Take a look at the included, EmeraldPLUS and optional experiences at ports of call on Emerald Waterways’ one-week Danube Delights voyage between Budapest and Nuremberg, plus a three-night Classic Prague land extension.

Pre- or post-cruise

Although a Budapest extension is not offered, it is well worth booking clients time in the gorgeous city to explore sights not included in the ship’s city tour.

Stay downtown Pest side at Soho Boutique Hotel or at the Gellert Hotel, the real “Grand Budapest Hotel” on the Buda side of the Danube. Art Nouveau indoor and outdoor Gellert Baths here are a fave bathing spot and Neo-baroque Szechenyi Baths is truly grand. Pay a visit to Budapest House of Terror, which tells the story of Nazi and Soviet occupation. Get a great free walking tour of Buda Castle Hill with Budapest Card, as well as free transit and discounts to museums, attractions, spas, and restaurants.

Day 2

Included guided coach and walking tour of Budapest, including Buda Castle Quarter, Fisherman’s Bastion and iconic Chain Bridge.

Day 3

Included old city walking tour of Bratislava, Slovakia. Afternoon EmeraldPLUS excursion included to visit a Slovakian family, a home-hosted event to give visitors a taste of local life. My group of 10 went to Ella Bilska’s in Senkvice village to learn how to make oblatky, a Slovakian traditional Christmas sweet, followed by homemadecake and tea. For many guests, this was a highlight.

Day 4

Included morning coach and walking tour of Vienna’s “Ringstrasse”. Optional Discover More Tours (extra cost) offered to Schonbrunn Palace in the afternoon and to an evening Viennese concert. I heard great reviews of the concert.

Day 5

Included guided walking tour of the charming medieval town of Dürnstein, Austria. Afternoon EmeraldPLUS guided tour of 900-year old Benedictine Melk Abbey.

Day 6

Optional full day Discover More Tours (extra cost) to Salzburg, Austria or Ceský Krumlov, a fairytale-like city in South Bohemia, Czech Republic. The Ceský Krumlov tour (75 Euros) was very good (except for the included lunch).

For those on-board, an afternoon walking tour of Passau, Germany was included.

Day 7

Included brief walking tour of Regensburg, Germany. Included afternoon tour to Weltenburg Abbey, followed by a glass of dark beer from the oldest brewery in the world, founded in 1050.

“In Bavaria, you can’t divide church and beer,” Daniela, our tour director, explained.

Next, an included 20-minute ferry cruise along the Danube Gorge, which carves through 300-foot cliffs.

Days 8-10

Four-hour coach transfer for three-night Classic Prague extension, staying at Design Hotel Elephant Prague.

A welcome drink and vicinity orientation walk was included on arrival, with a half-day guided city walking tour and delicious EmeraldPLUS private Czech dinner on a balcony overlooking the city at Lobkowicz Palace in Prague Castle on Day 9. Day 10 was free to explore. Czech Tourism provided good off-the-beaten-path alternatives to major tourist sites.

The Prague extension was excellent, offering the perfect blend of included activities and time on own. Tour director, George, was first-rate.