Itinerary
- Day 1
Frankfurt to Mainz
You'll be picked up at Frankfurt airport and taken by car to where the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship is waiting in Mainz. After settling into your cabin, you'll have dinner on board with the other passengers this evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Dinner on board
- Day 2
Rüdesheim
This morning you'll head to Rüdesheim to see the cuckoo clocks and try some Bavarian beer. The Winzerexpress takes you to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum, housed in a 15th-century knight's tower. Later there's a lecture covering the Rhine's interesting history and legends.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Winzerexpress ride to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum
- Legends on the Rhine lecture
Landmarks Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum 
- Day 3
Koblenz
Koblenz is your stop today, sitting right where the Moselle meets the Rhine. A guided walk takes you through the city including the German Corner, then you'll ride a cable car across to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress with its Rhine Valley views. You can choose between walking or biking, and there are options to visit Eltz Castle or head to the Moselle Valley and Cochem Castle if you prefer.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Koblenz
- Cable car ride to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
- Sail through the Rhine Gorge
Optional Activities
- Bike tour in Koblenz
- Eltz Castle visit (extra expense)
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Landmarks German Corner Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Eltz Castle Cochem Castle Rhine Gorge 
- Day 4
Heidelberg
Heidelberg is known for its history and connection to poets and composers. You'll either tour the grounds of Heidelberg Castle, a former royal home, or hike from Mount Königstuhl for views of the area. There's also an optional vineyard hike with wine tasting available in Bad Durkheim if that interests you.
- 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 Durkheim (extra expense)
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Mount Königstuhl 
- Day 5
Baden-Baden
The ship docks in Rastatt and you'll transfer to Baden-Baden, a spa town popular with celebrities and royalty. A guided walk shows you around, and if you're up for hiking, there's a trail to Altes Schloss with Black Forest and Rhine Valley views. This evening you'll attend a private concert in a historical setting, with options to visit the casino or spa.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Baden-Baden
- Evening Concert on the Rhine
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Altes Schloss
- Entrance to the Casino (extra expense)
- Baden Baden Spa experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Altes Schloss Black Forest - Day 6
Strasbourg
After docking in Kehl, you'll coach to Strasbourg in France's Alsace region. A canal boat ride takes you through petite France with its half-timbered houses and narrow streets, passing covered bridges and the Vauban Dam before reaching the Neustadt area. The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Coach transfer from Kehl to Strasbourg
- Canal boat tour in Strasbourg
Landmarks Petite France Vauban Dam Neustadt Imperial Quarter - Day 7
Colmar
You'll walk through Colmar's cobblestone streets past colorful half-timbered buildings that look like they're from fairy tales. Alternatively, there's a guided bike tour from Breisach to Colmar. If you want something different, there's an optional tour of Freiburg with a market tasting.
- 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 - Day 8
Basel to Zermatt
After breakfast in Basel, a charming Rhine-side town, you'll coach to Zermatt in the Swiss Alps for a two-night stay in this mountain resort village. You're now in Switzerland and heading to the mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coach transfer from Basel to Zermatt
Landmarks Matterhorn 
- Day 9
Zermatt
Today is spent in Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn. This car-free village keeps its original character and you'll take a guided walk around. In the afternoon you have free time, or you can take the optional cog rail up to Gornergrat at 3,089 meters for high alpine views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Zermatt
Optional Activities
- Cog rail journey from Zermatt to Gornergrat (extra expense)
Landmarks Gornergrat Matterhorn - Day 10
Zermatt to Zurich
The Glacier Express train journey through the Swiss Alps is the highlight of your trip. You'll sit back and take in the alpine scenery as the train winds through the mountains. When you arrive, you'll transfer by coach to Zurich for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Glacier Express train journey from Zermatt to Chur
- Coach transfer to Zurich
Landmarks Swiss Alps - Day 11
Zurich to Airport
After breakfast, you'll say goodbye to the group and head to the airport with memories of the Rhine valley and Swiss mountain landscapes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coach transfer from Zurich to airport
