Rhine Valley in Flames: St Goar

Your cruise vacation along the Rhine begins today at London St. Pancras, meeting the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travelers before boarding the Eurostar to Brussels. Switching trains in the Belgian capital, we continue by rail to the historic city of Cologne, known for its magnificent Gothic cathedral and rich Roman heritage.

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 and there is time to settle into our cabins and get acquainted with the ship's amenities before enjoying our first dinner onboard. Overnight ship.

• Dinner

This morning after breakfast, we set out on a guided sightseeing tour of Cologne. Exploring the colorful Old Town, we admire the city's magnificent Gothic cathedral - the largest in northern Europe. The intricate spires and stunning stained-glass windows of this UNESO-listed landmark are captivating as we marvel at the grand architecture. After the tour, we enjoy a beer tasting, sampling local brews and learning about Cologne's long-standing brewing traditions.

We enjoy a relaxed lunch back onboard the ship as we cruise toward 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.

This evening, we return to the ship and enjoy a leisurely dinner onboard, cruising overnight toward Koblenz. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

There's time at leisure after breakfast this morning to explore Koblenz. Once a Roman stronghold, this city is beautifully set at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. You might choose to stroll to Deutsches Eck where the two rivers meet, taking in views that stretch to the imposing Ehrenbreitstein Fortress perched high above the riverbanks.

After lunch back onboard the ship, we begin sailing toward the scenic town of Boppard. On arrival this afternoon, enjoy free time to wander the cobblestone streets, where you'll find the town's Roman legacy echoes through its architecture, from the historic town walls to the Roman tower.

We reboard the ship and set sail for St. Goar this evening, where the highlight of our cruise awaits - the spectacular Rhine in Flames. Arriving after dinner, our ship is decorated with lights in preparation for the event, during which the 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. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning is spent leisurely onboard, soaking up the scenic views as we cruise through one of Germany's most beautiful regions, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. The riverbanks plunge deeper here, and we wind around bends surrounded by endless miles of green vineyards, ancient castles and picturesque riverside towns. As we sail, hear the fascinating story of the legendary Lorelei Rock which soars almost 500 feet out of the water.

Docking in Rüdesheim after lunch, we travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train, arriving in the center of this wine town. Here, there's time to explore at your own pace, perhaps strolling along the famed Drosselgasse Alley, before there's a choice of excursions. You could experience why the town is famous with wine-tasting, savoring the finest local varieties. Alternatively, enjoy a visit to the Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet, where you can discover Europe's largest collection of finely tuned mechanical instruments.

After our afternoon of exploration, we reboard the ship with time to relax and unwind before dinner this evening. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We enjoy another leisurely morning of cruising with plenty of time to have breakfast and lunch onboard, before we arrive in the city of Mannheim. Here, you have the choice of two excursions today.

You may choose to journey to the picturesque university town of Heidelberg for a guided tour, exploring its charming Old Town's cobblestone streets and historic squares, before visiting the romantic ruins of Heidelberg Castle, dramatically perched above the river. Alternatively, you could stay on the ship and continue along the Rhine to Speyer. As one of Germany's oldest cities, it offers an insight into the heart of the Holy Roman Empire and is home to the magnificent Speyer Cathedral, while still maintaining a present-day charm.

Those who chose to visit Heidelberg instead will rejoin the ship in Speyer in time for dinner this evening. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A day of leisurely cruising along the Rhine lies ahead today, allowing you to relax onboard and enjoy the ever-changing scenery. As we glide past vineyard-covered hillsides, charming riverside towns and stretches of countryside, there's time to soak up the views from the deck or lounge with a drink as life unfolds along the riverbanks, before arriving in Strasbourg later this afternoon.

Strasbourg is a captivating city where French and German influences blend seamlessly. Renowned for its beautifully preserved historic center, Strasbourg is home to half-timbered houses, picturesque canals and the striking Gothic cathedral, which come together to create a fairytale ambience.

After we dock and have dinner on the ship this evening, you might like to step ashore to experience the city's charm for yourself. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, there is a choice of two excursions from our mooring point in Strasbourg today. Thie first is a trip into the Black Forest to experience the beauty of Germany's largest nature park- a sprawling mass of spruce trees, picturesque villages and sparkling lakes. On our guided tour of this storybook setting, we learn about the enchanting history and folklore of this region.

Alternatively, you could choose a guided city tour of Strasbourg, exploring this picturesque capital of France's Alsace region. On this tour, discover its history, admire its grand architecture including the UNESCO-listed cathedral and wander the charming La Petite France District.

Following your chosen excursion, we return to the ship for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to uncover more of Strasbourg at your own pace. Rich in history and culture, the city invites relaxed exploration - whether wandering its charming streets or relaxing with a drink at one of the inviting cafés or wine bars - before rejoining the ship for our special gala dinner this evening. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Having discovered some of the Rhine's most stunning destinations - from historic Koblenz and the dramatic Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim's fairytale charm and cultural appeal of Strasbourg - along with witnessing the spectacular Rhine in Flames event, each day of this cruise vacation has provided a new way to immerse ourselves in Europe's rich atmosphere.

We have our last breakfast onboard this morning before we disembark our ship for the final time in Strasbourg. Saying goodbye to our crew, we step ashore and a coach transfer takes us to Strasbourg's railway station, where we catch a train to Paris. In the French capital, we switch trains, continuing to London, where our magnificent Rhine vacation comes to an end and you are free to make your own way home.

• Breakfast