Itinerary
- Day 1
Nice to Arles
You'll arrive at Nice airport and get transferred to Arles, where you'll board the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. After settling into your cabin, there's a welcome reception and dinner with the other guests this evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome reception and dinner)
Included Activities
- Welcome reception and dinner
Landmarks Arles 
- Day 2
Arles
Start your day in Arles by heading straight to the ancient Amphitheatre, which has stood here for about 2,000 years and gives you a real sense of what Roman life looked like in this part of Provence. The structure itself is impressive and you can walk through the different levels to understand how it all functioned back then. After spending a couple hours there, move on to explore the other UNESCO World Heritage sites scattered around the city, which include some really well-preserved Roman and medieval architecture. By afternoon, you'll have free time to wander around on your own and get a feel for the streets where van Gogh walked and painted. His presence in Arles is everywhere, and you can visit the locations that inspired some of his most iconic paintings if you're interested. There are also optional experiences available if you want more structured activities, but this day is mostly designed for you to move at your own pace and soak in the atmosphere of this historic city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Provençal dinner hosted by chef Fabien Morreale)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Arles with arena visit
Optional Activities
- In the footsteps of Van Gogh: painting workshop (extra expense)
- Excursion to Les Baux de Provence (extra expense)
- Provencal Soap Making Workshop (extra expense)
- Leisure exploration of Arles
Landmarks Arles Amphitheatre Arles - Day 3
Avignon
The guided walking tour in Avignon covers the medieval history, including the Palais des Papes built by seven consecutive Popes during the 1300s, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. By evening, there's a classical concert as part of the EmeraldPLUS program.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Avignon
- Classical concert in Avignon
- Canoeing excursion in Avignon
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of the Pont du Gard (extra expense)
- Visit to Chateauneuf du Pape with wine tasting (extra expense)
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont du Gard Chateauneuf du Pape 
- Day 4
Viviers
You'll explore the medieval town of Viviers with its pastel-colored buildings and narrow cobblestone streets on a guided walking tour. After that, there's a cultural lecture about Art and Culture in the South of France.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Viviers
- CD lecture Art & Culture in the South of France
Optional Activities
- Visit to Chauvet Pont D'Arc (extra expense)
Landmarks Viviers Chauvet Pont D'Arc - Day 5
Tournon
The ship sails down the Rhône River to Tournon, where you can see the 16th-century castle and ancient watchtowers. You can either take a guided town tour or join an active guided hike through the local vineyards if you prefer something more challenging.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tournon
- Guided hike through the vineyards
Landmarks Tournon Castle - Day 6
Macon
After a relaxed morning sailing on the Saone River, you'll reach Macon. Then there's time to explore the Beaujolais wine region with a guided wine tasting that focuses on the fruity wines made from the Gamay grape variety.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Beaujolais wine tasting
Landmarks Beaujolais Wine Region - Day 7
Lyon
In Lyon, you can choose between a guided walking tour that includes the UNESCO World Heritage Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvierre and historic landmarks, or opt for a guided bike tour instead. The city is known for its exceptional cuisine and was once a major Roman capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon
- Guided bike tour of Lyon
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Pérouges (extra expense)
- Lyon by Night (extra expense)
Landmarks Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourviѐre Pérouges 
- Day 8
Lyon to Basel
You'll have breakfast on board before disembarking the Star-Ship. After that, there's a coach transfer to Basel, where you'll board a new ship to continue your river cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 9
Breisach
Freiburg, known as the Capital of the Black Forest, is on the agenda with a guided tour and tasting of authentic Black Forest specialties. Alternatively, you can choose a guided bike tour in Breisach to see more of the region's natural landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting
- Guided bike tour in Breisach
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Colmar (extra expense)
Landmarks Black Forest Colmar 
- Day 10
Kehl to Strasbourg
You'll arrive in Kehl and transfer by coach to Strasbourg. The medieval town has cobblestone squares and half-timbered houses to explore, plus a culinary journey tasting typical Alsatian flavors. In the evening, there's an exclusive private concert held in a historical venue.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flavours of Alsace
- Private Evening Concert on the Rhine
Optional Activities
- Baden Baden Spa experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Strasbourg Baden Baden 
- Day 11
Mannheim to Heidelberg
You'll have a relaxing morning on board as the boat follows the Rhine River, and you'll see where the Rhine and Neckar rivers meet. After that, you head to Heidelberg by coach. This UNESCO City of Literature has inspired writers like Mark Twain and William Turner over the years. A guide will take you through the town's landmarks, including Heidelberg Castle, which is one of the most impressive Renaissance structures around.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg
- Active hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
Optional Activities
- Rüdesheim with specialty coffee (extra expense)
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Mount Königstuhl - Day 12
Koblenz
Sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge, you'll see romantic castles and medieval villages along the tree-covered canyons. The ship arrives in Koblenz for an orientation walk showing vineyards, mountain ranges, the German Corner where two rivers meet, and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Orientation Walk of Koblenz
Optional Activities
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Landmarks Rhine Gorge German Corner Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Cochem Castle Moselle Valley 
- Day 13
Düsseldorf
In Cologne, one of Germany's oldest cities, there's a guided tour of the famous cathedral. After lunch, you'll transfer to Düsseldorf for a walking tour of this vibrant city known for stylish shops and its charming Old Town along the Rhine River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cologne Old Town
- Walking tour of Düsseldorf
Optional Activities
- Cologne Beer Experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town Düsseldorf 
- Day 14
Amsterdam
Alkmaar, a Dutch town near Amsterdam, has a historic center with charming canals and medieval buildings to see. You can explore the famous centuries-old cheese market where traditional cheesemakers display their work, or choose a guided bike tour through the Dutch countryside to Waterland instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Excursion to Alkmaar
- Guided bike tour to Waterland
Optional Activities
- Private hidden Gems tour of Amsterdam (extra expense)
- Dutch Delights (extra expense)
Landmarks Alkmaar Waterland 
- Day 15
Amsterdam
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to the Star-Ship and your fellow guests. You'll get transferred to the airport to depart, bringing home memories from the Black Forest, Strasbourg, and your time on the river cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast
