Itinerary
- Day 1
Nice to Arles
- Day 2
Arles
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome reception and dinner with fellow guests)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Arles with arena visit - Discover Arles' Roman heritage including the Roman Amphitheatre, ancient forum, and Roman baths
Optional Activities
- In the footsteps of Van Gogh with a painting workshop (extra expense) - Explore Van Gogh-inspired landscapes and participate in a 3-hour painting workshop to create your own masterpiece
- Excursion to Les Baux de Provence (extra expense) - Visit a World Heritage-listed medieval village in the Alpilles Regional Natural Park with narrow cobblestone streets and views from Château-Fortress des Baux (4 hours, Difficult/Active)
- Provençal cosmetic workshop (extra expense) - Learn traditional Provençal soap-making techniques using natural ingredients and create your own artisanal soap (3 hours, Easy)
Landmarks Roman Amphitheatre - Day 3
Avignon
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Avignon - Explore World Heritage-listed highlights including the Pont d'Avignon (12th-century bridge) and medieval architecture through cobbled alleyways
Optional Activities
- Canoeing excursion in Avignon (EmeraldACTIVE) - Canoe on the calm waters of the Rhône River and paddle beneath the famous Pont d'Avignon
- Guided tour of the Pont du Gard (extra expense) - Visit the World Heritage-listed three-level Roman aqueduct (275 metres long, 48 metres high) and explore the small Roman town of Uzès (4.5 hours, Easy)
- Visit to Châteauneuf du Pape with wine tasting (extra expense) - Experience the famous wine appellation with a curated tasting at a local vineyard and see 14th-century castle ruins (3.25 hours, Moderate)
- Provençal dinner hosted by local chef Fabien Morreale (EmeraldPLUS) - Enjoy authentic Provençal cuisine prepared by Top Chef finalist Fabien Morreale with chef interaction and culinary insights
- Classical concert in Avignon (EmeraldPLUS) - Attend a private classical concert in a historic chapel performed by a local trio
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon Pont du Gard 
- Day 4
Viviers
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Viviers - Follow a heritage discovery trail through the walled town, viewing iconic monuments including the Maison des Chevaliers with its lavishly decorated interior and Renaissance façade
Optional Activities
- Visit to Chauvet Pont D'Arc (extra expense) - Explore the Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum, the largest decorated cave replica in the world, with a local guide (2.5 hours, Moderate)
- Day 5
Tournon
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tournon - Walk through the village with local guides exploring Roman ruins, Renaissance monuments, and learning about viticulture traditions. Visit the world's oldest suspension bridge with cables
Optional Activities
- Guided hike through the vineyards (EmeraldACTIVE) - Hike through vineyards surrounding Tournon known for syrah, marsanne and roussanne wines, with spectacular Rhone River views and optional stop at a local chocolate maker
- Day 6
Mâcon
Included Activities
- Beaujolais wine tasting - Experience the flavours of the renowned Beaujolais region with a guided wine tasting at a local vineyard, learning about the winemaking process and sampling wines from this famous region
- Day 7
Lyon
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon - Enjoy a guided coach tour starting at Fourvières Hill with views of the ancient Roman Theatre. Visit the Romanesque and Byzantine Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, walk through the city's hidden passageways (traboules), and admire Renaissance-era houses
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike tour of Lyon (EmeraldACTIVE) - Ride through the famous Parc de la Tête d'Or (largest urban park in France with over 15,000 plant species), touring the park, zoo, greenhouses, former vet school, courthouse, and Confluence district. Requires good fitness and confident cycling skills
- Excursion to Pérouges (extra expense) - Visit one of the most beautiful villages in France on a hill overlooking the Ain River valley, featuring 15th-century fortified church, former Savoy prince residence, and historic buildings (3.5 hours, Moderate)
- Lyon by Night (extra expense) - Stroll through illuminated streets of Old Lyon, view the shimmering Saône, and enjoy breathtaking views from Fourvière Hill overlooking the sparkling cityscape (2 hours, Easy)
Landmarks Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière Parc de la Tête d'Or 
- Day 8
Lyon to Basel
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 9
Breisach
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting (EmeraldPLUS) - Explore historic Freiburg im Breisgau, a photogenic old city founded in 1120, featuring the Altstadt's cobbled Rathausplatz with Gothic churches and civic buildings. Sample local delicacies including famous Black Forest ham at a local market
- Guided e-bike tour in Breisach (EmeraldACTIVE) - Experience an exhilarating e-bike tour between the Kaiserstuhl mountains and river through the woods, with a stop in Burkheim for traditional Black Forest cake
- Guided tour of Colmar (extra expense) - Walk along quaint cobblestone lanes lined with half-timbered façades adorned with colourful window boxes (5 hours, Easy)
Landmarks St. Stephen's Church - Day 10
Strasbourg to Germersheim
Included Activities
- Flavours of Alsace: Strasbourg walking tour with local tasting - Explore Strasbourg's historic streets and World Heritage-listed highlights from the Cathedral to La Petite France, with a delightful local tasting of Alsace culinary traditions
Optional Activities
- Baden-Baden Spa experience (extra expense) - Enjoy a rejuvenating day at the world-renowned Baden-Baden Spa famous for healing thermal waters and elegant ambience in Germany's Black Forest (3 hours, Easy)
- Evening Concert at Bruchsal Palace (EmeraldPLUS) - Attend a private classical concert in one of the most beautiful rooms of Bruchsal Palace (Damiansburg), a breathtaking Baroque Palace with fine Rococo decoration
Landmarks Strasbourg Cathedral La Petite France Bruchsal Palace 
- Day 11
Mannheim
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg - Explore this charming UNESCO City of Literature with insights into its rich history, starting at the Renaissance remains of Heidelberg Castle with carefully curated gardens featuring water features, sculptures and colourful flowerbeds
Optional Activities
- Active hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg (EmeraldACTIVE) - Take the funicular to the peak of Mount Königstuhl for panoramic views of the Neckar Valley, then hike through forest. Enter Heidelberg Castle for a short tour of the ruin before descending into the Old Town with brief orientation walk and free time
- Rüdesheim walk with specialty coffee (extra expense) - Take a mini train ride and taste the specialty Rüdesheimer coffee in this charming Rhine town (2 hours, Easy)
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Mount Königstuhl - Day 12
Koblenz
Included Activities
- Orientation Walk of Koblenz - Join a local guide for an insightful walking tour passing architecture that survived the war years, including the Church of Our Lady, and visit the German Corner where two of Europe's great rivers converge
Optional Activities
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense) - Explore the medieval town of Cochem on a hill 91m above the Moselle Valley. Take a walking tour with guided visit to the magnificent Cochem (Reichsburg) Castle, with impressive views of the Moselle Valley. The castle features neo-Gothic architecture rebuilt in 1868 after destruction by King Louis XIV in 1689 (5 hours, Difficult/Active)
Landmarks Lorelei Rock German Corner Cochem Castle (Reichsburg) - Day 13
Cologne to Düsseldorf
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cologne's Old Town - Explore the city with a local guide through beautiful squares and historic monuments to the World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral, whose filigree twin towers form an iconic skyline element. Include free time for shopping and further exploration
- Walking tour of Düsseldorf - Discover Düsseldorf on a guided walking tour through cultural landmarks and scenic streets, exploring the historic Altstadt and modern cityscape
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike tour in Cologne (EmeraldACTIVE) - Explore Cologne on two wheels with a local guide along the Rhine River, passing Cologne's northern suburbs and industrial and business areas
- German Beer Experience (extra expense) - Discover the spirited beer culture of Düsseldorf on a lively guided tour through the city's legendary brewhouses (2 hours, Easy)
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral - Day 14
Amsterdam
Included Activities
- Excursion to Alkmaar - Visit a picturesque town known for its historic architecture, tranquil canals and world-famous cheese market, exploring cobbled streets lined with gabled houses and lively squares
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike tour to Waterland (EmeraldACTIVE) - Embark on a guided e-bike tour through Amsterdam's outskirts to Waterland, passing quintessential Dutch villages, traditional windmills and vibrant colourful fields
- Hidden Gems tour of Amsterdam (extra expense) - Explore a quieter, more authentic Amsterdam through hidden treasures including the historic Jordaan area, a charming chocolate shop, Our Lord in the Attic (17th-century house with preserved Catholic church in attic), and finishing with beer and snacks at a local brewery (2.5 hours, Moderate)
- Dutch Delights (extra expense) - See highlights of Amsterdam while tasting delicious Dutch treats (3 hours, Easy)
- Day 15
Amsterdam
- Meals
- Breakfast
