Christmas Markets on the Danube

You will be met at the airport by an Emerald Cruises representative and transferred to your contemporary Emerald Cruises Star-Ship in Regensburg, where you’ll start your festive river cruise along the Danube.

Please book your flight to arrive into Munich prior to 02:00 PM.

Today, you’ll visit the city of Regensburg. Here, you’ll have the chance to see the 12th-century bridge crossing the Danube and some of the city’s architectural highlights, before your EmeraldPLUS excursion takes you into the heart of the Thurn und Taxis Palace Christmas market, where rows of quaint wooden stalls are adorned by row-upon-row of twinkling lights.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The cobblestone streets that weave through Passau look as though they have been pulled from a Christmas card, especially when a thin layer of fresh snow blankets the town. Your included walking tour will finish underneath the striking green domes of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, where you’ll discover a charming Christkindlmarkt full of festive souvenirs and freshly baked goods. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, enjoy a morning stroll around the picturesque village of Dürnstein, before your Star-Ship sails through the fascinating Wachau Valley, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Cultural Landscape, and on to Krems. 
This afternoon, embark on a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey, a true treasure overlooking the Wachau Valley from a hill covered by vineyards and forests. Built in 1083, it is one of Austria's most important Benedictine abbeys, attracting visitors from all over the world. Run by a community of about 45 monks, it is visible from a great distance and provides epic panoramas from its grounds. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sweeping boulevards and world-famous art exhibitions welcome you to Vienna, a city which perfectly encapsulates the opulence of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces. For art lovers there is no place like the Austrian capital, not just because the city is packed with museums and artwork, but because of the variety. Your tour will include a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums worldwide. 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, enjoy learning about Slovakia as we take you into the heart of Bratislava, a capital where cultures really do sit side-by-side. A sightseeing tour of the city will introduce you to its architectural wonders, including the Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral and the neo-Renaissance Slovak National Theatre. But it’s the city’s Christmas markets which are a true delight, as they showcase handcrafted souvenirs and traditional Christmas treats.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Offering an abundance of historical whimsy, Budapest is known for its architectural diversity and the historic monuments that pepper both sides of the Danube. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed city is a true delight at Christmas, when the locals take to thermal baths to beat the crisp chill of the season. Today, your guided coach tour will introduce you to Andrássy Avenue and the neo-Renaissance façades of the townhouses that can be found there, as well as a generous scattering of Christmas decorations.
This evening, an on board traditional Hungarian folklore show is certain to delight.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of Christmas stalls and crisp winter mornings 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