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 14th-century Chapel Bridge with its paintings of heroic town events, that crosses the Reuss River. See the 17th-century Renaissance Town Hall and town squares, all set among 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 on to your Emerald Waterways luxury Star-Ship. This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner onboard. Meals: B, D 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

Continue upstream to the town of Mannheim, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar Rivers. From there, travel by coach to Heidelberg where you have the opportunity to either visit the medieval town of Heidelberg on a walking tour, or take part in an active hike to Heidelberg Hill. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldPLUS Guided tour of Heidelberg with wine tasting

EmeraldACTIVE Hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg

Cruise to the 2000-year-old town of Koblenz, which is situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Enjoy a walking tour of Koblenz and visit the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress on the opposite side of the river. This fortress was part of the Prussian defenses against the French in the 19th-century and later used as a headquarters for the American military during WWII. 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. After lunch onboard, join your local guide for an included walking tour of the city, touching on the historical charm of the Old Town. Traverse quaint alleyways and see historic monuments. 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, depart by coach for an included visit to the Keukenhof Gardens. Discover why it’s called the “Garden of Europe” as you admire gorgeous flowers at the peak of tulip season. Return to the ship in the afternoon to explore the city of Amsterdam at your leisure. Meals: B, L, D

EmeraldPLUS A visit to Keukenhof Gardens

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