Danube Spa, Arts & Culture

Welcome to Budapest, “Pearl of the Danube”. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the contemporary surrounds of your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship to embark on a journey filled with art, culture and relaxing spa time in iconic places along the Danube.
This evening, join your fellow guests for a traditional Hungarian dinner followed by an onboard folklore performance.
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A traditional Hungarian folklore show
Meals Included: Dinner

Just outside of Budapest, the small town of Szentendre will surprise you with its colorful houses, narrow alleys, and various art museums. It is the home of many Hungarian artists and birthplace of the Renaissance. At the end of the 19th century, many Hungarian painters flocked to this full-fledged town. Now it is the most important tourist destination in Hungary and the “exposition hall” of the Hungarian modern art genre. Take a look at the open-air exhibition of young artists while you wander along the twisting cobblestone streets or soak up the lively atmosphere in an outdoor café. Feeling rather active on your first morning onboard? Then you may instead choose to hike to Buda Hill. The surrounding area has been rebuilt several times, most recently following the air raids of WWII. Some 18th-century Baroque houses still stand, best explored from the medieval paths and alleyways in the area around Buda Castle.

If you need to cool off this afternoon after busy sightseeing, we will bring you to experience an authentic spa in Budapest. The city’s bathing culture goes back centuries – to the Romans and perhaps beyond – and today you’ll find a variety of baths and spas in Budapest that cater to every taste.
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A hike to Buda Hill
Included Excursion
Szentendre arts & crafts tour
Included Excursion
Budapest spa experience
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Jewish Heritage Tour (extra expense)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Relax on board as we sail into the capital of Slovakia this morning. This graceful nation of leafy avenues became an independent country in 1993, and since then, Bratislava has flourished as a new capital and made a name for itself as a cultural centre where different styles of music are as readily celebrated as the region’s medieval past. This morning you will be invited into the home of a local family to learn about their culture over coffee and cake.
Alternatively, embark on a guided hike to Bratislava Castle, a landmark steeped in legends that looks as though it came from the pages of a child’s fairytale. This striking building has been rebuilt several times over the last millennia, most recently in a Renaissance style.
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Local Slovakian entertainment on board
EmeraldACTIVE
A guided hike to Bratislava Castle
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Home-hosted coffee and cake with a local family
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sweeping boulevards and world-famous art exhibitions welcome you to Vienna, a city which perfectly encapsulates the opulence of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces. For art lovers, there is no other place like the Austrian capital, not just because the city is packed with museums and artwork but because of its variety. Your tour will include a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the largest art museum in the country and one of the most important museums worldwide. It was built in 1891 near the Imperial Palace to house the extensive collections of the imperial family. Numerous major art works of European art history, such as Raphael’s “Madonna in the Meadow,” Vermeer’s “The Allegory of Painting,” the Infanta paintings by Velazquez, masterworks by Rubens, Rembrandt, Dürer, Titian and Tintoretto are housed in the paintings gallery.

If you prefer to stay active and see the city from another perspective, then perhaps choose to explore Vienna on two wheels, cycling along the river to the Danube Island.
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A bike tour in Vienna
Included Excursion
Vienna art tour with visit of Kunsthistorisches Museum
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Tastes of Vienna (extra expense)
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Viennese evening concert (extra expense)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, you can join us on a vineyards hike & tasting in Weissenkirchen, one of the most frequented parts of the Wachau wine region, where the delightful warm weather creates the perfect setting for viticulture.

Or you may choose to hike the ruins of Dürnstein Castle, where a delightful panoramic view of the surrounding medieval villages, rows of vines in beautifully arranged vineyards and a forested backdrop is certain to delight.
Later, sail through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley, passing medieval villages, terraced vineyards and areas of natural beauty. When you arrive in Melk, enjoy a guided tour of Melk Abbey, originally a lavish castle that was gifted to Benedictine monks during the 11th century. This opulent Baroque building is home to some of the most important collections of medieval manuscripts in the world.
EmeraldACTIVE
A guided bike ride along the Danube river
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A guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
Included Excursion
Vineyards hike & tasting in Weissenkirchen
Included Excursion
A tour of Melk Abbey
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Visit to Schallaburg castle
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, your Star-Ship will dock in Linz, Austria’s third largest city. It has historic beauty aplenty: the expansive main square – located right by the Danube, and one of the largest in Central Europe – and its quaint Old Town have a relaxed and authentic feel. Linz is ideal for a stroll through charming cobblestone streets, past centuries-old architecture. Your photography tour today will allow you to get a close look at the hidden gems of this spectacular city. Enjoy the famous local treat, Linzer torte, which will inspire you throughout your creative journey today.
Included Excursion
Linz photography tour with Linzer Torte tasting
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Narrow cobblestone streets and the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread welcome you to Passau, a town nestled on the confluence of three of Europe’s main waterways. This important historic German trading centre borders Austria, and a distinctive blend of cultures can be found here. You will get to experience a typical Bavarian farm today and get some interesting insights into the life of local farmers and livestock farming and while you also get to try their homemade specialties.
EmeraldACTIVE
A hike to Veste Oberhaus
Included Excursion
Bavarian brunch
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Bavaria Live (extra expense)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, it’s time to disembark the Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of ancient libraries and Europe’s iconic skylines with you.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.
– Meals Included: Breakfast