7 Night Cruise sailing from Amsterdam to Basel aboard Emerald Dawn.

Day 1 Amsterdam
Welcome to Amsterdam. Make your way to your Emerald Waterways luxury river cruise ship where a quintessentially Dutch adventure awaits.

Day 2 Amsterdam
This morning, you’ll visit the iconic Keukenhof Gardens. Boasting 32 hectares of millions of spring-flowering bulbs, this scenic area is infused with delightful aromas and a swathe of ethereal colours.

Day 3 Cologne
Once the ancient Roman settlement of Colonia, Cologne is bursting with ancient architecture. Your included walking tour of the city will touch on the historical charm of its old town, and 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.
Your insightful tour will conclude at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic building whose twin spires dominate the skyline. The original medieval plans for the building were partly found in the attic, and partly found on the stall of a bookseller in France centuries later, meaning that, while construction of the cathedral started back in 1248, it wasn’t finished until 1880.

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.
Admire the natural splendour of your surroundings as you ride on the Koblenz Cable Car, embarking on an aerial journey to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
Later, a sailing journey through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge will highlight the extraordinary beauty of an area that left the philosophers and artists of the German Romanticism movement entranced.

Day 5 Mannheim – Heidelberg
Heidelberg is a fascinating place, famously described by revered author Mark Twain as “a fallen Milky Way”. Join an orientation tour of the old town to discover an “intricate cobweb of streets”, and pass many of Heidelberg’s highlights, including the oldest university in Germany.
Alternatively, embark on an active hike from Mount Königstuhl to Heidelberg.

Day 6 Kehl - Strasbourg
Dock in Kehl and be transferred to Strasbourg, a city that promises much in the way of beautiful architecture. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Neustadt district is particularly iconic, perfectly encapsulating the Rhineland.
The Neustadt district is yours to discover today 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.

Day 7 Breisach
A world of ornate cuckoo clocks awaits, as you set off in search of the fairytales of the Black Forest. Your included EmeraldEXCURSION will be a visit to a Black Forest village.
After an immersive learning experience, watch a Black Forest gateau demonstration followed by a tasting.
Alternatively, follow forest trails that twist underneath the lush canopy of evergreens in the Black Forest, passing beautiful scenery and waterfalls. Mark Twain famously wrote, “Here you can lose track of time in ten minutes and the world in twenty” about his time in the Black Forest.

Day 8 Basel Disembarkation – Zurich
Welcome to Switzerland. Basel graces the banks of the Rhine River 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 fellow guests.