A Tale of Three Rivers: Danube, Main & Rhine

Your vacation begins at London St. Pancras this morning, where you meet the Tour Manager and traveling group. Boarding the Eurostar, we travel to Brussels then continue by rail to the Germany city of Frankfurt for an overnight stop.

One of the world's most important financial hubs, Frankfurt is a dynamic city yet one that still retains historic charm in its picturesque center. On arrival, we check in to our hotel, enjoying our first dinner together in the restaurant this evening. Overnight Frankfurt.

Please note: the August 28th departure will operate in reverse, and we will board the ship in Cologne today.

• Dinner

Breakfast is served in our hotel this morning, before we continue our journey by rail. Heading to Frankfurt's train station, we travel through southwestern Germany to the Bavarian border town of Passau, on the banks of the Danube.

Our luxurious ship awaits here, and we're greeted onboard by our friendly crew, sipping on a welcome cocktail while taking in the waterside views from the lounge. After settling into your cabin and familiarising yourself with our ship's facilities, we indulge in our first five-course dinner on board.

Setting sail on the serene Danube later, we begin a cruise on this scenic river lined with dense forests that seem to stretch on endlessly and villages that are scattered throughout the landscape. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Regensburg is our first port of call this morning, which we discover on a guided walk of this city that dates back from Roman times. As a major medieval trading center, Regensburg's UNESCO World Heritage Old Town is rich with timeless treasures which we can view while exploring the historic streets. The focal point is the St. Peter cathedral, a grand building with beautiful stained-glass windows.

After lunch, we visit Weltenburg Abbey, the world's oldest monastic brewery. Sitting on a scenic bend of the Danube Gorge, the thousand-year-old abbey is a magnificent example of Baroque architecture, with its stunning frescoes, intricate stucco work, and grand façade.

One of its highlights is the Baroque altar, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. The high altar is a carved masterpiece decorated with gold leaf and features a beautiful painting of the Annunciation, which is surrounded by an array of stunning sculptures. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a relaxing breakfast this morning as we sail toward our next destination, the ancient city of Nuremberg - once the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

After lunch, we set out on a guided tour to view the city's major landmarks, including the imperial Kaiserburg Castle. Overlooking the Old Town, there's a unique charm about this 11th-century complex, with figurines and stone sculptures to murals that vividly depict the city's rich medieval history. The streets of Nuremberg, especially Weißgerbergasse, are filled with traditional German architecture, including half-timbered buildings. Known as "fachwerk", the exposed beams of these historic homes are often painted different colors, including red and yellow. Elsewhere, the Gothic St. Lorenz Church was built around 1400, and its twin towers rise to a height of 266 feet.

Returning to our ship this evening, we enjoy dinner aboard as we begin sailing toward Bamberg. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Known as the "Franconian Rome" due to its location on seven hills, as well as the richness of its history and architectural grandeur, Bamberg is our destination today.

Often cited as one of Germany's most beautiful towns, the UNESCO-listed Old Town has its roots in the 9th century and contains around 2,400 timber-framed houses. Bamberg is also renowned for its beer culture, with many famed breweries in the town still producing traditional varieties, including "rauchbier" which has a distinctly smoky flavor.

Our guided tour reveals the charming sights of Bamberg, including the picture-perfect Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), set on a small island, that has a medieval, timber-framed section that juts out over the river. We also view the stunning 13th-century Bamberg Cathedral, built in Romanesque and Gothic styles, and containing the tomb of Holy Roman Emperor, Henry II. Returning to our ship for lunch, we begin a leisurely afternoon and evening sailing on the Main River to Ochsenfurt. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Mooring in Ochsenfurt this morning, we drive along Bavaria's picture-perfect Romantic Road to the historic walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Often referred to as the "Jewel of Germany," it's filled with medieval marvels and even featured in the classic movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

A guided tour of the spectacular Old Town showcases the best sights of Rothenburg, which was one of Germany's largest and most important cities in the 1400s. The gently sloping market square gathered round the grand town hall is lined by broad, colorful buildings, many now housing restaurants. A popular spot for photos is Plönlein, where two cobbled streets split, one rising slightly to a gate tower and the second descending to another. In the middle, a crooked yellow house tilts time-worn towards a small fountain.

Later, we rejoin our ship in Würzburg for lunch before continuing to our next stop - the Würzburg Residenz, a grand Baroque palace. After our visit, leave for an unforgettable wine-tasting experience, savoring the rich flavors of the region. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we arrive in the town of Wertheim at the confluence of the Main and Tauber rivers. Small in size, it exudes the picturesque charm for which central Germany is celebrated. On a guided tour, we see the town's ancient castle which overlooks its medieval center and marketplace before visiting the Glass Museum. Here, we can admire its extensive collection of glass objects from the past and present.

Next, we head to Miltenberg, a town surrounded by dense green forests and gentle hills. Its medieval center has been impeccably preserved, and on a guided tour, we view one of its most notable landmarks - the 12th-century castle. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the town, it has been renovated and restored over the years and now serves as a museum that showcases the town's rich history.

After a morning of exploration, we return to our ship for lunch and begin our next overnight cruise. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Emerging on to the Rhine this morning, we dock in Mainz - a fascinating city with an ancient history. Formerly the capital of the Roman province of Germania Superior, it became an important city within the Holy Roman Empire in the 8th century.

In the mid-15th century, it achieved world renown as the site of Johannes Gutenberg's first printing press, which brought about the "information revolution" and the printing of books in the western world. On our guided tour, we view the 1,000-year-old Romanesque cathedral, Mainzer Dom, admire the Marienbrunnen fountain, and walk among the city's half-timbered buildings and medieval market squares.

Returning to our ship, we enjoy lunch before we sail through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge. Lined by steep vineyards, verdant forests and hilltop castles, this is one of Germany's most romantic landscapes - and an ideal way to celebrate our final night aboard. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sailing from the Danube to the Rhine has unveiled the storybook charm and timeless culture of Germany. Tours of some of the country's most beloved towns and cities have revealed ancient castles, half-timbered houses and the unique appeal of each location. From Regensburg and Nuremberg in Bavaria to fairytale Bamberg and Rothenberg ob der Tauber, we have embraced the historic beauty of Germany and savored a tasting of the region's wines.

Docking in Cologne this morning, we disembark and say farewell to our wonderful crew. Traveling by rail to the Belgian capital of Brussels, we board the Eurostar back to London St Pancras, where your vacation comes to an end.

• Breakfast