Rhine Cruise to Switzerland

Overview

Itinerary Details

DAY 1ARRIVAL IN COLOGNE

ARRIVAL IN COLOGNE

Arrive at the airport for your flight to Dsseldorf or Cologne, or take the Eurostar to Brussels from London St Pancras International. On arrival, transfer by coach to your cruise ship moored in the heart of picturesque Cologne. The dedicated English-speaking crew will welcome you aboard your first-class floating hotel, ensuring you settle into your luxurious, well-equipped cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship.

Route map Route map

DAY 2KOBLENZ

KOBLENZ

As you wake and enjoy a sumptuous breakfast, the delights of this river cruise begin to emerge as we drift past the first rolling hills of the Rhine Valley. The forested Siebengebirge Seven Mountains a cluster of ancient volcanic hills that inspired many of the Brothers Grimms legends, including Snow White, act as the overture for even more dramatic scenery upstream. We cruise past the famous ruined bridge at Remagen, which was captured intact by the Allies towards the end of the Second World War, allowing thousands of troops to cross into Germanys heartland. Pretty waterfront towns and carefully tended vineyards come into view as we glide gently into our mooring to visit delightful Koblenz.

Founded by the Romans, this historic city is beautifully located at the confluence of the Rhine and its sister river the Moselle. Your afternoon is free to explore Koblenzs maze of medieval buildings in the Altstadt Old Town which is studded with a fine array of traditional shops and classic Rhineland cafs. As you wander, historic buildings appear seemingly at every turn; see a former mint, the Four Towers 17th-century houses with striking turrets set at a crossroads and many fascinating squares and churches, including the 9th-century Basilica of Saint Kastor.

Wherever you wander youre never far from a riverbank, and its worth crossing the 14th-century stone Balduin Bridge across the Moselle for fine views back across the spires of the Altstadt. If you can resist the many tempting cakes on offer from beckoning pavement cafs youll be ready for your meticulously prepared dinner on board, and afterwards perhaps a quiet stroll along the riverside promenade to the Deutsches Eck German Corner where the great rivers Rhine and Moselle meet.

DAY 3RHINE GORGE & RDESHEIM

RHINE GORGE & RDESHEIM

Slipping our mooring at Koblenz we proceed upstream on the Rhine and soon encounter the impressive Marksburg Castle, a fortress dating back to the 13th century. We then weave through the huge looping bend one of the most impressive on the river at Boppard, a wonderfully picturesque town known as the Pearl of the Rhine.

Journeying further, you explore the most famous of all the rivers reaches and a real highlight of the cruise, the dramatic Rhine Gorge: steep vineyards give way to almost vertical rocky outcrops towering more than 600 feet above the sweeping valley sides. Sailing past Saint Goar and the many ruined castles, theres a real sense of the myths surrounding this historic river coming alive around you. No legend is more famous than that of the Lorelei or murmuring rock where beautiful nymphs distracted sailors and lured them to their deaths in the treacherous waters.

After lunch we moor in Rdesheim, a classic Rhine wine village with crooked houses sloping down from wooded hillsides and terraced vineyards. The afternoon is free to relax in its bustling cafs, find a traditional Weinstube to enjoy a glass of excellent local wine, take a quiet stroll through the vineyards or maybe a gondola ride to the striking statue of Germania overlooking the rivers exit from the Gorge. After dinner this evening, another sumptuous affair prepared by your chef, maybe sample a small Asbach the famous brandy distilled in Rdesheim while watching the last of the ferries crossing the river in the moonlight glow.

DAY 4SPEYER

SPEYER

Still sailing upstream, the landscape becomes much wider and flatter, with gently rolling hills and vineyards that are home to the Liebfraumilch wines. Occasionally the excited chatter of birdlife breaks out as we pass oxbow lakes, long deserted by the river flow, which are now havens for over a hundred bird species.

Today we berth in historic Speyer, founded by the Celts and one of Germanys oldest cities, celebrated for its illustrious past. The breathtaking Imperial Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is among the largest Romanesque churches in the world; its also one of the finest. Its beautiful four-roomed crypt is the resting place of many Holy Roman emperors and German kings. Another landmark is the magnificent neo-Gothic Gedchtniskirche, built at the turn of the 20th century to commemorate the 1529 Protestation at Speyer, a significant event when a group of Martin Luthers followers protested against his imperial ban henceforth Luthers religious followers were known as Protestants. Theres free time to explore here before stepping back on board for another splendid dinner.

DAY 5STRASBOURG

STRASBOURG

This morning we cruise gently upstream, passing through two spectacular locks, whose elaborate engineering never ceases to fascinate. Why not find a comfortable chair and catch up on some reading, play chess or watch the rolling kaleidoscope of scenery from the Sun Deck?

We soon arrive in France and moor in Strasbourg, capital of the Alsace region. This afternoon we have a walking tour of its picturesque Old Town, bisected by canals and made up of a maze of narrow streets lined with timber-framed houses and sculptured portals. Unforgettable sites include the stupendous Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral, multi-towered Ponts Couverts covered bridges and the pretty Petite France quarter of pastel-coloured former artisans houses lining the canals. Dont be surprised if youre tempted to linger a while in a typical Alsatian caf to sample some of the regions world-famous wines a crisp Riesling or that particular speciality of Alsace, spicy Gewrztraminer. Back on board this evening theres a truly memorable occasion the Captains Dinner, featuring delicious specialities of the countries and regions we visit during our cruise.

DAY 6BREISACH & BLACK FOREST

BREISACH & BLACK FOREST

Your final day cruising is spent gliding through the dramatic scenery of the rift valley separating the Vosges and Black Forest mountains. We arrive at the ancient town of Breisach, whose historic heart is surrounded by stone ramparts and dominated by the impressive Saint Stephans Cathedral.

This afternoon you drive through some of Central Europes most stunning scenery the Black Forest Mountains. This is a fabled landscape of rugged valleys, white-water rivers, cascading waterfalls and rolling hillsides covered with huge, densely packed pine trees exactly as you expect it to be. Our destination is the idyllic village of Titisee, nestling on the shores of its crystal-clear lake.

Rejoining the ship, we resume our stately passage upriver. As the sun sets and the riverside lights begin to twinkle there are wonderful views over the imposing Vosges massif. You enjoy this evenings dinner en route to Switzerland and our next mooring at Basel.

DAY 7BERNESE OBERLAND & LUCERNE

BERNESE OBERLAND & LUCERNE

For many today will be the highlight of the cruise. This morning we drive into the stunning Bernese Oberland where the views become ever more breathtaking. This is the grand alpine heart of Europe with some of the finest mountain scenery on earth, described by the composer Mendelssohn as the most wonderful of all in this unbelievably beautiful country. On viewing the legendary snowcapped peaks of the Eiger, Mnch and Jungfrau youll be quite simply awestruck. We then ascend by mountain railway for more extraordinary vistas, with the crystal-clear lakes reflecting the grassy meadows and lush forests below. This truly magical landscape is sure to enchant you.

Later well descend again by mountain railway before taking the short drive to Lucerne, often considered Switzerlands most beautiful city, spectacularly situated among stunning mountain views. It has been attracting well-heeled visitors for two centuries, including our very own Queen Victoria. Highly recommended is an invigorating stroll along the Chapel Bridge, a unique covered wooden walkway crossing the lake, supported by stilts and lined with colourful flower-filled window boxes. Not only is it the citys most iconic structure, its a superb way to absorb Lucernes regal atmosphere. Please note, temperatures will be significantly lower at altitude, even during the summer months, so its advisable to pack suitable clothing. Lunch is not included on this full day excursion; however the ship will offer a packed lunch.

DAY 8RETURN HOME

RETURN HOME

Today we transfer either to the airport for your flight home or the railway station to take the TGV to Paris, connecting with the Eurostar service to London St Pancras International.