9 Night Danube Explorer and Highlights of Budapest Cruise from Budapest

Welcome to Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube', where you will be greeted by one of the Emerald Cruises representatives and transferred to your contemporary Star-Ship. Once onboard, you receive a warm welcome from the friendly crew. Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 5 PM.

Your journey starts in Budapest, where a fantastic trip and exciting experiences await. Explore the city's cobbled medieval quarter as you embark on a motorcoach tour through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city center. Your guide will teach you about the Hungarian capital's culinary scene, finishing at the Neo-Gothic Great Market, Budapest's largest and most expansive indoor market, where you'll have time to explore on your own. If you are feeling more active, you can instead choose to hike up 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 around Buda Castle. This evening, join your fellow guests for a traditional Hungarian folklore show.

Today, you are invited to a special dinner and a traditional folklore show for a truly immersive local experience, presenting you with a great chance to get to know your fellow travelers and to spend the evening in town just like the locals do.

On our last morning in Budapest, enjoy a leisurely walk in town or use one of the onboard bikes for one last ride through the Hungarian capital. In the afternoon, our ship sets sail on the magnificent Danube River onto our next destination - Slovakia.

This morning, we sail into the Slovakian capital. The romantic cobblestone lanes weaving through the city are yours to explore. Enjoy guided walking tours of the ancient town center, passing a range of Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, including the incredible Slovak National Theatre. Alternatively, embark on a guided hike to Bratislava Castle, a fairy tale-like landmark steeped in legend. This striking building has been rebuilt several times. Most recently in the mid-20th century. Tonight, enjoy some local Slovakian entertainment onboard.

Sweeping boulevards and world-famous exhibition halls welcome you to Vienna, the birthplace of revolutionary breakthroughs in the fields of music and psychology. The city perfectly encapsulates the extravagance of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces. A walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city center uncovers the classical architectural styles of the city, evidence of the melting pot of artistic influences that existed here at the turn of the 20th century. If you are feeling more active, choose to explore on two wheels, cycling along the river to Donauinsel, the Danube Island.

Effortlessly suspended in time, Weissenkirchen is one of the most frequented parts of the Wachau wine region, where the delightful warm weather creates the perfect setting for viticulture. Today, join your activity manager for a hike in town before you set sail to Melk. Later, sail through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley and arrive in Melk, where you'll enjoy a guided tour of Melk Abbey. Originally a lavish castle gifted to Benedictine monks during the 11th century, this opulent Baroque building is home to some of the most important collections of medieval manuscripts.

This morning, your Star-Ship will dock in Linz. Transfer by motorcoach across the border into the Czech Republic to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed center of Cesky Krumlov, a town built around a 13th-century castle. Join your local guide on a walk along the labyrinth of winding cobblestone streets, passing the colorful facades of buildings, as you learn how the architecture survived the test of time. The town surrounds the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cesky Krumlov Castle, and your guided tour will include the 15th-century St. Vitus Church and a number of delightful Gothic facades.

Narrow cobblestone streets and the aroma of freshly baked goods welcome you to Passau, a town nestled on the confluence of three of Europe's main waterways. This historic trading center borders Austria and boasts a distinctive blend of cultures. Experience a typical Bavarian farm for some interesting insights into the life of local farmers and livestock farming, then try their homemade specialities. Alternatively, you can set off on a hike, catching sights such as the Mariahilf and St. Severin, an ancient church dating back to the Ottonian dynasty.

After breakfast, it's time to disembark the Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of Europe's iconic skylines and charming small towns along the Danube River with you. Please book your flight to depart out of Munich after 1 PM. 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.