Itinerary
- Day 1
Basel
You'll arrive in Basel and connect with your Emerald Cruises team at the airport before heading to your Star-Ship. The captain and crew will be there to greet you as you settle into your cabin. Dinner this evening brings you together with other guests on board, so it's a good chance to meet people and get oriented.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Dinner on board
- Day 2
Freiburg
Freiburg sits in the heart of the Black Forest, and you have flexibility in how you spend the day. Take the guided tour if you want to learn about the area and try regional Black Forest specialties, or go for the bike tour option around Breisach if you prefer something more active. Either way, you'll get a real feel for this region and its character.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour in Breisach
Landmarks Freiburg 
- Day 3
Kehl to Strasbourg
Your ship docks at Kehl and you'll head across the river to Strasbourg, the main city in France's Alsace region. The guided walk takes you through the UNESCO-listed Old Town, where you'll see historic buildings like Maison Kammerzell and wander through the Petite France area with its canal network. After some free time to explore on your own, you'll head to Bruchsal Palace for a private concert later in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Strasbourg's UNESCO World Heritage Old Town
- Private evening concert at Bruchsal Palace
Landmarks Strasbourg Old Town Maison Kammerzell Petite France Bruchsal Palace 
- Day 4
Ludwigshafen to Heidelberg
The ship sails along the Rhine toward Ludwigshafen, and you'll travel by coach to Heidelberg, which holds the title of UNESCO City of Literature. The guided tour covers Heidelberg Castle and other key sights around town. If you want more activity, there's a hiking option from Mount Königstuhl down into the town, or you can choose to visit Rudesheim instead with specialty coffee included if interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg
Optional Activities
- Active hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
- Rudesheim with specialty coffee (extra expense)
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Mount Königstuhl 
- Day 5
Rhine Gorge to Koblenz
You'll sail through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage area, passing castles and old villages along the way. When you reach Koblenz, you'll take a walking tour through the town's narrow streets and historic squares. The tour includes the German Corner and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. There's also an optional excursion to the Moselle Valley and Cochem Castle if you want to explore further.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Koblenz
Optional Activities
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense, only available on select dates)
Landmarks Rhine Gorge German Corner (Deutsches Eck) Ehrenbreitstein Fortress - Day 6
Cologne
Cologne has over 2,000 years of history, and the guided city tour walks through the Old Town to show you the historic center and key landmarks. You'll get a good sense of what makes this ancient German city important and how its past shapes what you see today.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cologne's Old Town
Landmarks Cologne Old Town 
- Day 7
Rotterdam
Rotterdam has a really different character from the other cities on your trip, with contemporary buildings mixed alongside historic structures. Choose between an architectural tour with local food tasting or a bike tour that also includes tasting local specialties. Both options highlight the city's distinctive style and include the Witte Huis, which was Europe's tallest office building when it was built.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided bike tour to Waterland
Optional Activities
- Architectural tour of Rotterdam with local tasting
- Guided bike tour of Rotterdam with local tasting
Landmarks Witte Huis 
- Day 8
Departure
After breakfast, you'll leave the Star-Ship and transfer to the airport for your departure. You'll take all the memories from the Black Forest and Strasbourg back home with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
