Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and connect with your Emerald Cruises team for the transfer to your ship. Spend the afternoon wandering through the Dutch capital on your own, checking out the canals and cobbled streets at whatever pace suits you. By evening, join the other guests for dinner on board.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Dinner on board
Landmarks Amsterdam Canal System 
- Day 2
Amsterdam
Board a glass-top canal boat this morning to see the UNESCO-listed canal system, passing historic merchant houses from the Dutch Golden Age. Afterward, head into the city to walk through the Christmas markets scattered throughout. You'll find roasted almonds, mulled wine, and seasonal treats along the way, plus festive decorations everywhere.
Included Activities
- Glass-top canal boat tour of Amsterdam's UNESCO World Heritage canal system
Optional Activities
- Dutch Delights (extra expense)
Landmarks Amsterdam Canal System 
- Day 3
Düsseldorf to Cologne
Start in Düsseldorf checking out multiple Christmas markets including the Fairytale Market, Handwerker Market, and Schadowmarket. Grab mulled wine and roasted almonds as you walk around. Later, you'll sail to Cologne and explore its Christmas markets set right below the UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Düsseldorf with Christmas Market visit
- Cologne Christmas markets visit
Optional Activities
- German Beer Experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral 
- Day 4
Koblenz
Walk through Koblenz's narrow streets and cobbled squares, a historic city with vineyards and snow-topped mountains as your backdrop. An EmeraldPLUS lecture covers European Christmas traditions, then you'll head to the Christmas market. The whole setting has that fairytale quality that makes this stop special.
Included Activities
- Orientation walk of Koblenz with Christmas market visit
- EmeraldPLUS lecture on Christmas traditions in Europe
Optional Activities
- Moselle Valley and Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Landmarks Deutsches Eck - Day 5
Heidelberg
This morning, visit Heidelberg Castle and see the ruins overlooking the Rhine River and the city's red-roofed buildings below. Walk through the Old Town on cobbled streets, stopping at the Church of the Holy Spirit and Germany's oldest university. After that, check out the Christmas markets scattered throughout the city.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg with Christmas market visit
- Visit to Heidelberg Castle ruins
- Church of the Holy Spirit visit
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Church of the Holy Spirit - Day 6
Kehl to Strasbourg
Travel by coach across the river to Strasbourg, the Alsace region's main city. Tour the UNESCO-listed Grande Île historic center with its medieval half-timbered buildings, old tanning houses, and Baroque sandstone structures. The Christmas markets offer traditional Alsatian treats you can try.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Strasbourg with Christmas market visit
Optional Activities
- Baden Baden Spa Experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Grande Île - Day 7
Breisach
Head to the Rhine town of Breisach, then take a scenic drive through the Black Forest Highlands to Hofgut Sternen at Ravenna Gorge, a historic site where Marie Antoinette stopped in 1770. Walk beneath the 40-meter-high Ravenna Viaduct and visit the Christmas market set in this dramatic location.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Breisach with Christmas Market visit
- Guided visit to Christmas Market at Ravenna Viaduct
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Colmar (extra expense)
Landmarks Ravenna Viaduct Hofgut Sternen - Day 8
Basel to Lucerne
You'll arrive in Switzerland and take a coach transfer to Lucerne. Your tour director will show you around the city's main sights, including the Chapel Bridge and the historic Old Town. After that, you'll settle into your hotel for a two-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Lucerne including Chapel Bridge and Old Town
Landmarks Chapel Bridge Lucerne Old Town 
- Day 9
Lucerne
This day is yours to spend as you like in Lucerne. Walk through the Old Town's narrow streets, hang out along the waterfront, or sit at a café and watch the city go by. If you want something more active, there's an optional trip up Mount Rigi where you can take in views across the Alps. Later in the evening, head to the Christmas markets in the Old Town to try mulled wine and traditional holiday treats.
Optional Activities
- Train and cable car ride to Rigi-Weggis (extra expense)
Landmarks Mount Rigi Lucerne Old Town Lucerne Waterfront - Day 10
Lucerne to Zurich
Travel by coach from Lucerne to Zurich, known for its church steeples, winding cobbled lanes, and modern center. Take a tour of the city, then you'll have free time to explore the Christmas atmosphere on Bahnhofstrasse, which lights up with 23,000 light crystals over one kilometer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Zurich
Landmarks Bahnhofstrasse - Day 11
Zurich
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to fellow guests and head to the airport. You're heading home with memories from Swiss Christmas markets and traditions to reflect on.
- Meals
- Breakfast
