Splendours of Europe & Paris Escape

Welcome to Budapest! You will be met and transferred from the airport to your Emerald Waterways luxury river cruise ship. After boarding, enjoy some time at your leisure to explore Budapest. This evening, enjoy a traditional Hungarian dinner, then a Hungarian folk dancing and music performance
You’re Invited: Traditional Hungarian Folklore Show & Budapest Evening Cruise

Meals Included: Dinner

Budapest is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan city. Enjoy a guided tour of the city sights including the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest or an exciting hike on the Buda Hill. This afternoon you depart for Bratislava.
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided active walk to Buda Hill

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we arrive at the city of Bratislava, capital of the Republic of Slovakia. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and the Gothic Cathedral of St Martin. Alternatively, join an active hike to Bratislava Castle.
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike to Bratislava Castle
You’re Invited: Home Hosted Coffee and Cake with Slovakians

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you have a choice of either exploring Austria’s capital beginning with a drive along the Ringstrasse, where we will see the sights of Vienna’s world–famous attractions such as the Opera House, Burgtheater, Town Hall, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Imperial Palace. Alternatively, join the guided bike tour instead of the drive around and guided walk. Then, you have free time to sample the wonderful tastes of Vienna.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike Tour

DiscoverMORE: Visit to Schönbrunn Palace (extra expense)
AND / OR
DiscoverMORE: Exclusive Viennese concert with music from Mozart and Strauss (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning we arrive in Dürnstein, one of the most enchanting villages of the Wachau wine region. This is the site of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned after returning from the crusades in the 12th century. Thereafter, you will drive through the picturesque landscape of this district to the 900–year old Benedictine Abbey of Melk, which features Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
OR
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided biking tour along the Danube River from Dürnstein to Melk

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cruise along the Danube this morning, in the afternoon we reach Passau. Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you in this beautiful city. On this afternoon’s walking tour, stroll through the old town’s narrow alleys and see the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress from the town below. Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to Europe’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes.
DiscoverMORE: Tour to Salzburg (extra expense)

*** Please note, you can only choose either included tour of Passau or the DiscoverMORE option, as both tours run at the same time

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we arrive in magnificent Regensburg. On our guided walking tour you will have the chance to see one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube and see the city’s architectural highlights including the Old Town Hall.
You’re Invited: Traditional Bavarian Band on board

DiscoverMORE: Excursion to Kuchlbauer Brewery (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you will have a sightseeing coach tour of the historic city of Nuremberg. Your coach tour would pass by some of the historical parts of Nuremberg, such as the 900-year-old ramparts, the Nazi party rally grounds, where rallies were held from 1933 until 1938 among other sights.

DiscoverMORE: WW2 Tour (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we arrive at Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Boasting one of Europe’s largest intact medieval town centres, Bamberg is bursting with original character and charm. At the centre of the town is the largest preserved old quarter in Europe.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road”, Würzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered with vineyards. Join our guide for a walking tour of Wurzburg followed by a visit to the Bishops’ Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and most ornate baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your tour highlights the palace’s unique staircase, elaborate 18th century frescoes and the amazing 3–dimensional stuccowork.

DiscoverMORE: Tour to Rothenburg (extra expense)

*** Please note, you can only choose either included visit to Bishop’s Residenz or the DiscoverMORE option, as both tours run at the same time.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we start from the stunning medieval glass-blowing town of Wertheim, where you have the opportunity to explore on your own. Then, travel by coach to the picturesque village of Miltenberg on the Main River. The village creates an imitable feeling of Bavarian life in the middle ages and the Old Town is lined with well–preserved half–timbered buildings. The gothic Merchant Hall is an impressive symbol of past affluence created by trade from river traffic.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike around Miltenberg area

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast arrive in Rüdesheim, one of Germany’s most popular towns. You will either have a choice of visiting the Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or if you feel active take a guided hike through vineyards. Continue exploring and perhaps taste the famous “Rüdesheimer Coffee”, made with Germany’s most famous brandy Asbach Uralt. After lunch, the ships will sail through the spectacular Rhine Gorge. We will pass the infamous Lorelei Rock where sailors are said to have been lured onto treacherous rocks by enchanted temptresses. In the early evening we arrive into the beautiful 2,000-year-old town of Koblenz.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike through vineyards

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The ship sails from Koblenz in the early morning, cruising along the Rhine we arrive in Cologne. Founded by the Romans, Cologne is one of Germany’s oldest cities and is famous for its magnificent World–heritage listed Gothic Cathedral and market squares lined with cafes, shops and beer halls. This evening the captain will be delighted to welcome you to the Captain’s Farewell Gala Dinner.

DiscoverMORE: Tour to Drachenburg (extra expense)
OR
DiscoverMORE: Football Stadium Tour (extra expense)

*** Please note, you can only choose either the Drachenburg Castle or the Football Stadium Tour as both DiscoverMORE options run at the same time.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The ship sails along the Amsterdam Rijnkanaal and into Amsterdam. This morning you can decide to either enjoy a glass top canal boat tour through Amsterdam’s canal or a guided bike tour. After the canal cruise, you will have free time to visit some of Amsterdam’s other famous attractions, such as the Rijks or Van Gogh Museums, or simply enjoy the lively atmosphere and watch the world go by.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided Bike Tour

DiscoverMORE: Tour of Haarlem (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast disembark your river cruise ship in Amsterdam and transfer to Paris, the city of light. This exuberant city is also known as the city of love, for its romantic atmosphere. Stroll through the boulevards, passing by the bridges to the Eiffel Tower as it lights up at night. Included is a three night stay in Paris.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy a guided tour that passes by landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Arc de Triomphe. Continue exploring on a Seine River cruise that ends at the iconic Eiffel Tower.

DiscoverMORE: Retro Tour Ride of Paris (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Visit the Louvre to witness the legendary Mona Lisa smile in-person, or perhaps venture below ground to explore Paris’ vast labyrinth of catacombs. Paris is at your fingertips, waiting to be seized, and the possibilities are limitless.  This evening, enjoy a Parisian dinner.

DiscoverMORE: Tastes of Paris (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast transfer to Airport for your onward or homebound flight.

Please note: Pre release itinerary subject to change

Meals Included: Breakfast