Christmas Markets on the Rhine

Welcome to Switzerland. You will be met at the airport by an Emerald Cruises representative and transferred to your luxurious Star-Ship in Basel, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to greet you. This evening, join your fellow guests for dinner on board. Please book your flight to arrive into Basel prior to 03:00 PM.

Today, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Rhine town of Breisach. Entrenched between two countries, it is also known as the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest region. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive through the Black Forest Highlands on your way to the Hofgut Sternen complex located at the foothill of Ravenna Gorge, a place where history and tradition merge. It was here that in 1770 Marie Antoinette stopped with 52 beautifully decorated carriages on the way to her wedding to King Louis XVI.

As part of your EmeraldPLUS programme you will also have the chance to see the postcard-worthy Christmas market situated underneath the 40-metre-high Ravenna Viaduct. Be amazed by the magical smell of Black Forest specialties and unique handcrafted regional products sold there.

EmeraldPLUS Guided visit to the Christmas Market at Ravenna Viaduct

Included Excursion Guided tour of Breisach

DiscoverMORE Excursion to Riquewihr (extra expense) (B/L/D)

This morning, we will dock in Kehl and you will be transferred by coach across the river to Strasbourg, the storied capital of France's Alsace region. Your guided tour of Strasbourg will include the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Grande Île, the historical centre of the city, known for its medieval half-timbered buildings, old tanning houses, Baroque sandstone buildings and charming canal system. After this, you will have the opportunity to visit one of its most charming Christmas markets.

Included Excursion Guided tour of Strasbourg

DiscoverMORE Evening concert at Bruchsal Palace (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Your guided tour of Heidelberg's rich history includes a wine tasting and a visit to the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, overlooking the Rhine River and a red-roofed skyline. Some of the most successful painters of the Romantic era drew inspiration from Heidelberg Castle, including British artist William Turner, who depicted images of the ruins in several of his paintings. Afterwards, stroll down the cobbled streets of the Old Town, touching on the Church of the Holy Spirit and the oldest university in Germany.

• Included Excursion Guided tour of Heidelberg (B/L/D)

Today, we will take you into the heart of Koblenz, an ancient city that looks as though it has been pulled from the pages of a German fairytale. Enjoy a picturesque backdrop of vineyards and snow-topped mountain ranges as your local guide takes you through open cobbled squares and down narrow streets. Your tour will include the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers at the German Corner and idyllic panoramic views of the Rhine from Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.

Included Excursion Walking tour of Koblenz & a visit to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

DiscoverMORE Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Seven idyllic Christmas markets effortlessly transform the postcard-worthy city of Cologne into a winter wonderland over the Christmas period. Following your guided tour of the city, you will have the opportunity to explore independently, perhaps visiting the ornate stalls beneath the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral, where you can drink traditional glühwein out of beautifully decorated mugs.

Included Excursion Guided tour of Cologne's Old Town

DiscoverMORE Visit to Eau de Cologne Museum (extra expense) (B/L/D)

Board a glass top canal boat for a tour down the Dutch capital’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system, passing historic merchant’s houses that reflect the bygone era of the Dutch Golden Age, as well as delightful Christmas stalls, each surrounded by people in their finest knitwear drinking hot mugs of mulled wine.

Included Excursion Canal cruise (B/L/D)

After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow guests as you are transferred to the airport, taking memories of quintessential German villages and emerald canopies 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. Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change. (B)