Danube Delights & Classic Prague

Extend your journey with a three-night stay in the Czech capital, after your journey from Budapest invites the beauty of Bavaria, lunch with a Slovakian family and magnificent Vienna.

11 Days
Budapest to Prague
From (AUD)
$ 4,690
Dates & Pricing

2024 Budapest > Prague

This insightful itinerary crosses into four countries, offering a unique perspective into their past and present simultaneously. Guided walks along the cobblestone streets of Germany tell their own story, and city tours of Vienna and Budapest exemplify how the past can shape the future. Celebrate the ancient as it co-exists with the modern in the Austrian and Hungarian capitals, and gain a personal understanding of why the iconic Danube has acted as inspiration to so many. Extend your journey in the fairytale city of Prague, visiting historical sights such as the Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge.
Tour Map
Tour Code:
EWPB
Duration:
11 days
Departure City:
Budapest
Return City:
Prague

11 Day Itinerary

  1. Day 1 - Budapest

    Welcome to Budapest, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your contemporary Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, before enjoying plenty of free time to explore the Hungarian capital at your leisure.

    This evening, enjoy an authentic Hungarian folklore show on board, followed by a traditional dinner.

    EmeraldPLUS

    Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board

    Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM.

    Meals Included: Dinner

  2. Day 2 - Budapest

    Architecture from across the centuries shines a light on the history of the Hungarian capital. Originally two separate cities, Buda to the west and Pest to the east offer incredibly different views on the culture of one of the liveliest cities in Eastern Europe. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the city during a guided tour, including Heroes’ Square and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Andrássy Avenue and Buda Castle District. Alternatively, enjoy a hike to Gellert Hill for a postcard-worthy panorama view of the Danube banks.

    EmeraldACTIVE

    Hike to Gellert Hill

    Included Excursion

    Guided coach tour of Budapest

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3 - Bratislava

    This morning, relax on board as we sail to Bratislava. An ancient landscape awaits, where remarkable towers add to a skyline that perfectly encapsulates the history of the city, and preserved medieval fortifications tell tales of a turbulent past. Your local guide will take you through the heart of the city, as you soak in the sights of the lavish Episcopal Summer Palace and the neo-Renaissance façade of the Slovak National Theatre.

    If you’re feeling more active, you could instead choose to hike around the serene gardens of Bratislava Castle, which provides the perfect setting for the Shakespeare festival that occurs during the summer months.

    This afternoon, you will be invited into the home of a local family to learn more about their traditions and culture over coffee and cake.

    EmeraldPLUS

    Home-hosted coffee and cake with a local family

    EmeraldACTIVE

    Hike to Bratislava Castle

    Included Excursion

    Walking tour of Bratislava

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    Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)

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    Carpathian wine route (extra expense)

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4 - Vienna

    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. The Austrian capital is an art-lover's dream, and your guided tour will include a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums worldwide.

    If you’re feeling more active, then you may opt to explore on two wheels instead, cycling along the riverbanks before touching on Danube Island and Prater, the famous Viennese amusement park, home to the traditional 19th-century Ferris wheel.

    EmeraldACTIVE

    Guided bike tour in Vienna

    Included Excursion

    Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum

    DiscoverMORE

    Viennese evening concert (extra expense)

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5 - Krems - Dürnstein

    This morning, enjoy a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey, a true treasure overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley. Visible from great distance, it’s one of Austria's most important Benedictine abbeys and attracts visitors from all over the world and provides epic panorama views.

    Afterwards, your Star-Ship will sail through the fascinating Wachau Valley, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Cultural Landscape, and on to Dürnstein.

    Alternatively, embark on a guided bike tour from Krems to Dürnstein, passing terraced vineyards, castles and ruins along the way, before arriving where your Star-Ship is docked in Dürnstein.

    In the afternoon we arrive in Dürnstein; a small town nestled in the heart of the Wachau wine region. You'll have the chance to hike to the medieval ruins of Dürnstein Castle, the site where King Richard I was held prisoner following his return from the Third Crusade, and part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Cultural Landscape, a place peppered with natural lookout points that highlight the beauty of the region.

    Included Excursion

    Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey

    EmeraldACTIVE

    Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle

    EmeraldACTIVE

    Guided bike tour along the Danube

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6 - Engelhartszell - Passau

    After a morning of sailing along the Danube, we will take you into the heart of Passau. Nicknamed the Dreiflüssestadt, meaning the ‘the city of three rivers’, it’s situated at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers.

    Your included guided tour of Passau will unveil its noteworthy Gothic and Baroque architecture. If you're feeling active, you could join a bike tour along the River Inn, one of the three rivers converging in Passau.

    After your tour, enjoy some free time to explore Passau at your leisure, before spending an evening sailing blissfully towards Regensburg.

    Included Excursion

    Guided tour of Passau

    EmeraldACTIVE

    Guided bike tour along the River Inn

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    Excursion to the Bavarian Forest (extra expense)

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7 - Regensburg

    This morning, we arrive in Regensburg, a city built on the site of an ancient Roman fort. Your guided walking tour of Regensburg will showcase its UNESCO World Heritage-listed medieval centre, where narrow cobbled lanes and tall façades help to define the character of this enchanting Bavarian city.

    Alternatively, you could join a bike tour to the Walhalla monument, which towers high above the slopes of the Danube. From here, you can enjoy a fascinating view of the surrounding landscape and the river.
    This evening, enjoy a traditional Bavarian band performance on board.

    EmeraldPLUS

    Traditional Bavarian band performance on board

    EmeraldPLUS

    Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting

    EmeraldACTIVE

    Guided bike tour to the Walhalla monument

    DiscoverMORE

    Excursion to Nuremberg (extra expense)

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8 - Regensburg - Prague

    In Regensburg  disembark your Star-Ship to be transferred to Prague, home to some of the world’s most pristine collections of architecture from across the ages. Included is a comfortable three-night stay in the city.

    Meals Included: Breakfast

  9. Day 9 - Prague

    This morning, join a walking tour of Prague to explore its vivid history through its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, with each style encapsulating a slice of the city’s past. After passing through three castle courtyards, you will visit St. Vitus Cathedral, then we walk down the Castle steps with a wonderful view over the city of Prague and  we continue to Charles Bridge which we cross to reach the Old Town of Prague. We finish the city sightseeing tour in front of the famous Astronomical Clock at Old Town Square.

    Included Excursion

    A walking tour of Prague

    EmeraldPLUS

    Coffee & Cake at Lobkowicz Palace

    Meals Included: Breakfast

  10. Day 10 - Prague

    Today is yours to spend exploring Prague at leisure, perhaps uncovering the secrets of Josefov, the Jewish Quarter and Malá Strana, one of the most historic regions in the city. Your tour director will be available to help you plan your day and to answer any questions that you may have.

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    Tastes of Czechia (extra expense)

    Meals Included: Breakfast

  11. Day 11 - Prague

    After breakfast, it is time to bid farewell to your fellow guests and leave Prague’s idyllic centre for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of ancient wonders and idyllic panoramic views of UNESCO World Heritage-listed areas 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

Tour inclusions

YOUR CRUISE INCLUDES
  • 7 nights on board an Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
  • Airport transfers to and from your Star-Ship
  • The services of an Emerald Cruises cruise director
  • Port taxes and charges
  • All tipping and gratuities

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
  • Guided tour of Passau
  • Guided tour of Göttweig Abbey
  • Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum
  • Walking tour of Bratislava
  • Guided coach tour of Budapest

EmeraldPLUS
  • Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
  • Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
  • Traditional Bavarian band on board
  • Walking tour of Regensburg with Bavarian sausage tasting

EmeraldACTIVE
  • Guided bike tour to the Walhalla monument
  • Guided bike tour along the River Inn
  • Guided bike tour along the Danube River
  • Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
  • Guided bike tour in Vienna
  • Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
  • Hike to Buda Hill

DINING HIGHLIGHTS
  • 20 delectable meals including 7 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D)
  • Including a Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner
  • Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board

EXTENSION INCLUSIONS
  • 3 nights at a hotel in Prague
  • A guided tour of Prague
  • Coffee & Cake at Lobkowicz Palace
  • Transfer from the ship and to the airport
  • 3 Breakfasts (B)

Pricing & Availability