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London, Jewels of the Rhine & Swiss Glaciers

4.8/5 Based on 4 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Cruise Advisor
London, Jewels of the Rhine & Swiss Glaciers
London, Jewels of the Rhine & Swiss Glaciers
London, Jewels of the Rhine & Swiss Glaciers
New Release Fully Guided Locally Guided Coach River Cruise Glacier Express
Our Price From
US$6,583
Save $5,687pp
Port charges, taxes and fees included
 Cruise Length
14 Days
 Cruise Starts
London
 Cruise Finishes
Zurich
14 Day London, Jewels of the Rhine & Swiss Glaciers Itinerary (Emerald Cruises)
Countries Explored: England, Holland, Germany, France, Switzerland
Ship
Departures
Passengers
180
Crew
51
Launched
2017
Cruise Code
ELCN-1

Overview

A classic journey on the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers promises spectacular landscapes, rich culture, and fascinating history, where world-class cities are complemented by romantic towns. Explore modern and quintessential Holland on a glass-top canal boat cruise through Amsterdam, before sailing through the countryside and witnessing traditional windmills. Enjoy a guided walking tour of magnificent Cologne and the


juxtaposition of ancient Koblenz, continuing upstream to Heidelberg. Soak up Strasbourg’s beautiful architecture and visit Freiburg a Black Forest destination.

Itinerary

Welcome to London, the historic capital of Great Britain. Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for your exciting 3-night stay in this enthralling city. Feel free to rest and relax, ready for your marvelous adventure ahead, or explore this centuries-old, multicultural metropolis at your own pace. Immerse yourself in London’s vibrant atmosphere, wander through London’s history-drenched streets, or enjoy a leisurely stroll along the River Thames or through its beautiful urban parks.

oin a guided city tour to discover some of London’s most iconic and historical landmarks, including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace, the official royal residence. Experience the buzz of the West End, home to the world-famous theatre district, take in the sights of Trafalgar Square, and witness the traditional Changing of the Guard, all the while soaking up the capital’s storied heritage. (B)

  • Included Excursion Guided tour of London
  • DiscoverMORE Afternoon tea (exra expense)

Today is yours to leisurely explore the rest of London at your own pace. You might consider taking in the panoramic views across the city from the iconic London Eye, a visit to the esteemed British Museum, or strolling through the verdant urban landscape of Hyde Park. You could also check out the striking street art in Shoreditch, or enjoy a show at one of the many renowned theatres in the West End. (B)

  • DiscoverMORE Guided Tour of Camden and Borough Market (extra expense)

This morning after breakfast, you’ll be transferred from your London hotel to St. Pancras station, where you’ll join the train bound for The Netherlands and Amsterdam Centraal station. Upon arrival in this delightful Dutch city, you’ll then embark on your luxury European cruise, taking with you memories of impressive London landmarks, captivating royal heritage and traditional English afternoon tea. (B/D)

This morning, discover the charm of Alkmaar, a picturesque Dutch town just a short distance from Amsterdam. Explore its historic center, lined with charming canals and medieval buildings. Alkmaar is famous for its centuries-old cheese market where traditional cheesemakers showcase their craft and engage in lively auctions. Immerse yourself in the local culture in this typical charming town. Alternatively, embark on a bike tour through the Dutch countryside.

In the afternoon enjoy sailing on the Rhine River, perhaps grab a drink on the Sun Deck and watching the passing scenery before joining the welcome dinner. (B/L/D)

  • Included Excursion Excursion to Alkmaar
  • EmeraldACTIVE Guided bike tour to Waterland
  • DiscoverMORE Dutch Delights (extra expense)

Join a walking tour of Düsseldorf, a vibrant city renowned for its stylish boutiques and charming Old Town. Stroll along the picturesque Rhine River, admire the stunning architecture, and discover hidden gems off the beaten path. Later this day we will arrive in Cologne, famous for its Gothic Cathedral. This afternoon you can immerse yourself in the city's lively atmosphere, indulge in delicious local cuisine, and experience the unique charm of the city. (B/L/D)

  • Included Excursion Walking tour of Duesseldorf
  • Included Excursion Guided tour of Cologne’s Old Town
  • DiscoverMORE Cologne beer experience (extra expense)

Immerse yourself in fairy tale-like surroundings today as we cruise to Koblenz, a town with a postcard-worthy backdrop of vineyards and mountain ranges. Your included walking tour of this Roman town will unveil 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.

Enjoy sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge this afternoon. Here, romantic castles sit atop tree-covered canyons and half-timbered medieval villages appear suspended in time. (B/L/D)

  • Included Excursion Walking tour of Koblenz
  • DiscoverMORE Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)

This morning, you will discover Heidelberg. The idyllic UNESCO City of Literature 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 ruins of Heidelberg Castle, where the carefully curated gardens host serene water features, sculptures and colourful flowerbeds. If you are feeling more active, you can also join a hike that will give you fantastic views over Heidelberg. And tonight, our EmeraldPLUS invites you to join a magical private concert in a historical venue. (B/L/D)

  • Included Excursion Guided tour of Heidelberg
  • EmeraldACTIVE Active hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg
  • EmeraldPLUS Private Evening Concert on the Rhine

This morning, you'll dock in Kehl to be transferred by coach to the picturesque town of Strasbourg, where a medieval past is yours to discover among cobbled squares surrounded by half-timbered houses.

During your included excursion, you will have the opportunity to discover the heart of Alsace in Strasbourg and embark on a journey through the typical flavours of this region. (B/L/D)

  • Included Excursion Flavours of Alsace
  • DiscoverMORE Baden Baden Spa experience (extra expense)

Today, as part of your incredible EmeraldPLUS programme, you will visit the city of Freiburg. Considered the 'Capital of the Black Forest', Freiburg has lovely sights that will amaze you. As part of your visit, you will also have the opportunity to sample authentic Black Forest delicacies. If you're feeling more active, you can choose to pedal your way through Breisach on a guided bike tour. (B/L/D)

  • EmeraldPLUS Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting
  • EmeraldACTIVE Guided bike tour in Breisach
  • DiscoverMORE Guided tour of Colmar (extra expense)

Welcome to Switzerland and the quaint Rhine-side town of Basel. After breakfast, you will be transferred by coach to mountain resort village of Zermatt, including a two-night stay. (B)

Zermatt lies at the foot of the Matterhorn, which could be described of one of the world's most famous mountains. This picturesque village entrenched on the Swiss Alps is also a sustainable destination for being car-free zone, and for having its original character preserved. Enjoy a guided walking tour in this elegant village. In the afternoon, enjoy free time or take part on the DiscoverMORE tour cog rail journey from Zermatt to the 3089-metre-high Gornergrat mountain summit. (B)

  • Included Excursion Guided tour of Zermatt
  • DiscoverMORE Visit to Gornergrat Matterhorn (extra expense)

This morning, you will experience the highlight of this tour, which is the rail journey through the Swiss Alps, know as the Glacier Express. Sit back and relax while contemplating at the amazing views of the Alps. When you arrive at the station, you will be taken by coach to Zurich for your overnight stay. (B)

After breakfast, it is time to bid farewell to your fellow guests and transfer to the airport, taking with you cherished memories of the Rhine and Swiss mountain landscapes.

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. (B)

Life Onboard Emerald Destiny

Emerald Destiny
Emerald Destiny

Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Emerald Cruises Star-Ships. Read more

EmeraldPLUS
EmeraldPLUS

Authentic included adventures that take you into the cultural heart of each destination. Read more

EmeraldACTIVE
EmeraldACTIVE

Ignite your sense of adventure and explore a little further on foot or by bike. Read more

Five Star Dining On Board
Five Star Dining On Board

Enjoy the finest flavours of Europe prepared by the expert culinary team aboard your river cruise. Read more

Europe Star-Ship Suites
Europe Star-Ship Suites

Choose from a range of suites to find the accommodation you will love on board your Emerald Star-Ship. Read more

Cruise & Tour In Style
Cruise & Tour In Style

Enjoy the best service every day from an experienced and professional crew. Read more

4.8
Average Rating 4.8 / 5
4 Reviews
5 Star
75%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Enchantment of Eastern Europe   4 , TAS, Australia, May 2024
Having already done two cruises with Emerald, we knew we would be in for a treat and invited our whole family to join us for a special celebration. The youngest two were 29 and they had as much fun with the active tours, the quizzes, the dancing and the fabulous food and wine as we did. Eastern Europe was little known to us and it's not all pretty, read more but we loved hearing the history and seeing the very obvious differences in architecture between the different periods. Bucharest and Belgrade were surprisingly beautiful and we loved returning to Budapest at the end of the cruise having been there five years ago. We also enjoyed a tour of Transylvania before the cruise started. We particularly appreciated the extras like a meal in a home of a local, the various rock and archaeological features along the way and the happy atmosphere on board. This was a very special family time, made even more so by the staff and facilities onboard Emerald Destiny!
Wonderful time 4 , QLD, Australia, May 2024
Relaxing river cruise with wonderful staff. Fantastic food and service. Information from cruise director very informative. They take care of people with walking disabilities in making sure we weren't left behind.
Relaxing and interesting cruise through heart of Europe 3 , TAS, Australia, Nov 2023
We booked this cruise mid year, our first ever river cruise, to see parts of Europe we hadn't previously been to. Also for the xmas markets. The first part of our expectations was absolutely met, but for the first few days, Xmas markets were few and far between. It was a little too early it seems. I'm not sure how much information the cruise company read more gets about the markets, but I know there were a lot of disappointed people.

The crew were fantastic, I couldn't fault them, they gave 110% but there was still a feeling that we should have had more information before leaving and maybe a couple of the locations for tours might have been better, particularly the Cathedral at Krems. This tour was a bit of a non event as much of the building was closed. The Vienna concert evening was expensive for what it was and not particularly well organised, there was a lot of standing around before people were shown to their seats, not good for over passengers. The concert was also very short. We did another one in Vienna a week later, half the cost and lasted another 40 minutes.

All the tour guides were great though. Very informative and often funny. Great history lessons to be had. The food was excellent, varied and plentiful for a first time cruiser, there were some old hands who had done multiple cruises that didn't agree, so maybe that needs looking at. The entertainment was fun and well done, Dressen was always on the go making sure everyone was happy.

Janina worked really hard to ensure everyone was informed and catered for. Her port talks were excellent. I would have liked to have seen more scenery as we sailed along , most of our movements were done at night, possibly partly because of the shorter days too. All in all it was great , we both enjoyed it very much.
Sensational Emerald River Cruise! 7 , ACT, Australia, Jul 2023
Fabulous river cruise down the Danube organised through Global Journeys. We weren't sure what to expect for our first river cruise but it was sensational! We travelled with teenagers and they loved it also. Emerald organises lots of active tours for those that prefer that, as well as having the traditional activities as well. This cruise catered for read more everybody and we loved every part. The food, the suites, the onboard facilities and the wonderful wonderful staff. Thank you to Global Journeys for making the booking process so easy and for their great portal which was able to be accessed when we were overseas. Provided peace of mind and ease of access to all necessary information and documents.

Dates & Pricing USD USD

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Sunday 03 Oct 2027 03 Oct 27 London
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Emerald Destiny
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River View
US$6,583
Save $5,687
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Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Emerald Cruises. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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