Emerald Cruises Northern Europe: 12 nights from Amsterdam with Emerald Astra
May 29, 2026

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a charming city with a particularly relaxing and serene atmosphere, despite its large size. The city has been a World Heritage Site since 2010 and has buildings dating back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It is no coincidence that it is one of the most visited cities in the world.

The structure of the city is determined by a network of charming waterways. The historic center, which dates back to the 13th century, is surrounded by five concentric canals - the Grachtengordel - built in the 17th century as part of a perfectly successful expansion project designed to create a unique and refined urban environment.

It is here that the city's mercantile class built its characteristic gabled houses, with bright, gracefully decorated colors, whose romantic features are reflected in the olive-green waters of the picturesque canals.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a charming city with a particularly relaxing and serene atmosphere, despite its large size. The city has been a World Heritage Site since 2010 and has buildings dating back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It is no coincidence that it is one of the most visited cities in the world.

The structure of the city is determined by a network of charming waterways. The historic center, which dates back to the 13th century, is surrounded by five concentric canals - the Grachtengordel - built in the 17th century as part of a perfectly successful expansion project designed to create a unique and refined urban environment.

It is here that the city's mercantile class built its characteristic gabled houses, with bright, gracefully decorated colors, whose romantic features are reflected in the olive-green waters of the picturesque canals.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam has a booming energy, with an excellent nightlife, a multicultural community, a gritty arts scene and an offer of excellent museums.

Rotterdam, the Netherlands' 'second city', was heavily bombed during the Second World War and spent decades before reconstruction. You won't find the classic medieval Dutch architecture here – it was swept away along with the other debris and debris of war. In its place is an architectural aesthetic that is unique in Europe, a perpetually progressive approach to construction that is clearly a result of the city's post-war, postmodern philosophy. In fact, Rotterdam is known as a city of architecture. In the few square kilometers of the city center you have a complete overview of what the twentieth century produced in terms of modern architecture.

Nijmegen

Bonn

Bernkastel-Kues

Cruise Through Wine Country from Bernkastel-Kues!

Embark on a delightful river cruise from the charming town of Bernkastel-Kues, nestled amidst the picturesque vineyards of the Moselle Valley. This enchanting German town offers a fairytale-like setting for your departure, surrounded by medieval architecture and rolling hills. A cruise from Bernkastel-Kues promises a unique blend of wine tasting, stunning scenery, and historical exploration, all from the comfort of your ship.

Cochem

Cochem is located about 40 km south-west of Koblenz, between the Eifel and Hunsrück mountains, in the heart of the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer wine region. In this romantic village of 5000 inhabitants, on the banks of a meander of the superb Moselle valley, you will feel like you are living in a fairy tale.

With half-timbered houses, narrow and winding streets and its beautiful promenade on the banks of the Moselle, where you can taste the wines of the region, it owes its charm to the traces left by the Middle Ages. From the market square, made up of narrow angular stairs, you find yourself at the Capuchin convent built on a ledge of a mountain dominated by 1630. The castle of Chochem, which is not only well preserved from the outside, reveals the treasures of its history inside. This fortress is a popular attraction for tourists, but also a testament to the history of the region and the city. It was in 1000 that the site was built during the reign of Count Ezzo Palatine. After the count lost his rank, King Konrad III used it as a military base in 1151. It was destroyed in 1689 by a fire during a battle against the French, for the conquest of the Moselle and left in ruins. In 1868 it was bought by Louis Ravene and finally in 1978 the city took possession of it, creating the SARL Reichburg Cochem cultural and tourist site. The most popular attraction of the fortress is the visit to its particular places, of course, in addition to its restaurant which offers a refined and highly appreciated cuisine. The entertainment in medieval attire with combat weapons are very popular with the public, some of which are used every year. After crossing the fairy-tale castle of Reichburg, you can visit the town hall and then pass through the city gate of Balduinstor and finally the Church of San Martino, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, accompanied or followed by a walk on the banks of the Moselle.

Koblenz

Frankfurt

Explore the Heart of Germany from Frankfurt!

Embark on an enchanting river cruise from Frankfurt, Germany, a dynamic city that beautifully blends modern skyscrapers with historic charm. Situated on the Main River, Frankfurt offers an excellent departure point for exploring the scenic waterways of Germany and beyond. Discover its vibrant culture and rich history before setting sail on a journey promising picturesque landscapes, charming towns, and relaxing days on the water.

Strasbourg

Prosperous and cosmopolitan Strasbourg is a large metropolis in north-eastern France and is the intellectual and cultural capital of Alsace. Located a few kilometers west of the Rhine, the city is rightly entitled “city of roads”, its vital transport arteries that have linked Northern Europe with the Mediterranean since the Celtic era.

Strasbourg continues to serve as an important European crossroads thanks to the presence of the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the Eurocorps, and a student population of approximately 48,000. Strasbourg is one of the most cycle-friendly cities in Europe. In the lively old city you will find restaurants, Winstub (traditional Alsatian restaurants), and the oldest pubs, a splendid area to explore on foot is the cathedral, a medieval wonder in pink sandstone. Nearby you will find one of the most beautiful ensembles of French museums.

Strasbourg

Prosperous and cosmopolitan Strasbourg is a large metropolis in north-eastern France and is the intellectual and cultural capital of Alsace. Located a few kilometers west of the Rhine, the city is rightly entitled “city of roads”, its vital transport arteries that have linked Northern Europe with the Mediterranean since the Celtic era.

Strasbourg continues to serve as an important European crossroads thanks to the presence of the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the Eurocorps, and a student population of approximately 48,000. Strasbourg is one of the most cycle-friendly cities in Europe. In the lively old city you will find restaurants, Winstub (traditional Alsatian restaurants), and the oldest pubs, a splendid area to explore on foot is the cathedral, a medieval wonder in pink sandstone. Nearby you will find one of the most beautiful ensembles of French museums.

Basel

The city of Basel is a Canton of Switzerland and crosses the Rhine. Its borders are a triple border, together with those of Germany (Land of Baden-Württemberg) and France (Alsace).

Rich in both parts, the area appears very particular. The dialect is still deeply immersed in the mixture of cultures. Surrounded by the hills of the Jura, the Vosges lakes and the fir trees of the Black Forest, Basel is a city immersed in greenery. The Botanical Garden and the numerous parks along the Rhine invite you to long walks. In the zoo, the Etoscha house gives spectacular wildlife insights.
With forty world-famous museums, the city has the highest concentration in the country. The large market square, the richly decorated town hall, and the Roman-Gothic cathedral are the historical symbols of the city. During a trip to the historic center you will discover small boutiques, antique bookshops, but also modern design businesses. We recommend a stop at the "Läckerli Huus" and taste the traditional honey sweets, which are really delicious.
In winter, the whole city warms up by participating in the carnival ("Fasnacht"), the most famous in all of Switzerland, opening the Lenten celebrations. Every Monday, after Ash Wednesday, the participants compete with each other for the best mask, accompanied by deafening "Guggenmusik" (popular carnival bands), together with the carnival Napoleonic armies. Basel is today the third largest city in Switzerland, made up of Zurich and Winterthur with the "golden triangle" of the Swiss economy.