Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and get transferred to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. Once on board, you'll meet the captain and crew while getting oriented to the ship and settling into your cabin.
- Day 2
Alkmaar
This morning takes you to Alkmaar where you'll walk through the historic center and see the medieval buildings and canals. The famous cheese market is there too if you want to check it out. After lunch, the ship sails on the Rhine River, and you'll have the welcome dinner on board this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Welcome dinner)
Included Activities
- Excursion to Alkmaar
- Sailing on the Rhine River
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour to Waterland
- Dutch Delights (extra expense)
- Day 3
Düsseldorf to Cologne
Start with a walking tour through Düsseldorf's Old Town along the Rhine, where you'll find stylish boutiques and local shops. Later you'll head to Cologne to explore the Old Town and see the famous Gothic Cathedral up close.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Düsseldorf
- Guided tour of Cologne's Old Town
Optional Activities
- German Beer Experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral - Day 4
Koblenz
The ship cruises to Koblenz, a Roman town where you can see the twin-towered Church of Our Lady at the German Corner where two rivers meet. From there, you'll sail through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge with castles sitting on the clifftops all around you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Koblenz
- Sailing through Rhine Gorge
Optional Activities
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Landmarks Church of Our Lady (Liebfrauenkirche) German Corner (Deutsches Eck) Rhine Gorge 
- Day 5
Heidelberg
You'll take a guided tour of Heidelberg, the UNESCO City of Literature, and see the Renaissance ruins of Heidelberg Castle with its gardens. There's an optional hike available if you want great views of the area. Later this evening, you'll have a private concert in a historical venue.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg
- Private Evening Concert on the Rhine
Optional Activities
- Active hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle - Day 6
Strasbourg
A coach takes you from Kehl to Strasbourg, a picturesque town with cobbled squares and half-timbered houses from its medieval past. You'll have a guided excursion that explores Alsace's flavors and local character.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flavours of Alsace
Optional Activities
- Baden Baden Spa experience (extra expense)
- Day 7
Freiburg
You can visit Freiburg, known as the Capital of the Black Forest, as part of the EmeraldPLUS program with a guided tour and a chance to try authentic Black Forest food. Alternatively, there's a guided bike tour available that goes through Breisach instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour in Breisach
- Guided tour of Colmar (extra expense)
- Day 8
Basel to Lyon
After breakfast on the river cruise, you'll leave the ship and take a coach to Lyon where your river cruise picks back up. The transfer gets you from the water to the city so you can continue on from there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coach transfer from Basel to Lyon
Optional Activities
- Lyon by Night tour
- Day 9
Lyon
You'll have a guided tour of Lyon, France's third-largest city. The tour covers the UNESCO-listed Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière and walks through historic streets in the city. If you prefer something different, there's a guided bike tour available instead. The city has Roman heritage and a strong food culture that's worth checking out during your time there.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon
- Guided bike tour of Lyon
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Pérouges
Landmarks Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière - Day 10
Macon & Beaujolais Wine Region
This morning the ship sails on the Saône River to Macon, a nice town to explore. You'll then visit the Beaujolais wine region and get to taste wines there, which is included in your itinerary.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Beaujolais wine tasting
Landmarks Beaujolais Wine Region 
- Day 11
Tournon
You'll visit Tournon, a picturesque village on the Rhône River with a 16th-century castle dominating the skyline. Join a guided tour to explore the area's cultural heritage or take a hike through the local vineyards if that interests you more.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tournon
Optional Activities
- Guided hike through the vineyards
Landmarks Tournon Castle - Day 12
Viviers
The ship arrives in Viviers, a medieval town home to one of France's oldest cathedrals. You'll have a guided walking tour that shows off the spectacular monuments with ornate windows and decorated facades, and there's a CD lecture on 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)
- Day 13
Avignon
In Avignon, you'll explore the city's long history from Celtic times through its role as a papal residence. The tour includes the UNESCO-listed Palais des Papes and the ancient Pont d'Avignon. This evening features a Provençal dinner by Top Chef finalist Fabien Morreale and a classical concert.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Provençal dinner hosted by local chef Fabien Morreale)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Avignon
- Canoeing excursion in Avignon
- Provençal dinner hosted by local chef Fabien Morreale
- Classical concert 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 d'Avignon - Day 14
Arles
A guided tour takes you through Arles to see its Roman and Romanesque heritage, including the 2,000-year-old Arles Amphitheatre. You'll walk where Vincent van Gogh walked and have free time to wander around this historic city that started as a Phoenician trading port before becoming an important Roman settlement.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Arles with arena visit
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Les Baux de Provence
- In the footsteps of Van Gogh: painting workshop
- Provencal Soap Making Workshop
Landmarks Arles Amphitheatre 
- Day 15
Departure from Marseille
After breakfast, you'll disembark and get transferred to the airport, taking with you memories of the French countryside and all the great food you've had.
- Meals
- Breakfast
