Itinerary
- Day 1
Copenhagen
You'll arrive in Copenhagen and get picked up from the airport for the drive to your hotel. Once you check in, you'll have time to settle before meeting the other travelers and your tour director. This is where everything kicks off for your 3-night stay in the city.
- Day 2
Copenhagen
Today includes a guided tour through Copenhagen followed by a canal cruise. You'll float past old architecture and head into Nyhavn with its colorful waterfront buildings. The route also takes you by Amalienborg Palace, where the Danish royal family actually lives, so you get a real sense of the city's layout and history from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Copenhagen and canal cruise
Landmarks Nyhavn Amalienborg Palace - Day 3
Copenhagen
After breakfast, you'll visit Christiansborg Palace, which used to be where Danish kings and queens lived but now houses Parliament and the Supreme Court. The afternoon opens up for you to choose what to do, whether that's checking out Tivoli Gardens, wandering Rosenborg Castle, or just sitting at a café and watching the city go by.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Christiansborg Palace
Optional Activities
- Visit to Tivoli Gardens
- Visit to Rosenborg Castle
- Sample traditional open-faced sandwiches at local restaurants
Landmarks Christiansborg Palace Tivoli Gardens Rosenborg Castle - Day 4
Copenhagen to Amsterdam
You'll have breakfast and then head to the airport to fly to Amsterdam. Once you arrive, you'll board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship and get settled for the next part of your journey along the European rivers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 5
Amsterdam
This morning takes you to Keukenhof Gardens, which spreads across 32 hectares with tulips, hyacinths, and orchids all organized into detailed patterns. There are sculptures throughout the grounds too. Later you'll sail toward the Rhine River, and the ship offers clog painting if you want to try that hands-on activity.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Keukenhof Gardens
- Clog painting on board
Landmarks Keukenhof Gardens - Day 6
Düsseldorf to Cologne
You'll explore Düsseldorf in the morning and check out the Japanese Gardens there. After lunch, the ship continues toward Cologne, where you can see the famous Gothic Cathedral right from the water. There's a guided walk through town that also passes through the Cologne Gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Düsseldorf with visit to the Japanese Garden
- Guided tour of Cologne
- Active walk to Cologne's Gardens
Optional Activities
- German Beer Experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Japanese Gardens Düsseldorf Cologne Cathedral 
- Day 7
Koblenz
A local guide leads you through Koblenz with stops at the Church of Our Lady and the German Corner, where two major rivers meet. You'll also see the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. After that, the ship takes you through the Rhine Gorge, which is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Orientation walk of Koblenz
Optional Activities
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Landmarks German Corner Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Church of Our Lady Rhine Gorge 
- Day 8
Bad-Dürkheim
You have three options for the day. Visit Schwetzingen Palace and its gardens with over 100 sculptures, or take an active hike through vineyards near Bad-Dürkheim, or join an optional tour to Heidelberg. The choice lets you set the pace for what you want from this stop.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Schwetzingen Palace & Gardens
- Guided vineyard hike in Bad-Dürkheim
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg (extra expense)
Landmarks Schwetzingen Palace - Day 9
Kehl to Strasbourg
The ship brings you to Kehl and then you transfer to Strasbourg. You'll walk through the Neustadt district and see the Maison Kammerzell with its Renaissance details and the Petite France quarter. Optionally, you can take an active walk to Orangerie Park or check out Baden Baden Spa if that appeals to you more.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Strasbourg
- Active walk to Orangerie Park
Optional Activities
- Baden Baden Spa Experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Neustadt District Maison Kammerzell Petite France Orangerie Park 
- Day 10
Freiburg
You'll arrive in Freiburg surrounded by the Black Forest. The historic center has half-timbered houses and a busy market square to walk through. You could also visit the botanical garden or take a bike tour around the medieval town of Breisach with its views back toward the Rhine River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Freiburg visit with Botanical Garden
- Guided bike tour in Breisach
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Colmar (extra expense)
Landmarks Freiburg Historic Center Freiburg Botanical Garden Breisach 
- Day 11
Basel
Basel is your final stop, sitting along the Rhine and known for its many museums covering art and science. You'll have breakfast on the ship, then say goodbye to your fellow travelers as you transfer to the airport, heading home with memories of the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Basel
