Itinerary
- Day 1
Frankfurt to Mainz
You'll arrive in Frankfurt and transfer to the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship waiting for you in Mainz. Once you're settled into your cabin, you'll have time to get oriented before heading to dinner with the other guests this evening.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Dinner on board
- Day 2
Rüdesheim
This morning takes you to Rüdesheim, a charming riverside town full of cuckoo clocks and local beer culture. You'll ride the Winzerexpress train to visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum, located in a 15th-century knight's tower. Later, there's a lecture about Rhine legends before you return to the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ride on Winzerexpress to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
- Legends on the Rhine lecture (EmeraldPLUS)
Landmarks/POIs Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum - Day 3
Koblenz
Koblenz is next on your journey, and you'll start with a guided walk through the city's main sights, including the German Corner where two rivers meet. From there, a cable car takes you across the water up to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for views of the area. After that, the ship sails through the scenic Rhine Gorge with its dramatic river landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Koblenz
- Cable car ride to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
- Sailing through the Rhine Gorge
Optional Activities
- Bike tour in Koblenz (EmeraldACTIVE)
- Eltz Castle visit (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle Visit (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs German Corner Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Rhine Gorge Eltz Castle Cochem Castle 
- Day 4
Heidelberg
Heidelberg's guided tour begins at the castle, a former royal residence that overlooks the town. You can walk through the historic center with its Baroque buildings and narrow streets, or if you prefer heights and exercise, there's a hiking option from Mount Königstuhl that gives you panoramic views of the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg starting at Heidelberg Castle
Optional Activities
- Hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg (EmeraldACTIVE)
- Vineyards hike and wine tasting in Bad Dürkheim (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Heidelberg Castle Mount Königstuhl 
- Day 5
Baden-Baden
You'll leave the ship in Rastatt and head to Baden-Baden, the elegant spa town known for attracting celebrities and royalty. A guided walking tour shows you the town's highlights. If you're interested, there's an optional hike to Altes Schloss castle ruin for Black Forest views. Your evening includes a private concert in a historical venue.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer from Star-Ship to Baden-Baden
- Guided walking tour of Baden-Baden
- Evening Concert on the Rhine (EmeraldPLUS)
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Altes Schloss (EmeraldACTIVE)
- Entrance to the Casino (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
- Baden-Baden Spa experience (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Altes Schloss - Day 6
Strasbourg
After docking in Kehl, a coach takes you to Strasbourg, Alsace's medieval capital. You'll board a traditional canal boat for a tour through Petite France with its half-timbered houses and covered bridges. There's also time to see the Neustadt imperial quarter, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and then you'll have free time to wander around.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Coach transfer from Kehl to Strasbourg
- Canal boat tour in Strasbourg
Landmarks/POIs Petite France Vauban Dam Neustadt - Day 7
Colmar
The guided tour through Colmar walks you along cobblestone lanes past half-timbered buildings and colorful shutters that look like something from a storybook. Alternatively, there's a bike tour from Breisach to Colmar, or you could visit Freiburg for some market tasting if you prefer a different pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Colmar
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour to Colmar (EmeraldACTIVE)
- Guided tour of Freiburg with market tasting (DiscoverMORE - extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Colmar Old Town - Day 8
Basel to Lucerne
Your coach picks you up in Basel and heads toward Lucerne, where your Tour Director meets you for a walk through the city. You'll see the Chapel Bridge and wander through the Old Town before checking into your hotel for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Lucerne including Chapel Bridge and Old Town
Landmarks/POIs Chapel Bridge Lucerne Old Town - Day 9
Lucerne
The day is yours to spend however you like. Walk around the Old Town at your own pace, spend time by the water, or sit at a café with coffee. If you want something more active, there's an optional trip to Mount Rigi where you can see the alpine views from up high.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Train and cable car ride to Rigi - Weggis (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Mount Rigi - Day 10
Lucerne to Zurich
Today you'll coach from Lucerne to Zurich, a cosmopolitan city known for church steeples, winding cobbled streets, and modern architecture mixed together. The guided tour shows you the highlights, and then you have free time to explore the lakeside setting and browse the Old Town shops and cafes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coach transfer from Lucerne to Zurich
- Guided tour of Zurich
Landmarks/POIs Zurich Old Town 
- Day 11
Zurich Departure
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to your fellow travelers and head to the airport. The journey takes you through mountain and forest scenery as you make your way home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to airport
