Save up to $5500 per couple* on this 24-day European Escapade in 2021!

Day 1 Thu, 30 Sep Arrive Prague

Welcome to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred^ to your centrally located hotel. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a welcome drink.

Three Night Stay: Prague

Day 2 Fri, 01 Oct Prague (B,D)

This morning, we explore the sights of the Old Town Square on a guided walking tour. We see Mozart´s Theatre, Little Square, the Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge. Later drive to the 1,000 year old Prague Castle area. This evening, You’re Invited to dinner and a night of local entertainment.

Day 3 Sat, 02 Oct Prague (B)

Your Tour Director is on hand to help plan your day. The baroque quarter of Mala Strana is a must see, as is Josefov, the Jewish quarter.

• Discover More: Tastes of Czechia (extra expense)

Day 4 Sun, 03 Oct Prague – Dresden – Berlin (B,D)

On leaving Prague, drive along the Elbe Valley to Dresden, known as Florence on the Elbe. Here we will see the Frauenkirche, the Castle of the Electors of Saxony and the Green Vault with its collection of Meissen porcelain.

Two Night Stay: Berlin

Day 5 Mon, 04 Oct Potsdam – Berlin (B)

Take a short drive to Potsdam to see the palace of Frederick the Great and visit the Neues Palace – the last royal residence Frederick the Great had built. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the city transformed into the impressive and exciting metropolis that it is today. See the new Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, State Opera House and Alexander Platz. We see the former Checkpoint Charlie as well as other sites associated with the era of the Iron Curtain.

Day 6 Tue, 05 Oct Berlin – Train – Warsaw (B,D)

This morning, you will be taken to the train station for a journey across the heart of Poland and into the capital, Warsaw. Enjoy time en route to relax and watch the scenery pass by, arriving into Warsaw in the early afternoon. A traditional Polish dinner is included this evening.

Two Night Stay: Warsaw

Day 7 Wed, 06 Oct Warsaw (B,D)

Our guided sightseeing tour reveals the historic centre where much of the Old Town was rebuilt after the war. Memories of Polanski’s film ‘The Pianist’ come to mind as we visit the Jewish Ghetto with a local guide. See a monument to the Ghetto heroes, the Palace of Culture and the Chopin Memorial. Take an excursion to the Royal Castle. Tonight, You’re Invited to an exclusive dinner and private recital of Chopin’s music, performed by a celebrated Polish pianist in a private manor house.

Day 8 Thu, 07 Oct Warsaw – Auschwitz – Kraków (B,L)

This morning, visit the Concentration Camp at Auschwitz for a guided tour and experience the chilling reminders of the atrocities of World War II. Later, arrive in the former royal capital of Kraków, dating back to the 7th century.

Two Night Stay: Kraków

Day 9 Fri, 08 Oct Kraków (B,D)

Sightseeing of this imposing medieval city includes the cathedral and castle on Wawel Hill and on a walking tour of the old town we visit St. Mary’s Church and the Cloth Hall. The rest of the day is at leisure. You’re Invited: Enjoy dinner in a family run restaurant.

• Discover More: Excursion to the Wieliczka Salt Mines (extra expense)

Day 10 Sat, 09 Oct Kraków – Budapest Embarkation (B,D)

Today, we journey past the Castle of Oravsky Hrad and over the Tatra Mountains, through Slovakia and into Budapest, the capital of Hungary. A warm welcome awaits you from your Captain and crew as you board your luxury Emerald Waterways Star-Ship.

• You’re Invited: A traditional Hungarian folklore show

Day 11 Sun, 10 Oct Budapest (B,L,D)

Budapest is a place of striking contrasts, with Buda on one side housing a generous scattering of the city’s elegant landmarks and Pest on the other encapsulating Budapest’s fascinating past. The two are separated by the mighty Danube, and you can explore them both by crossing the Chain Bridge, one of the most symbolic structures in the capital.

Today, you will have the opportunity to discover the city’s history during a guided tour, including the Castle District, where sights of Buda Castle perched on top of a rocky outcrop overlooking the city are certain to delight. If you are feeling active, then you may instead choose to hike to Buda Hill, following a maze of cobblestone streets to the massive Baroque masterpiece towering overhead.

• EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Budapest
• EmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike to Buda Hill

Day 12 Mon, 11 Oct Bratislava (B,L,D)

Bordering Austria and Hungary, the Slovakian capital is yours to discover today. Wander down cobblestone streets and witness the sheer majesty of ornate Baroque palaces as you explore with a local guide, passing the Renaissance courtyard of the Old Town Hall and the picturesque gardens of the Episcopal Summer Palace. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore at leisure, perhaps perusing some of the quaint boutiques that line the streets.

This afternoon, you will be welcomed into the home of a local family to learn about their culture over traditional sweet treats and coffee.

• You’re Invited: Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
• EmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike to Bratislava Castle
• EmeraldEXCURSION: A walking tour of Bratislava

Day 13 Tue, 12 Oct Vienna (B,L,D)

A wave of culture paves the way for life in the Austrian capital, where some of history’s most prestigious composers once walked the streets and found their inspiration, before taking to the opulent surrounds of the Vienna State Opera. Today, you will have the opportunity to pass iconic imperial palaces and a number of noteworthy buildings adorning the Ringstrasse, both by coach and on foot.

Alternatively, embark on a guided cycling tour past idyllic riverbanks, monuments and lush parks before finishing in Prater, underneath the shadow of Vienna’s iconic 19th-century Ferris wheel.

• EmeraldACTIVE: A guided bike tour
• EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of the Ringstrasse and Vienna
• Discover More: A visit to Schönbrunn Palace (extra expense)
• Discover More: An exclusive Viennese concert with music from Mozart and Strauss (extra expense)

Day 14 Wed, 13 Oct Dürnstein - Melk (B,L,D)

This morning, you will have the opportunity to hike to Dürnstein Castle, perhaps stopping to imagine how it would have looked when it held Richard the Lionheart captive following the Third Crusade. Alternatively, enjoy a guided bike ride from Dürnstein to Melk, passing noteworthy vineyards and settling down for lunch on the riverbanks.

After visiting Dürnstein Castle, relax on the Sun Deck as you sail through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wachau Valley and on to Melk, nestled in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Your local guide will take you on a tour of the spectacular 900-year-old Benedictine abbey, including its ancient monastic library and medieval manuscripts, saved by the monks from fires in the 13th century.

• EmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
• EmeraldACTIVE: A guided bike tour along the Danube
• EmeraldEXCURSION: A tour of Melk Abbey

Day 15 Thu, 14 Oct Passau (B,L,D)

Sat on the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, Passau is a postcard-worthy destination that has been shaped by the surrounding waterways. Maze-like romantic lanes weave through the city, opening up into large squares and magical promenades adorned with classical boutiques.

This afternoon, join your local guide for a tour of Passau and discover a peppering of delightful Baroque buildings, some of which date back to the 17th century. Stop to admire the silhouette of the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress and witness St. Stephen’s Cathedral, home of the largest church organ in Europe. Later, return for an afternoon spent peacefully cruising through the heart of Europe.

• EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Passau
• Discover More: A tour of Salzburg (extra expense)
• Discover More: A tour of Ceský Krumlov (extra expense)

Day 16 Fri, 15 Oct Regensburg - Kelheim (B,L,D)

After breakfast, set out on an exploration of one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany, where more than two millennia of history is yours to discover. Your local guide will lead you through the heart of Regensburg’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, once home to the seat of parliament. Delightful historic patrician houses line the streets, a visible testament to the area’s importance as a trading centre hundreds of years ago.

Later, return to your Star-Ship to sail through the picturesque surrounds of the Main-Danube Canal, passing Kelheim as you make your way to Nuremberg.

• You’re Invited: A Bavarian band performance
• EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Regensburg
• Discover More: Excursion to Kuchlbauer brewery (extra expense)

Day 17 Sat, 16 Oct Nuremberg (B,L,D)

Enjoy a sightseeing coach tour of the historic city of Nuremberg. Your coach will pass by some of the historical parts of Nuremberg, such as St. John’s cemetery, Maxbrücke, before a guided walking tour and beer tasting. Enjoy time at leisure to explore Nuremberg before returning to the ship.

• EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Nuremberg
• Discover More: A World War II tour with Documentation Centre visit (extra expense)

Day 18 Sun, 17 Oct Bamberg (B,L,D)

This morning, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Bamberg awaits. Thousands of listed buildings can be found in the medieval town centre, an area bursting with character, charm and one of the best-preserved old quarters in Europe.

Admire hundreds of ornamental façades as you explore the town with your local guide, passing the New Residence, a building that truly captures the opulence that was enjoyed by the prince bishops. Relax in the Rose Garden before witnessing the opulence of the medieval Altenburg Castle, overlooking the town.

• EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Bamberg

Day 19 Mon, 18 Oct Würzburg (B,L,D)

Set alongside the Main River, Würzburg offers a perfect introduction to the Romantic Road, one of Bavaria’s most popular tourism routes that links stunning medieval locations throughout the country. Your own charming journey of discovery will touch on the sloping vineyard-laden hills of one of the biggest wine-producing areas in Germany.

Today, you will have the opportunity to visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Würzburg Residence, perhaps stopping to admire the Viennese Baroque architecture and secular features from Italy. Your local guide will teach you about how the architects behind the Würzburg Residence drew inspiration from a spectrum of different popular styles. After the tour, enjoy a guided walking tour of Würzburg, including the Gothic Marienkapelle and Town Hall.

• EmeraldEXCURSION: Visit to the Würzburg Residence and a tour of Würzburg
• Discover More: A tour of Rothenburg (extra expense)

Day 20 Tue, 19 Oct Wertheim - Miltenberg (B,L,D)

This morning, you will have the opportunity to explore the medieval glass-blowing town of Wertheim independently, perhaps stopping to admire the traditional craft that has put Wertheim on the map in a local museum. Then, travel by coach to the picturesque village of Miltenberg, a place that perfectly encapsulates traditional Bavarian life.

Enjoy a guided tour of the village, as your local guide leads you down an intricate network of cobblestone streets, each adorned with colourful houses. Centuries ago, this area benefited from trade that was brought by river traffic, and that past affluence can still be seen today.

Alternatively, embark on a guided hike to Mildenburg Castle, where a wonderful collection of artwork can be found inside of a castle that was once little more than a set of ruins.

• EmeraldACTIVE: A guided active walk to Mildenburg Castle
• EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided tour of Miltenberg

Day 21 Wed, 20 Oct Rüdesheim – Koblenz (B,L,D)

Relax on your Star-Ship this morning until we reach Rüdesheim, a town with a rich history of viticulture. When you arrive, ride the Winzerexpress to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum to see spectacular displays, including rare music boxes that have stood the test of time in a postcard-worthy building with a half-timbered façade.

Alternatively, enjoy an active walk through vineyards to see what makes this wine region so popular.

After lunch, sail through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge, perhaps standing on the Sun Deck and watching for the castles and fortresses that pepper the surrounding hilltops.

• EmeraldACTIVE: An active walk through the vineyards
• EmeraldEXCURSION: A visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Instrument Museum

Day 22 Thu, 21 Oct Cologne (B,L,D)

Cruise along the Rhine from Koblenz to Cologne this morning, where an illustrious 2,000-year-old history awaits. The Romans founded Cologne in 50 AD, and it is one of the oldest cities in the country. This status has granted it a number of ancient monuments, including Roman ruins and medieval structures.

Enjoy a walking tour of the city today, as your local guide takes you through the Old Town, passing ancient bridges that survived the air raids of WWII, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral and its filigree twin towers, a recognisable aspect o the city’s skyline.

This evening, enjoy a Gala Dinner.

• EmeraldEXCURSION: A guided walking tour of Cologne’s Old Town

Day 23 Fri, 22 Oct Amsterdam (B,L,D)

This morning, board a glass top canal boat cruise to venture down the UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system that weaves across Amsterdam, passing elegant merchant’s residences that reflect the prosperity of the Dutch Golden Age, a time when Amsterdam was an important trading centre. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore at leisure.

Alternatively, explore on two wheels, cycling from the comfortable surrounds of your Star-Ship to Waterland, passing a number of quintessentially Dutch villages and traditional windmills along the way.

• EmeraldACTIVE: A guided bike tour to Waterland
• EmeraldEXCURSION: A canal cruise
• Discover More:Tour of Haarlem (extra expense)

Day 24 Sat, 23 Oct Depart Amsterdam (B)

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests and depart the Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of the postcard-worthy Rhine Gorge and idyllic Dutch countryside with you.

Please note: Pre-release itinerary subject to change.

Book by 22 May 2020 with only a $250 pp deposit and full payment due by 30 September 2020 to secure these sensational savings!

Advertised price based on 30 September 2021 departure in an Emerald Stateroom:

• Usually $11,345 pp, NOW from $8,595 pp twin share

Ask your consultant about adding the Deposit Protection Plan to your booking for only $125 pp! This plan gives you piece of mind that your deposit can be held in credit for up to 2 years to be used on a future Evergreen booking, should you need to cancel.

All prices are inclusive of savings mentioned subject to change until booked and paid in full. The advertised price based on finals payment due 12 months prior to departure.

The Emerald Staterooms are located on the Riviera Deck. The interior fixtures and amenities are identical to the Emerald Balcony Suites, the Emerald Staterooms have a small fixed picture windows due to the lower deck position.

All Staterooms are equipped with a flat screen TV with infotainment system, individual air conditioning system, a personal safe, fridge, hairdryer, hotel-style beds, an en-suite bathroom, complimentary Wi-Fi and bottled water daily.

Balcony Cabin upgrades are available *

How much luggage can I bring on a River Cruise?

The luggage allowance whilst on tour is one suitcase with a maximum size of 76 x 53 x 28 cms (30 x 21 x 11’’) and weight of 20 kilograms. You may also carry a small backpack. Additional bags beyond the luggage allowance may incur additional charges and are to be settled directly to the hotel or as required.

Is porterage included?

Handling and porterage of your luggage (as per the luggage allowance above) is included in your tour. Additional bags beyond the allowance may be charged or it may be the responsibility of the passenger to forward the baggage to another destination. Luggage handling is not included during any independent or non-escorted touring. In this situation, luggage handling and porterage will need to be organised directly with the hotel porters. For security reasons, porterage around public transport including airports and train stations are your responsibility.

Can I travel in a wheelchair?

Due to the structure of old buildings, access to some establishments may not be convenient for wheelchair use, and facilities for the disabled in general may be limited. Many areas are pedestrian only. Certain castles have a number of stairs which may impact guests with limited mobility access to all touring areas. There are also areas of the ship that cannot be accessed by wheelchair and passengers will need to be able to get on and off the ship out of the wheelchair, due to space.

Are there medical personnel available on the ship?

Doctors are not available on board the ship, however we can stop anywhere along the way for medical emergencies.

Who will be escorting the tour?

Your holiday is a special time and our Tour Directors and Cruise Directors make all the difference. From your very first day their warm greetings and professionalism signal the start of a wonderful rapport.

Are there any unforeseen costs I should be aware of?

Sometimes there is a small charge for public toilets, food and drinks usually cost more and the service may be a little more leisurely than you might expect.