Itinerary
- Day 1
Zurich
You'll arrive in Zurich and get settled into your hotel. After that, the day is yours to explore the city at your own pace. Walk around Lake Zurich, drop into local cafés, or just relax and get your bearings. There's no rushing, so take your time getting oriented to the area.
Optional Activities
- Explore Lake Zurich lakeside setting
- Visit local cafés
Landmarks Lake Zurich 
- Day 2
Zurich to Lucerne
Start your morning with a guided walking tour through Zurich to catch the main sights. Then you'll transfer by coach to Lucerne, where you'll have the afternoon and evening free. Wander through the old town with its colorful buildings and narrow streets, or just take in the mountain scenery surrounding the town.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Zurich
Optional Activities
- Explore Lucerne's Altstadt (old town)
Landmarks Zurich Old Town Lucerne Altstadt 
- Day 3
Lucerne
You've got a guided tour of Lucerne this morning that covers the medieval old town, Chapel Bridge, and the octagonal Water Tower. Your guide will share the city's history as you walk through tree-lined streets. Spend the rest of the day revisiting any spots you liked or finding new corners on your own.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lucerne including Chapel Bridge and Water Tower
Optional Activities
- Train and cable car to Rigi - Weggis (extra expense)
Landmarks Chapel Bridge Water Tower Lucerne Medieval Altstadt Rigi - Day 4
Lucerne to Basel
After breakfast, a coach takes you through Swiss landscapes to Basel on the Rhine River. You'll board the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship and get settled into your cabin. Later this evening, you'll meet the captain and crew, then have dinner on board as your river cruise begins.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Dinner on board
Landmarks Rhine River 
- Day 5
Freiburg
As an EmeraldPLUS guest, you'll visit Freiburg, known as the Capital of the Black Forest. A guided tour includes local food tastings so you can try authentic Black Forest dishes. If you'd rather be more active, there's an optional guided bike tour in nearby Breisach instead.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Freiburg with Black Forest delicacies tasting
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour in Breisach
- Guided tour of Colmar (extra expense)
Landmarks Freiburg Black Forest Breisach Colmar - Day 6
Kehl to Strasbourg
You'll disembark at Kehl and travel by coach to Strasbourg, a medieval town with cobblestone squares and half-timbered houses. An included excursion takes you through Alsace to sample local flavors and wander the charming streets. Tonight, EmeraldPLUS guests get invited to an exclusive private concert in a historical venue.
Included Activities
- Guided excursion - Flavours of Alsace
Optional Activities
- Baden Baden Spa experience (extra expense)
- Private Evening Concert on the Rhine (EmeraldPLUS)
Landmarks Strasbourg Old Town Alsace Region Baden Baden - Day 7
Mannheim to Heidelberg
Start your day with a Rhine river cruise, taking in the views where the Rhine and Neckar rivers meet. After the cruise, you'll head by coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour of this UNESCO City of Literature. Once there, you can walk through historic landmarks including Heidelberg Castle, which is one of the most impressive Renaissance structures around. The town has a rich literary history that drew writers like Mark Twain and William Turner here, and you'll get a sense of why during your time exploring the old streets and attractions.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg
- Cruise along the Rhine River viewing the Rhine-Neckar confluence
Optional Activities
- Active hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg (EmeraldACTIVE option)
- Rüdesheim with specialty coffee (DiscoverMORE option, extra expense)
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Mount Königstuhl - Day 8
Rhine Gorge to Koblenz
Today you sail through the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge, passing castles on cliffs and medieval villages along the banks. You'll arrive in Koblenz, an ancient city with vineyards and mountain views. A guided walk takes you through cobbled squares and narrow streets, visiting the German Corner where two rivers meet and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
Included Activities
- Orientation walk of Koblenz
Optional Activities
- Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Landmarks Rhine Gorge German Corner Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Moselle Valley Cochem Castle - Day 9
Cologne to Düsseldorf
You'll arrive in Cologne and get close-up views of the famous Cathedral. After lunch, head to Düsseldorf for a walking tour of this city with its fashionable boutiques and old town. Stroll along the Rhine, check out the architecture, and find some quieter spots away from the main crowds. You'll see how the old and new parts of the city blend together.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cologne Old Town
- Walking tour of Düsseldorf
Optional Activities
- Cologne Beer Experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town Düsseldorf Old Town Rhine River - Day 10
Alkmaar
Visit Alkmaar, a Dutch town near Amsterdam with historic canals and medieval buildings. You can explore the local culture and the centuries-old cheese market where traditional cheesemakers work. If you prefer something more active, there's an optional guided bike tour through the scenic Waterland countryside.
Included Activities
- Excursion to Alkmaar
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour to Waterland (EmeraldACTIVE)
- Private hidden Gems tour of Amsterdam (extra expense)
- Dutch Delights (extra expense)
Landmarks Alkmaar Alkmaar Cheese Market Waterland Amsterdam - Day 11
Amsterdam to London
You'll disembark and transfer to Amsterdam Centraal station, then board a train to London, arriving at St. Pancras. After transferring to your hotel for a 3-night stay, spend the rest of the day on your own. Wander historic streets, walk along the River Thames, or relax in one of the city's parks and get a feel for London.
Optional Activities
- Explore London at leisure
Landmarks Amsterdam Centraal Station London St. Pancras Station River Thames - Day 12
London
Join a guided tour this morning to see London's major landmarks like Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. You'll also visit Trafalgar Square and the West End theatre district, plus catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony if timing works out. It's a good way to cover the historical heart of the city.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of London including Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, West End, Trafalgar Square, and Changing of the Guard
Optional Activities
- Afternoon tea (extra expense)
Landmarks Big Ben Houses of Parliament Westminster Abbey Buckingham Palace West End Trafalgar Square - Day 13
London
This day is completely free. Ride the London Eye for views across the city, spend time at the British Museum, walk through Hyde Park, check out street art in Shoreditch, or catch a West End show. Some people arrange a guided tour of Camden and Borough Market instead. It's entirely up to what interests you.
Optional Activities
- London Eye visit
- British Museum visit
- Hyde Park stroll
- Shoreditch street art exploration
- West End theatre show
- Guided Tour of Camden and Borough Market (extra expense)
Landmarks London Eye British Museum Hyde Park Shoreditch Camden Market Borough Market - Day 14
London to Departure
After breakfast, you'll transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight home. You're leaving with memories of London's famous landmarks, royal heritage, and traditional English experiences.
- Meals
- Breakfast
