Discover the Tulips of the Rhine & Rhone rivers

Since being designated a European Capital of Culture for 2013, with an estimated €660 million of funding in the bargain, Marseille has been in the throes of an extraordinary transformation, with no fewer than five major new arts centers, a beautifully refurbished port, revitalized neighborhoods, and a slew of new shops and restaurants. Once the underdog, this time-burnished city is now welcoming an influx of weekend tourists who have colonized entire neighborhoods and transformed them into elegant pieds-à-terre (or should we say, mer). The second-largest city in France, Marseille is one of Europe's most vibrant destinations. Feisty and fond of broad gestures, it is also as complicated and as cosmopolitan now as it was when a band of Phoenician Greeks first sailed into the harbor that is today's Vieux Port in 600 BC. Legend has it that on that same day a local chieftain's daughter, Gyptis, needed to choose a husband, and her wandering eyes settled on the Greeks' handsome commander Protis. Her dowry brought land near the mouth of the Rhône, where the Greeks founded Massalia, the most important Continental shipping port in antiquity. The port flourished for some 500 years as a typical Greek city, enjoying the full flush of classical culture, its gods, its democratic political system, its sports and theater, and its naval prowess. Caesar changed all that, besieging the city in 49 BC and seizing most of its colonies. In 1214 Marseille was seized again, this time by Charles d'Anjou, and was later annexed to France by Henri IV in 1481, but it was not until Louis XIV took the throne that the biggest transformations of the port began; he pulled down the city walls in 1666 and expanded the port to the Rive Neuve (New Riverbank). The city was devastated by plague in 1720, losing more than half its population. By the time of the Revolution, Marseille was on the rebound once again, with industries of soap manufacturing and oil processing flourishing, encouraging a wave of immigration from Provence and Italy. With the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, Marseille became the greatest boomtown in 19th-century Europe. With a large influx of immigrants from areas as exotic as Tangiers, the city quickly acquired the multicultural population it maintains to this day.

Welcome to France and the beginning of your cruise. You’ll be met by a member of our team at the airport and transferred to Arles, where your friendly captain and crew will be waiting to welcome you on board your contemporary Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. This evening, enjoy a welcome reception and dine with your fellow guests.

Please book your flight to arrive into Marseille prior to 04:30 PM.

Arles, France, is a historic city in Provence renowned for its Roman heritage and artistic legacy. The ancient amphitheater and the Roman Theater are standout landmarks. Arles also boasts charming streets and vibrant markets, reflecting its rich cultural life. Known for its connection to Vincent van Gogh, the city features scenes immortalized in his paintings. The blend of historical architecture, vibrant local culture, and picturesque landscapes makes Arles a captivating destination for history buffs and art enthusiasts alike.

Arles, France, is a historic city in Provence renowned for its Roman heritage and artistic legacy. The ancient amphitheater and the Roman Theater are standout landmarks. Arles also boasts charming streets and vibrant markets, reflecting its rich cultural life. Known for its connection to Vincent van Gogh, the city features scenes immortalized in his paintings. The blend of historical architecture, vibrant local culture, and picturesque landscapes makes Arles a captivating destination for history buffs and art enthusiasts alike.

Revel in the glory of the Roman Empire today during an insightful visit to Arles, including its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman and Romanesque monuments. Visit Arles Amphitheatre, a 2,000-year-old structure where thousands of spectators once gathered to watch heart-pounding chariot races.
Enjoy learning about the time spent by Vincent van Gogh in the city, taking inspiration from his surroundings and using them to create many of his most iconic pieces of art, including ‘Starry Night Over the Rhône’. Then, enjoy some time to explore the beauty of Arles at your leisure.

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Arles with Olive farm visit

EmeraldPLUS
A Provençal dinner hosted by chef Fabien Morreale

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In the footsteps of Van Gogh: painting workshop (extra expense)

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Excursion to Les Baux de Provence (extra expense)

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Provencal Cosmetics Workshop (extra expense)

Avignon, France, is a historic city in Provence famed for its stunning medieval architecture. Dominated by the impressive Palais des Papes, a grand papal palace, and the iconic Pont Saint-Bénézet bridge, Avignon offers a rich cultural heritage. Its charming streets, vibrant markets, and annual theater festival, the Festival d'Avignon, add to its allure. Surrounded by picturesque vineyards and the Rhône River, Avignon blends history with a lively contemporary atmosphere, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts and culture seekers.

Avignon has a long and storied history. This fortified town is the former residence of seven consecutive Popes in the 1300s who fled Rome to escape from the political pressures of the Roman Empire. The city went on to become an important location during the French Revolution.
Embark on a guided walking tour this morning to witness its illustrious past, including the ornate Gothic exterior of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Palais des Papes, built by the Popes over two decad es. This evening you are invited to join the unique experience of a classical concert in Avignon as part of our EmeraldPLUS program.

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Avignon with market visit

EmeraldPLUS
Classical concert in Avignon

EmeraldACTIVE
Canoeing excursion in Avignon

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Guided tour of the Pont du Gard (extra expense)

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Visit to Chateauneuf du Pape with wine tasting (extra expense)

Viviers, France, is a charming medieval town in the Rhône-Alpes region, renowned for its well-preserved historical architecture. Nestled on the banks of the Rhône River, it features narrow, winding streets, ancient stone houses, and the impressive Saint-Vincent Cathedral. The town's Roman and medieval heritage is evident in its old ramparts and historic buildings. Viviers' tranquil atmosphere and picturesque surroundings offer a glimpse into the past, making it a delightful destination for history lovers and those seeking a serene escape.

A snapshot of quintessential France awaits your arrival in Viviers, a town that perfectly encapsulates the medieval days of the region. Pastel coloured buildings gently faded by the sun line narrow cobblestone streets, and the heart of the Old Town is yours to explore today during a guided walking tour.

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Viviers

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Visit to Chauvet Pont D’Arc (extra expense)

As we sail down the gently twisting Rhône River into Tournon, you’ll be treated to an extraordinary view of a 16th-century castle overlooking the village and a pair of ancient watchtowers adorning the surrounding rural landscape.
Today, embark on a guided tour of Tournon and learn about its illustrious history and the culture of the people who call it home. If you would like to explore more of the region’s natural beauty, then you may instead choose to embark on an EmeraldACTIVE hike through some of the local vineyards.

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Tournon with wine tasting

EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike through the vineyards

Today we take you on a walking tour of Vienne, an important town in the Rhone-Alpes region, in the Isere department south of Lyon. The town has a long and prestigious history dating back to the Allobroges, a tribe of Gauls, and by Roman times Vienne was an important regional city. Although it started to lose importance to Lyon after the middle ages the town has several important monuments from both the roman and medieval eras.

Included Excursion
Walking tour of Vienne

EmeraldPLUS
Cheese and olive tasting on board

Lyon, the capital city in France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Its center reflects 2,000 years of history from the Roman Amphithéâtre des Trois Gaules, medieval and Renaissance architecture in Vieux (Old) Lyon, to the modern Confluence district on Presqu'île peninsula. Traboules, covered passageways between buildings, connect Vieux Lyon and La Croix-Rousse hill.

As one of the largest cities in France and a former Roman capital, many of the most important moments in French history have taken place in Lyon. But it’s Lyonnaise cuisine that has really put this city on the map, delighting gastronomists from around the world.

Join your local guide for a walking tour of the city, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. If you’re feeling more active, then you may instead choose to embark on a guided bike tour, touching on its most prominent architectural wonders and moments from history.

Included Excursion
Tastes of Lyon

EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour of Lyon

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Excursion to Pérouges (extra expense)

Lyon, the capital city in France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Its center reflects 2,000 years of history from the Roman Amphithéâtre des Trois Gaules, medieval and Renaissance architecture in Vieux (Old) Lyon, to the modern Confluence district on Presqu'île peninsula. Traboules, covered passageways between buildings, connect Vieux Lyon and La Croix-Rousse hill.

After breakfast, you will disembark the Emerald Liberte Star-Ship and be transferred by coach to Basel, where your river cruising journey will continue.

Basel is a city in northwestern Switzerland on the Swiss, French and German borders. It is located on the bend of the River Rhine and benefits from a Mediterranean climate. It is the third most populated city in Switzerland and has been the commercial hub for Swiss arts and culture since the Renaissance. In 1967 the people of Basel voted to acquire two paintings by Picasso, who was so moved by the Basel people that he donated 3 paintings and a study to the city's Kunstmuseum (Museum of Fine Arts). Visit the Augusta Raurica, one of the largest Roman archaeology parks in Switzerland, and enjoy a river crossings over the River Rhine by non-motorised ferries. During the summer months, time is spent outdoors, either swimming in the River Rhine, dining al fresco, enjoying open air concerts, cinema, street parties and festivals. Basel is home to over 20 restaurants that have won GaultMillau or Michelin awards, and boasts Switzerland's largest collection of theatre shows, including modern contemporary dance, touring and puppetry theatre.

Breisach is a town located in Southwest Germany on the French border. The town is situated in the Rhine Valley on the banks of the river Rhine and dates back over four thousand years. Breisach and its history can be experienced through the City History Museum, which houses a permanent exhibition taking you from Stone Age through the Celtic, to the Romans and Middle Ages, right up to modern day. St Stephen's Cathedral is home to the city’s famous art treasures, the wheel wells, which are housed in the neighbouring Radbrunnenturm with the forty one metre deep water well. The cathedral is also home to many other treasures including the High Altar of Master HL and wall paintings by Martin Schongauer as well as High Gothic and Roman architecture. A visit to the Blue House, the former Jewish Community Centre, is highly recommended. Now owned by the Friends of Former Jewish Community House Breisach it exhibits memorials to Breisach’s Jewish heritage.

Today discover the enchanting city of Freiburg, nestled amidst the Black Forest. Explore its historic center, lined with colorful half-timbered houses and a vibrant market square. Wander through the picturesque botanical garden, showcasing a diverse array of flora. For a more active experience, choose an exhilarating bike tour around Breisach, a charming medieval town with stunning views of the Rhine River. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty and cultural richness of this captivating region.

Freiburg visit with Botanical Garden

EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour in Breisach

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Guided tour of Colmar (extra expense)

Kehl is a town located in southwest Germany on the River Rhine, across from the French City of Strasbourg. The town is not known as a tourist destination, however it benefits from idyllic landscape and a water-rich environment. Walk or cycle along the Reinpromenade or the garden of the Zweubüchter and enjoy a picnic at one of Kehl’s numerous excavation lakes. Nature lovers will enjoy spotting animals hiding along the rivers, lakes and bushes. Discover Kehl’s turbulent war and peace history with a guided tour of the centre and its surrounding villages. Visitors will also experience the town’s habitat and culture which is characterised through the half timbered houses and streets. Kehl town centre features a large pedestrian zone with many retail outlets, street cafes and outdoor dining to enjoy. A few minutes by public transport and visitors will find themselves in the centre of metropolitan Strasbourg.

Today, you’ll dock in Kehl, to be transferred by coach to the medieval city of Strasbourg. A local guide will teach you about the city’s history during an insightful guided tour, passing through cobbled squares adorned with quaint boutiques and charming cafés. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, including Petite France. An area of unmatched beauty, the picturesque canal system cascades past half-timbered houses once home to fishermen, tanners and millers during the Middle Ages. The narrow lanes and footbridges that pepper the area all add to its undeniable charm. This afternoon, Strasbourg is yours to explore at leisure.

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Strasbourg

EmeraldACTIVE
Active walk to Orangerie Park

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Baden Baden Spa Experience

Mannheim, Germany, is a dynamic city known for its distinctive grid layout and vibrant cultural scene. Located at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar rivers, it features the impressive Mannheim Palace and the lush Luisenpark. The city's modern architecture contrasts with its historical roots, while its thriving arts scene includes theaters, museums, and music festivals. Mannheim is also a key industrial and commercial hub, making it a blend of cultural richness and economic vitality.

Schwetzingen Palace is famous for the beauty and harmony of its gardens. Remarkably, the original design survives to this day. Besides the palace interior, you will also visit the Palace Gardens, a cultural heritage site of European significance boasting more than 100 sculptures. Alternatively, you can embark on a hike through the beautiful vineyards of the quaint wellness town of Bad-Dürkheim.

EmeraldPLUS
Visit to Schwetzingen Palace & Gardens

EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike through a vineyard in Bad-Dürkheim

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Guided tour of Heidelberg (extra expense)

Located in the West of the country, Koblenz is one of the oldest cities in Germany. It is situated on both banks of the river Rhine, at its confluence with the Moselle River. The beginnings of Koblenz can be traced back to its military beginnings around 8 BC. The city is rich in its history and heritage and is easily explored on foot. Take the cable car crossing over the river Rhine for spectacular aerial views or enjoy the city from the one thousand year old fortress, Ehrenbreitstein. The upper middle Rhine Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its unique landscape can be enjoyed and discovered through the interactive multimedia journey at the Romanticum. Historical and architectural sites of interest include Stolzenfels Castle, the Electoral Palace of Koblenz and Old Town. From the romantic winding streets and small squares of Old Town, stroll through the alleyways from the Church of the Holy Virgin to the St Kastor Basilica and enjoy the picturesque buildings and squares along the way. Koblenz is also very popular for its Riesling and strong Spatburgunder wines since the Romans introduced it two thousand years ago.

This morning enjoy sailing through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge. Here, romantic castles sit atop tree-covered canyons and half-timbered medieval villages appear suspended in time.

We’ll take you into the heart of Koblenz, an ancient city pulled from the pages of a German fairy tale. Enjoy the picturesque backdrop of vineyards and snow-topped mountain ranges as your local guide takes you through open cobbled squares and down narrow streets, passing façades adorned with boxes of spring-blooming flowers. You’ll also have the chance to see the point at which two of Europe’s great rivers meet at the German Corner and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, one of the largest preserved fortresses in Europe.

Included Excursion
Orientation walk of Koblenz

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A Moselle Valley & Cochem Castle visit (extra expense)

Cologne is a city in western Germany located across the Rhine river. It is the oldest in Germany, dating back 2000 years and is considered the region’s cultural hub. The city is known for its iconic landmark of the twin-spired Cologne Cathedral set against the reconstructed Old Town buildings. When in Old Town, visit the historic Old Town Hall and the Roman Church Great St Martin, or take time out and sit at one of the traditional breweries and enjoy the scenery around you. Historical sites such as the Roman Dionysus mosaic and the medieval Overstolzenhaus are worth a visit too. Another iconic sight in Cologne is at Hohenzollern Bridge. Here, local and tourist couples affix padlocks to the railings of the bridge and swear their loyalty to each other, they then throw the key into the Rhein to ensure everlasting love. Cologne is home to over 30 stages providing cabaret, free ensembles, theatre and dance and also celebrates its openly gay culture.

In the morning, you’ll will arrive in Cologne and have the chance to know one of Germany's oldest cities and get up close with the famous post card worthy Cathedral or join an active walk culminating in a visit to its beautiful Cologne gardens. Afterwards we sail north to Duesseldorf where you will join a guided tour of this vibrant city and immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the Japanese gardens, a tranquil oasis amidst the urban landscape.

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Cologne Old Town

Included Excursion
Walking tour of Duesseldorf with visit to the Japanese Garden

EmeraldACTIVE
Active walk to Cologne’s Gardens

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Cologne Beer Experience (extra expense)

Amsterdam combines the unrivaled beauty of the 17th-century Golden Age city center with plenty of museums and art of the highest order, not to mention a remarkably laid-back atmosphere. It all comes together to make this one of the world's most appealing and offbeat metropolises in the world. Built on a latticework of concentric canals like an aquatic rainbow, Amsterdam is known as the City of Canals—but it's no Venice, content to live on moonlight serenades and former glory. Quite the contrary: on nearly every street here you'll find old and new side by side—quiet corners where time seems to be holding its breath next to streets like neon-lit Kalverstraat, and Red Light ladies strutting by the city's oldest church. Indeed, Amsterdam has as many lovely facets as a 40-carat diamond polished by one of the city's gem cutters. It's certainly a metropolis, but a rather small and very accessible one. Locals tend to refer to it as a big village, albeit one that happens to pack the cultural wallop of a major world destination. There are scores of concerts every day, numerous museums, summertime festivals, and, of course, a legendary year-round party scene. It's pretty much impossible to resist Amsterdam's charms. With 7,000 registered monuments, most of which began as the residences and warehouses of humble merchants, set on 160 man-made canals, and traversed by 1,500 or so bridges, Amsterdam has the largest historical inner city in Europe. Its famous circle of waterways, the grachtengordel, was a 17th-century urban expansion plan for the rich and is a lasting testament to the city’s Golden Age. This town is endearing because of its kinder, gentler nature—but a reputation for championing sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll does not alone account for Amsterdam's being one of the most popular destinations in Europe: consider that within a single square mile the city harbors some of the greatest achievements in Western art, from Rembrandt to Van Gogh. Not to mention that this is one of Europe's great walking cities, with so many of its treasures in the untouted details: tiny alleyways barely visible on the map, hidden garden courtyards, shop windows, floating houseboats, hidden hofjes(courtyards with almshouses), sudden vistas of church spires, and gabled roofs that look like so many unframed paintings. And don’t forget that the joy lies in details: elaborate gables and witty gable stones denoting the trade of a previous owner. Keep in mind that those XXX symbols you see all over town are not a mark of the city's triple-X reputation. They're part of Amsterdam's official coat of arms—three St. Andrew's crosses, believed to represent the three dangers that have traditionally plagued the city: flood, fire, and pestilence. The coat's motto ("Valiant, determined, compassionate") was introduced in 1947 by Queen Wilhelmina in remembrance of the 1941 February Strike in Amsterdam—the first time in Europe that non-Jewish people protested against the persecution of Jews by the Nazi regime.

A visit to the iconic Keukenhof Gardens is sure to leave an impression. More than 800 varieties of spring-flowering tulips and regular flower shows showcase spring in a quintessentially Dutch fashion. Each year, the gardens adopt a theme, and you’ll have every opportunity to learn about different planting techniques and the work completed behind the scenes by the landscape architects.
Soak in the sights of expertly arranged tulips, hyacinths, and orchids of every colour, creating a swathe of natural beauty. You’ll also have the chance to see statues commissioned by world-renown artists.

This afternoon, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the traditional Dutch clog painting on board during your EmeraldPLUS experience on board your Star-Ship.

Included Excursion
Visit to Keukenhof Gardens

EmeraldPLUS
Clog painting on board

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Private hidden Gems tour of Amsterdam (extra expense)

Amsterdam combines the unrivaled beauty of the 17th-century Golden Age city center with plenty of museums and art of the highest order, not to mention a remarkably laid-back atmosphere. It all comes together to make this one of the world's most appealing and offbeat metropolises in the world. Built on a latticework of concentric canals like an aquatic rainbow, Amsterdam is known as the City of Canals—but it's no Venice, content to live on moonlight serenades and former glory. Quite the contrary: on nearly every street here you'll find old and new side by side—quiet corners where time seems to be holding its breath next to streets like neon-lit Kalverstraat, and Red Light ladies strutting by the city's oldest church. Indeed, Amsterdam has as many lovely facets as a 40-carat diamond polished by one of the city's gem cutters. It's certainly a metropolis, but a rather small and very accessible one. Locals tend to refer to it as a big village, albeit one that happens to pack the cultural wallop of a major world destination. There are scores of concerts every day, numerous museums, summertime festivals, and, of course, a legendary year-round party scene. It's pretty much impossible to resist Amsterdam's charms. With 7,000 registered monuments, most of which began as the residences and warehouses of humble merchants, set on 160 man-made canals, and traversed by 1,500 or so bridges, Amsterdam has the largest historical inner city in Europe. Its famous circle of waterways, the grachtengordel, was a 17th-century urban expansion plan for the rich and is a lasting testament to the city’s Golden Age. This town is endearing because of its kinder, gentler nature—but a reputation for championing sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll does not alone account for Amsterdam's being one of the most popular destinations in Europe: consider that within a single square mile the city harbors some of the greatest achievements in Western art, from Rembrandt to Van Gogh. Not to mention that this is one of Europe's great walking cities, with so many of its treasures in the untouted details: tiny alleyways barely visible on the map, hidden garden courtyards, shop windows, floating houseboats, hidden hofjes(courtyards with almshouses), sudden vistas of church spires, and gabled roofs that look like so many unframed paintings. And don’t forget that the joy lies in details: elaborate gables and witty gable stones denoting the trade of a previous owner. Keep in mind that those XXX symbols you see all over town are not a mark of the city's triple-X reputation. They're part of Amsterdam's official coat of arms—three St. Andrew's crosses, believed to represent the three dangers that have traditionally plagued the city: flood, fire, and pestilence. The coat's motto ("Valiant, determined, compassionate") was introduced in 1947 by Queen Wilhelmina in remembrance of the 1941 February Strike in Amsterdam—the first time in Europe that non-Jewish people protested against the persecution of Jews by the Nazi regime.

After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests as you disembark for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of spring-blooming flowers and delightful cobblestone squares 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.