Zurich - Lucerne & Jewels of the Rhine & London

Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Zurich

   Zurich Show on map

   Landmarks
   Lake Zurich

   

2. Day 2

   Zurich to Lucerne

   Zurich to Lucerne Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Guided walking tour of Zurich featuring Bahnhofstrasse, Romanesque Cathedral, Frauenkirche, and lakeside park
   • Guided city tour of Lucerne including medieval Altstadt, Chapel Bridge, and Water Tower

   Landmarks
   Bahnhofstrasse
   Romanesque Cathedral
   Frauenkirche
   Chapel Bridge
   Water Tower
   Lake Lucerne

   

3. Day 3

   Lucerne

   Lucerne Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Tastes of Switzerland culinary experience - artisanal cheeses and Swiss chocolates tasting (1.5 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)
   • Train & cable car ride to Mount Rigi from Lucerne with panoramic views (4-6 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)

   Landmarks
   Mount Rigi
   Lake Lucerne

4. Day 4

   Lucerne to Basel

   Lucerne to Basel Show on map

   Meals

   Dinner (Dinner on board the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship)

   Landmarks
   Rhine River

5. Day 5

   Breisach

   Breisach Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting at local market featuring Black Forest ham and regional delicacies (EmeraldPLUS)
   • Guided e-bike tour in Breisach through Kaiserstuhl mountains with traditional Black Forest cake break in Burkheim (EmeraldACTIVE)
   • Guided tour of Colmar through cobblestone lanes and half-timbered architecture (5 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)

   Landmarks
   St. Stephen's Church
   Black Forest
   Freiburg
   Kaiserstuhl Mountains
   Colmar

6. Day 6

   Breisach to Strasbourg to Germersheim

   Breisach to Strasbourg to Germersheim Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Guided walking tour of Strasbourg featuring the Cathedral and La Petite France with local tasting of regional specialties

   Optional Activities

   • Baden-Baden Spa experience in the Black Forest with thermal waters (3 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)

   Landmarks
   Strasbourg Cathedral
   La Petite France
   Neustadt District
   Bruchsal Palace
   Baden-Baden

7. Day 7

   Mannheim to Heidelberg to Rudesheim

   Mannheim to Heidelberg to Rudesheim Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Guided tour of Heidelberg including Renaissance Heidelberg Castle with gardens, sculptures, and flowerbeds

   Optional Activities

   • Active hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg via funicular and forest trek with Heidelberg Castle tour (EmeraldACTIVE)
   • Rudesheim walk with specialty coffee tasting including mini train ride (2 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)

   Landmarks
   Mannheim Palace
   Heidelberg Castle
   Mount Königstuhl
   Neckar Valley
   Heidelberg Old Town

8. Day 8

   Koblenz

   Koblenz Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Orientation walk of Koblenz including Church of Our Lady and German Corner

   Optional Activities

   • Moselle Valley and Cochem Castle visit including walking tour and guided castle tour with views of Moselle Valley (5 hours, Difficult/Active activity level, extra expense)

   Landmarks
   Rhine Gorge
   Lorelei Rock
   Church of Our Lady
   German Corner
   Cochem Castle
   Moselle Valley

9. Day 9

   Cologne to Düsseldorf

   Cologne to Düsseldorf Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Guided tour of Cologne's Old Town with squares, monuments, and conclusion at the World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral
   • Walking tour of Düsseldorf exploring historic Altstadt and modern cityscape

   Optional Activities

   • Guided e-bike tour in Cologne along the Rhine River through northern suburbs and business areas (EmeraldACTIVE)
   • German Beer Experience guided tour through Düsseldorf brewhouses (2 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)

   Landmarks
   Cologne Cathedral
   Cologne Old Town
   Trafalgar Square
   Rhine River
   Düsseldorf Altstadt

10. Day 10

    Amsterdam

    Amsterdam Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Excursion to Alkmaar featuring historic architecture, tranquil canals, and world-famous cheese market

    Optional Activities

    • Guided e-bike tour through Amsterdam outskirts to Waterland passing Dutch villages, windmills, and colorful fields (EmeraldACTIVE)
    • Hidden Gems tour of Amsterdam through Jordaan area, chocolate shop, and Our Lord in the Attic 17th-century house with Catholic church, finishing with beer and snacks at local brewery (2.5 hours, Moderate activity level, extra expense)
    • Dutch Delights tour showcasing Amsterdam highlights with tasting of local treats (3 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)

    Landmarks
    Alkmaar
    Waterland
    Jordaan
    Our Lord in the Attic

11. Day 11

    Amsterdam to London

    Amsterdam to London Show on map

    Landmarks
    River Thames

12. Day 12

    London

    London Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Guided city tour of London including Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and Changing of the Guard ceremony

    Optional Activities

    • Afternoon tea - British tradition with freshly-brewed teas, finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and pastries (3 hours, Easy activity level, extra expense)

    Landmarks
    Big Ben
    Houses of Parliament
    Westminster Abbey
    Buckingham Palace
    Trafalgar Square
    West End

13. Day 13

    London

    London Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • London Eye visit for panoramic views across the city
    • British Museum visit
    • Hyde Park stroll
    • Shoreditch street art exploration
    • West End theatre show

    Landmarks
    London Eye
    British Museum
    Hyde Park
    Shoreditch
    West End

14. Day 14

    London

    London Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast