Itinerary
- Day 1
Munich
You'll arrive in Munich and head to your hotel to get settled. Once you're ready, start walking around this historic Bavarian capital. The city has centuries-old buildings throughout, and you'll find the local food scene focused on traditional Bavarian cuisine. The atmosphere here is lively, especially around the beer halls that have been operating for generations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Munich's historic city center
- Visit heritage beer halls
- Experience Bavarian cuisine
Landmarks/POIs Marienplatz - Day 2
Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle
This is a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich. You'll head out to see this 19th-century castle sitting high on a rugged hill in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. Inside, the halls are quite impressive with their detailed design. After exploring, you'll make your way back to Munich for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Neuschwanstein Castle
Landmarks/POIs Neuschwanstein Castle - Day 3
Munich to Nuremberg
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Nuremberg, another important Bavarian city with significant history. Your tour director will lead you on a walking tour through the old town's charming streets and squares. Later, you'll visit Nuremberg Castle to see its exhibits on the Holy Roman Empire and check out the medieval architecture that defines the place.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Nuremberg
- Visit to Nuremberg Castle
Landmarks/POIs Nuremberg Castle Nuremberg Old Town - Day 4
Nuremberg to Mainz
Following breakfast, you'll leave Nuremberg and head toward Mainz. Once you arrive, you'll board a luxury river cruise ship and get oriented for the days ahead on the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 5
Rüdesheim
You'll dock in Rüdesheim, a town known for cuckoo clocks and beer traditions. The Winzerexpress takes you up to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum, housed in a 15th-century knight's tower with vaulted ceilings and painted frescoes. You'll see a collection of rare music boxes and hear a talk about Rhine legends.
Included Activities
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
- Ride on Winzerexpress
- Legends on the Rhine lecture
Landmarks/POIs Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum - Day 6
Koblenz
Koblenz is your next stop, an ancient Roman settlement now full of parks and flowers. Your guided walk includes the German Corner where the Moselle and Rhine rivers meet. A cable car takes you across to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for views over the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Valley. Later, you'll sail through the Rhine Gorge from your ship.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Koblenz
- Cable car ride to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
- Sailing through Rhine Gorge
Optional Activities
- Bike tour in Koblenz (EmeraldACTIVE)
- Eltz Castle visit (extra expense)
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs German Corner Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Rhine Gorge - Day 7
Heidelberg
In Heidelberg, you'll see Baroque buildings and narrow cobblestone streets that inspired German Romanticism. Your tour starts at Heidelberg Castle, once a royal residence. You can either walk the town's main sights or hike up from Mount Königstuhl if you want the panoramic views across the area.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg
Optional Activities
- Hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg (EmeraldACTIVE)
- Vineyards hike and wine tasting in Bad Durkheim (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Heidelberg Castle - Day 8
Baden-Baden
You'll transfer from your ship in Rastatt to Baden-Baden, a spa town that's attracted celebrities and royalty for centuries. Choose a guided walking tour of the town or a guided hike to Altes Schloss, an old castle ruin with dungeons and views toward the Black Forest and Rhine Valley. This evening features a private concert in a historic venue.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Baden-Baden
- Evening Concert on the Rhine
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Altes Schloss (EmeraldACTIVE)
- Entrance to the Casino (extra expense)
- Baden Baden Spa experience (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Altes Schloss - Day 9
Kehl to Strasbourg
Your ship docks in Kehl and a coach takes you to Strasbourg, the medieval capital of Alsace. You'll board a traditional canal boat and cruise through Petite France with its half-timbered houses and narrow streets lined with bridges. The boat passes under the Vauban Dam and heads toward the Neustadt imperial quarter, a UNESCO site. The afternoon is yours to explore on your own.
Included Activities
- Canal boat tour in Strasbourg
Landmarks/POIs Petite France Neustadt Vauban Dam - Day 10
Colmar
Start the morning in Colmar, walking down cobblestone streets past half-timbered buildings with colorful flower boxes in the windows. The whole town feels like it came from a fairy tale. If you prefer something active, there's a guided bike tour available from Breisach to Colmar instead.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Colmar
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour from Breisach to Colmar (EmeraldACTIVE)
- Guided tour of Freiburg with market tasting (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Colmar Old Town - Day 11
Departure
After breakfast, you'll leave your ship and transfer to Basel airport, carrying memories of the Rhine Gorge and your time on the river. Make sure your flight out departs after 10:00 AM to allow time for the transfer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
