River Cruise
Number of nights
Coach transfer
Duration
days
Departure city
Return city
Discover the treasures of the Rhine River over the course of this 8-day itinerary between Basel and Amsterdam. You’ll visit Cologne, Strasbourg and the Black Forest during this wonderful river cruise.
The Rhine River is the gateway to Europe’s most treasured destinations, granting access to unforgettable cities and regions like Amsterdam, Cologne, Mannheim, the Rhine Gorge and the Black Forest in a single, unforgettable journey. Your journey on this majestic European passageway begins in the Swiss city of Basel, and follows the course of the river as it twists and turns through the beautiful Rhineland, where you’ll stop at the Black Forest, Mannheim and Koblenz, enjoying such excursions as a Black Forest cake tasting session and a visit to the impressive Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Cologne is the next stop, and here you can enjoy a guided tour of the city, taking in such sights as the mighty Kölner Dom, Museum Ludwig and the Shrine of the Three Kings. Then it’s onward and into the Netherlands, where you’ll awake in Amsterdam and enjoy a wonderful day of sightseeing in the elegant Dutch capital.
Day 1 UK > Basel
Return economy flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow or Edinburgh are included in the price of your holiday. Please call for details on other regional departures which are available from selected UK airports at a supplement from £49 per person.
On arrival at the airport in Basel, you’ll be met by a friendly Emerald Waterways representative and transferred by coach to your award winning ship. Here, you’ll have the chance to unpack, relax in your room and explore all of the ship’s fantastic facilities, like the on-board heated swimming pool and bar, and the spacious Sun Deck which offers brilliant panoramic views of your surroundings.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2 Breisach
Today you have a choice to commence your magical morning with a visit to the Vogtsbauernhof Museum, an open air exhibition of sixteenth century life, featuring a number of reconstructed Black Forest farms. Alternatively, take part in the Emerald Active hike.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided Hike Through a Typical Black Forest Village (active fitness level recommended)
EmeraldPLUS: Black Forest Cake Assembling presentation and tasting
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Kehl - Strasbourg
Once docked in Kehl you will be transferred by coach across the river to Strasbourg, the capital city of the Alsace Region in France. Your guided walking tour will include the Grande Ile, the historical city centre and UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its medieval black and white timber framed buildings, old tanning houses, baroque sandstones buildings, canals and river locks. Your afternoon is free to continuing exploring Strasbourg.
EmeraldPLUS: Guided Tour of Strasbourg
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Mannheim – Heidelberg
Continue downstream to the town of Mannheim, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar rivers. There you will visit the medieval town of Heidelberg including the impressive castle which overlooks the town. Enjoy free time there before returning to the ship for lunch and an afternoon sailing.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Koblenz
Cruise to the 2000 year old town of Koblenz, which is situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Visit the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress on the opposite side of the river. This fortress was part of the Prussian defences against the French in the 19th century and later used as a headquarters for the American military during WWII.
Discover More: Moselle & Cochem Visit (extra expense)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Cologne
Founded by the Romans, Cologne is one of Germany's oldest and is famous for its magnificent World–Heritage listed Gothic Cathedral. Join your local guide for an included tour of the Old Town, with free time for exploring. Cologne is one of Germany's largest and most modern cities largely due to a rebuilding plan post WWII, and it has many different museums and galleries including a Roman artefact museum. This evening join your Captain for a farewell reception and dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Amsterdam
This morning you can decide to either enjoy a glass top canal boat tour through Amsterdam’s canal or a guided bike tour.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided Bike Tour
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Amsterdam > UK
After breakfast, bid farewell to new found friends and transfer to the airport for your onwards or homebound flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
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