Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Copenhagen
You'll arrive at Copenhagen Airport and get transferred to your hotel for check-in. This is when you'll meet your fellow travelers and tour director. Settle in and get comfortable for your 3-night stay in the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 2
Copenhagen
A guided tour takes you through Copenhagen's main attractions, and then you'll board a canal cruise to see the city from the water. You'll glide past old buildings and check out Nyhavn with its colorful houses where Hans Christian Andersen once lived, plus Amalienborg Palace where the Danish royal family resides.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Copenhagen
- Canal cruise through Copenhagen
Landmarks Nyhavn Amalienborg Palace - Day 3
Copenhagen
Start with a visit to Christiansborg Palace, which now houses the Danish Parliament and Supreme Court. After that, the afternoon is yours to explore Copenhagen however you'd like. Walk through Tivoli Gardens, check out Rosenborg Castle to see the crown jewels, grab coffee at a café, or try some traditional open-faced sandwiches. Your tour director can help you plan your activities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Christiansborg Palace
Optional Activities
- Visit to Tivoli Gardens
- Visit to Rosenborg Castle
- Cafe or restaurant dining
Landmarks Christiansborg Palace Tivoli Gardens Rosenborg Castle - Day 4
Copenhagen to Amsterdam
After breakfast, you'll leave Copenhagen behind and head to the airport for your flight to Amsterdam. Once there, you'll board the Emerald Cruises luxury Star-Ship and get settled for the river portion of your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome Reception & Dinner)
- Day 5
Alkmaar
The ship takes you to Alkmaar, a Dutch town known for its historic cheese market where you can watch traditional auctions. Walk through the old center with its canals and medieval buildings. Later in the afternoon, sail on the Rhine River, relax on the Sun Deck with drinks, and then head to the welcome dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Excursion to Alkmaar
- Exploration of Alkmaar's historic center and cheese market
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour through the Dutch countryside to Waterland
Landmarks Alkmaar Cheese Market - Day 6
Düsseldorf to Cologne
A walking tour of Düsseldorf shows you the stylish boutiques and historic Old Town. You'll stroll along the Rhine River and see the architecture around you. Later, the ship arrives in Cologne, famous for its Gothic Cathedral. Spend the afternoon wandering through the lively atmosphere and trying local food.
- 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 Rhine River - Day 7
Koblenz
Cruise to Koblenz, a town surrounded by vineyards and mountains. Join the included walking tour to explore this Roman town and see the Church of Our Lady at the German Corner where two major European rivers meet. In the afternoon, sail through the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge where castles sit on hillsides above medieval villages.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Koblenz
- Sailing through the Rhine Gorge
Optional Activities
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Landmarks Church of Our Lady German Corner Rhine Gorge - Day 8
Heidelberg
You'll reach Heidelberg, a UNESCO City of Literature that inspired writers like Mark Twain. The guided tour starts at Heidelberg Castle with its Renaissance ruins and gardens full of water features and colorful flowers. If you prefer something active, hike up for views over the town. Later, there's 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 Mount Königstuhl - Day 9
Strasbourg
The ship docks in Kehl and you'll take a coach to Strasbourg. This medieval city has cobbled squares and half-timbered houses everywhere. During the included excursion, you'll learn about Alsace and try the region's traditional food and flavors.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flavours of Alsace excursion
Optional Activities
- Baden Baden Spa experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Strasbourg Old Town 
- Day 10
Freiburg
As part of your EmeraldPLUS program, visit Freiburg, the capital of the Black Forest region. Check out the sights and taste Black Forest specialties. For a more active day, take a guided bike tour through Breisach. Or, if you prefer, there's an optional paid tour of Colmar available.
- 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)
Landmarks Freiburg - Day 11
Basel to Lucerne
You'll start the day with breakfast, then a coach takes you to Lucerne. Your Tour Director shows you around the city, walking through the Chapel Bridge and Old Town before you settle into your hotel for two nights. This gives you a good sense of the layout and main attractions right from the start.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Lucerne including Chapel Bridge and Old Town
Landmarks Chapel Bridge Lucerne Old Town 
- Day 12
Lucerne
This morning and afternoon are yours to spend however you like in Lucerne. Wander the Old Town at your own pace, walk along the waterfront, or sit at a local café for a coffee. If you want something more active, there's an optional trip up Mount Rigi available that gives you views out across the Alps.
Optional Activities
- Train & cable car ride to Rigi - Weggis (extra expense)
Landmarks Mount Rigi - Day 13
Lucerne to Zurich
Transfer by coach from Lucerne to Zurich, a cosmopolitan city with church steeples, winding cobbled streets, and a modern center. Take the guided tour to see the main sights, then you'll have free time to explore the lakeside setting and wander through the historic old town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell Reception & Dinner)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Zurich
Optional Activities
- Explore Zurich's old town
- Lakeside exploration
Landmarks Zurich Old Town 
- Day 14
Departure from Zurich
After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to the other guests and head to the airport. The drive passes through mountains and forests as you make your way out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
