Itinerary
- Day 1
Zurich
You'll arrive in Zurich and get settled at your hotel. The rest of your day is free to explore at your own pace. Take a walk along the lake if the weather's nice, or duck into one of the local cafes for a coffee and bite to eat. It's a good chance to get your bearings before things get busier.
Optional Activities
- Explore Zurich at leisure
- Stroll along the lakeside
- Visit local cafés
Landmarks Lake Zurich - Day 2
Zurich to Lucerne
Start the morning with a guided walking tour covering Zurich's main highlights. After that, you'll transfer to Lucerne where you have the afternoon free. Wander around the Altstadt on your own, checking out the cobblestone streets and taking in the local color. There's plenty of time to just walk around and soak it all in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Zurich
Optional Activities
- Explore Lucerne at leisure
- Stroll through the Altstadt
Landmarks Altstadt (Old Town) 
- Day 3
Lucerne
A guided tour takes you through the natural scenery around Lucerne. You'll see the medieval Altstadt, walk across the Chapel Bridge, and check out the octagonal Water Tower while learning about the city's history. The combination of walking and hearing the background on these places really helps you understand what you're looking at.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lucerne
- Visit Chapel Bridge
- Visit Water Tower
Optional Activities
- Train and cable car to Rigi - Weggis
Landmarks Chapel Bridge Water Tower Altstadt (Old Town) - Day 4
Lucerne to Basel
You'll travel by coach through the Swiss countryside heading toward Basel, a town along the Rhine. Once you arrive, you board your Emerald Cruises ship. Meet the captain and crew, then join everyone else for dinner on board that evening. It's a good way to meet your fellow travelers and get comfortable on the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome Reception & Dinner on board)
- Day 5
Breisach
The ship takes you to Freiburg, known as the Black Forest's capital, where you can join a guided tour sampling local Black Forest specialties. If you prefer something more active, there's a guided bike tour in Breisach. You can also pay extra to visit the French town of Colmar. Choose what sounds right for your interests.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour in Breisach
- Guided tour of Colmar
Landmarks Freiburg Colmar - Day 6
Kehl to Strasbourg
After disembarking in Kehl, a coach takes you to Strasbourg. A guided excursion shows you the heart of Alsace, including the medieval sections and local food. Later in the evening, you'll attend a private concert in a historic venue as part of your package. It's a nice cultural addition to the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Private Evening Concert on the Rhine)
Included Activities
- Flavours of Alsace guided tour with culinary journey
Optional Activities
- Baden Baden Spa experience
Landmarks Nyhavn District - Day 7
Mannheim to Heidelberg
You'll relax on the ship as it sails down the Rhine, passing where the Rhine and Neckar rivers meet. Then you transfer by coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour explaining why it earned UNESCO City of Literature status. You'll see Heidelberg Castle and other landmarks. It's a good mix of ship time and exploration.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg
Optional Activities
- Active hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Mount Königstuhl - Day 8
Koblenz
The ship sails through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage area with castles and old half-timbered villages lining the river. Later, you get an orientation walk through the cobbled streets of Koblenz, seeing the German Corner where two major rivers meet and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. The scenery from the water is a real highlight here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Orientation walk of Koblenz
Optional Activities
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit
Landmarks German Corner Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Rhine Gorge - Day 9
Cologne to Düsseldorf
You arrive in Cologne and take a guided tour of the Old Town, including the famous Cathedral. After lunch, head to Düsseldorf for a walking tour of its modern and stylish areas mixed with the charming old sections. Stroll along the Rhine to see how the city blends historic and contemporary architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cologne Old Town
- Walking tour of Düsseldorf
Optional Activities
- Cologne Beer Experience
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town Rhine River - Day 10
Amsterdam
The ship brings you to Alkmaar in the Netherlands. You can join a guided tour of the historic center with its canals and the famous cheese market, where traditional cheesemakers run live auctions. Or go for a guided bike tour through the picturesque Waterland countryside if you want something more physical and outdoorsy.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell Reception & Dinner)
Included Activities
- Excursion to Alkmaar
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour to Waterland
- Private hidden Gems tour of Amsterdam
- Dutch Delights
Landmarks Alkmaar Waterland - Day 11
Amsterdam to Copenhagen
You'll fly to Copenhagen, Denmark's capital with centuries of royal history. The coach picks you up from the airport and takes you to your hotel for a three-night stay. Later, you'll meet your fellow travelers and tour director to get oriented and discuss what's coming up.
- Day 12
Copenhagen
Join a guided city tour and then take a canal cruise through Copenhagen's waterways, seeing old buildings and well-known sights from the water. You'll visit the colorful Nyhavn district where Hans Christian Andersen lived and got inspiration for his stories. Stop by Amalienborg Palace, the current residence of the Danish royal family.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Copenhagen and canal cruise
Landmarks Nyhavn Amalienborg Palace - Day 13
Copenhagen
Start at Christiansborg Palace, a former royal home that now houses Parliament and the Supreme Court. After that, the afternoon is yours. Visit Tivoli Gardens, tour Rosenborg Castle to see the crown jewels, grab a coffee at an outdoor café, or try traditional Danish open-faced sandwiches with a local beer. You have options depending on what interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Christiansborg Palace
Optional Activities
- Visit Tivoli Gardens
- Visit Rosenborg Castle
Landmarks Christiansborg Palace Tivoli Gardens Rosenborg Castle - Day 14
Copenhagen
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to Copenhagen and head home, taking the memories of the Rhine cruise and Denmark's fairy-tale charm with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
