Rhine in Flames & Moselle

 Your cruise vacation begins today at London St. Pancras. As you arrive, meet the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travelers, and together, board the Eurostar for the journey to Paris. Switching trains in the French capital, we continue by rail to the elegant city of Strasbourg, known for its stunning blend of French and German culture, thanks to its border location.

Admire the unique skyline as a coach transfer takes us from the railway station to the waterfront, where our cruise ship awaits. The crew greets us with a cocktail as we step aboard, setting the tone for the incredible experiences to come on this vacation. We settle into our cabins and can take some time to get acquainted with the ship's amenities before enjoying our first dinner onboard. Overnight ship.

• Dinner

 After a calm night docked in Strasbourg, we step off the ship after breakfast with a choice of excursions ahead. One option takes you by coach to the Alsatian town of Colmar. With our expert guide, we stroll through cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses and pretty flowers, weaving through the maze of narrow alleys in the historic old town. We gaze at architectural landmarks like the Maison Pfister during our two-hour tour. 

Staying in Strasbourg instead, you could delve deeper into this city's German and French roots on a two-hour guided tour. Half-timbered houses and stunning buildings, including the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg, set a beautiful backdrop for the excursion.

However you choose to spend your morning, lunch is available on the ship before you continue the afternoon at your leisure in Strasbourg. Spend some time wandering amidst the picturesque cobblestone streets and canals or perhaps shopping in the pedestrian center, Grand Ile.

Back on board later this afternoon, we set sail on our first cruise toward Rüdesheim over dinner. Overnight ship. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 This morning, we sail into Rüdesheim, where, stepping ashore, we travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train, arriving in the center of the renowned wine town. Here, there is a choice of excursions.  

You could experience why the town is famous for its wine during a tasting experience at a local winery. Alternatively, you could visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet and discover Europe's largest collection of finely tuned mechanical instruments.  

After your excursion, lunch is available onboard, and then you have time to explore the town at your own pace and see the famous Drosselgasse Alley before we set sail. Our destination is St. Goar for a highlight of our cruise: the spectacular Rhine in Flames. We arrive after dinner, and our ship is decorated with lights in preparation for the event, during which a procession of illuminated boats, fireworks and music engulfs the Rhine River.   

  We have the best seat in the house from our ship, and we celebrate as the sky and river light up in a display of colors and sounds. At the end of the procession, we sail to Koblenz, where we dock for the night. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Enjoy beautiful views and breakfast onboard as this morning is spent cruising through the captivating scenery of the Moselle River. You could step onto the deck to witness the passing views from a lounge chair as our ship continues its journey along the river. Sailing into the port of Cochem this afternoon, the stunning Moselle Valley surrounds us with rolling hills, traditional wooden houses and Reichsburg Castle perched on top of a hill. The town itself is a maze of slender alleys adorned with pastel-colored buildings, boutiques and wine cellars. 

  On a guided tour after lunch, we explore Old Town, where we see well-preserved sections of the ancient walls and a former monastery that now houses a cultural center. Following the tour, you can explore Cochem at your own pace before returning to the ship for dinner this evening. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 We enjoy the scenery of the Moselle Valley this morning as we continue our cruise. The town of Bernkastel-Kues unfolds as we moor here after lunch. The picturesque vineyards of the valley climb up the hillsides, while half-timbered houses with blooming flowers add to the enchanting atmosphere. 

  Setting out on a sightseeing tour with our knowledgeable guide, we visit the old town, where the cobblestone streets are lined with traditional German buildings with half-timbered façades. We also experience Market Square, a focal point of the town surrounded by colorful buildings. A highlight here is the St. Michael's Fountain, a Renaissance-style fountain adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. We also enjoy an included tasting of the local Bernkasteler Doctor wine. 

  Following our afternoon of exploration, we reboard our ship for dinner and enjoy an evening cruise towards Trier. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Waking to views of historic Trier, you have a choice between two excursions after breakfast this morning. The first option is to explore Germany's oldest city, Trier, with a local guide. The ancient streets are known for their Roman ruins, medieval buildings and Baroque churches, and we delve into this impressive history on our tour. We visit the immense Porta Nigra, which guards the entrance to the north of the city, St. Peter's Cathedral with its intricate stone carvings and stained glass windows, and the Church of Our Lady, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. 

  Alternatively, you could board the coach for an excursion to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. One of the smallest countries in the world, we discover the local history and attractions on a guided tour.

We return to the ship in time for lunch and then the remainder of the day is spent on board, sailing along the meandering Moselle toward Koblenz. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 After a leisurely morning to have breakfast and lunch onboard while enjoying relaxed cruising, we arrive in Königswinter, where the Drachenfels Railway awaits. This cog railway rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels Castle - whose name translates as "Dragon's Rock." This region inspired many of the dragon-related legends that are still heard today. As we climb higher, we experience spectacular views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany. 

  Back on board later this afternoon, we continue our cruise through beautiful scenery toward Cologne - our final port of call. We celebrate the final evening of our cruise with the captain's Gala dinner before approaching the striking city. From the deck, you can admire the cityscape of magnificent bridges that span the river and the imposing, twin-spired cathedral. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 From Strasbourg's history to Rüdesheim's fairytale charm, we immersed ourselves in the fantastic culture of the cities lining the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Cochem crowned the Moselle's beauty, while Bernkastel-Kues' quaint streets were a delight to discover. Exploring ancient Trier and soaking in the views aboard the Drachenfelsbahn were wonderful ways to round out our cruise vacation.

After breakfast, it is time to disembark for the final time and say goodbye to our crew. We make our way to the railway station, where we catch our train to Brussels. Changing trains here, we continue by Eurostar to London, where your adventure concludes.

• Breakfast