Discover the Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle

Welcome to Basel, a medieval city bordering the Rhine River. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board. (D)

Your journey through the heart of Europe will commence with a tour to Colmar, a magical place that looks as though it has been pulled from the pages of a beloved fairytale. Your included tour of the town will enable you to traverse its cobblestone lanes, passing medieval half-timbered façades and window boxes full of brightly coloured flowers. If you are feeling more active, then you may instead choose to embark on a guided bike tour from Breisach to Colmar. EmeraldACTIVE A guided bike tour to Colmar Included Excursion A guided tour of Colmar DiscoverMORE Freiburg tour with Black Forest products tasting (extra expense) (B/L/D)

This morning, your Star-Ship will dock in Kehl and you will be transferred across the river to Strasbourg, a city that perfectly encapsulates the region’s medieval charm. Strasbourg’s historic buildings can be found peppering the city, but they are often best explored from its quaint waterways, which is why we will be taking you on a canal tour through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre. Relax on board as you pass through the idyllic surrounds of Petite France, an area where tanners and millers once lived and worked in their delightful half-timbered homes. Your tour will end in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Neustadt imperial quarter, where many of Strasbourg’s noteworthy buildings are based. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore at leisure. EmeraldPLUS A canal boat tour in Strasbourg DiscoverMORE Alsace Wine Route with vineyard hike and tasting (extra expense) (B/L/D)

This morning, you will be transferred from where the Star-Ship is docked in Rastatt to charming Baden-Baden, a spa town known for its peaceful surrounds and the celebrities who have visited it over the last century. If you are feeling active, then you may choose to embark on a hike to Altes Schloss, the Old Castle, where your local guide will highlight how the ruins still contain dungeons and winding staircases, capturing a snapshot of what this castle would have once looked like. The panoramic views of the surrounding Black Forest region are certain to be a memorable experience. Alternatively, you may choose to enjoy a guided walking tour of Baden-Baden, witnessing the luxurious façades of independent boutiques and well-manicured gardens before entering the world-famous Baden-Baden Casino. EmeraldPLUS Entrance to The Baden-Baden Casino EmeraldACTIVE A guided hike to Altes Schloss Included Excursion A guided walking tour of Baden-Baden (B/L/D)

As you stroll down Heidelberg’s cobblestone streets, you may find yourself becoming just as entranced as the thinkers of the German Romanticism movement were. Their paintings often depict idealistic cityscapes and ruins that look like they are steeped in legends, and Heidelberg is a living representation of the scenes that they created. Today, you will have the opportunity to explore Heidelberg’s peaceful surrounds during a guided tour, starting in the courtyard of Heidelberg Castle. You will also be able to enjoy a wine tasting session. If you are feeling more active, then you may instead choose to hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg for awe-inspiring panoramas. EmeraldACTIVE A hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg Included Excursion A guided tour of Heidelberg with wine tasting (B/L/D)

Koblenz is an ancient city that is often considered to be the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge. The Romans originally built a city here as a stronghold, but the area is now known for its idyllic beauty, peaceful parks and areas full of colourful flowers. Today, you will be able to relax during a guided tour of the city, including a cable car ride across the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Included Excursion A walking tour of Koblenz and a visit to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress EmeraldACTIVE Bike tour in Koblenz DiscoverMORE Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense) (B/L/D)

This afternoon, you will arrive in Rüdesheim, a captivating city known for its authentic atmosphere and traditional appeal, where cuckoo clocks, live oompah bands and Bavarian beer can be found around every corner. Your included tour will be a visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum; a half-timbered tower with vaulted ceilings and painted frescoes that houses one of the best collections of music boxes in the world. You will also get the opportunity to ride on the charming Winzerexpressand taste famous “Rüdesheimer Coffee”, made with one of the most famous brandies in Germany. Included Excursion A visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum (B/L/D)

Today is a full day at leisure in Mainz. Your Cruise Director will be on hand to assist on you how best to spend your day. (B/D)

Famous for its mineral springs dating since Roman times, Wiesbaden resembles a 19th century resort. This morning our guided tour will pass by the Russian Chapel (Russian Orthodox) and you can enjoy the magnificent view over the city and Rhine valley. We will see some fine examples of Wilhemine Architecture (UNESCO Heritage) on the way to the Kochbrunnen where you can take a sip of hot water. The walking tour will take us to the Old Town, the Castle and the Kurhaus where we will board the coaches for the ride back to Wiesbaden. Included Excursion Walking tour of Wiesbaden (B/L/D)

Start your day with a visit to the Eberbach Abbey, offering you the opportunity to experience a journey with all of your senses. You’ll be amazed by the beauty of one of the best-preserved medieval monasteries which lie in the Rheingau Region. Founded in 1136 by St. Bernard of Clairvaux (Burgundy) the monastery was one of the most active in Germany, and also boasted the largest vineyards in medieval Germany. As a major filming location of 1986 film 'In the Name of the Rose', adapted from Umberto Eco's thrilling novel with same name, Eberbach deserves a visit. Today the abbey continues to make exquisite wines and offers guided tours, enabling everyone to enjoy its history and architectural splendour. It also serves as a set for film and TV: the Season 5 trailers of Game of Thrones were filmed here. Alternatively, enjoy a hike up the Niederwalddenkmal - a monument located in the Niederwald, near Rüdesheim am Rhein in Hesse, Germany. It overlooks the valley of the Rhine and was built in the 1870/80s to commemorate the Unification of Germany. Included Excursion A visit to Eberbach Abbey EmeraldACTIVE A guided hike to Niederwalddenkmal DiscoverMORE Wine tasting at Schloss Johannisberg (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Wonderfully maintained inside and out, Marksburg Castle boasts a selection of typical interiors including the castle kitchen, knight’s hall, armoury, and even an inviting wine cellar. The attractive light-stoned walls of the castle are protected by an outer fortress. With a single tower peering over the turrets and castle walls, Marksburg Castle takes on the appearance of a fairy-tale monument, not unlike something found in a story from Brothers Grimm. In the evening, enjoy a visit to the Imperial Castle in Cochem which stands majestically over the Mosel River valley, are an invitation for every history and culture enthusiast to enjoy a beautiful afternoon in one the highest hill castles on the Mosel River. Soaring over Cochem, this medieval castle was heavily damaged while in the possession of the electoral princes of Trier. However, it was restored in the neo-gothic style associated with German castle romanticism in the 19th century. Included Excursion A visit to Marksburg castle EmeraldPLUS Cochem Castle visit with entertainment (B/L/D)

Today, you will enjoy the enchanting town of Cochem during a guided walk through the numerous well-preserved sites of this quaint town, including the remains of the historic town wall with its old fortifications, the Town Hall and its many other gems. Included Excursion A guided tour of Cochem EmeraldACTIVE Guided bike tour in Cochem (B/L/D)

In southwest Germany, near the Luxemburg border, the city of Trier is a hidden treasure often called the “Rome of the North”. During your guided tour, explore the ruins of the old city baths, once a hive of activity during ancient times, and the Porta Nigra, the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps. Included Excursion A guided tour of Trier (B/L/D)

Dating back to 3000 BC, Bernkastel is situated along the banks of the Moselle River and home to well-preserved buildings dating back to 1416. Enjoy a guided walking tour, where you will have the opportunity to stroll through the medieval marketplace with its gabled timber-framed houses, castle ruins and town gate. Or, take part in a guided bike tour of the area. Included Excursion A walking tour of Bernkastel EmeraldPLUS A wine tasting in Bernkastel EmeraldACTIVE Bike tour near Bernkastel (B/L/D)

After breakfast, it is time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport. 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)