Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
- Day 2
Paris
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided bus tour of Paris and Seine River cruise
- Visit to Christmas markets and festive attractions
Optional Activities
- Explore Tuileries Garden Christmas market
- Visit Notre-Dame Christmas market
- Evening stroll along the Seine to view Christmas lights and Eiffel Tower light show
Landmarks Notre-Dame de Paris Arc de Triomphe Champs-Élysées Eiffel Tower Seine River Tuileries Garden 
- Day 3
Paris
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit to the Louvre Museum and viewing of the Mona Lisa
- Explore the catacombs beneath Paris
- Tasting of Bûche de Noël (traditional Yule Log) in a tearoom
- Attend a Christmas concert or performance (Handel's 'Messiah' or 'The Nutcracker' ballet)
- Tastes of Paris guided walking tour - Explore Le Marais medieval district, Place des Vosges, Hôtel de Sully, Rue des Rosiers, Jardin des Archives Nationales, and sample French pastries and local treats (Moderate activity level, 2.5 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Louvre Museum Paris Catacombs Le Marais Place des Vosges Rue des Rosiers - Day 4
Paris to Amsterdam
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner on board Emerald Star-Ship
- Day 5
Amsterdam
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Festive Amsterdam Christmas markets
Optional Activities
- Private hidden Gems Tour of Amsterdam - Explore the historic Jordaan area, visit a charming chocolate shop, see Our Lord in the Attic (a 17th-century house with a secret preserved Catholic church), enjoy local beer and traditional Dutch snacks at a cosy brewery (Moderate activity level, 2.5 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Museumplein Amsterdam Canals Jordaan Our Lord in the Attic - Day 6
Cologne
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Quest for Cologne's treasures - Self-guided tour with map to find unique local treasures and delicacies with guides on standby at checkpoints
Optional Activities
- German beer experience guided tour - Discover Cologne's beer culture and legendary brewhouses, including tasting of Kölsch beer brewed only in this region (Easy activity level, 2 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral - Day 7
Rüdesheim
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum - Ride the Winzerexpress train through the city to discover more than 350 automatic mechanical music instruments
Optional Activities
- Eberbach Abbey with wine tasting - Visit the medieval monastery founded in 1136, explore the largest medieval vineyard in the country, and enjoy a Riesling wine tasting (Easy activity level, 3.5 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum 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 1411, Miltenberg Castle, and the red sandstone church and bridge
Optional Activities
- Bronnbach Abbey with concert and tasting - Visit the well-preserved Cistercian monastery in nearby Wertheim featuring stunning Romanesque and Gothic architecture, peaceful cloisters, and Baroque interiors, with a private concert and wine tasting (EmeraldPLUS)
Landmarks Miltenberg Castle Bronnbach Abbey - Day 9
Würzburg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Würzburg and visit to the Bishops Residence - Explore the World Heritage-listed residence, learn about its architectural inspiration from Viennese Baroque and Italian secular features, and its restoration after World War II damage
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Rothenburg - Explore Germany's best-preserved medieval town decorated for Christmas, walk medieval walls, climb the Town Hall Tower for panoramic views, visit Gothic churches and museums, and enjoy a special tasting of local sausages at a historic restaurant (Moderate activity level, 6.5 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Day 10
Bamberg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg - Explore the city with a local guide, marvel at the New Residence once inhabited by prince bishops, view old German and Baroque paintings from the Bavarian State collection, and enjoy a tranquil stroll around the Rose Garden
Landmarks New Residence, Bamberg - Day 11
Nuremberg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Nuremberg - Enjoy a sightseeing tour including architectural wonders that inspired famous artists, explore the effects of World War II on the city, and have time to explore at leisure passing reconstructed half-timbered houses
- Day 12
Regensburg
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Regensburg - Discover highlights on foot, wander romantic narrow alleys of the World Heritage-listed Old Town with a guide, see the 13th-century Town Hall, view the 12th-century Stone Bridge crossing the Danube, and enjoy leisure time for exploration
Optional Activities
- Visit to the Christmas market in the Thurn and Taxis Palace grounds - Walk to the palace grounds with a guide, learn about the historical importance of the castle and the family who lived there for hundreds of years, explore the Christmas market at your own pace, and receive a voucher for a cup of glühwein (EmeraldPLUS)
- Traditional Bavarian band performance on board - Enjoy a special performance from a Bavarian band playing traditional music and wearing authentic Lederhosen at the Horizon Bar & Lounge (EmeraldPLUS)
Landmarks Stone Bridge Thurn and Taxis Castle Old Town Hall, Regensburg - Day 13
Passau to Linz
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Passau - Walk through streets lined by Baroque buildings dating to the 17th century, view the Gothic Town Hall, Bishop's Residence, and St. Stephen's Cathedral featuring Baroque architecture and the largest church organ in Europe
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Salzburg - Spend a full day in Mozart's birthplace and setting for The Sound of Music, explore the historic downtown district, visit the Linzer Gasse shopping street, and visit Mozart's home (Easy activity level, 10 hours, extra expense)
- Excursion to Český Krumlov - Visit the World Heritage-listed medieval town in South Bohemia renowned for its Renaissance and Baroque architecture, walk cobblestone streets of the Old Town past old townhouses and hideaway bars with a local guide (Difficult/Active activity level, 8.5 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks St. Stephen's Cathedral, Passau Český Krumlov - Day 14
Melk to Dürnstein
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Melk Abbey - Explore a series of opulent rooms adorned with finest Italian Baroque architecture and ornate gold leaf walls, including the ancient monastic library with extensive collection of medieval manuscripts
Landmarks Melk Abbey - Day 15
Vienna
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Vienna - Explore the famous sights of the Ringstrasse and Vienna's city centre by coach and on foot or by guided bike tour, marvel at the Opera House, Baroque Burgtheater, and Flemish Gothic Parliament, then enjoy leisure time at Christmas markets
Optional Activities
- Visit to Schönbrunn Palace - Explore the former summer residence of the Habsburg Empire, a recognised World Heritage site with historic importance, unique grounds and splendid furnishings, with a local expert guide sharing fascinating tales of former residents (Easy activity level, 5 hours, extra expense)
- Viennese evening concert - Enjoy an exclusive evening concert at one of Vienna's most beautiful concert halls featuring Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss and Schubert favourites such as the 'Blue Danube Waltz' and 'Radetzky March', with complimentary glass of sparkling wine on arrival (Easy activity level, 2.5 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Vienna State Opera House Burgtheater Parliament of Austria Ringstrasse Schönbrunn Palace - Day 16
Bratislava
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava - Enjoy a sightseeing tour including the enchanting Old City, pass by the botanical gardens of the Episcopal Summer Palace, the Old Town Hall with its Renaissance courtyard, and the Slovak National Theatre with busts of famous composers, then have free time to explore at leisure
Optional Activities
- Home-hosted coffee and cake with a local Slovakian family - Be invited into the home of a local Slovakian family to learn about their culture over coffee and cake, gaining insights into their history, culture, traditions and daily life (EmeraldPLUS)
- Small Carpathian Wine Route excursion - Explore viticultural towns including Vinosady and a family-run winery in Senkvice, learn about the proud heritage of winemaking, and sample local wines in a historic wine cellar (Moderate activity level, 4 hours 40 minutes, extra expense)
Landmarks Old Town Hall, Bratislava Slovak National Theatre - Day 17
Budapest
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Hungarian dinner with folklore show)
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Budapest - Explore the World Heritage-listed centre, travel through architectural chapters from Romanesque to Baroque and classical façades, see the Liberty Statue, Heroes' Square, and the Buda Castle district, then enjoy a walking tour showcasing Matthias Church and the Fisherman's Bastion, followed by time to explore the Christmas market
- Traditional Hungarian folklore show - Enjoy a traditional Hungarian dinner and Hungarian folk dancing and music performance on board (EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Szentendre - Visit the picturesque village with cobblestone streets evoking a Mediterranean atmosphere that inspired many artists, take a walking tour through the pedestrian city centre to admire Baroque architecture, churches, colourful houses and narrow cobbled streets, explore the main square Fő Tér and surrounding art galleries, museums and shops (Moderate activity level, 4 hours, extra expense)
- Jewish heritage tour - Learn about significant Jewish events that shaped Budapest's culture with a local guide, see buildings that played important roles in the flourishing pre-World War II Jewish trade, view the 'Shoes on the Danube' memorial in Pest as a striking reminder of World War II Jewish communities (Moderate activity level, 4 hours, extra expense)
Landmarks Chain Bridge Liberty Statue Heroes' Square Buda Castle Matthias Church Fisherman's Bastion Shoes on the Danube Bank - Day 18
Budapest to Prague
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 19
Prague
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Prague - Explore three magnificent castle courtyards, step into St. Vitus Cathedral, descend the Castle Steps with breathtaking Prague views, stroll across the iconic Charles Bridge, and visit the legendary Astronomical Clock in the vibrant Old Town Square
Optional Activities
- Coffee & Cake at Lobkowicz Palace - Enjoy freshly brewed coffee and delicate pastries at one of the Czech Republic's most significant cultural sites, served against a backdrop of aristocratic charm and history (EmeraldPLUS)
Landmarks Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Charles Bridge Old Town Square Prague Astronomical Clock Lobkowicz Palace - Day 20
Prague
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Czechia - Learn about the wonderful variety of Czech wines on this fascinating tour, walk through the city's interesting hidden corners to a local restaurant, meet a sommelier, enjoy a welcome drink of Czech sparkling wine, and taste a selection of red, white and Rosé wines accompanied by traditional charcuterie and cheeses carefully selected to complement each glass (Easy activity level, 2.5 hours, extra expense)
- Day 21
Prague
- Meals
- Breakfast
