8-Day Tulips & the Rhine

Sail the Rhine River, crossing four countries and discovering enchanting landscapes.

A vibrant celebration of all things quintessentially Dutch, Amsterdam’s winding canals and a trip to Keukenhof Gardens is the perfect start to your river cruise. View traditional windmills en route towards Cologne, where a guided excursion will introduce you to its Gothic cathedral and beautiful Botanical Gardens. Discover ancient Germany in Koblenz, and enjoy a hike through the charming vineyards of Bad Dürkheim before crossing the border into Strasbourg and concluding your journey back in Germany with a Guided bike tour in Breisach.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam to Basel

Departing: March – April 2024

Day 1 Amsterdam

Day 2 Amsterdam

Day 3 Cologne

Day 4 Koblenz

Day 5 Ludwigshafen – Schwetzingen

Day 6 Kehl – Strasbourg

Day 7 Breisach

Day 8 Basel

Our suite of generous inclusions:

n Airport transfers to and from your Star-Ship n 7 nights in a suite or stateroom of your choice, all with a river view n 20 meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners including a Welcome and Farewell Reception & Dinner n Complimentary wine, beer & soft drinks to accompany lunch & dinner on board n Complimentary tea & coffee on board n Complimentary bottled water in your suite or stateroom, restocked daily n A variety of on board evening entertainment n Complimentary Wi-Fi on board n Complimentary bicycles on board n First-class service from English-speaking crew and knowledgeable local guides n Earn EmeraldEXPLORER loyalty points n Complimentary River Cruise Cover n All port charges, taxes and overseas transfers n All gratuities on board and onshore

Cruise Facts

n Distance covered (approx): 435 mi on the Rhine n UNESCO sites: 5 n Countries visited: 4 n Ports: 7 n Locks: 10 n Bridges: 30

EmeraldDISCOVERY highlights unique to your itinerary:

EmeraldPLUS

Visit to Schwetzingen Palace & Gardens

A tale of two cities divided by the Rhine

EmeraldACTIVE

Guided vineyard hike in Bad-Dürkheim

Guided bike tour in Breisach

Included Excursions

4 excursions, including visits to UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites

DiscoverMORE

4 optional excursions, available at an additional cost – see pages 114-117

See page 27 for EmeraldACTIVE difficulty level details

Day 1 Amsterdam

Welcome to Amsterdam. Here, you will be met at the airport by your friendly Emerald Cruises representative and transferred to your contemporary Star-Ship, where a quintessentially Dutch adventure awaits.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Amsterdam

This morning you’ll visit the iconic Keukenhof Gardens, boasting 32 hectares of spring-flowering bulbs. This scenic area is infused with delightful aromas and a swathe of vibrant colors. Soak in the sights of tulips, hyacinths, and orchids of every color, creating an expertly arranged pattern of beauty. You will also have the opportunity to see statues commissioned by world-renowned artists, each adopting the annual theme.

Visit to Keukenhof Gardens

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 Cologne

Once the ancient Roman settlement of Colonia, Cologne is alive with ancient architecture. Your included walking tour of the city will touch on the historical charm of its Old Town. Here, you will have the opportunity to traverse rustic alleyways, visit iconic monuments and see how archaeologists have uncovered a Jewish Quarter that can be dated back to the 13th century. As part of your day, you will also explore Cologne Botanical Gardens. Established in the 19th century, the gardens are visited by more than a million people every year.

Included Excursion

Day 5 Ludwigshafen – Schwetzingen

Visit Schwetzingen Palace and gardens. Alternatively, you can embark on an active journey to the quaint wellness town of Bad-Dürkheim for a hike through the beautiful vineyards.

EmeraldPLUS

Guided tour of Cologne's Old Town & a visit to the Botanical Gardens

History and art are alive in Cologne's architecture. In the city's Old Town, you'll find narrow alleyways, traditional houses, and the magnificent Gothic cathedral. Visit the Botanical Gardens, one of the oldest and most traditional in Germany, and explore an extensive complex of over 10,000 species of plants.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 Koblenz

Once a Roman stronghold desired for its strategic value, Koblenz is now a city with a unique blend of historic and contemporary architecture. Today, join your local guide for an insightful walking tour of Koblenz, passing examples of architecture that survived the war years, including the Church of Our Lady. You will also have the chance to see the point at which two of Europe’s great rivers, the Rhine and Moselle, meet at the German Corner and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, one of the largest preserved fortresses in Europe. Later, we'll cruise through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge, exemplifying the extraordinary beauty of an area that left the philosophers and artists of the German Romanticism movement entranced.

Orientation walk of Koblenz & a visit to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress

Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Visit to Schwetzingen Palace & Gardens

Schwetzingen Palace was once the residence of the Royal House of Wittelsbach. Famed for its spacious, ornate castle grounds: the well-preserved gardens are a horticultural delight.

Guided vineyard hike in Bad-Dürkheim

Evening concert at Bruchsal Palace

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 Kehl – Strasbourg

Today, we arrive in Kehl, where you'll be transferred to Strasbourg, a city that promises much in the way of beautiful architecture. The UNESCO World Heritagelisted Neustadt district is particularly iconic, perfectly encapsulating the Rhineland. The Neustadt district is yours to discover during your included tour, as is the Maison Kammerzell, a prime example of German Renaissance architecture. Paying homage to the region’s artistic past, Petite France is an exceptional historic quarter that looks as though it has been pulled directly from an artist’s easel.

Guided tour of Strasbourg

Excursion to Riquewihr

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 Breisach

Today, you will experience the tale of two cities divided by the Rhine, Breisach (Germany), and Neuf-Brisach (France). During your guided visit to these two fantastic gems on the Rhine, you'll pass by the main sights and attractions, one of which is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed fortress overlooking Neuf-Brisach.

EmeraldPLUS

A tale of two cities divided by the Rhine

Enjoy a guided tour of these two unique locations with a shared commonality. Breisach (Germany) and Neuf-Brisach (France) are two gems of the Rhine, home to incredible landmarks, a rich vein of history, and a shared love for the region’s renowned viticulture.

Guided bike tour in Breisach

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 Basel

Welcome to Switzerland. Basel graces the banks of the Rhine and is known for its high concentration of museums, showcasing everything from contemporary art to scientific achievements.

After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to your StarShip and fellow guests as you transfer to the airport, taking memories infused with vibrant tulip gardens with you.

Meals: Breakfast

This itinerary is only a guide. Our itineraries are regularly reviewed by our journey planners and may be revised once the brochure is published. Due to operational reasons, such as high and low water or local restrictions, cruise inclusions may change from those advertised. For the latest information on this itinerary please visit our website. Our full terms and conditions can be found on pages 132-135.

8-Day

2024 Pricing And Special Offers

For our latest pricing and availability visit emeraldcruises.com, call 888.233.2989 or contact your travel advisor

*These departures operate in reverse.

Terms & Conditions: All prices are per person, based on double occupancy (excluding ES Emerald Single Stateroom). Earlybird and Super Earlybird savings are limited in number, cabin category and departure date, once sold out the full fare shown above applies. Super Earlybird offer: full payment is due 12 months prior to departure, or within 72 hours of booking for departures within 12 months. Please refer to p. 32 for detailed terms and conditions.

11-Day

& the Rhine with

from $4,665 per person

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