Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Zurich, Switzerland.
Welcome to Switzerland! Upon arrival in Zurich, one of the most celebrated cities in Switzerland, you will be transferred from the airport to your hotel. After settling into your centrally located hotel in Zurich for your included one-night stay, enjoy a welcome drink with your fellow guests and tour director.
This morning, enjoy a guided walking tour of Zurich before you are transferred to Lucerne for your included two-night hotel stay. Upon arrival in Lucerne, enjoy an included city tour of Lucerne, an enchanting Swiss city renowned for its spectacular lakeside and mountain setting, and well-preserved medieval architecture, where historic charm seamlessly blends with modern culture. Meal: B
Enjoy time at leisure to explore more of beautiful Lucerne. Perhaps delving deeper into the charming Old Town or taking a stroll along the picturesque shores of Lake Lucerne. Your tour director will be more than happy to help you plan your explorations in Lucerne. Perhaps you will join the DiscoverMORE excursion (additional expense) to Mt. Riggi-Weggis. Meal: B
This morning, after breakfast, journey by coach through picturesque landscapes as you carve a course to the Rhine-side city of Huningue. Upon arrival, you’ll board your luxury Emerald Star-Ship, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to welcome you. This evening, join your fellow guests for a welcome dinner on board. Meals: B, D
Set high above the Rhine at the point where the Black Forest joins Alsace, Breisach is a charming blend of German and French cultures. The Romanesque-Gothic St. Stephen’s church is perched on a volcanic hill and visible from a great distance. Enjoy a visit to the town of Freiburg im Breisgau, commonly known simply as Freiburg, which sits on the ends of the mountainous Black Forest in Southern Germany. Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldPLUS: Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided e-bike tour in Breisach
DiscoverMORE: Guided tour of Colmar (extra expense)
Today, you’ll arrive in Strasbourg, a city shaped by both French and German influences and renowned for its fascinating history and beautiful architecture. Its historic core, centered around the magnificent cathedral, reflects centuries of cultural exchange and shifting borders. Strasbourg also lies at the heart of the celebrated Alsace wine region, where charming villages and vineyard-covered hillsides are never far away. Cruise onwards to Germersheim tonight for an exclusive concert at Bruchsal Palace. Meals: B, L, D
DiscoverMORE: Baden Baden Spa experience (extra expense)
EmeraldPLUS: Evening Concert at Bruchsal Palace
A lively university town, Mannheim is best known for its unique grid system and is often called the City of Squares (Quadratestadt). Travel to nearby Heidelberg, a charming UNESCO City of Literature that has inspired the likes of Mark Twain and famed British artist William Turner. A guided tour of the town will unveil its rich history, starting at the Renaissance remnants of Heidelberg Castle, where carefully curated gardens are still peppered with serene water features, sculptures and colorful flowerbeds. This evening, you’ll cruise onwards to Rüdesheim. Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: Active hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
DiscoverMORE: Rüdesheim walk with specialty coffee (extra expense)
Cruise through the World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge, exemplifying the extraordinary beauty of an area that left the philosophers and artists of the German Romanticism movement entranced. Look out for the iconic Lorelei Rock, where a beautiful siren is said to have lured sailors to their death with her song. Once a Roman stronghold, Koblenz was established around 8 BC for its strategic value. Today, it’s a modern park- and flower-filled city with a unique blend of historic and contemporary architecture. Enjoy an orientation walk through Koblenz with a local guide. Koblenz is particularly charming in spring, with pleasant weather and the surrounding vineyards bursting into life. Meals: B, L, D
DiscoverMORE: Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)
Continue along the Rhine River to Cologne. Founded by the Romans in 50 A.D., this is one of the oldest cities in Germany and was almost completely rebuilt after the destruction of World War II. Join a local guide for a city tour and make sure to look out for the twin spires of its Gothic cathedral, known locally as the Kolner Dom. Later, you’ll arrive in the vibrant city of Düsseldorf. With its innovative architecture, high-end art scene and passion for fashion, Düsseldorf is one of the country’s most captivating cities. Discover the vibrant city with a local guide this afternoon. Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided e-bike tour in Cologne
DiscoverMORE: German Beer Experience (extra expense)
Beyond the Netherland’s storied canals, a gentler rhythm unfolds as you venture into the Dutch countryside, where emerald-green pastures, mirror-like waterways and centuries-old windmills paint an impossibly picturesque scene. Join a local guide to discover how the Dutch have shaped their landscape for generations. Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided e-bike tour to Waterland
DiscoverMORE: Hidden Gems tour of Amsterdam (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE: Dutch Delights (extra expense)
Today, after breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your Emerald Star-Ship and fellow guests as you disembark for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of the dazzling jewels of Europe with you. Meal: B
