Itinerary
- Day 1
Basel
You'll arrive at Basel airport where an Emerald Cruises representative meets you and takes you to your Star-Ship. After getting settled into your cabin, you'll join the other guests for dinner on board this evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Airport transfer to Star-Ship
- Day 2
Freiburg
Head to Freiburg in the Black Forest to see the historic center with its colorful half-timbered houses and lively market square. The botanical garden is worth a walk through if you have time. If you prefer something more active, there's a guided bike tour option around the medieval town of Breisach with views of the Rhine River.
Included Activities
- Freiburg visit with Botanical Garden
- Guided bike tour in Breisach
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Colmar (extra expense)
Landmarks Freiburg Botanical Garden Breisach - Day 3
Kehl to Strasbourg
You'll dock in Kehl and take a coach to Strasbourg, a medieval city with a guided tour through the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town. The cobbled squares have boutiques and cafés, and you'll see the half-timbered houses along the canal system in Petite France. The afternoon is free for you to wander around on your own.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Strasbourg
- Active walk to Orangerie Park
Optional Activities
- Baden Baden Spa Experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Strasbourg Old Town Petite France Orangerie Park - Day 4
Schwetzingen - Bad-Dürkheim
This morning you can either tour Schwetzingen Palace to check out its gardens and interior with over 100 sculptures, or join a guided hike through vineyards around Bad-Dürkheim, a wellness town. Choose based on whether you want something more relaxed or active.
Included Activities
- Visit to Schwetzingen Palace & Gardens
- Guided hike through a vineyard in Bad-Dürkheim
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Heidelberg (extra expense)
Landmarks Schwetzingen Palace Schwetzingen Palace Gardens - Day 5
Rhine Gorge to Koblenz
The ship sails through the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge this morning, where castles sit on hillsides above tree-covered canyons and medieval villages line the water. You'll arrive in Koblenz for an orientation walk through the old town squares and narrow streets. Stop to see the German Corner where two major rivers meet and view Ehrenbreitstein Fortress from a distance.
Included Activities
- Orientation walk of Koblenz
Optional Activities
- A Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Landmarks Rhine Gorge German Corner Ehrenbreitstein Fortress - Day 6
Cologne to Düsseldorf
You'll reach Cologne and can either join a guided tour of the Old Town with the famous cathedral or take an active walk through the city's gardens. Later, the ship heads north to Düsseldorf where you'll get a guided tour including the Japanese gardens, which offer a quiet spot in the middle of the urban area.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cologne Old Town
- Walking tour of Duesseldorf with visit to the Japanese Garden
- Active walk to Cologne's Gardens
Optional Activities
- Cologne Beer Experience (extra expense)
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town Japanese Garden Düsseldorf - Day 7
Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands
Visit Keukenhof Gardens to see over 800 types of spring tulips and flower displays arranged in traditional Dutch style. You'll walk through tulips, hyacinths, and orchids in various colors, and see statues from well-known artists. Back on the ship this afternoon, there's an onboard experience where you'll learn about traditional Dutch clog painting.
Included Activities
- Visit to Keukenhof Gardens
- Clog painting on board
Optional Activities
- Private hidden Gems tour of Amsterdam (extra expense)
Landmarks Keukenhof Gardens - Day 8
Amsterdam to London
After the cruise ends, you'll transfer to Amsterdam Centraal station and take the train to London St. Pancras. Once you arrive in London, a transfer takes you to your hotel for a 3-night stay. Spend the rest of the day getting settled and exploring at your own pace, whether that's walking through historic streets or taking a stroll along the Thames or through the parks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to Amsterdam Centraal station
- Transfer from London St. Pancras to hotel
Landmarks River Thames - Day 9
London
Join a guided tour to see London's famous landmarks like Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. You'll also visit Trafalgar Square and the West End theatre district, and if timing works out, watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of London
Optional Activities
- Afternoon tea (extra expense)
Landmarks Big Ben Houses of Parliament Westminster Abbey Buckingham Palace West End Trafalgar Square - Day 10
London
Today is completely yours to fill however you like. You could head to the London Eye for views across the city, spend time at the British Museum, or walk through Hyde Park. Alternatively, check out the street art in Shoreditch or catch a show in the West End if that interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided Tour of Camden and Borough Market (extra expense)
Landmarks London Eye British Museum Hyde Park Shoreditch - Day 11
London to Airport
Have breakfast and then head to the airport for your onward flight, taking memories of London's landmarks, royal history, and the experiences from your time in Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer from hotel to airport
