Itinerary
- Day 1
Munich
You'll arrive in Munich and get settled into the city. Spend time walking around to get oriented with this historic Bavarian capital. The old town has centuries of architecture to check out, and you'll find traditional beer halls throughout if you want to try local food and drinks. This is a good first day to explore at your own pace and soak in the local atmosphere.
- Day 2
Munich
Today you're heading out on a day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle. The castle sits up on a hill in the Bavarian Alps foothills, and from there you can see across the surrounding landscape. Inside, the rooms and halls show off 19th-century design and craftsmanship. You'll come back to Munich by evening after spending several hours at the castle and grounds.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Neuschwanstein Castle
Landmarks/POIs Neuschwanstein Castle - Day 3
Munich to Nuremberg
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Nuremberg, which takes a few hours by coach. Once there, your tour director leads you through the old city on foot. Nuremberg Castle sits on a hill above the town and holds medieval exhibits about the Holy Roman Empire. The architecture around the castle and throughout the city center dates back centuries.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Nuremberg
Landmarks/POIs Nuremberg Castle - Day 4
Nuremberg to Mainz
Following breakfast in Nuremberg, you'll travel to Mainz where your river cruise ship is waiting. The drive takes around four hours, so you'll arrive with time to board and get your cabin settled before evening activities or dinner on the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 5
Rüdesheim
The ship docks in Rüdesheim, a small town full of local character. You can ride the Winzerexpress (a small tourist train) up to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum in an old tower with frescoed ceilings. The museum has rare music boxes and mechanical instruments on display. Later, take time to walk around town, which has beer gardens and shops with local goods. As part of your EmeraldPLUS experience, you'll also hear stories about Rhine legends.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
- Legends on the Rhine
Landmarks/POIs Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum - Day 6
Koblenz
Koblenz sits where two rivers meet, and it has deep Roman history. Your guided walk covers the German Corner where the Moselle joins the Rhine, plus other old town sites. A cable car takes you across to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, which overlooks the valley. From the ship, you'll sail through the Rhine Gorge this afternoon and see castles and vineyards on the hillsides. There's an optional bike tour if you want a more active morning.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Koblenz
- Bike tour in Koblenz
Optional Activities
- Eltz Castle visit (extra expense)
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle Visit (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs German Corner Ehrenbreitstein Fortress - Day 7
Heidelberg
Heidelberg centers on its castle, which was once a royal palace. Your guide takes you through the town starting at the castle, showing the main squares and old streets. The Baroque architecture and narrow lanes reflect the town's Romantic period heritage. If you prefer something more active, you can hike down from Mount Königstuhl to get views of the town and valley before reaching the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg
- Hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
Optional Activities
- Vineyards hike and wine tasting in Bad Durkheim (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Heidelberg Castle Mount Königstuhl - Day 8
Baden-Baden
You'll leave the ship in Rastatt and travel to Baden-Baden, a spa town that has attracted wealthy visitors for hundreds of years. The guided walking tour shows you the elegant buildings and parks around town. Later, there's an optional hike to Altes Schloss, an old castle ruin with dungeons and stairs that lead up to views of the Black Forest. This evening, you're invited to a private concert in a historic hall as part of your EmeraldPLUS experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Baden-Baden
- Evening Concert on the Rhine
- Guided hike to Altes Schloss
Optional Activities
- Entrance to the Casino (extra expense)
- Baden Baden Spa experience (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Altes Schloss - Day 9
Kehl to Strasbourg
You'll dock at Kehl and take a coach to Strasbourg, which sits in France's Alsace region. A canal boat tour takes you through Petite France, the old quarter with narrow waterways, half-timbered buildings, and small bridges. The route passes Vauban Dam and reaches the Neustadt, the imperial quarter from the early 1900s. The afternoon is free to walk around on your own and grab lunch somewhere in the old town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Canal boat tour in Strasbourg
Landmarks/POIs Petite France Vauban Dam Neustadt - Day 10
Colmar
Colmar is known for its colorful buildings with flowers on the window boxes and stone streets that feel like a storybook. You can do a guided walking tour through the old streets and past the half-timbered houses, or if you prefer, join a guided bike tour from nearby Breisach to Colmar. Either way, you'll see the traditional Alsatian character of the town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Colmar
- Guided bike tour to Colmar
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Freiburg with market tasting (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Colmar Old Town - Day 11
Basel to Lucerne
You're entering Switzerland now. After breakfast in Basel, a small town on the Rhine, you'll travel by coach to Lucerne for a two-night stay. The drive takes a couple of hours, and as you get closer, you'll see mountains starting to appear. Lucerne sits on a lake with mountains in the background, and it's where you'll spend the next two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 12
Lucerne
Your guide takes you through Lucerne this morning, walking past the medieval old town with its covered bridges and painted buildings. You'll see the waterfront promenades along the lake and get a sense of the city's layout. The mountains rise up behind the town, and there's a mix of old architecture and modern Swiss touches. After the tour, the rest of the day is free to explore more on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lucerne
Optional Activities
- Train & cable car ride to Rigi – Weggis (extra expense)
Landmarks/POIs Lucerne Altstadt Rigi - Day 13
Lucerne to Zurich
Today you'll coach from Lucerne to Zurich, a larger Swiss city with a different feel. Your guide shows you the old town with its church steeples and narrow cobbled streets, then the newer parts with shops and businesses. You'll have free time to walk along the lake or explore the Old Town on your own. The city sits on the water, and on clear days, you can see mountains in the distance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Zurich
Landmarks/POIs Zurich Old Town - Day 14
Zurich
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to the group and head to the airport for your flight home. The drive passes through forests and mountains as you leave Zurich, giving you one last look at the Swiss landscape before you depart.
- Meals
- Breakfast
