Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Welcome to Amsterdam, a fascinating 700-year-old city of picturesque canals, world class museums, and cafés. Flights should arrive by 4:00 p.m. You will be met and transferred from the airport to your luxurious Emerald Cruises Star-Ship.

Become acquainted with the amenities of your ship, or begin exploring the city. This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner onboard. Meal: D Experience the city on a canal cruise aboard a glass-top boat. Traverse the UNESCO World Heritage network of canals, passing Roman patrician and ornate merchant houses from the Dutch Golden Age.

Alternatively, join a guided bike tour to Waterland, passing through quintessential Dutch landscapes of quaint villages and windmills. Tonight, enjoy a welcome reception and gala dinner. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE Guided bike tour to Waterland

Cruise along the Rhine River to Cologne. The city is one of Germany’s oldest and famous for its magnificent gothic cathedral - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join your local guide for an included walking tour of the city, traversing quaint alleyways, seeing historic monuments, and touching on the historical charms of the Old Town. After the tour, journey to a one-of-a-kind farm estate that provides locals with sustainable products.

Experience a cooking demonstration of Reibekuchen (potato pancakes) and get a glimpse of behind the scenes sustainable farming. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldPLUS Local farm estate visit with cooking demonstration

Cruise to the 2000-year-old town of Koblenz, situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Enjoy a walking tour of Koblenz seeing the German Corner where the 2 rivers meet, the Church of Our Lady, and visit the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress by cable car on the opposite side of the river. This fortress was part of the Prussian defense against the French in the 19th century and later used as a headquarters for the American military during WWII.

This afternoon, sail through the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge. Pass countless medieval castles and vineyards lining the shores of this section of the river, with photo opportunities around every bend. See the infamous Lorelei statue and Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, built on an island in the middle of the river as a medieval toll station. Meals: B, L, D

DiscoverMORE Moselle & Cochem (Reichsburg) Castle Visit (additional expense)

NOTE: You can choose either the included tour of Koblenz OR the DiscoverMORE option, as both tours operate at the same time Continue sailing to the town of Ludwigshafen, docking site for Heidelberg. Travel by coach to Heidelberg for a guided visit of the castle ruins and a walk along the cobblestone lanes of the old town. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldACTIVE Hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg

DiscoverMORE Evening concert at Bruchsal Palace (additional expense)

Once docked in Kehl, travel by coach across the river to Strasbourg, the capital 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 timberframed buildings, old tanning houses, baroque sandstone buildings, canals and river locks, the city’s star attraction is the cathedral, dominating the main square. Enjoy free time this afternoon to continue exploring this charming town on your own. Meals: B, L, D

DiscoverMORE Alsace Wine Route with tasting (additional expense)

On today’s adventure, visit the city of Freiburg, considered the ‘capital of the Black Forest’. Aside from seeing the lovely sights, sample true Black Forest delicacies from the lively market in the city center near the main cathedral. Alternatively, join a guided bike tour in Breisach. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldPLUS Guided tour of Freiburg

EmeraldACTIVE Guided bike tour in Breisach

After breakfast, disembark the ship in Basel and begin your Swiss adventure. Depart by coach to Lucerne, a picturesque town surrounded by mountains and meadows.

An included walking tour highlights the city’s landmark - the famous 14th-century Chapel Bridge. See the 17th-century 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 Your last day is left free of planned activities. Explore on your own, or join the optional excursion to Mt. Pilatus – a mountain overlooking Lucerne that offers a unique alpine experience! This evening, get together for an included dinner at the hotel. Meals: B, D

DiscoverMORE Mt. Pilatus (additional expense)

Bid ‘auf wiedersehen’ to Europe and return home with memories of life enriching experiences from your European adventure and cruise along the Rhine River. Meal: B

 

Itinerary is subject to change.