of the best-preserved old quarters in Europe.

Admire hundreds of ornamental facades 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 Bamberg

Day 10 - Würzburg (B, L, D)

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 Hertiage-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 Residence
DiscoverMORE: Excursion to Rothenburg (extra expense)

Day 11 – Wertheim – Miltenberg (B, L, D)

This morning, as part of your EmeraldPLUS offering, you will have the opportunity to attend an exclusive glassblowing presentation at the Glass Art 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 the trade that was bought by river traffic, and this past affluence can still be seen today.

Alternatively, embark on an active walk to Mildenburg Castle, where a wonderful collection of artworks can be found inside of the castle that was once little more than set of ruins.

Included excursion: Guided tour of Mildenburg Castle
EmeraldPLUS: Exclusive visit to the Glass Art Museum in Wertheim with presentation
EmeraldACTIVE: Active walk to Mildenburg Castle
DiscoverMORE: Vineyard visit & Franconian wine (extra expense)

Day 12 – Rüdesheim – Koblenz (B, L, D)

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.

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.

Included excursion: Visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
EmeraldACTIVE: Hike to Niederwalddenkmal

Day 13 – Cologne (B, L, D)

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 50 AD 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 UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral and its filigree twin towers, an iconic part of the city’s skyline.

Included excursion: Guided tour of Cologne’s Old Town

Day 14 – Amsterdam (B, L, D)

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.

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.

Included excursion: Canal Cruise
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour to Waterland

Day 15 – Amsterdam (B)

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.