Itinerary
- Day 1
Basel
You'll arrive in Basel where you're picked up at the airport and taken to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. After settling into your cabin, join the other guests for dinner on board this evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Dinner on board
- Day 2
Freiburg
Head to Freiburg, known as the capital of the Black Forest. You can sample regional food on a guided tour, or if you're more active, there's a bike tour option in Breisach. Colmar's also available as a paid add-on if you're interested in that instead.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting
- Guided bike tour in Breisach
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Colmar (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Freiburg Breisach Colmar - Day 3
Kehl to Strasbourg
The ship stops in Kehl and from there you're coached to the medieval town of Strasbourg. An included excursion covers the heart of Alsace with traditional regional dishes. That evening, there's an exclusive private concert in a historic venue included as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience. A Baden Baden Spa day is available for extra cost if that appeals to you more.
Included Activities
- Flavours of Alsace excursion
- Private Evening Concert on the Rhine
Optional Activities
- Baden Baden Spa experience (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Strasbourg Alsace Baden Baden - Day 4
Heidelberg
This morning you'll sail along the Rhine, watching the Neckar River join in. Later you're transferred by coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour of this UNESCO City of Literature, including Heidelberg Castle with its impressive Renaissance architecture. There's also an active hiking option from Mount Königstuhl down into the city if you prefer that.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg
- Active hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
Landmarks/POIs Heidelberg Castle Mount Königstuhl - Day 5
Rhine Gorge to Koblenz
You'll sail through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge, passing castles and medieval villages along the way. Once in Koblenz, there's an orientation walk through the city to see the German Corner where two major European rivers meet, plus the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. The Moselle Valley and Cochem Castle are available as paid alternatives.
Included Activities
- Orientation Walk of Koblenz
Optional Activities
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Rhine Gorge German Corner Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Cochem Castle - Day 6
Cologne to Düsseldorf
Arriving in Cologne, you'll see the famous Cathedral up close and join a guided tour of the Old Town. After grabbing lunch, you head to Düsseldorf for a walking tour along the Rhine, checking out the mix of old and modern architecture. A Cologne Beer Experience is offered as an extra-cost option.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cologne Old Town
- Walking tour of Düsseldorf
Optional Activities
- Cologne Beer Experience (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town Düsseldorf Rhine River - Day 7
Alkmaar
You'll visit Alkmaar, a Dutch town known for its traditional cheese market where cheesemakers demonstrate their craft. Wandering through the historic center, you'll find charming canals and medieval buildings everywhere. A guided bike tour through the Dutch countryside to Waterland is available, and Amsterdam has private hidden gems tours or a Dutch Delights experience, both at additional cost.
Included Activities
- Excursion to Alkmaar
- Guided bike tour to Waterland
Optional Activities
- Private hidden Gems tour of Amsterdam (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Dutch Delights (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Alkmaar Waterland Amsterdam - Day 8
Amsterdam to Copenhagen
You depart Amsterdam for Copenhagen. After arriving at the airport, you're transferred to your hotel for a 3-night stay. This evening you'll meet the other travelers and your tour director.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Copenhagen 
- Day 9
Copenhagen
A guided city tour and canal cruise takes you through Copenhagen's central areas. You'll pass the colorful Nyhavn district where Hans Christian Andersen lived, see the elegant Amalienborg Palace, and glide past charming old buildings along serene canals.
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Copenhagen and canal cruise
Landmarks/POIs Nyhavn Amalienborg Palace - Day 10
Copenhagen
Start with a visit to Christiansborg Palace, which used to be a royal residence and now houses the Danish Parliament and Supreme Court. The afternoon is free to explore Copenhagen however you like. You could visit Tivoli Gardens, check out Rosenborg Castle with its Danish crown jewels, sit at café terraces, or try some open-faced sandwiches.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Christiansborg Palace
Optional Activities
- Visit to Tivoli Gardens
- Visit to Rosenborg Castle
Landmarks/POIs Christiansborg Palace Tivoli Gardens Rosenborg Castle - Day 11
Copenhagen Departure
After breakfast, you say goodbye to Copenhagen, taking memories of your Rhine Cruise and the stories of the Danish capital back home with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
