Upon arrival at Zurich airport, you will be met and transferred to your innovative Emerald Cruises Star-Ship in Basel, where your friendly captain and crew will welcome your arrival.
Please book your flight to arrive into Zurich prior to 01:00 PM.
Meals Included: Dinner
Commence your magical morning with a tour of Colmar. As you walk down the cobblestone lanes, it’s easy to imagine the characters from the Grimm’s Fairy Tales here, where window boxes full of colourful blooms adorn the half-timbered façades. Alternatively, embark on a canoeing adventure on the banks of the Rhine.
Guided tour of Colmar
Canoeing on the banks of the Rhine
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we’ll dock in Kehl and take a coach transfer to the medieval capital of France’s Alsace Region, Strasbourg. The best way to discover Strasbourg’s charm is via its quaint waterways. Embark on an EmeraldPLUS traditional canal boat tour.
Relax as you pass through petite France, full of storybook canals, half-timbered houses, and narrow lanes. Witness the covered bridges and the Vauban Dam before reaching the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Neustadt imperial quarter, where many of Strasbourg’s administrative buildings are based. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore at leisure.
Canal boat tour in Strasbourg
Alsace wine route with tasting (extra expense, only available on select dates)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your day will start with a guided tour of Mainz and visit to the impressive sandstone cathedral of the tremendous Old Town.
Guided tour of Mainz
Visit to Gutenberg Museum & workshop (extra expense)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today as part of your incredible EmeraldPLUS programme, you will visit the grand Schloss Johannisberg Winery. Set in the breathtaking Rheingau region, the legendary Schloss Johannisberg is steeped in history, cultivating exquisite wine for over 1000 years. The first Riesling winery in the world, at Schloss Johannisberg, discover a unique wine culture and fabled history during this exclusive tour. Set over 50 hectares in front of the Taunus mountains, the onsite 300-acre forest grows native oak to make the wooden barrels used for producing this exemplary wine. These extra-special barrels are then kept in the 900-year-old abbey cellar, known as ‘Bibliotheca Subterranea’, where over 25,000 precious wines are stored. Alternatively, participate in an active hike through vineyards to the historical Niederwalddenkmal Monument.
Wine visit and tasting at Schloss Johannisberg
Active hike to Niederwalddenkmal Monument
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, you will enjoy the enchanting town of Cochem during a guided tour of its well-preserved sites. You’ll see the remains of the historic town wall with its old fortifications, alongside the town hall and its many other gems.
Guided tour of Cochem & visit to Reichsburg Castle
Cycling along the Moselle
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dating back to 3000 BC, Bernkastel is situated along the banks of the Moselle River and is home to well-preserved buildings dating back to 1416. Enjoy a guided walking tour, where you will have the opportunity to stroll through the medieval marketplace with its gabled timber-framed houses, castle ruins and town gate. Or, take part in an active hike to the Landshut Castle Ruins overlooking the Moselle.
Active hike to Landshut Castle ruins
Walking tour of Bernkastel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wonderfully maintained inside and out, Marksburg Castle boasts a selection of typical interiors including the castle kitchen, the knight’s hall, the armoury and an inviting wine cellar. The attractive light-stoned walls of the castle are protected by an outer fortress, with a single tower peering over the turrets and castle walls, it resembles something you would find in a Brothers Grimm tale.
Visit to Marksburg Castle
Hike to Marksburg Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you will visit the Kinderdijk Windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This unique collection of nineteen authentic 18th-century windmills is considered a Dutch icon across the globe.
Guided tour of the Kinderdijk Windmills
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
As part of your EmeraldPLUS programme, you will start the day by exploring a canal cruise through the Oudegracht or Old Canal, which is not only the oldest in Utrecht but it is also older than the canals in Amsterdam. For centuries, along the water the wealthiest have built their mansions with the peculiarity of having warehouses and service entrances just above water level. Undoubtedly, the castle of Oudaen stands out among all the rest: an urban castle preserved despite being more than eight centuries old.
Guided bike tour near Utrecht
Canal cruise and cheese tasting
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you will be transferred to your centrally located hotel in Amsterdam for a delightful two-night stay in the city. Enjoy the afternoon on own by strolling along the famous canals or visiting a local market. Amsterdam is full of surprises awaiting to be discovered around every corner.
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, your local guide will take you on a tour of Amsterdam, introducing you to a place of fascinating stories, spellbinding art and remarkable architecture. Amsterdam is considered one of the greatest small capitals in the world where your destination is never too far away. Your carefully planned walking tour will take you to one of world's greatest museums, the Rijksmuseum, hosting a collecting of over 8000 works including those of Dutch masters Rembrandt, Vermeer and Rubens.
Walking tour of Amsterdam with Rijksmuseum visit
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, it is time to bid farewell to your fellow passengers as you leave your accommodation for your transfer to the airport, taking memories from a fascinating journey on the Rhine.
Meals Included: Breakfast