Classic Danube & Budapest

Arrive at Munich Airport and transfer to Nuremberg to embark your Emerald Waterways luxury river cruise ship and where you will be welcomed by your Captain and crew. Nuremberg is situated along the Main–Danube canal, an engineering masterpiece linking the rivers of Germany with the mighty Danube which flows from the Alps to the Black Sea.

Today, you will have a sightseeing coach tour of the historic city of Nuremberg. Your coach tour would pass by the sights of the 900-year-old ramparts, the Justice Palace where the War Crimes Tribunal sat in 1946, the Nazi party rally grounds, where rallies were held from 1933 until 1938 among other historical sights. Afterwards, take a self-guided tour of the WWII Documentation Centre or instead enjoy free time in the city centre.

This morning takes you through the final stretch of the fascinating Main–Danube Canal to Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. On our guided walking tour, you will have the chance to see one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube and see the city’s architectural highlights including the Old Town Hall.
EmeraldPLUS: Traditional Bavarian Band on board
EmeraldPLUS: Organ Concert

Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you in the beautiful city of Passau. On this morning’s walking tour, stroll through the old town’s narrow alleys and see the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress from the town below. Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to Europe’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. Return for lunch and an afternoon cruising along the Danube River.
EmeraldACTIVE: Hike around Passau Area

DiscoverMORE: Open Air Museum (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE: Bavarian Beer Evening (extra expense)

Linz, the European capital of culture in 2009 is a lively, modern city with long and eventful history, reflected in the architecture of the city centre with its unique Baroque Hauptplatz. After your tour, you will have time to stroll through the marvelous old quarter of the city or sit in a typical Austrian Coffee House to taste some local specialties.

Situated within Austria’s wine–growing region, Melk is home to an imposing 900–year old Benedictine Abbey which features Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture, with its ornate gold leaf walls, 640ft Imperial Corridor and fresco ceilings. Later the ship sails through the spectacular Wachau Valley and on to Dürnstein, one of the most enchanting villages of the Wachau wine region. This is the site of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned after returning from the crusades in the 12th century.
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided biking tour along the Danube River from Melk to Dürnstein
OR
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike to Dürnstein Castle

Welcome to Vienna, the capital of classical music. Today you have a choice of either exploring Austria’s capital beginning with a drive along the magnificent Ringstrasse, where we will see some of Vienna’s world-famous sights such as the Opera House, Burgtheater, Town Hall, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Imperial Palace. If you feel active, join the guided bike tour instead of the drive around and guided walk.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike Tour

DiscoverMORE: Exclusive Viennese concert with music from Mozart and Strauss (extra expense)

After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer by coach to the vibrant city of Budapest. Included is a two-night stay in Budapest.

Enjoy a guided tour of the city sights including the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest.

After breakfast, it is time to farewell your fellow passengers and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport.