Today you’ll depart the USA on your overnight flight to Zurich, Switzerland. Upon arrival in Zurich, transfer to your hotel in Lucerne to begin your Swiss adventure. The afternoon is at leisure to begin discovering your beautiful new surroundings. This evening, join your Mayflower representative and traveling companions for an included dinner at the hotel. Meal: D After breakfast, an included walking tour highlights the city’s landmark, the famous 14thcentury Chapel Bridge with its paintings of heroic town events, that crosses the Reuss River. See the 17thcentury Renaissance Town Hall and town squares, all set amongst the beautiful backdrop of the Swiss Alps. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Meal: B Before departing for your ship in Basel, the day is free to enjoy at leisure or join the morning optional excursion to Mt. Pilatus – a mountain overlooking Lucerne that offers a unique alpine experience! This afternoon, travel by motorcoach to Basel, Switzerland for embarkation of your Emerald Waterways Star-Ship. This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner onboard. Meals: B, D DiscoverMORE: Mt. Pilatus (additional expense) Today you have a choice to visit a typical Black Forest Village, full of charm, cuckoo clocks and other German specialties or, take part in a guided hike along some of the Black Forest trails. Meals: B, L, D EmeraldPLUS: Black Forest cake demonstration and tasting EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike in the Black Forest Once docked in Kehl, coaches await to take you across the river to Strasbourg, the capital city of the Alsace Region in France. Your guided walking tour includes the Grande Île, the historical city center and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its medieval black and white timber-framed buildings, old tanning houses, baroque sandstone buildings, canals and river locks, the city’s star attraction is the cathedral, dominating the main square. Meals: B, L, D EmeraldPLUS: Guided Tour of Strasbourg Enjoy the morning cruising to Mannheim, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar Rivers. Travel by coach to Heidelberg for a wine tasting, visit to the ruins of Heidelberg Castle and walking tour of the city center. Alternatively, take part in an active hike to Heidelberg Hill. Meals: B, L, D EmeraldACTIVE: Hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg Cruise to the 2,000-year-old city of Koblenz and enjoy a walking tour through the heart of the city. Stroll down cobblestone streets as you pass historic and picturesque sites. Visit the German monument at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, and enjoy idyllic panoramic views of the Rhine from Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Meals: B, L, D DiscoverMORE: Moselle & Cochem (Reichsburg) Castle Visit (additional expense) Cruise along the Rhine River to Cologne. Founded by the Romans, the city is one of Germany’s oldest and is famous for its magnificent World–Heritage listed Gothic cathedral. Join your local guide for an included walking tour of the city as you learn how the air raids of WWII turned its streets into a blank canvas. The tour concludes at the cathedral, whose twin spires dominate the skyline. This evening, back onboard, join your Captain for a farewell reception and dinner. Meals: B, L, D This morning, relax during a glass-top canal boat cruise through Amsterdam’s canal system, viewing the medieval center of the city. Alternatively, if you are feeling more active, embark on a guided bike tour to Waterland. Return to the ship in the afternoon to explore the city of Amsterdam at your leisure. Meals: B, L, D EmeraldACTIVE: A guided bike tour to Waterland Bid farewell to Europe and return home with memories of life enriching experiences from your European adventure and cruise along the Rhine River. Meal: B