Itinerary
- Day 1
Zurich
You'll arrive in Zurich, Switzerland's main hub for culture and business. This evening, your Tour Director will host a welcome drink at the hotel, where you'll meet the other travelers on your trip and get things started.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Lake Zurich Zurich Old Town - Day 2
Zurich to Zermatt
After breakfast, you're heading out by coach from Zurich toward Chur. From there, you'll board the Glacier Express Train for the scenic ride down to Zermatt, taking in the Alpine landscape along the way. Once you arrive, you've got free time to walk through the car-free village before settling in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Glacier Express Train journey from Chur to Zermatt
Landmarks Matterhorn Zermatt 
- Day 3
Zermatt
A local guide will take you around Zermatt this morning, walking through the village and pointing out the traditional chalets and the history that makes this place distinctive. The views of the surrounding peaks stay with you as you spend the day exploring. You'll stay another night here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Zermatt
Optional Activities
- Visit to Gornergrat Matterhorn (extra expense)
Landmarks Matterhorn Gornergrat - Day 4
Zermatt to Basel
You're transferring from Zermatt to Basel, but the route includes a stop in Montreux for a break along Lake Geneva's shore. Later, you'll board your ship, the Emerald Star-Ship, in Basel where the crew greets you and you'll meet your fellow passengers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Lake Geneva Montreux 
- Day 5
Colmar
Your river journey begins with a trip to Colmar, a town with narrow cobblestone streets, half-timbered medieval buildings, and window boxes full of flowers. You can choose between a guided walking tour through the town or a bike tour that starts from Breisach and gets you there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Colmar
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour from Breisach to Colmar
- Guided tour of Freiburg with market tasting (extra expense)
Landmarks Colmar Old Town Petite France, Colmar - Day 6
Strasbourg
From Kehl, you're heading to Strasbourg, a medieval city that's really best seen from the water. You'll take a canal boat tour through the UNESCO-listed center, passing through Petite France and the Neustadt imperial quarter. After that, the afternoon is yours to wander and check out the city on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Canal boat tour in Strasbourg
Landmarks Petite France, Strasbourg Strasbourg Cathedral Neustadt Imperial Quarter - Day 7
Baden-Baden
You're transferring from Rastatt to Baden-Baden, a spa town with character and history. There's a guided walking tour included, or if you prefer hiking, you can head up to Altes Schloss castle ruin for views across the Black Forest. Tonight brings a private concert at a historical venue.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Baden-Baden
- Evening Concert on the Rhine
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Altes Schloss
- Baden-Baden Spa Experience (extra expense)
- Entrance to the Casino (extra expense)
Landmarks Altes Schloss (Old Castle) Black Forest - Day 8
Heidelberg
Heidelberg's historic streets and romantic setting are the focus today. You've got an included guided tour, and you can either spend time at Heidelberg Castle or hike up Königstuhl mountain to get panoramic views over the city and the surrounding area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg
Optional Activities
- Hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
- Vineyards hike and wine tasting in Bad Dürkheim (extra expense)
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Mount Königstuhl - Day 9
Koblenz
Koblenz sits at the entrance to the Rhine Gorge, which is a UNESCO site. An included walking tour takes you around, and you'll ride a cable car across to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. Alternatively, there's a bike tour option if you'd rather do that.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Koblenz
- Cable car ride to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
Optional Activities
- Bike tour in Koblenz
- Eltz Castle visit (extra expense)
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle Visit (extra expense)
Landmarks Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Rhine Gorge Eltz Castle Cochem Castle 
- Day 10
Rüdesheim
This morning you're sailing through the Rhine Valley, and your guide will tell you about the region's legends and stories. By afternoon you'll reach Rüdesheim, where you can visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum to see music boxes and antique instruments. The minitrain ride and the local Rüdesheimer coffee are worth your time too.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Legends on the Rhine
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
- Minitrain ride in Rüdesheim
- Rüdesheimer coffee tasting
Landmarks Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum Rhine Valley 
- Day 11
Rüdesheim to Frankfurt
After breakfast, you'll leave the ship and transfer to Frankfurt Airport, heading home with the memories of the Rhine Valley and the European villages you've seen along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
