Itinerary
- Day 1
Brussels
Included Activities
- Welcome drink with fellow guests
- Day 2
Brussels
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Brussels including Grand Place, Manneken Pis, Royal Palace, and St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Belgium walking tour - culinary tour featuring Belgian chocolates, waffles, and craft beers (1.5 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Grand Place Manneken Pis Royal Palace of Brussels St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral - Day 3
Brussels
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Belgium's Comic Heritage - exclusive tour of the Comic Art Museum featuring Tintin and the Smurfs, followed by a master caricature workshop with renowned Belgian caricature artist Jan Op de Beeck (4 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Parc du Cinquantenaire Comic Art Museum - Day 4
Brussels to Amsterdam
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coach transfer from Brussels to Amsterdam
- Day 5
Amsterdam
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Timeless Dutch countryside excursion - walking tour through charming villages, working windmills, and traditional Dutch communities
Optional Activities
- Hidden gems of Amsterdam - relaxed personal tour of the historic Jordaan area, visit to a charming chocolate shop, walking tour of beautiful streets to Our Lord in the Attic (17th-century house with secret Catholic church in attic), local beer and traditional Dutch snacks at a cosy brewery (2.5 hours, Moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Alkmaar Waterland Our Lord in the Attic Jordaan - Day 6
Cologne
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Quest for Cologne's treasures - guided walking tour exploring the city followed by a treasure hunt using a map to find locations of unique Cologne treasures
Optional Activities
- German beer experience - guided tour through Cologne's legendary brewhouses exploring the city's beer culture and Kölsch beer, a crisp golden beer brewed only in this region (2 hours, Moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral - Day 7
Rüdesheim
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum - local mini train ride through narrow city streets to museum featuring over 350 automatic mechanical music instruments from tiny music boxes to giant Concert-Piano-Orchestrions
Optional Activities
- Active Walk to Niederwalddenkmal - hike through verdant vineyards to 19th-century monument celebrating German unification with panoramic views over Rüdesheim's old town and the Rhine (included in whats_included as EmeraldACTIVE)
- Eberbach Abbey with wine tasting - visit to monastery founded in 1136, one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries in the Rheingau region with the largest medieval vineyard in the country, includes Riesling wine tasting (3.5 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Lorelai Rock Pfalzgrafenstein Castle Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum Niederwalddenkmal Eberbach Abbey - Day 8
Miltenberg - Wertheim
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Miltenberg - walk cobblestone streets lined with colourful houses, view the Gothic Merchant Hall, see the oldest inn in Germany (dating to at least 1411), Miltenberg Castle, and the unique red sandstone church and bridge
Optional Activities
- Visit to Bronnbach Abbey - well-preserved Cistercian monastery in nearby Wertheim known for stunning Romanesque and Gothic architecture, peaceful cloisters, and impressive Baroque interiors (included in whats_included as EmeraldPLUS)
- Active Walk to Mildenburg Castle - walk through the forest to 12th-century castle, now home to a collection of contemporary art and old masters (included in whats_included as EmeraldACTIVE)
Landmarks Miltenberg Castle Mildenburg Castle Bronnbach Abbey - Day 9
Würzburg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Würzburg and visit to the Bishop's Residence - guided tour of World Heritage-listed residence featuring a blend of Viennese Baroque and Italian styles, heavily damaged during WWII and meticulously restored to former glory
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Rothenburg - explore the best-preserved medieval town in Germany with medieval walls and Town Hall Tower offering panoramic views, Gothic churches, museums, art exhibitions, and special tasting of local sausages (6.5 hours, Moderate activity level, extra expense; note: this operates at the same time as the included tour)
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Day 10
Bamberg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg - explore the city with local guide, marvel at the opulence of the New Residence (former prince bishop residence, now home to old German and Baroque paintings from the Bavarian State collection), enjoy a tranquil stroll through the Rose Garden
Landmarks Bamberg New Residence - Day 11
Nuremberg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Nuremberg - sightseeing tour of the historic city including architectural wonders that inspired famous artists and visible effects of the war years, followed by leisure time to explore the half-timbered houses
Optional Activities
- World War II tour - insights into WWII with visit to Nazi Rally grounds, panoramic drive through the city, and tour of famous Courtroom 600 where War Crimes trials were held (4 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Nazi Rally Grounds Courtroom 600 - Day 12
Regensburg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Regensburg - walking tour discovering highlights of the World Heritage Old Town with romantic narrow alleys, 13th-century Town Hall, and the 12th-century Stone Bridge crossing the Danube, with leisure time to explore
- Bavarian band performance on board - special performance from Bavarian band in Horizon Bar & Lounge, featuring traditional music and authentic Lederhosen (included in whats_included as EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Sausage-making workshop - learn to produce fresh sausages from recipe to weighing, cutting, and filling meat in natural casings with an expert from family butchery DEUTSCH; white breakfast sausage is a beloved Regensburg tradition (2 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Regensburg Stone Bridge Town Hall - Day 13
Passau - Linz
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Passau - walking tour through streets lined with Baroque buildings from the 17th century, view of Gothic Town Hall, Bishop's Residence, and St. Stephen's Cathedral housing Europe's largest church organ
- Waltz dance show on board
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Salzburg - full day exploring the birthplace of Mozart and picturesque setting of The Sound of Music, surrounded by the breathtaking Alps; walk historic downtown district, explore Linzer Gasse shopping street, visit Mozart's home (10 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)
- Excursion to Český Krumlov - explore the World Heritage-listed medieval town in South Bohemia renowned for Renaissance and Baroque architecture; walk cobblestone streets with expert local guide through Old Town with townhouses, hideaway bars, and centuries-old buildings (8.5 hours, Difficult/Active activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks St. Stephen's Cathedral, Passau Salzburg Český Krumlov 
- Day 14
Melk - Dürnstein
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Melk Abbey - guided tour of ancient abbey through opulent rooms adorned with Italian Baroque architecture and ornate gold leaf walls, including the ancient monastic library renowned for its collection of medieval manuscripts
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike tour along the Danube - active guided e-bike ride from Melk to Dürnstein passing famous vineyards and quaint towns, 30km (18.64 miles) route with picnic on riverbanks and relaxing break for refreshing drink (included in whats_included as EmeraldACTIVE)
- Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle - hike to castle site where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned after returning from the Crusades; challenging yet rewarding trail with spectacular panoramas of the river and surrounding countryside from the peak (included in whats_included as EmeraldACTIVE)
Landmarks Melk Abbey Dürnstein Castle Wachau Valley - Day 15
Vienna
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Vienna - explore famous sights of the Ringstrasse and Vienna's city centre by coach and on foot, marvel at Renaissance-style Opera House, Baroque Burgtheater, and Flemish Gothic Parliament, with leisure time to explore (OR)
- Guided e-bike tour of Vienna - guided e-bike tour to Danube Island with guide sharing stories about why Vienna is the world's most liveable city, introducing you to authentic Vienna beyond typical tourist sites (included in whats_included as EmeraldACTIVE)
Optional Activities
- Visit to Schönbrunn Palace - tour of former summer residence of the Habsburg Empire, considered one of most beautiful Baroque palaces in Europe and UNESCO World Heritage site; follow local expert to hear fascinating tales of intriguing former residents (5 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)
- Viennese evening concert - exclusive evening concert at one of Vienna's most beautiful concert halls featuring Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss and Schubert repertoire including 'Blue Danube Waltz' and Radetzky March; complimentary glass of sparkling wine on arrival (2.5 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Vienna State Opera House Burgtheater Austrian Parliament Building Schönbrunn Palace Danube Island 
- Day 16
Bratislava
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava - sightseeing tour of the enchanting Old City with local guide passing botanical gardens of Episcopal Summer Palace, Old Town Hall with Renaissance courtyard, Slovak National Theatre with composer busts on façade, with free time to explore
- Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family - invited into the home of local Slovakian family to learn about their culture, history, traditions, and how they live daily (included in whats_included as EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Bratislava Castle - active excursion beginning at port, passing Slovak National Theatre and riverside promenade, admiring Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral, climbing hill to Bratislava Castle for panoramic views, seeing St Michael's Gate and walking through main square (included in whats_included as EmeraldACTIVE)
- Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava - insightful tour of Bratislava in a Skoda car, learning about life during Communist era through real personal stories from guide and authentic refreshments from that time; off-the-beaten-track tour bringing Bratislava's turbulent 20th century story to life (2 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)
- Carpathian wine route - explore viticultural towns of the Small Carpathian Wine Route including vineyards of Vinosady and family-run winery in Senkvice, learn about proud heritage of winemaking and sample local wines in a historic wine cellar (4 hours 40 minutes, Moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Bratislava Castle St. Martin's Cathedral Slovak National Theatre St Michael's Gate Episcopal Summer Palace 
- Day 17
Budapest
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest - explore World Heritage-listed centre touring through architecture from Romanesque to Baroque and classical façades, see Liberty Statue, Heroes' Square, Buda Castle district, walking tour showcasing Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board - Hungarian folk dancing and music performance on board (included in whats_included as EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Hike to Gellert Hill - beautiful hike up to World Heritage-listed Gellért Hill with stunning views of Danube River and city's architecture, passing landmarks like Várkert Bazaar and beautifully landscaped gardens (included in whats_included as EmeraldACTIVE)
- Excursion to Szentendre - visit picturesque village with cobblestone streets evoking Mediterranean atmosphere that inspired many artists; walking tour through pedestrian city centre admiring Baroque architecture, churches, colourful houses, narrow cobbled streets, main square Fő Tér and surrounding alleyways with art galleries, museums and shops (4 hours, Moderate activity level, extra expense)
- Jewish heritage tour - thoughtful tour with local guide introducing significant Jewish events shaping Budapest's culture, see buildings that played important roles in flourishing Jewish trade before WWII, visit 'Shoes on the Danube' memorial in Pest striking reminder of Jewish communities during wartime (extra expense)
Landmarks Chain Bridge Liberty Statue Heroes' Square Buda Castle Matthias Church Fisherman's Bastion Gellért Hill Szentendre Shoes on the Danube Bank Várkert Bazaar - Day 18
Budapest
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Disembarkation and airport transfer
