Rhine & Rhone River Cruises

Resort:Rhine & Rhone River Cruises
Operator: Emerald Waterways
Destination: Europe
Price From: £3225.00

Overview

From Amsterdam to Nice, discover the highlights of four countries over the course of 15 days, which transports you from the Netherlands to Germany and Switzerland before ending in France.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival Amsterdam

Welcome to Amsterdam, a fascinating 700-year-old city of picturesque canals, world class museums, theatres and cafs. You will be met and transferred from the airport to your Emerald Waterways luxury river cruise ship. This evening, join your fellow travellers for dinner on board. Your Cruise Director will also conduct a port talk to review the activities and itinerary for the days ahead.

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2 – Amsterdam

This morning you can decide to either enjoy a glass top canal boat tour through Amsterdams canal or a guided bike tour. Return to the ship for your first day sailing through the Dutch countryside passing windmills and sailing through locks towards the Rhine River. Tonight, the Captain will be delighted to host a gala dinner.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided Bike Tour

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 – Cologne

Cruise along the Rhine River to Cologne, founded by the Romans, the city is one of Germany’s oldest and is famous for its magnificent WorldHeritage listed Gothic Cathedral. After lunch on board, 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.

DiscoverMORE: Football Stadium Tour (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 – Koblenz

Cruise to the 2000-year-old town of Koblenz, which is situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. You will have a tour of Koblenz and 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. In the afternoon, sail through the spectacular Rhine Gorge, passing countless castles and vineyards as well as the infamous Lorelei statue and Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, which was built on an island in the middle of the river as a medieval toll station. Countless vineyards and medieval castles line the shores of this section of the river, with photo opportunities at every bend.

DiscoverMORE: Moselle & Cochem Castle Visit (extra expense)

*** Please note, you can only choose either included tour of Koblenz or the DiscoverMORE option, as both tours run at the same time.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 – Mannheim Heidelberg

Continue upstream to the town of Mannheim, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar rivers. There you will have a chance to either visit the medieval town of Heidelberg including the impressive castle which overlooks the town or take part on an active hike to Heidelberg Hill.
EmeraldACTIVE: Active Hike to Heidelberg Hill
EmeraldPLUS: Wine Tasting in Heidelberg

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 – 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 le, 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.
EmeraldPLUS: Guided Tour of Strasbourg

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 – Breisach

Today you will visit a typical black forest village, full of charm and many Cuckoo clocks and other German specialties. Alternatively, take part on a guided hike through some of the black forest trails.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided hike through some of the Black Forest trails
EmeraldPLUS: Black Forest Cake Assembling presentation and tasting

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 – Basel Disembarkation – Lyon

Welcome to Switzerland and the Rhineside town of Basel, the centre for Switzerland’s pharmaceutical industry. After, your breakfast you will disembark your ship and transfer by coach to Lyon. In Lyon, you will begin your new journey.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 – Chalon-Sur-Sane Beaune

ChalonSurSane is best known as the birthplace of photography and the center of Burgundys wine region. Travel by road to the quaint village of Beaune, where we visit the Hospices de Beaune, one of the finest examples of French fifteenthcentury architecture. Marvel at the multicolored roofs of this former hospital, now a museum, which has become one of the symbols of Burgundy.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 – Lyon

Lyon is Frances third largest city, a former Roman capital positioned at the conference of the Rhone and Saone rivers, which is steeped in history. Today be part of the guided tour of Lyon, which starts with a drive to the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvire, Lyons hilltop church, with stunning views over the town. Then, pass by the recently rediscovered Roman amphitheatre and walk through the cobbled streets of the gastronomic old town including the secret laneways. Alternatively, join a guided bike tour of Lyon.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided Bike Tour

DiscoverMORE: Tour to Perouges (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 – Tournon

Join your local guide for a walking tour of Tournon, which is dominated by the 16th century castle and roman ruins, and is nestled in the valley near the steep slopes of le Massif Central, France’s 3rd largest mountain range. The area has a long tradition in wine making, including the renowned wine growing centre of Tain l’Hermitage across the river.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided active walk through vineyards
EmeraldPLUS: Regional wine lecture on board
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided bike tour to Glun

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 – Viviers

Arrive in Viviers, a town which still has a lot of flare. Viviers is also the home of one of Frances oldest cathedrals, join an included city tour exploring all the architectural heritage of this quaint town.
EmeraldPLUS: Cheese and olive tasting on board

DiscoverMORE: Tour to Grignan (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 – Avignon

Avignon has a rich history from Celtic beginnings to being the residence of the Popes and later central to the French Revolution. Although a fortified town, it is the Papal Palace which stands more secure on a hill in the centre of town; its walls are 1718 feet thick. Your guided walk with a local guide takes you through this historic centre with its cobbled laneways and shops, overlooking the famous ‘Pont dAvignon’. The rest of the day is at leisure.
EmeraldACTIVE: Guided active hike in Avignon
EmeraldACTIVE: Yoga Lesson on Board
EmeraldPLUS: Provenale dinner hosted by local Chef Fabien Morreale
DiscoverMORE: Excursion to Pont du Gard (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14 – Arles

Sail into Arles where you will join your local guide for a walking tour showcasing the highlights of the city in particular the 2000-year-old Roman Amphitheatre still in use today, which was originally built to hold 20,000 spectators in the style of the Colosseum in Rome. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax on board and explore Arles further.

DiscoverMORE: Excursion to Les Baux de Provence (extra expense)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15 – Arles Disembarkation – Nice

After breakfast disembark your river cruise ship in Arles, transfer to Nice airport for your onward or homebound flight.

Please note: Pre release itinerary subject to change

Meals Included: Breakfast

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