You will be met at the airport and transferred to your luxurious Emerald Cruises Star-Ship in Basel, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to welcome you. This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board.

The Black Forest is a captivating region, known for its cuckoo clocks and the live oompah bands that grace sun-kissed gardens with their music during the summer months. Today, you will have the opportunity to visit a Black Forest destination and enjoy the charming culture of this region. If you are feeling more active, then you may instead choose to hike through the Black Forest region, passing under an idyllic canopy of evergreens.
Later, enjoy one of the region’s most famous treats during a Black Forest gateau demonstration and tasting.

EmeraldPLUS
A Black Forest gateau demonstration and tasting

EmeraldACTIVE
A guided active walk through the Black Forest region

Included Excursion
A visit to a traditional Black Forest destination

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Excursion to Riquewihr (extra expense)

This morning, your Star-Ship will be docking in Kehl and you will be transferred across the river to the medieval town of Strasbourg, the capital of France’s Alsace Region. Cobbled squares surrounded by half-timbered houses make Strasbourg appear as if it has been effortlessly suspended in time, and you will get the opportunity to explore the past during your included walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town. Witness the ornate beauty of many of Strasbourg’s highlights, including the Maison Kammerzell and the canal network that weaves through Petite France, before enjoying free time to explore at leisure.

Included Excursion
A guided tour of Strasbourg

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Evening Concert at Bruchsal Palace (extra expense, selected dates only)

Relax on board this morning as you sail to Mannheim, following the meandering Rhine River and passing the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar. Travel by coach to Heidelberg, where you will have the opportunity to learn about how it became a UNESCO City of Literature, having inspired the likes of Mark Twain and William Turner with its historical setting.
Your guided tour of the town will allow you to find your own inspiration among its delightful landmarks, including Heidelberg Castle, one of the most impressive Renaissance ruins in Europe. Enjoy a wine tasting in Heidelberg and take to the cobbled lanes that weave through the old town. 
Alternatively, hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg.

EmeraldACTIVE
A hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg

Included Excursion
A guided tour of Heidelberg with wine tasting 

Cruise to the 2000-year-old town of Koblenz today to discover its fairytale-like surrounds, nestled on the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Your local guide will take you on a tour through the town, touching on the twin-towered façade of the Church of Our Lady and the German Corner, where the two inspirational  waterways meet. Journey by cable car to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, offering exceptional views of the surrounding area from its hilltop position.

Included Excursion
Walking tour of Koblenz & Visit to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

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A Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)

Effortlessly steeped in history and tales of the past, Cologne encapsulates a timeline that spans more than two millennia and is one of the oldest cities in Germany. Your included tour of Cologne will take you to the heart of its old town. Your tour will conclude at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral.

Included Excursion
A guided tour of Cologne’s Old Town

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Visit to Eau de Cologne museum (selected dates and extra expense)

This morning, you can choose to embark on a guided bike tour to Waterland, learning about how the water is reclaiming Holland as you pass through quintessential Dutch surrounds and witness traditional villages and windmills. Alternatively, take to Amsterdam’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal network during a glass top canal cruise, passing Roman patrician houses and ornate merchant houses that tell tales of the prosperous Dutch Golden Age. 

EmeraldACTIVE
A guided bike tour to Waterland

Included Excursion
A canal cruise

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Floriade Expo Visit (extra expense)

After breakfast, it is time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of the Black Forest region and Strasbourg’s charm with you. 

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.