Emerald Waterways has opened the books on its 2020 river cruise season, which will offer several new itineraries on some of Europe’s most popular rivers. The complete 2020 river cruise program is detailed in the company’s full-color brochure, now available to view on Emerald Waterways’ website.

New for 2020, Emerald Waterways has combined tulip season in the Netherlands with Europe’s most popular river for cruising on an eight-day Tulips & the Rhine sailing. Departing in April, and timed to coincide with the tulip bloom, this special sailing takes guests to the famed Keukenhof Gardens in Amsterdam to view the site of the seven million tulips planted there annually. The sailing also visits some of the Rhine’s most popular ports, including Cologne, Koblenz and Strasbourg.

The new eight-day Flavors of Burgundy and Provence itinerary sailing round-trip from Lyon focuses on the culinary bounties this region. With four departures in July and August 2020, these cruises offer opportunities to embark on a hunt for truffles with a local farmer in Tournus, sample the famed red wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, pay a visit to the Valrhona Cité du Chocolat museum, and take a gourmet city tour of Lyon, including a visit to the iconic culinary market of Paul Bocuse.

Guests booking any 2020 European river cruise by Aug. 30, 2019 will receive free or reduced airfare depending on stateroom selection. Those booking a suite on the Horizon or Vista Deck will receive free round-trip airfare to Europe, while guests in Riviera Deck staterooms will receive round-trip air for $395. In lieu of air, guests can  opt to receive a discount on their booking, with $1,000 and $500 off per person, respectively In addition, guests paying for their sailing in full by Aug. 15, 2019 will receive an additional $500 per person off itineraries of 15 days or more, and $300 per person off itineraries of 7-14 days.

Those wishing to make the most of the complimentary airfare can extend their holiday with pre- and post-cruise land tours in such cities as Paris, Madrid, Berlin and Prague. For those looking to book a longer stretch on the river, Emerald Waterways can combine two itineraries to create a custom sailing itinerary.

Part of Scenic Group, Emerald Waterways’ eight branded Star-Ships offer river sailings in Europe and on the Mekong, as well as the MS Rossia along the Volga River in Russia; the MS Swallow and MS Lastavica yachts in Croatia; and the MS Hamees on the Nile. For more information, call 844-428-8389 or click on www.emeraldwaterways.com.