Rhine Castles & Moselle Vineyards

France, Germany & The Netherlands

July 29th-August 9th, 2024

Free Airfare when booked by December 31st, 2023 !!

Tour Includes:

• 29 Meals: 10 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches and 10 Dinners
• Airport Transfers on tour dates when air is provided by Mayflower Cruises and Tours
• Visit 3 countries
• Ten-nights in a suite or stateroom of your choice onboard the vessel
• First-class service by an English speaking crew
• Onboard activity manager – will support all EmeraldACTIVE excursions and host daily onboard wellness activities, games, classes and evening entertainment
• All gratuities included
• Shore Excursions with English-speaking local guides
• Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Personal listening device for shore excursions
• All meals included onboard
• Variety of international cuisine
• Complimentary regional wines, beer and soft drinks with onboard lunches and dinners
• Complimentary bottled water in your stateroom
• Complimentary WiFi onboard
• Complimentary bicycles onboard for use ashore
• All port charges included

Itinerary:

Day 1  Depart the USA:  Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Zurich, Switzerland.

Day 2  Zurich, Switzerland-Basel:  Upon arrival at Zurich airport, you will be met and transferred to your innovative Emerald Cruises Star-Ship in Basel, where your friendly captain and crew will welcome your arrival. Meal D.

Day 3  Breisach, Germany-Colmar, France:  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 colorful blooms adorn the half-timbered facades.  Alternatively, embark on a canoeing adventure on the banks of the Rhine.  Meals: B,L,D   Emerald Active: Canoeing the banks of the Rhine.

Day 4  Kehl, Germany – Strasbourg, France:  This morning, dock in Kehl and journey by coach to the medieval capital France’s Alsace Region, Strasbourg.  The best way to discover Strasbourg’s charm is via it’s quaint waterways.  Embark on an EmaraldPLUS 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 Neustadt imperial quarter, where many of Strasbourg’s administrative buildings are based.  This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore at leisure.  Meals: B,L,D.  DiscoverMore Alsace wine route with tasting (additional expense)

Day 5  Mainz, Germany:  Your day will start with a guided tour of Mainz and visit to the impressive sandstone cathedral of the tremendous Old Town.  Meals:  B,L,D  DiscoverMORE:  Visit to Gutenberg Museum & Workshop (additional expense)

Day 6  Rudesheim:  As part of your incredible EmeraldPLUS program, 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 124 acres in front of the Taunus mountains, the onsite 300-acre forest grows native oak to make the wooden barrels used for producing the 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 the vineyards to the historical Niederwalddenkmal Monument.  Meals: B,L,D  EmeraldPLUS: Wine visit and tasting at Schloss Johannisberg.   EmeraldACTIVE:  Active hike to Niederwalddenkmal Monument.

Day 7  Cochem:  Enjoy the enchanting town of Cochem during a guided tour of its well-preserved sites.  Stroll through the quaint alleyways and see the remains of the historic town wall with its old fortifications alongside the town hall and its many other gems.  Meals: B,L,D   EmeraldACTIVE:  Cycling along the Moselle

Day 8  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.  Meals:  B,L,D EmeraldACTIVE:  Active hike to Landshut Castle Ruins

Day 9  Koblenz:  Wonderfully maintained inside and out, Markburg Castle boasts a selection of typical interiors including the castle kitchen, the knight’s hall, the armoury and an inviting wine cellar.  The attractive light-stoned walls of the castle are protected by an outer fortress.  With a single tower peering over the turrets and castle walls, it resembles something you would find in a Brothers Grimm Tale.  Meals:  B,L,D   EmeraldACTIVE:  Hike to Marksburg Castle

Day 10  Nijmegen, the Netherlands:  Today you will visit the Kinderdijk Windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  This unique collection of nineteen authentic, 18th-century windmills is considered a Dutch icon across the globe.  Meals:  B,L,D

Day 11  Utrecht:  as part of your EmeraldPlus program, start the day by exploring a canal cruise through the Oudegracht or Old Canal.  Not only is the 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 perserved despite being more than eight centuries old.  Meals:  B,L,D  Emerald ACTIVE:  Guided bike tour near Utrecht    EmeraldPLUS:  Canal cruise and cheese tasting

Day 12  Amsterdam / USA:  After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport, taking with you memories of all the beautiful destinations visited.  Meal: B

Itinerary is subject to change

Tour Pricing / per person based on double occupancy

Emerald Stateroom  $4,776  –  Single room add $4,476

Emerald Stateroom $5,176  –  Single add $4,876

Panorama Balcony Suite  $5,976  –  Single add $5,676

Panorama Balcony Suite $6, 296  –  Single add $5,996

Grand Balcony Suite  $7,136

Owner’s One Bedroom Suite  $8,136

Travel Protection Plan   $499 with cruise rate up to $5,000 /  $569 with cruise rate over $5,001

After free air expires, roundtrip from Omaha with be $1,650 / person