Rhine Valley in Flames: Koblenz & the Moselle

Your cruise vacation begins at London St Pancras, meeting the Tour Manager and fellow travelers before boarding the Eurostar to Paris.

In the French capital, we switch trains and continue by rail to Strasbourg, where we board our luxurious cruise ship, the MS Amadeus Cara. We are welcomed by the friendly, attentive crew onboard and enjoy a welcome cocktail on arrival, which you can enjoy on the sundeck as you explore your new surroundings.

After time to settle into your cabin, we enjoy our first dinner and drinks package onboard the ship this evening. Overnight ship.

• Dinner

A choice of two excursions awaits after breakfast this morning. You might choose to join a morning city tour of Strasbourg, known for its unique blend of French and German cultures and fascinating history. During our guided tour, admire Strasbourg's stunning medieval architecture, particularly in the charming La Petite France district, with its half-timbered houses and canals, and the impressive Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral.

Alternatively, you might choose to journey to the fairytale city of Colmar. With a guide, explore the storybook setting of cobblestone lanes, flower-lined canals and colorful, medieval-style buildings. It holds the status as the capital of Alsatian wines, which you might like to sample, along with culinary delights including tarte flambée.

After your excursion, lunch is served on the ship and the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. You can choose to relax onboard or head back into Strasbourg to continue discovering the charm of the city before dinner this evening. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Docking in Rüdesheim this morning, we travel by land train to the heart of this wine town, where there's a choice of excursions. Experience why the town is famous with a local wine-tasting or visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet and discover Europe's largest collection of mechanical instruments. There's free time afterwards to explore at your own pace, perhaps strolling along the famed Drosselgasse Alley.

Returning to the ship for lunch, we cruise towards Koblenz, beautifully set at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. On arrival, enjoy time at leisure to discover highlights such as Deutsches Eck, offering sweeping views of Ehrenbreitstein Fortress perched high above the riverbanks.

We reboard the ship for dinner and the highlight of the trip awaits this evening - the spectacular Rhine in Flames. As darkness falls, illuminated boats and fireworks combine to create a beautiful display along the river. A magical glow is cast across the surrounding mountains and castles, which we enjoy from the comfort of our ship. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we spend a leisurely morning cruising through ever-changing river scenery. Relax in the lounge or enjoy a drink on the sundeck as we journey towards the charming town of Cochem.

We enjoy lunch onboard before stepping ashore for a guided tour of this picturesque Moselle Valley gem. Set beneath rolling hills and crowned by the imposing Reichsburg Castle, the town is a storybook scene of colorful half-timbered houses and winding, narrow lanes. As we explore, we discover quaint boutiques and traditional wine cellars, while in the Old Town, you'll find well-preserved sections of the ancient town walls and an arts center housed in a former monastery.

Located in the heart of the Moselle wine region, we enjoy a tasting of some of the region's finest wines, learning about the region's centuries-old wine heritage. We return to the ship with time to relax onboard before dinner this evening. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We continue our cruise through the Moselle Valley after breakfast this morning, soaking up the ever-changing riverside scenery as we journey towards the town of Bernkastel-Kues, where we moor after lunch. Vineyards cascade down the surrounding hillsides, while half-timbered houses adorned with blooming flowers create a captivating backdrop.

Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, we set out on a sightseeing tour of the Old Town. Cobblestone streets wind past beautifully preserved traditional German buildings, leading us to the lively market square, the heart of the town. One of the highlights is St Michael's Fountain, an elegant Renaissance-style landmark with intricate carvings and sculptures. We finish our visit with a wine-tasting, where we sample the renowned Bernkasteler Doctor wine, a celebrated local specialty.

This evening, we return to the ship to enjoy dinner alongside evening entertainment. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking to views of historic Trier, you have a choice between two excursions this morning. The first option is a guided exploration of Trier, Germany's oldest city, where ancient Roman ruins sit alongside medieval streets and Baroque churches. With a knowledgeable local guide, delve into Trier's remarkable past as you visit the imposing Porta Nigra, the intricately detailed St Peter's Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Alternatively, travel by coach to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. One of the smallest countries in the world, Luxembourg offers a fascinating blend of history, culture and striking scenery. On a guided tour, discover the city's UNESCO-listed Old Town, with views over its dramatic gorges and admire the Grand Ducal Palace.

After enjoying lunch back onboard, the rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to relax on the ship before dinner this evening, as we set sail downstream along the Moselle. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a morning of relaxed cruising, enjoying breakfast and lunch onboard, we arrive in Königswinter on the banks of the Rhine.

This afternoon, a scenic journey on the historic Drachenfelsbahn, Germany's oldest cogwheel railway, awaits. In operation since 1883, the line climbs through forested hillsides, passing the fairytale turrets of Schloss Drachenburg on its ascent to the Drachenfels plateau. From the summit, soak up the spectacular views across the rolling hills of the Rhine Valley and the surrounding North Rhine-Westphalia countryside.

Back onboard later this afternoon, we continue cruising towards Cologne. As we approach the striking city, admire the cityscape of bridges that span the river and the imposing Cathedral. After dinner, you might choose to stroll through the Old Town, where you can experience the local hospitality and sample the famous Kölsch beer. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From the illuminated spectacle of the Rhine in Flames in Koblenz to the vineyard-framed towns of Rudesheim, Cochem and Bernkastel-Kues, this luxurious cruise has revealed the Rhine and Moselle's rich history and breathtaking scenery. We have sampled delicious wine and enjoyed optional excursions to Strasbourg or Colmar and Trier or Luxembourg, before taking in panoramic views of the Rhine Valley aboard the historic Drachenfels railway.

After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our crew. We make our way to the railway station where we catch the train to Brussels. Here, we switch trains and continue our journey to London St Pancras, where you are free to make your own way home.

• Breakfast