Emerald Waterways reviews clearly demonstrate Emerald Waterways guests prefer sailings of 8 to 17 days. Two of the most popular guest choices are the Rhine river cruise and the Danube river cruise. So many guests of Emerald cruises enjoy the breath of destinations around the World. Of course complimentary wine and beer are chosen for each lunch and dinner. All soft drink beverages are included. Once again Emerald Waterways has won the Cruise Critic Editors pick for the best value river cruise for 2019. Pavlus Travel discounts every Emerald sailing through-out the World.
Amsterdam
Welcome to Amsterdam, a postcard-worthy destination of picturesque canals, quintessential cafés and innovative galleries that showcase contemporary art and the works of world-renowned artists, such as Van Gogh and Rembrandt.
You’ll be met at the airport by a member of our friendly team and transferred to your contemporary Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. After boarding, youll enjoy some free time to explore the narrow-cobbled streets and gabled houses of the Dutch capital at your leisure.
This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board.
Amsterdam
Board a glass-top canal boat for a tour down the Dutch capital’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system, passing historic merchant houses that reflect the bygone era of the Dutch Golden Age, a time when the Dutch empire was once considered among the most influential in the world. Throughout the town, you’ll marvel as you explore the delightful Christmas stalls, each surrounded by people in their finest knitwear, drinking hot mugs of mulled wine and indulging in their favourite festive foods.
Included Excursion
Canal cruise
Cologne
Seven idyllic Christmas markets effortlessly transform the postcard-worthy city of Cologne into a winter wonderland over the Christmas period. Following your guided tour of the city, you’ll have the opportunity to wander the markets at your leisure, perhaps visiting the ornate stalls beneath the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral, where you can drink traditional glühwein out of beautifully decorated mugs.
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Colognes Old Town
Koblenz
Included Excursion
Today, we’ll take you into the heart of Koblenz, an ancient city pulled from the pages of a German fairy tale. Enjoy the picturesque backdrop of vineyards and snow-topped mountain ranges as your local guide takes you through open cobbled squares and down narrow streets. Your tour will include the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers at the German Corner and idyllic panoramic views of the Rhine from Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
Included Excursion
Walking tour of Koblenz & a visit to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
DiscoverMORE
Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Ludwigshafen – Heidelberg
Your guided tour of Heidelberg’s rich history includes a wine tasting session and a visit to the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, which overlooks the Rhine River and a red-roofed skyline. Some of the most successful painters of the Romantic era drew inspiration from Heidelberg Castle, including British artist William Turner, who depicted images of the ruins in several of his paintings. Afterwards, stroll down the cobbled streets of the Old Town, touching on the Church of the Holy Spirit and the oldest university in Germany.
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Heidelberg
Kehl – Strasbourg
This morning, we will dock in Kehl, and you will be transferred by coach across the river to Strasbourg, the storied capital of France’s Alsace region. Your guided tour of Strasbourg will include the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Grande Île, the historical centre of the city, known for its medieval half-timbered buildings, old tanning houses, Baroque sandstone buildings, and charming canal system. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to visit one of its most charming Christmas markets to enjoy traditional German Christmas treats and to shop for presents and stocking-fillers.
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Strasbourg
Breisach
Today, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Rhine town of Breisach. Entrenched between two countries, it’s also known as the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest region. In the afternoon, we will take you to the Capital of the Black Forest, Freiburg. This city has lovely sights that will amaze you with postcard worthy Christmas Markets.
Included Excursion
Guided tour of Breisach & Christmas Market Visit in Freiburg
Basel – Zurich Airport
After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow guests and your Star-Ship as you are transferred to the airport, taking memories of quintessential German villages and the magic of Christmas with you.
Please book your flight to depart out of Zurich after 11:30 AM.
This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.