Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
Your airport transfer takes you to the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship where you'll settle in after boarding. Spend the afternoon wandering through Amsterdam's cobbled streets and checking out the gabled houses at your own pace. Dinner happens on board this evening with your fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Dinner on board
Optional Activities
- Explore Amsterdam's cobbled streets and gabled houses
Landmarks Amsterdam 
- Day 2
Amsterdam to Rhine River
You've got options this morning: take a glass-top canal boat through Amsterdam's UNESCO canal system or join a guided bike tour to Waterland to see historical villages and traditional windmills. After returning to the ship, you'll head out sailing through the Dutch countryside toward the Rhine River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Glass-top canal boat cruise of Amsterdam's UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system
- Guided bike tour to Waterland
Landmarks Amsterdam Canal System Waterland Rhine River - Day 3
Cologne
Walk through Cologne with your local guide, checking out the Old Town squares and historic monuments. You'll finish at the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral with its twin towers. Later, there's free time to explore the city center and try some authentic German beer before heading back to the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cologne's Old Town
- Visit to Cologne Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Explore Cologne city centre at leisure
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town 
- Day 4
Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
The ship cruises through the UNESCO Rhine Gorge, passing hilltop castles and Pfalzgrafenstein Castle. In Rüdesheim, pick between riding the Winzerexpress to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet or taking an active hike up to Niederwalddenkmal monument.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
Optional Activities
- Hike to Niederwalddenkmal
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Lorelai Rock Pfalzgrafenstein Castle Niederwalddenkmal 
- Day 5
Miltenberg to Wertheim
You'll arrive in Miltenberg, a village with 15th century half-timbered buildings along the Main River. Choose a guided walking tour through cobblestone streets past the Gothic Merchant Hall, or hike through forest to Mildenburg Castle with its contemporary art and old masters. Later, head to Wertheim for a glassblowing presentation at the Glass Art Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Miltenberg
- Exclusive visit to the Glass Art Museum in Wertheim with presentation
Optional Activities
- Active walk to Mildenburg Castle
Landmarks Miltenberg Gothic Merchant Hall Mildenburg Castle Glass Art Museum - Day 6
Würzburg
In Würzburg, known as the Pearl of the Romantic Road and grape-growing center, take a guided tour of the UNESCO Würzburg Residence. This Baroque building blends Viennese and Italian design, and you'll learn how it was restored after heavy WWII damage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Würzburg and a visit to the Bishops Residence
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Rothenburg (extra expense)
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Rothenburg - Day 7
Bamberg
The ship cruises to Bamberg while you relax on board. This UNESCO town has one of Europe's largest medieval centers with around 2,400 listed buildings. Walk with your local guide through the city, seeing the opulent New Residence with its German and Baroque paintings. Spend time at the Rose Garden for a peaceful stroll.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg
- Visit to the New Residence
- Stroll around the Rose Garden
Landmarks Bamberg New Residence - Day 8
Nuremberg
A guided tour takes you through Nuremberg's architectural highlights and sites connected to the war years. Afterward, explore the half-timbered houses that were reconstructed after WWII during your free time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Nuremberg
Optional Activities
- World War II tour (extra expense, Art Bunker replaces Room 600 when not available)
Landmarks Nuremberg - Day 9
Regensburg
You'll sail the final stretch of the Main-Danube Canal to Regensburg, one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities. Wander the UNESCO Old Town through narrow romantic alleys with your guide, seeing the 12th-century Stone Bridge crossing the Danube. Explore on your own or head back to the ship, then enjoy a traditional Bavarian band performance on board this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Regensburg
- Visit to the 12th-century Stone Bridge
- Traditional Bavarian band performance on board
Optional Activities
- Sausage-making workshop (extra expense)
Landmarks Regensburg Old Town Stone Bridge Old Town Hall - Day 10
Passau
In Passau, walk through cobblestone streets lined with 17th-century Baroque buildings. You'll see the Gothic Town Hall, Bishop's Residence, and St. Stephen's Cathedral with Europe's largest church organ. After returning to the ship for lunch, spend the afternoon cruising peacefully along the Danube.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Passau
- Lunch on board
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Salzburg (extra expense)
- Excursion to Český Krumlov (extra expense)
Landmarks St. Stephen's Cathedral Gothic Town Hall Bishop's Residence 
- Day 11
Melk to Dürnstein
Explore Melk's 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, a UNESCO site, touring opulent rooms with Italian Baroque architecture and the ancient monastic library. Later, sail through the UNESCO Wachau Valley to Dürnstein where you can hike to the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned, or take a guided bike ride through vineyards and small towns.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Melk Abbey
- Guided bike tour along the Danube
- Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
Landmarks Melk Abbey Wachau Valley Dürnstein Castle - Day 12
Vienna
Vienna offers choices: take a coach and walking tour seeing the Opera House, Baroque Burgtheater, and Gothic Parliament, or join a guided bike tour. Later, you'll have free time to explore Austria's capital at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Vienna
- Guided bike tour of Vienna
Optional Activities
- Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
- Visit to Schönbrunn Palace (extra expense)
Landmarks Vienna Opera House Burgtheater Parliament Schönbrunn Palace 
- Day 13
Bratislava
In Bratislava's Old City, your local guide takes you past Baroque palaces, the Episcopal Summer Palace gardens, Old Town Hall with its Renaissance courtyard, and Slovak National Theatre. After the tour, explore freely, then meet a local family for traditional sweet treats and coffee.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava
- Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Bratislava Castle
- Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)
- Carpathian wine route (extra expense)
Landmarks Bratislava Old Town Bratislava Castle Old Town Hall Slovak National Theatre - Day 14
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest and can choose between a guided coach tour or hiking to Gellert Hill to see this city split by the Danube River and connected by the Chain Bridge. This evening features a traditional Hungarian folklore show followed by your farewell dinner on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
- Farewell dinner on board
Optional Activities
- Hike to Gellert Hill
- Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
- Jewish heritage tour (extra expense, not available on Saturdays due to Sabbath)
Landmarks Chain Bridge Gellert Hill 
- Day 15
Budapest to Prague
After breakfast, you'll disembark the Star-Ship and transfer to Prague, settling into your hotel for a three-night stay in this city with some of Europe's most well-preserved architecture across many centuries.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Prague
- Breakfast on board
Landmarks Prague 
- Day 16
Prague
Walk through three castle courtyards to reach St. Vitus Cathedral, then head down the Castle steps with great views over Prague. Cross Charles Bridge to the Old Town and finish at the famous Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square. Grab coffee and cake at Lobkowicz Palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Prague
- Visit to St. Vitus Cathedral
- Visit to Charles Bridge
- Coffee & Cake at Lobkowicz Palace
Landmarks St. Vitus Cathedral Charles Bridge Old Town Square Astronomical Clock Lobkowicz Palace - Day 17
Prague
Prague is yours to explore independently. Try some delicious Czech treats and soak in the surrounding culture. Your tour director is available if you want help planning your day or have questions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Czechia (extra expense)
Landmarks Prague - Day 18
Prague to Airport
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to your fellow guests and leave Prague's center for your airport transfer, carrying memories of ancient sites and UNESCO areas with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Transfer to airport
Landmarks Prague
