Danube Explorer River Cruise (2024) | Christian Tours – Motorcoach/Bus charters, rentals & vacations. Cruises, International tours, Christian travel

This tour offers many great opportunities for sightseeing. On several days optional activities are offered. You may choose whether you want to participate in the included EmeraldPlus or EmeraldActive excursions while on the cruise/tour. A complete list of DiscoverMore excursions with pricing and information will be provided prior to the tour/cruise departure that you may choose to add to your tour experience.

Day 1

DEPART THE USA:

Excitement builds as we begin our journey to the Charlotte Airport where we board our overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary.

Day 2

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY:

Upon arrival in Budapest, known as the “Pearl of the Danube”, we are transported to our ship, the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, our home for the next seven nights. This evening, we join our fellow passengers for a folklore performance onboard and a traditional Hungarian dinner. We relax on the Sun Deck and enjoy the fabulous view of the city, aglow in nighttime splendor. (D)

Day 3

BUDAPEST:

We explore Budapest’s cobbled medieval quarter as we embark on a coach tour through the UNESCO World Heritage city center. Our guide will highlight several architectural wonders and talk about Budapest’s culinary scene. The tour will end at the Grand Market Hall, the city’s most expansive indoor food and craft market, where we will have time to explore on our own. You may instead choose a more active 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 by foot along the medieval paths and alleyways in the area around Buda Castle. (B, L, D)

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike to Buda Hill (instead of city tour)
DiscoverMORE*: Tour of Szentendre (add’l cost)

*This excursion runs at the same time as the included tour; only one can be selected.

Day 4

BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA:

We relax onboard as we sail into the capital of Slovakia. This graceful nation 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 center. The romantic cobblestone lanes that weave through the city are explored with our local guide as we enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town center, seeing the Slovak National Theatre and a variety of Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings. Alternately, you may choose a more active tour, a guided hike to Bratislava Castle, a landmark steeped in legends that looks as though it came from the pages of a fairytale book. (B, L, D)

EmeraldACTIVE: A guided hike to Bratislava Castle (instead of city walking tour)
EmeraldPLUS: Local Slovakian entertainment onboard
DiscoverMore: Skoda Tour of Post-Communist Bratislava (add’l cost)

Day 5

VIENNA:

We arrive in Vienna, Austria’s capital, and the capital of classical music. The city perfectly encapsulates the opulence of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces. On the included city tour, we see monuments and grand buildings as the coach drives along the famous Ringstrasse. During our walking tour, we stroll with our guide through the city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at the classic architectural styles of the buildings; and we see St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Palace, right in the heart of the city center. If you are feeling more active, you may opt to explore on two wheels, cycling along the serene trails on Danube Island. (B, L, D)

EmeraldACTIVE: Bike tour in Vienna (instead of city tour)
DiscoverMORE: An exclusive Viennese evening concert with the music of Mozart and Strauss (add’l cost)

Day 6

WEISSENKIRCHEN, AUSTRIA • MELK:

We cruise along the Danube River to Weisenkirchen, one of the most frequented parts of the Washau wine region. You may join a hike in town before sailing to Melk. Later in the morning, we sail through the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley, passing medieval villages, terraced vineyards, and areas of natural beauty. Upon arrival in Melk, we enjoy an included tour of Melk Abbey, originally a lavish castle that was gifted to Bene- dictine monks during the 11th century. This opulent Baroque building features ornate gold leaf walls, seemingly endless spiral staircases and is home to some of the most important collections of medieval manuscripts in the world. (B, L, D)

EmeraldACTIVE: Hike in Weissenkirchen
EmeraldACTIVE: A guided bike ride along the Danube
DiscoverMORE (from Melk): Visit to Schallaburg Castle (add’l cost)

Day 7

LINZ, AUSTRIA • CESKY KRUMLOV, CZECH REPUBLIC:

Today’s adventure takes us to the UNESCO World Heritage -listed town of Ceský Krumlov. With its 13th-century castle, meandering river, and a maze of quaint alleyways, this town has one of the best-preserved centers in Europe. We join our local guide to traverse a labyrinth of winding cobblestone lanes as we experience the charming atmosphere of Ceský Krumlov’s medieval buildings and iconic castle complex. During the excursion, we visit the 15th-century St. VItus’ Church, a highlight of the town. (B, D)

EmeraldPLUS: A guided walking tour of Ceský Krumlov
DiscoverMORE*: Linzer Torte-making workshop (add’l cost)

this excursion runs at the same time as the included tour; only one can be selected.

Day 8

PASSAU, GERMANY:

We arrive in Passau, a town nestled on the confluence of three of Europe’s main waterways. Here we navigate narrow cobblestone streets as we begin our excursion to a local farm to observe the life of local Bavarian farmers. We tour a farm, see the animals, and learn how the family is utilizing methods of sustainable agriculture. We meet with the farmers and sample some of their homemade specialties during an included tasting. Alternatively, if you are feeling more active, you may participate in a guided hike to Veste Oberhaus where we can catch a site of the Mariahilf and St. Severin, an ancient church dating back to the Ottonian dynasty. (B, L, D)

EmeraldPLUS: Bavarian brunch-livestock farming and homemade specialties tasting
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike to Veste Oberhaus (instead of farm visit)
DiscoverMORE: Bavaria Live (add’l cost)

Day 9

PASSAU • PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC:

After breakfast, we say goodbye to our Captain and crew as we disembark our ship and depart by motorcoach for Prague. Upon arrival, we have free time for lunch on our own before joining an included city tour, highlighting the famous sites of this beautiful city. Following a brief panoramic drive, join a walking tour of the heart of the city to see the Old Town Square with its historic astronomical clock and the medieval Charles Bridge. Our tour concludes at our hotel with the evening at leisure. (B)

Day 10

PRAGUE:

Our last day is left free of planned activities for our independent exploration of Prague. We may also choose to join the morning optional excursion to Terezin Concentration Camp. (B)