You will be met at the airport and transferred to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship in Regensburg to start your river cruising journey along the Danube.

Today, visit the city of Regensburg, a city that miraculously came out of the Second World War more or less intact. Here, you’ll have the chance to see a 12th-century bridge crossing the Danube and some of the city’s architectural highlights, before your EmeraldPLUS excursion takes you into the heart of the Thurn und Taxis Palace Christmas market, where rows of quaint wooden stalls are adorned by row-upon-row of twinkling lights.

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A traditional Bavarian band on board

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A visit to the Christmas market at Thurn und Taxis Palace

Included Excursion
A guided tour of Regensburg

The cobblestone streets that weave through Passau make it look as though it has been pulled from a Christmas card, especially when a thin layer of fresh snow blankets the town. Your included walking tour of Passau will finish underneath the striking green domes of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, where a charming Christkindlmarkt full of festive souvenirs and freshly baked goods can be found.

Included Excursion
A guided tour of Passau

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Excursion to the Bavarian Forest (extra expense)

Today, your included tour will take you into the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Melk Abbey, a Baroque palace that was gifted to monks almost a millennia ago. This afternoon, enjoy sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley, where Renaissance ruins and ancient castles pepper the surrounding landscape.

Included Excursion
A tour of Melk Abbey

Welcome to Vienna, where you will have every opportunity to discover the Baroque cityscape and a generous peppering of imperial palaces during your guided tour of the Ringstrasse and the city centre, both by coach and on foot. After the tour, you are free to explore at leisure, perhaps venturing into the heart of one of Vienna’s many Christmas markets, each set in open squares across the city.

Included Excursion
A guided tour of Vienna

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Viennese evening concert (extra expense)

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Tastes of Vienna (extra expense)

Today, enjoy learning about Slovakian culture as we take you into the heart of Bratislava, a capital where cultures really do sit side-by-side. A sightseeing tour of the city will introduce you to its architectural wonders, including the Gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral and the neo-Renaissance Slovak National Theatre, but the city’s Christmas markets are a true delight, as they showcase handcrafted souvenirs and traditional Christmas treats.

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Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family

Included Excursion
A walking tour of Bratislava

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Skoda Tour of Post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)

Offering a rich abundance of historical whimsy, Budapest is known for its architectural collections and the historic monuments that pepper both sides of the Danube. This UNECO World Heritage-listed city is a true delight at Christmas, when the locals take to thermal baths to beat the crisp chill of the season. Today, your guided coach tour will introduce you to Andrássy Avenue and the neo-Renaissance façades of the townhouses that can be found there, as well as a generous scattering of Christmas decorations.

This evening, a traditional Hungarian folklore show is certain to delight.

EmeraldPLUS
A traditional Hungarian folklore show

Included Excursion
A guided coach tour of Budapest

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Excursion to Szentendre (extra expense)

After breakfast, it is time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of open squares adorned with Christmas stalls and crisp winter mornings 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.