Cruise the Rhine River to scenic Switzerland

Itinerary

1. Day

   1

   Arrive in Cologne

   Cologne, Germany

   Fly from your chosen UK airport, or alternatively travel by Eurostar and TGV. Upon arrival, transfer to the port and board your five-star river ship for your seven-night River Rhine cruise.

2. Day

   2

   Koblenz

   Koblenz am Rhein, Germany

   Relax this morning as you sail towards Koblenz. Cruise past the forested Siebengebirge (Seven Mountains), a cluster of ancient volcanic hills that inspired many of the Brothers Grimm's legends, including 'Snow White', and the famous ruined bridge at Remagen.

   After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of Koblenz. Lose yourself in the maze of medieval buildings in the Altstadt (Old Town), which is studded with a fine array of traditional shops and classic Rhineland cafés. It's also worth crossing the 14th-century stone Balduin Bridge across the Moselle for fine views back across the spires of the Altstadt.

   This evening, enjoy a meticulously prepared dinner on board, and afterwards, delight in the upbeat sounds of Rhenish folk music with a live performance of traditional instrument

3. Day

   3

   Rhine Gorge & Rüdesheim

   Rudesheim, Germany

   This morning's scenic cruise through the Rhine Gorge takes you past sights, including the impressive Marksburg Castle and the riverside town of Boppard, known as the 'Pearl of the Rhine'. Journeying further, you'll see steep vineyards give way to rocky outcrops and rugged castles.

   Upon arrival in Rüdesheim, you'll have two options. You could visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet, a fantastical adventure into the world of automatic musical instruments. Or travel up the hillside, above Rüdesheim's famous vineyards, in a two-seater cable car enjoying lovely views of the Rhine River and surrounding countryside. At the summit, visit the Niederwald monument - which celebrates the unification of Germany by Prussians in the 1870s. Alternatively, you may just wish to explore the bustling marketplace, half-timbered Klunkhardshof and Brömserburg Castle as your leisure.

   After dinner this evening, you may wish to sample a small Asbach - the famous brandy distilled in Rüdesheim.

4. Day

   4

   Speyer

   Speyer, Germany

   This morning, as you sail towards Speyer, you'll notice the landscape become much wider and flatter, with gently rolling hills and vineyards. Speyer is one of Germany's cities and upon arrival, you'll embark on a walking tour. Highlights include the Imperial Cathedral, one of the largest Romanesque churches in the world and the neo-Gothic Gedächtniskirche. Enjoy free time afterwards, before reboarding your ship.

5. Day

   5

   Strasbourg

   Strasbourg, France

   This morning, you'll cruise to Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region. See the sights from the Sun Deck, or make the most of the ship's facilities before arrival. During a walking tour, you'll get to see the picturesque Old Town, bisected by canals and made up of a maze of narrow streets lined with timber-framed houses and sculptured portals, the 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.

   After another delicious dinner on board, you can retire to the lounge to enjoy tonight's live performance of popular music spanning the years by a highly talented violin soloist.

6. Day

   6

   Breisach

   Breisach, Germany

   This morning, glide through the dramatic scenery of the rift valley separating the Vosges and Black Forest mountains, before arriving in the ancient town of Breisach. Spend some time at leisure seeing the historic heart, surrounded by stone ramparts and dominated by the impressive Saint Stephen's Cathedral. Return to your ship for lunch before your afternoon excursion.

   Choose to explore the Black Forest and Freiburg. The Black Forest is a fabled landscape of rugged valleys, white-water rivers, cascading waterfalls and rolling hillsides. In Freiburg, follow a local guide around some of the city's sights - including the Münsterplatz and the historic Kaufhaus - before time at leisure

   Alternatively, visit the Alsace wine route with its typical wine villages. Enjoy a short walking tour of Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr, named the 'Most Beautiful Village in France'. Famous for both its architecture and its wine, there's plenty to see.

   This evening, enjoy the 'Chef's Dinner', when the chef prepares his superb 'signature' dishes, featuring delicious specialities of the countries and regions you've visited during the cruise.

7. Day

   7

   Lucerne

   Lucerne, Switzerland

   Today you have the choice between a full day excursion to Lucerne and the Bernese Oberland, or a more leisurely guided tour of Lucerne and a free afternoon in Basel.

   The full day tour takes in the sights of Lucerne including Chapel Bridge, before entering the Bernese Oberland in central Switzerland. You'll see the legendary snow-capped peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and ascend by mountain railway for more extraordinary vistas of the crystal-clear lakes reflecting the meadows and forests below. (Please note: lunch is not included on the full day excursion; however, the ship will offer a packed lunch.)

   Alternatively, choose a more leisurely guided tour of Lucerne. Spend time at leisure wandering its medieval streets before returning to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon, you can either stay on board or hop on the shuttle bus to Basel for time to explore independently. Head to the old town to explore its narrow winding streets. At its heart, you'll find the magnificent cathedral with its red sandstone walls, colourful roof tiles, and twin towers. Or you could immerse yourself in the city's remarkable museums and countless galleries.

8. Day

   8

   Depart Basel

   Basel, Switzerland

   Disembark your river ship and transfer to the airport or train station for your return journey home.