Treasures of the Rhine

Your vacation begins this morning as we meet at London St Pancras before boarding the Eurostar. In Cologne, we board our ship, the Amadeus Cara, and settle into our home on the river.

Our friendly crew greets us with a welcome cocktail as we get ready to immerse ourselves in the wonders of the Rhine. We then gather for our first dinner onboard, savoring the beginning of our cruise experience.

• Dinner

After breakfast, we enjoy a leisurely tour of Cologne. After admiring the Romanesque townhouses, we visit the city's impressive Gothic cathedral - the largest in northern Europe. The intricate spires and magnificent stained-glass windows of this UNESCO-listed landmark are captivating as we marvel at the grand architecture.

Later this morning, we set off on our first sail. Drifting upstream past Bonn, we begin to see the first signs of lush green hills as we arrive in the town of Königswinter. Here, we journey on the Drachenfelsbahn railway.

This cog railway rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels castle - whose name translates as 'Dragon's Rock' - inspiring many of the dragon-related legends still heard today. Wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany are revealed as we climb higher. We then head back to our cruise ship for dinner onboard.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

There's time at leisure this morning to explore Koblenz, once a Roman stronghold. We recommend strolling to Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers where you'll be surrounded by inspiring vistas including the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. We then begin sailing again after lunch, arriving in the picturesque town of Boppard later this afternoon.

There's time at leisure for exploration before dinner this evening. As you wander the cobblestone streets you'll find the town's Roman legacy echoes through its architecture. Admire the half-timbered houses which lead to vineyards scattering the surrounding hills and discover well-preserved Roman fortifications, including the historic town walls and the Roman tower.

If you're up for a bit of adventure, take the chairlift up to the Vier Seen Blick (Four Lakes Viewpoint). From here, you'll be enveloped with panoramic views of the Rhine Valley and the surrounding countryside.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The morning is spent leisurely onboard, sailing through river landscapes including a highlight of our cruising experience - the romantic Rhine gorge. This section of the Rhine is renowned for its spectacular views and the best place to witness them is from the top deck of our ship. Winding past miles of green vineyards, ancient castles, and picturesque riverside towns, we hear the story of the legendary Lorelei Rock which soars almost 500 feet out of the water.

We dock in Rüdesheim after lunch and travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train, arriving in the center of this wine town. Here there's a choice of excursions. You could experience why the town is famous with a wine tasting, savoring the finest local varieties. Alternatively, you could visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet - Europe's largest collection of mechanical instruments.

After dinner this evening there's time to explore the town's cobbled streets at your own pace and see the half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and wine bars on Drosselgasse alley.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a morning of relaxed cruising and lunch onboard, we arrive in the city of Mannheim. From here we journey by coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour. The picturesque university town is known for its Old Town and stunning riverfront which is perfect for a relaxing stroll. Our tour includes a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone castle that towers over the city, providing amazing views of the surrounding forests, river, and cityscape.

Alternatively, you could stay on board and later, take in the sights of the historic German city of Speyer and its famous cathedral at leisure before dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we enjoy a full day cruise to the French city of Strasbourg. Relax onboard as we pass diverse landscapes and natural beauty along the Rhine. We arrive in Strasbourg later this afternoon and after dinner, you can experience the city's unique character at leisure.

Sitting near the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg perfectly represents the blending of both country's cultures. The old town is well worth a visit, and here you'll discover timber-framed houses, cobbled streets, and the iconic cathedral, all creating a fairytale ambience.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you have a choice of two excursions. The first is a trip into the Black Forest to witness fairytale panoramas. Experience the beauty of Germany's largest nature park filled with rolling hills, picturesque villages, dense forests, and meadows dotted with wildflowers. As you explore this fairytale setting, you'll learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region.

Alternatively, you could choose a city tour of Strasbourg. During the tour, you'll discover its history and admire its grand architecture, visiting the UNESCO-listed cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district.

Following your excursion, we return to our ship for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to discover more of Strasbourg and you could join our coach into the old town. The picturesque capital of France's Alsace region offers an evening of history and culture, whether you choose to wander the charming streets or relax with a beverage at one of the inviting cafés or wine bars.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sailing along the Rhine from Cologne to Strasbourg has provided a superb glimpse into the beauty of Germany and its revered river. From our luxury ship, we have viewed fairytale scenes such as the Rhine Gorge, explored timeless history in Heidelberg and Speyer, and savored local flavors In Rüdesheim.

After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew. We head to the railway station and catch our train to Paris. In the French capital, we board the Eurostar back to London, where your vacation concludes.

• Breakfast