Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Prague
You'll land in Prague and meet your transfer at the airport. From there, you're headed to your hotel in the city center for a three-night stay. It's a straightforward arrival day to get settled in.
- Day 2
Prague
A local guide takes you through the old town square's cobblestoned streets and historic architecture. You'll walk through the Christmas market and then head to Lobkowicz Palace for coffee and cake as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience. It's a good introduction to Prague's winter character.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Prague with Christmas market
Optional Activities
- Coffee & Cake at Lobkowicz Palace (EmeraldPLUS)
Landmarks Old Town Square Lobkowicz Palace - Day 3
Prague
This day is yours to explore at your own pace. Your tour director can help you figure out what to see and do. The Christmas markets are worth a visit if you didn't catch everything yesterday, with handcrafted ornaments and traditional Czech treats throughout the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Czechia (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Day 4
Prague to Passau
After breakfast, you'll leave your hotel and transfer to Passau. Once you arrive, you'll board the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship and settle in for the river cruise portion of your tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 5
Passau
A guided tour takes you through Passau's historic center with its baroque buildings and riverside views. You'll see St. Stephen Cathedral and its Christmas market, where you can try Bavarian delicacies. Back on the ship, there's a live Bavarian band performance in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Passau
Optional Activities
- Bavarian Traditions (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks St. Stephen Cathedral - Day 6
Linz
The ship docks in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. You'll take a walking tour through the historical old town with its baroque and Renaissance buildings. Churches display hand-carved nativity scenes, and later you'll taste Linzer torte, a local specialty.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Linz with a Linzer Torte tasting
Optional Activities
- Full day Excursion to Salzburg (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Day 7
Göttweig Abbey
You'll sail through the Wachau Valley in the morning, a UNESCO World Heritage site with vineyard-covered slopes. In the afternoon, a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey gives you views from its hilltop location with wine tasting included. On board this evening, there's a presentation about Christmas traditions across Europe.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Göttweig Abbey with wine tasting (EmeraldPLUS)
- Christmas traditions in Europe on board presentation (EmeraldPLUS)
Landmarks Göttweig Abbey Wachau Cultural Landscape - Day 8
Vienna
Vienna welcomes you with its wide boulevards and Habsburg history. Your art tour includes the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Austria's largest art museum and one of the world's most important. You'll also walk through the city's ornate Baroque palaces and see extensive art collections.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Vienna art tour with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum
Optional Activities
- Viennese evening concert (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Kunsthistorisches Museum 
- Day 9
Bratislava
A walking tour takes you through Bratislava's center to see the Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral and the neo-Renaissance Slovak National Theatre. The Christmas markets are full of handcrafted souvenirs and traditional food. Later, you'll have coffee and cake with a Slovak family at their home.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava
Optional Activities
- Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family (EmeraldPLUS)
- Carpathian wine route (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks St. Martin's Cathedral Slovak National Theatre 
- Day 10
Budapest
Budapest is a UNESCO World Heritage city with diverse architecture along the Danube. A guided coach tour covers Andrássy Avenue and its neo-Renaissance townhouses, all decorated for Christmas. This evening, you'll enjoy a traditional Hungarian folklore show on board the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest
Optional Activities
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board (EmeraldPLUS)
- Excursion to Szentendre (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Jewish Heritage Tour (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks Andrássy Avenue 
- Day 11
Departure from Budapest
After breakfast, you'll disembark the Star-Ship and head to the airport for your departure. You're taking with you memories of Christmas markets, winter mornings, and the Danube region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
