Description

Discover Europe’s most popular river cruises. 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 a landscape of sun-drenched vineyards, magnificent castles, and quaint villages along the Rhine & Moselle rivers. Begin in the serenity of Switzerland in Basel, travel to the Alsatian capital of Strasbourg. Traverse the wonderful countryside, stopping in Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle meet. You will then continue to the Netherlands with a tour of the quintessentially Dutch cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht with a visit to the traditional Kinderdijk windmills.

Your Fly, Stay & Cruise Package Includes:

• $2,300 flight credit per person
• 3 nights 4-star accommodation in Zurich with breakfast
• Mountains, Cheese and Chocolate tour
• 10 night Rhine Castles & Moselle Vineyards river cruise onboard Emerald Sky, Zurich to Amsterdam
• Includes meals, select beverages, guided tours, airport transfers, tipping and gratuities plus more
• 3 nights 4-star accommodation in Amsterdam with breakfast
• Visit to Marken, Volendam and Edam by public transport - Private Tour
• Select private transfers

Pricing is per person twin share and based on travel 08 – 24 August 2025

Mountains, Cheese and Chocolate tour

Enjoy a scenic ride along Lake Zurich via Rapperswil, famed for its medieval castle, and on to the green and hilly region of Appenzell with photo stops en route. Visit a typically Swiss farm and taste a glass of fresh cow milk. At the Appenzeller show dairy in Stein, you find out how natural Swiss milk and herbs are turned into Switzerland's tangiest cheese. Marvel at the imposing cellar storing up to 12,500 wheels of cheese and try the world-famous Appenzeller cheese during a cheese tasting. The excursion hits new heights when we head to Brülisau for a cable car ride to the peak of the 1,800-metre-high Hoher Kasten. From a viewing platform, you will be able to enjoy the breathtaking views over the gently rolling hills of the Appenzellerland, the Rhine Valley and the Austrian region of Vorarlberg. Take a walk through the Alpine Garden and visit the spectacular revolving restaurant (lunch is not included). After this natural high, we will go for a guided walk through the picture-postcard village of Appenzell. The pedestrian zone with its decoratively painted wooden façades will have you clicking away at your camera. Visit a boutique chocolate manufacturer before indulging your senses during a chocolate tasting. Enjoy some time at leisure before heading back to Zürich with a goodie bag full of Swiss delicacies collected at the visited attractions throughout the day.

Visit to Marken, Volendam and Edam by public transport - Private Tour

Explore the beautiful Dutch countryside with this full-day private tour from Amsterdam. The Netherlands have a fantastic network of public busses and tramways in and around Amsterdam. This option therefor offers you the possibility to privately explore the countryside in an ECO-friendly way. Another plus is the flexibility. The busses and trams run that often, that in case you want to stay a bit longer somewhere, there will be no stress as we just catch the next service. Meet your personal guide at your hotel and hop on the tramway towards central station. Then enjoy a scenic 45-minute ride to the island of Marken. Stroll through the picturesque streets of Marken and enjoy stunning views over the Markermeer. Visit a local museum to discover how the people of Marken used to live. Enjoy some free time before you catch the boat to Volendam. This boat ride originally was one of the regular connections for the Inhabitants of Marken to reach the mainland. At arrival in Volendam you will embark on a short walking tour of the famous fisherman village. This typical fishing village with its bustling harbor has been a major tourist attraction as early as 1875. People come from all over to see the small buildings and houses and take in the locals in their traditional Dutch clothing. This is a great place to pick up souvenirs for those at home or a memento for yourself, and to have photos taken in traditional Dutch costume. Your guide will take you on a short walk through the oldest parts of the city, exploring a labyrinth of twists and turns to sites such as St. Vincent’s Church, the wooden Stolphoevekerk and the Visafslag (Fish Auction).After some free time to explore Volendam, set off for the next stop on the tour: the charming medieval village of Edam, also commonly referred to as the pearl of the Zuiderzee. Edam’s ancient streets and tranquil canals are lined by beautiful 17th century buildings, including the leaning Carillon tower, the Great Church, and town hall. Most famous in Edam is beyond any doubt the public weighing house, where in summer still every Wednesday the famous Edam Cheese is being sold. During this full day tour packed with interesting details and picturesque sights, you will visit a local cheese shop to try some real Dutch cheese. Your guide will also take you to a wooden shoe maker to demonstrate how clogs are being made. At the end of the day you will be taken back to your hotel in Amsterdam.

Cruise Itinerary:

Day 1: Zurich - Huningue/Basel

Upon arrival at Zurich airport, you will be met and transferred to your innovative Emerald Cruises Star-Ship in Huningue/Basel, where your friendly captain and crew will welcome your arrival.

Day 2: Breisach - Colmar

Commence your magical morning with a tour of Colmar. As you walk down the cobblestone lanes, it’s easy to imagine the characters from the Grimm’s Fairy Tales here, where window boxes full of colourful blooms adorn the half-timbered façades. Alternatively, embark on a canoeing adventure on the banks of the Rhine.

Included Excursion: Guided tour of Colmar

EmeraldACTIVE: Canoeing on the banks of the Rhine

Day 3: Kehl - Strasbourg

This morning, we’ll dock in Kehl and take a coach transfer to the medieval capital of France’s Alsace Region, Strasbourg. The best way to discover Strasbourg’s charm is via its quaint waterways. Embark on an EmeraldPLUS traditional canal boat tour. Relax as you pass through petite France, full of storybook canals, half-timbered houses, and narrow lanes. Witness the covered bridges and the Vauban Dam before reaching the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Neustadt imperial quarter, where many of Strasbourg’s administrative buildings are based. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore at leisure. 

Included Excursion: Canal boat tour in Strasbourg

Day 4: Mainz

Your day will start with a guided tour of Mainz and a visit to the impressive sandstone cathedral of the tremendous Old Town with medieval market squares and half-timbered houses. The town is famous as the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg who invented the first printing press and manufactured his first books in the 15th century, including the Gutenberg Bible.  

Included Excursion: Guided tour of Mainz

Day 5: Rüdesheim

Today as part of your incredible EmeraldPLUS programme, you will visit the grand Schloss Johannisberg Winery. Set in the breathtaking Rheingau region, the legendary Schloss Johannisberg is steeped in history, cultivating exquisite wine for over 1000 years. The first Riesling winery in the world, at Schloss Johannisberg, discover a unique wine culture and fabled history during this exclusive tour. Set over 50 hectares in front of the Taunus mountains, the onsite 300-acre forest grows native oak to make the wooden barrels used for producing this exemplary wine. These extra-special barrels are then kept in the 900-year-old abbey cellar, known as ‘Bibliotheca Subterranea’, where over 25,000 precious wines are stored. Alternatively, participate in an active hike through vineyards to the historical Niederwalddenkmal Monument.

EmeraldPLUS: Wine visit and tasting at Schloss Johannisberg

EmeraldACTIVE: Active hike to Niederwalddenkmal Monument

Day 6: Bernkastel

Dating back to 3000 BC, Bernkastel is situated along the banks of the Moselle River and is 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 an active hike to the Landshut Castle Ruins overlooking the Moselle. 

Included Excursion: Walking tour of Bernkastel

EmeraldACTIVE: Active hike to Landshut Castle ruins

Day 7: Cochem

Today, you will enjoy the enchanting town of Cochem during a guided tour of its well-preserved sites. You’ll see the remains of the historic town wall with its old fortifications, alongside the town hall and its many other gems.

Included Excursion: Guided tour of Cochem & visit to Reichsburg Castle

EmeraldACTIVE: Cycling along the Moselle

Day 8: Koblenz

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 and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, one of the largest preserved fortresses in Europe. If you are feeling more active, join a hike to Marksburg Castle.

Included Excursion: Orientation Walk of Koblenz

EmeraldACTIVE: Active hike to Marksburg Castle

Day 9: Nijmegen

Relax in the comfortable surrounds of your Star-Ship this morning as you sail along the Dutch waterways, passing quaint, time-honoured villages. Visit the Paleis Het Loo, which once served as the summer residence of the Dutch royal family. Today, the palace stands as a magnificent museum. The palace’s decorations and its gardens are bound to stun. 

Included Excursion: Visit to Paleis Het Loo

Day 10: Utrecht

As part of your EmeraldPLUS programme, you will start the day by exploring a canal cruise through the Oudegracht or Old Canal, which is not only the oldest in Utrecht but it is also older than the canals in Amsterdam. For centuries, along the water the wealthiest have built their mansions with the peculiarity of having warehouses and service entrances just above water level. Undoubtedly, the castle of Oudaen stands out among all the rest: an urban castle preserved despite being more than eight centuries old.

EmeraldPLUS: Canal cruise and cheese tasting

EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour near Utrecht

Day 11: Amsterdam

After breakfast, it's time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of all the beautiful destinations visited.