Fly Stay Cruise: Emerald Cruises 19 Day European River Journey with Qatar Stopover

Welcome to Hungary’s enchanting capital. Upon arrival at Budapest Airport, make your own way to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax after your journey or begin exploring at your own pace—perhaps take a stroll along the Danube or unwind in a local café.

Enjoy a full day to discover Budapest at your own pace. Stroll across the Chain Bridge, admire the grand architecture of Heroes’ Square, or soak in the famous thermal baths. In the evening, you may like to take a leisurely Danube River cruise and see the city illuminated.

After breakfast, enjoy some free time before making your way to the port to board 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. 

After breakfast, choose how you’d like to explore Budapest. Join a guided city tour to wander through historic streets, marvel at iconic landmarks, and learn about the architectural and cultural heritage that gives the capital its unique character. Alternatively, for a more active adventure, hike up Gellért Hill, where sweeping panoramic views over the Danube and the city’s skyline await—perfect for capturing unforgettable photos.

The afternoon is yours to continue exploring at your own pace, whether that’s strolling along the riverbanks, visiting a local market, or simply relaxing and soaking in the vibrant city atmosphere.

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.

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.

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 beautiful landscapes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 the castle that was once little more than a set of ruins.

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.

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. Explore the city during a unique adventure that will take you hunting for some of the most typical Cologne treasures.

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

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 merchants’ 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.

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark your Star-Ship, taking memories of the postcard-worthy Rhine Gorge and idyllic Dutch countryside with you. You’ll make your way to the airport for your flight from Amsterdam to Doha, beginning your two-night stopover in this vibrant city. 

Upon arrival,make your way to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to relax, explore, or simply soak in the unique atmosphere of Qatar’s capital.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day to discover Doha at your own pace. You might wander through the maze-like alleys of Souq Waqif, admire the striking architecture of the Museum of Islamic Art, or stroll along the Corniche with sweeping views of the city skyline. For something different, consider venturing into the desert on an optional excursion, where golden dunes meet the sea. The evening is free to relax, perhaps sampling Qatari cuisine at a local restaurant or enjoying the city’s glittering nightscape.

Your adventure comes to an end today. After breakfast, make your way to the airport at the appropriate time for your flight home.

Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience.