Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive at Amsterdam airport where an Emerald Cruises representative meets you for transfer to your Star-Ship. This is where your Dutch adventure starts, and you'll get settled into your cabin.
- Day 2
Amsterdam
This morning takes you to Keukenhof Gardens, covering 32 hectares with spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, hyacinths, and orchids arranged in patterns. You'll also see statues commissioned by well-known artists that reflect the annual theme. It's one of the highlights of the season.
Included Activities
- Visit to Keukenhof Gardens
Landmarks/POIs Keukenhof Gardens 
- Day 3
Cologne
Your guided walking tour covers Cologne's Old Town with its rustic alleyways and key monuments. You'll walk through the Jewish Quarter, which dates back to the 13th century. The day wraps up at the Botanical Gardens, set up back in the 19th century.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cologne's Old Town
- Visit to the Botanical Gardens
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Old Town Cologne Botanical Gardens - Day 4
Koblenz
In Koblenz, a local guide leads you through walking tour past buildings that survived wartime, including the Church of Our Lady. Then you'll head to the German Corner where two major European rivers converge and see the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Later, cruise through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Koblenz
Optional Activities
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs German Corner Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Church of Our Lady Rhine Gorge - Day 5
Schwetzingen / Bad-Dürkheim
Two options today. You can visit Schwetzingen Palace and its gardens, a cultural heritage site with over 100 sculptures spread through the grounds. Or pick the active guided vineyard hike around Bad-Dürkheim, a wellness town in the region.
Included Activities
- Visit to Schwetzingen Palace & Gardens
Optional Activities
- Guided vineyard hike in Bad-Dürkheim
Landmarks/POIs Schwetzingen Palace Schwetzingen Palace Gardens - Day 6
Strasbourg
After transferring to Strasbourg from Kehl, your guided tour shows you the UNESCO-listed Neustadt district with its Rhineland character. You'll see the Maison Kammerzell, a prime example of German Renaissance architecture, and walk through the historic Petite France quarter.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Strasbourg
Landmarks/POIs Neustadt District Maison Kammerzell Petite France - Day 7
Neuf-Brisach
Today explores two cities separated by the Rhine: Breisach in Germany and Neuf-Brisach in France. Your guided visit passes main sights and the UNESCO-listed fortress overlooking Neuf-Brisach. If you prefer action, there's a guided bike tour option through Breisach instead.
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Breisach and Neuf-Brisach
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour in Breisach
Landmarks/POIs Breisach Old Town Neuf-Brisach Fortress - Day 8
Basel to Zermatt
Welcome to Switzerland. After breakfast, you're transferred by coach from Basel to Zermatt, a mountain village at the foot of the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps. You'll stay here for two nights and get oriented with the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Matterhorn 
- Day 9
Zermatt
Zermatt is a car-free village that keeps its original Swiss character. During your guided walking tour, you'll see the elegant village layout. The afternoon opens up for free time, or you can take an optional cog rail ride to Gornergrat mountain summit at 3,089 metres for views across the Alps.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Zermatt
Optional Activities
- Cog rail journey from Zermatt to Gornergrat mountain summit (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Zermatt Gornergrat - Day 10
Zermatt to Zurich
This morning brings the highlight of the trip: the Glacier Express, a scenic rail journey through the Swiss Alps. You'll relax and take in views as you travel through the mountains. After arriving at the station, you're transferred by coach to Zurich for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Glacier Express Train journey through the Swiss Alps
- Day 11
Zurich to Airport
After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers and transfer to the airport. Mountains and forests provide a scenic backdrop as you head out for your departure home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
