Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and head to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship to get settled. After boarding, the afternoon is yours to wander the cobbled streets, check out the gabled houses, and walk along the canals at your own pace. Later, join the other guests for dinner on board.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Dinner on board
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals 
- Day 2
Amsterdam
This morning you have options. Take a glass-top canal boat through the UNESCO-listed canal system, or go on a guided bike tour to Waterland to see historical villages and traditional windmills. By afternoon, the ship sets sail through the Dutch countryside toward the Rhine River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Canal cruise
- Guided bike tour to Waterland
Landmarks Amsterdam Canal System Waterland 
- Day 3
Cologne
The ship arrives in Cologne, Germany's oldest city founded by Romans in 50 AD. You'll join a local guide on a treasure hunt that takes you through Roman ruins and medieval structures, hitting the most typical Cologne attractions throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Quest for Cologne's treasures
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral - Day 4
Rüdesheim
Today you cruise through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge, passing hilltop castles and the famous Lorelai Rock. In Rudesheim, choose between riding the Winzerexpress to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum or taking an active hike up to Niederwalddenkmal.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
Optional Activities
- Active Walk to Niederwalddenkmal
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Lorelai Rock Pfalzgrafenstein Castle Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum Niederwalddenkmal - Day 5
Miltenberg
You'll explore Miltenberg, a medieval village on the Main River with 15th-century half-timbered buildings and a Gothic Merchant Hall. From there, you can hike through the forest to Mildenburg Castle to see its contemporary art collection, then visit the quiet Bronnbach Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Miltenberg
- Visit to Bronnbach Abbey
Optional Activities
- Guided Active Walk to Mildenburg Castle
Landmarks Miltenberg Mildenburg Castle Bronnbach Abbey Gothic Merchant Hall - Day 6
Würzburg
Head to Wurzburg, known as the Pearl of the Romantic Road and the center of grape-growing in Franconia. The main stop is the UNESCO-listed Wurzburg Residence, which blends Viennese Baroque and Italian styles. Your guide will explain how it was rebuilt after World War II 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 - Day 7
Bamberg
You'll stay on the ship while it cruises to Bamberg, a UNESCO-listed town with one of Europe's largest medieval centers and about 2,400 listed buildings. Once there, tour the opulent New Residence with old German and Baroque paintings, then take a peaceful walk through the Rose Garden.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town New Residence - Day 8
Nuremberg
The ship stops in Nuremberg for a guided sightseeing tour of the historic city. You'll see architectural wonders that inspired famous artists and learn about the city during the war years. Later, spend time on your own wandering the beautifully reconstructed half-timbered houses.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Nuremberg
Optional Activities
- World War II tour (extra expense)
Landmarks Nuremberg - Day 9
Regensburg
After sailing the final stretch of the Main-Danube Canal, you arrive in Regensburg, one of Germany's best-preserved medieval cities with two millennia of history. A guide takes you through the UNESCO-listed Old Town, showing you the 13th-century Old Town Hall and the iconic 12th-century Stone Bridge. This evening there's a traditional Bavarian band performance on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Regensburg
- Bavarian band performance on board
Optional Activities
- Sausage-making workshop (extra expense)
Landmarks Regensburg Old Town Stone Bridge Old Town Hall - Day 10
Passau
You'll arrive in Passau, a city shaped by three rivers meeting at its center. Stroll through streets lined with 17th-century Baroque buildings and visit the Gothic Town Hall, Bishop's Residence, and St. Stephen's Cathedral, which has Europe's largest church organ. Return to the ship for lunch, then spend the afternoon cruising the Danube.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Passau
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
Dürnstein
Start with Melk's 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, a UNESCO site where you'll see opulent rooms with Italian Baroque architecture, gold leaf walls, and the ancient monastic library with medieval manuscripts. After, the ship sails through the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley to Durnstein, where you can take a guided bike tour along the Danube through vineyards or hike to Durnstein Castle.
- 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 Dürnstein - Day 12
Vienna
You'll explore Vienna, Austria's capital, known for its cultural heritage and connections to Mozart and Beethoven. A guided coach and walking tour takes you through famous Ringstrasse sights including the Renaissance-style Opera House, Baroque Burgtheater, and Flemish Gothic Parliament. Afterward, you have time to explore Vienna on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Vienna
- Guided bike tour of Vienna
Optional Activities
- Visit to Schönbrunn Palace (extra expense)
- Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
Landmarks Vienna Ringstrasse Vienna State Opera House Burgtheater Austrian Parliament - Day 13
Bratislava
This morning you arrive in Bratislava, Slovakia's capital. A guide leads you through the Old City, passing Baroque palaces and caf├ęs on cobblestone streets. You'll see the Episcopal Summer Palace gardens, Old Town Hall with its Renaissance courtyard, and the Slovak National Theatre. Later, you'll meet a local family in their home 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
- Guided hike to Bratislava castle
Optional Activities
- 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 Episcopal Summer Palace - Day 14
Budapest
You'll explore Budapest, divided by the Danube River and connected by the symbolic Chain Bridge. Take a guided coach tour of Buda and Pest, or hike up to Gellert Hill. This evening features a traditional Hungarian folklore show on board, followed by your farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell Dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
- Hike to Gellert Hill
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)
- Jewish heritage tour (extra expense)
Landmarks Chain Bridge Gellert Hill Buda Pest - Day 15
Budapest to Prague
After breakfast, you'll disembark the ship and transfer to Prague. Check into your hotel for a three-night stay in this city known for its well-preserved architectural collections from many different eras.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Prague - Day 16
Prague
A guided tour takes you through Prague's heart, visiting three magnificent castle courtyards and St. Vitus Cathedral. Then you descend the Castle Steps for views over the city, cross the iconic Charles Bridge to the charming Old Town, and finish at the legendary Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square. Stop for coffee and cake at Lobkowicz Palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- A guided tour of Prague
- Coffee & Cake at Lobkowicz Palace
Landmarks Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Charles Bridge Old Town Square Astronomical Clock Lobkowicz Palace - Day 17
Prague
Prague is yours to explore independently today. Grab some Czech treats, walk around on your own, or spend time soaking in the local culture. Your tour director is on hand if you need help planning activities or have questions about what to see.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Czechia (extra expense)
- Day 18
Prague to Airport
After breakfast, say goodbye to your fellow travelers and head to the airport. You'll leave Prague carrying memories of ancient wonders and UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites from across the Rhine, Main, and Danube regions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
