Splendours of Europe

Splendours of Europe with Emerald Cruises

Selected departures in July, August 2025. Reverse itineraries also available

Pricing based on departure date: 1 July 2025

Begin your journey on the iconic Danube river with a traditional Hungarian folklore performance. Over the next fourteen days, sail through the stunning Wachau Valley and the Rhine Gorge, making your way to the canal city of Amsterdam. Along the way explore stunning cities and towns like Vienna and Cologne.

OUR CRUISE INCLUDES

• 14 nights on board an Emerald Cruises Star-Ship
• The services of an Emerald Cruises cruise director
• Port taxes and charges
• All tipping and gratuities

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS

• Guided coach tour of Budapest
• Walking tour of Bratislava
• Guided tour of Vienna
• Tour of Melk Abbey
• Guided tour of Passau
• Guided tour of Regensburg
• Guided tour of Nuremberg
• Guided tour of Bamberg
• Walking tour of Würzburg and a visit to the Bishops Residence
• Guided tour of Miltenberg
• Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
• Guided tour of Cologne's Old Town
• Canal cruise in Amsterdam

EmeraldPLUS

• Traditional Hungarian folklore show on board
• Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family
• Traditional Bavarian band on board
• Exclusive visit to the Glass Art Museum in Wertheim with presentation

EmeraldACTIVE

• Hike to Buda Hill
• Hike to Bratislava Castle
• Guided bike tour of Vienna
• Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle
• Guided bike tour along the Danube River
• Active walk to Mildenburg Castle
• Hike to Niederwalddenkmal
• Guided bike tour to Waterland

DINING HIGHLIGHTS

• 41 delectable meals including 14 breakfasts (B), 13 lunches (L), 14 dinners (D)
• Including a Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner
• Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner on board

Itinerary: Budapest (overnight), Bratislava, Vienna, Durstein, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzberg, Wertheim - Miltenberg, Rudesheim - Koblenz, Cologne, Amsterdam (overnight)

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Budapest

Welcome to Budapest, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Eastern Europe. Here, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to the comfortable surrounds of your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to greet you.

This evening, relax on board as you enjoy an authentic Hungarian folklore show.

EmeraldPLUS - Traditional Hungarian folklore show

Day 2 - Budapest

Budapest is a city of striking contrasts, separated by the mighty Danube. Cross the iconic Chain Bridge to explore Buda to the west and Pest to the east. Today, you will have the opportunity to discover the city’s history during a guided tour ,covering some of the highlights of Budapest and learn more about its stunning landscape and architecture. The history of the Hungarian capital shows a unique blend of cultures, cuisine and vibrant lifestyle.

 There is so much to take in while you pass through the bustling city, which is an attractive destination for visitors from all over the world. 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.

EmeraldACTIVE - Hike to Buda Hill

Included Excursion - Guided coach tour of Budapest

Day 3 - Bratislava

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.

EmeraldPLUS - Home-hosted coffee and cake with a Slovakian family

EmeraldACTIVE- Guided hike to Bratislava Castle

Included Excursion - Walking tour of Bratislava

DiscoverMORE - Skoda tour of post-Communist Bratislava (extra expense)

Day 4 - Vienna

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. Today, by coach and on foot, you will have the opportunity to pass the iconic imperial palaces and noteworthy buildings adorning the Ringstrasse, including the Vienna State Opera.

Alternatively, embark on a guided cycling tour past idyllic riverbanks, monuments and lush parks before passing by Prater.

EmeraldACTIVE - Guided bike tour of Vienna

Included Excursion - Guided tour of Vienna

DiscoverMORE - Visit to Schönbrunn Palace (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE - Viennese evening concert (extra expense)

Day 5 - Dürnstein - Melk

This morning, you will have the opportunity to hike to Dürnstein Castle, perhaps stopping to imagine how it would have looked when Richard the Lionheart was held 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 from fires by the monks in the 13th century.

EmeraldACTIVE - Guided hike to Dürnstein Castle

EmeraldACTIVE - Guided bike tour along the Danube

Included Excursion - Tour of Melk Abbey

Day 6 - Passau

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.

Included Excursion - Guided tour of Passau

DiscoverMORE - Excursion to Salzburg (extra expense)

DiscoverMORE - Excursion to Ceský Krumlov (extra expense)

Day 7 - Regensburg

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.

EmeraldPLUS - Bavarian band performance on board

Included Excursion - Guided tour of Regensburg

DiscoverMORE Sausage-making workshop (extra expense)

Day 8 - Nuremberg

Today, the historic city of Nuremberg is yours to explore during an included sightseeing tour, touching on the architectural wonders that have acted as an inspiration for famous artists from around the world for generations.

After your guided tour, enjoy time to explore the city at leisure, passing idyllic houses that were lovingly reconstructed following the destruction of the war years.

Included Excursion - Guided tour of Nuremberg

DiscoverMORE - World War II tour (extra expense)

Day 9 - Bamberg

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 medieval Altenburg Castle overlooking the town.

Included Excursion - Guided tour of Bamberg

Day 10 - Würzburg

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.

Included Excursion - Walking tour of Würzburg and a visit to the Bishops Residence

DiscoverMORE - Excursion to Rothenburg (extra expense)

Day 11 - Wertheim - Miltenberg

This morning, as part of your EmeraldPLUS offering, you will have the opportunity to attend an exclusive glassblowing presentation at the Glass Art 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 this past affluence can still be seen today.

Alternatively, embark on an active walk to Mildenburg Castle, where a wonderful collection of artworks can be found inside of the castle that was once little more than a set of ruins.

EmeraldPLUS - Exclusive visit to the Glass Art Museum in Wertheim with presentation

EmeraldACTIVE - Active walk to Mildenburg Castle

Included Excursion - Guided tour of Miltenberg

DiscoverMORE - Vineyard visit & Franconian wine (extra expense)

Day 12 - Rüdesheim – Koblenz

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 rare music boxes that have stood the test of time, showcased 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 - Hike to Niederwalddenkmal

Included Excursion - Visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum

Day 13 - Cologne

Cruise along the Rhine from Koblenz to Cologne this morning, where an illustrious 2,000-year-long history awaits. One of the oldest cities in the country, the Romans founded Cologne in 50 AD and you'll find a number of ancient ruins, monuments and medieval structures as reminders.

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, an iconic part of the city’s skyline.

This evening, your crew will be delighted to welcome you to your farewell dinner.

Included Excursion - Guided walking tour of Cologne’s Old Town

Day 14 - Amsterdam

This morning, board a glass-top canal boat for a cruise 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 - Guided bike tour to Waterland

Included Excursion - Canal cruise

Day 15 - Amsterdam

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

All fares are displayed in New Zealand Dollars and pricing is per person based on twin share occupancy unless stated otherwise. Although all due care is taken to keep information as up-to-date as possible, pricing and availability are subject to change without notice: due to varying timing schedules of supplier automated update processes; currency fluctuations; fuel surcharges or government tax & fee changes and may not be guaranteed until paid in full. Gratuities may be an additional onboard charge depending on particular cruise line selected. Please ask your cruise consultant for any clarification of Terms & Conditions.