Knowledge is, for many, the most enjoyable part of any river cruise. Emerald Waterways has three cruises, which are perfectly suited for history buffs. On these culture-packed cruises, guests can experience temples and museums, gorgeous castles and UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites.
With a new historically rich destination to explore almost every day, knowledgeable tour guides and an attentive team with a service that is second to none, these river cruises are ideally suited to those who want to go beyond the history books.
Unearth the Jewels of the Rhine
Architecture, history and natural beauty are ever-present on this journey down the Rhine, beginning in the Dutch capital and sweeping up Cologne, Koblenz and the Black Forest on its route.
On this eight-day Jewels of the Rhine River cruise, history enthusiasts will enjoy highlights such as a canal boat passing Roman patrician houses in Amsterdam.
They’ll also get to visit Cologne Cathedral in the oldest city of Germany, see the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress – one of the largest preserved fortresses in Europe and take a guided tour of La Petite France – the historic quarter of the city of Strasbourg.
The Jewels of the Rhine takes place over eight-days and is priced from £1,970 per person, saving £750 per couple*, based on 23 October 2021 departure.
Explore the Danube
This river is a fault line of Europe that passes through ten countries and was once the natural boundary of the Roman Empire. It is both bountiful and rustic as it flows past abbeys and palaces through gorges and encompasses a breathtaking variety of cultures, cuisines and curiosities.
On this eight-day Danube Explorer from Passau to Budapest, highlights include sights of the Mariahilf, a place of pilgrimage, and St. Severin, an ancient church from the Ottonian dynasty; the quaint town of Ceský Krumlov with 300 protected medieval buildings and an iconic castle, as well as the chance to marvel at the Renaissance style architecture of the Bratislava Castle.
Danube Explore, eight days from £1,970 per person, saving £750 per couple*, based on 9 April 2021 departure.
Delve into Israel and ancient Egypt
So much can be learned about this region from history books, but delve deeper and witness spectacular desert landscapes and thousands of years of history as you follow in the footsteps of the mighty Pharaohs, as well as a visit to the biblical holy land.
On a 16-day river cruise and land tour from Tel Aviv to Cairo, highlights include a tour of the Knights’ Halls, the Crusaders’ main fortress; the Garden of Gethsemane; access to the open-air temple complex of Karnak with ancient hieroglyphs as well as the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor, a woman whose reign is a storied part of Egyptian history.
Israel & Ancient Egypt River Cruise, 16-days from £5,420 per person, saving £1,000 per couple, based on 8 November 2020 departure.
All prices include relevant discounts, return flights (or rail on selected itineraries), transfers, the cruises as stated above, all tipping and gratuities, all onboard meals and selected drinks, excursions and experiences.
For more information or to book, please visit www.emeraldwaterways.co.uk or call 0808 301 3352.