Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Frankfurt, Germany.
Wake in Breisach today. Perched high above the Rhine River and surrounding vineyards, this is where Germany’s Black Forest spills into the lush Alsace region. It’s another town with influences from both cultures, as well as a strong passion for wine. It centers around the hilltop St Stephen’s Cathedral, an impressive Romanesque-Gothic structure that dominates the skyline and can be seen from a great distance. Spend a magical morning in nearby Colmar. As you walk down the cobblestone lanes, it’s easy to imagine the characters from the Grimm’s Fairy Tales here, with half-timbered façades adorned with window boxes full of colorful blooms. Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided e-bike tour to Colmar
DiscoverMORE: Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting (extra expense)
Rüdesheim is a charming town that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Germany. Here, in the home of cuckoo clocks, oompah bands and Bavarian beer, the Rhineland’s charm is found around every corner. Rüdesheim is also at the heart of the Rhine wine region, renowned for its Riesling and Pinot Noir. Ride the local mini train to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum. Located in a 15th-century knight’s tower, complete with vaulted ceilings and painted frescoes, the quirky museum is home to a collection of more than 350 mechanical musical instruments and rare music boxes. Meals: B, L, D
DiscoverMORE: Rüdesheim walk with specialty coffee (extra expense)
Dock in Strasbourg, the medieval capital of France’s Alsace Region. Set on the border between France and Germany, the city is a unique blend of cultures, which can be seen in its architecture, language and food. The World Heritage-listed center is threaded with beautiful canals lined with traditional buildings and the breathtaking Strasbourg Cathedral, the tallest building in the world for more than 220 years. Discover the city’s charm on a walking tour through Petite France, featuring storybook canals, half-timbered houses, and the covered bridges. See the Vauban Dam and the World Heritage-listed Neustadt quarter, home to Strasbourg’s administrative buildings. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace. Meals: B, L, D
Arrive in Rastatt early this morning. A small town on the edge of the Black Forest, it’s known for its architectural masterpieces – including one of Germany’s most beautiful Baroque palaces – and the glorious landscapes that surround it, complete with thick forest, lush valleys and crystal-clear lakes. Transfer to whimsical Baden-Baden, a spa town frequented by celebrities and royalty for centuries, where
they came to take the healing waters. Enjoy a guided walking tour, soaking in the opulence of the old town with its elegant boutiques, elaborate bath houses and timeless gardens. Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldPLUS: Evening Concert at Bruchsal Palace
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike to Altes Schloss
DiscoverMORE: Entrance to the Baden-Baden Casino (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE: Baden-Baden Spa experience (extra expense)
DiscoverMORE: Visit to Rastatt Palace & Gardens (extra expense)
Dock this morning in the bustling port of Mannheim. Transfer to nearby Heidelberg, a place that inspired poets and composers of the German Romanticism era. It’s easy to see how the town’s idealistic cityscapes and fairy tale-like scenes, full of Baroque buildings and charming narrow streets, captivated these great artists. Your guided tour will start in the grounds of Heidelberg Castle, taking in many of the town’s most famous sights. Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: Hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
EmeraldACTIVE: Vineyards hike and wine tasting in Bad Durkheim (extra expense)
Spend a dull day in the ancient city of Koblenz, the gateway to the Rhine Gorge. Once a Roman stronghold, it was established around 8 BC for its strategic value. Immerse yourself in the fairytale surrounds of Koblenz on this guided walking tour. You’ll see the city’s highlights, including the twin-towered façade of the Church of Our Lady, the point at which two of Europe’s great rivers meet at the German Corner, and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, one of the largest preserved fortresses in Europe. Meals: B, L, D
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided e-bike tour in Koblenz
DiscoverMORE: Eltz Castle visit (extra expense)
This morning, 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 with her song. Rüdesheim is a charming town that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Germany. Here, in the home of cuckoo clocks, oompah bands and Bavarian beer, the Rhineland’s charm is found around every corner. Rüdesheim is also at the heart of the Rhine wine region, renowned for its Riesling and Pinot Noir. Visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum. Ride the local mini train to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum. Located in a 15th-century knight’s tower, complete with vaulted ceilings and painted frescoes, the quirky museum is home to a collection of more than 350 mechanical musical instruments and rare music boxes. Meals: B, L, D
DiscoverMORE: Rüdesheim walk with specialty coffee (extra expense)
After breakfast, it is time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark for your transfer to Frankfurt airport, taking memories of the fairytale beauty of the Rhine River with you. Meal: B
