Welcome to Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Upon our arrival, we’ll be met by our guide and motorcoach and embark on a panoramic driving tour of the city on the way to our hotel. The city was founded in 1158 by Henry the Lion in order to control the area’s salt trade. During the Nazis’ rise to power, Munich was declared their “Capital of the Movement,” and much of the Old Town was bombed during WWII. It has since been restored and is always a must-see! The remainder of the day is yours to relax, explore the city, and grab dinner on your own. Walk through the Marienplatz with the world-famous Glockenspiel; visit the Frauenkirche with its “Devil’s Footprint;” or climb the spiral staircase of the tower of St. Peterskirche, the oldest church in Munich. The tomb of King Ludwig II in St. Michaelskirche and the massive Viktualienmarkt are other landmarks to check out. The 240,000-square-foot market has 140 stalls and shops offering flowers, exotic fruit, meats, spices, cheese, wine, tea, and more. For dinner this evening, consider dining at the famous Hofbraühaus. Locals and tourists from around the world flock to this bustling beer hall where the main area holds up to 1,300 guests. It’s a tradition for regulars to have a longstanding table reservation – the oldest regulars’ table has been held for more than seventy years – and they can even rent lockers to hold their personal beer mugs. It is definitely an authentic Bavarian experience!

Enjoy the hotel’s delicious breakfast this morning before we transfer to Regensburg to board the Emerald Dawn, our Emerald Cruises luxury river cruise ship, and be welcomed by the captain and crew. After settling into our cabins boasting amenities you would expect to find in a world-class hotel, we’ll join our fellow travelers for a welcome dinner as we overnight in port.

(Breakfast and dinner included)

Regensburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities, and today we will explore the city center. With our local guide, we’ll walk the cobblestone streets past the patrician houses of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town and stop to sample traditional Bavarian sausage. Many of Regensburg’s structures span two thousand years and include buildings in the ancient Roman, Romanesque, and Gothic styles. The character of the city is most defined by architectural styles of the market, City Hall, and the cathedral, which stands tall and imposing in the Old Town. Regensburg is also home to one of the oldest bridges to cross the Danube! It was the city’s only bridge crossing the Danube for more than 800 years, and remains a masterpiece of medieval construction today. Alternatively, you may wish to join the guided bike tour to the Walhalla monument towering high above the slopes of the Danube. The neo-classical Walhalla is a hall of fame featuring busts of notable German emperors, politicians, military figures, scientists, and artists. From here you can enjoy a spectacular view of the river and the surrounding landscape! As a special treat this evening, a traditional Bavarian band will entertain us on board.

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included) 

Today we’ll cruise into the heart of Passau, where three of Europe’s main rivers converge in the shadows of Oberhaus Fortress. Our guided tour of this illustrious city will wind through cobblestone streets and graceful arcades and unveil how the city was rebuilt following fires in the seventeenth century. Italian architects left their mark with an array of Baroque architecture that still stands today, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The cathedral is home to Europe’s largest church organ, with more than 17,000 pipes! For those looking for something more active today, consider joining the guided bike tour along the River Inn. The Inn is one of the three rivers that meet in Passau, and the path along the river banks on the border of Germany and Austria offer some peaceful and amazing views! Lunch awaits us on board as we relax on an afternoon cruise along the Danube into Austria.

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

We will sail today through the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley to Dürnstein, where you can choose between a guided hike or bike ride. The hike will take you to the ruins of Dürnstein Castle to take in the delightful panoramic views of the surrounding medieval villages, while the bike path will lead you past terraced vineyards, castles, and ruins. This afternoon’s excursion is a guided tour of Göttweig Abbey near Krems, a true treasure overlooking the Wachau from a hill covered by vineyards and forests. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscape since 2001, it is one of Austria's most important Benedictine abbeys and attracts visitors from all over the world. Built in 1083, it continues to serve as a spiritual center in the heart of Lower Austria and is run by a community of around forty-five monks. Visible even from great distance, the abbey provides epic panorama views!

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

Sweeping boulevards and world-famous art exhibitions welcome us to Vienna, a city which perfectly encapsulates the opulence of the Habsburg monarchy. The city is often referred to as the capital of classical music, with a legacy shaped by residents such as Mozart and Beethoven. Vienna is also known for its Imperial palaces and other buildings that exemplify a stunning variety of architecture. For art-lovers, there’s no other place like the Austrian capital. Our Vienna tour will include a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums worldwide. The museum with its octagonal dome was opened by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1891 as one of two museums meant to house the Habsburgs’ impressive art collection. Masterpieces by the likes of van Eyck, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Vermeer can be found in this amazing museum. Today’s more active option is a guided bike tour to the idyllic Danube Island.

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

Cobbled streets pave the course for daily life in Bratislava, where winding alleys and gothic architecture blend together to create a truly distinctive Slovakian capital. Set on the crossroads of ancient trade routes in the heart of Europe, Bratislava embodies various cultures, primarily Celtic, Roman, and Slavic. Today’s touring explores the city’s enchanting history, including the ornate, neo-Renaissance glory of the Slovak National Theatre’s exterior and stunning views of the Episcopal Summer Palace. Alternatively, take a guided hike to Bratislava Castle with its silhouette that looks as though it was pulled from the pages of a fairytale. This striking landmark was most recently rebuilt in a Renaissance style, but it still retains some of its original features. This afternoon we will enjoy coffee and cake in the home of a Slovakian family before returning to the ship for dinner.

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

Welcome to Budapest, a city generously steeped in history and culture, where ancient architecture exists alongside contemporary buildings. Budapest is Eastern Europe's liveliest and most cosmopolitan city. It is the result of a merger of two unique cities – Buda on the western bank of the Danube River and Pest on the eastern bank – and the distinct atmosphere of each side remains. Our guided city tour today will cover some of the highlights of Budapest and teach us about its stunning landscape and architecture. We’ll follow the chapters of architecture through the ages in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed center as we set off on a coach tour of the city, passing Romanesque, Baroque, and Classical facades. The history of the Hungarian capital shows a unique blend of cultures, cuisine, and vibrant lifestyles. There is so much to take in as we pass through the bustling city, which is an attractive destination for visitors from all over the world. If you wish to do some hiking, the climb to Gellért Hill is also available. The views over the Danube are certainly worth it! This evening we will enjoy a traditional Hungarian folklore show on board. 

(Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

We will disembark in Budapest after breakfast and transfer to the airport for our flight home.

(Breakfast included)