Today, we sail through the historical heart of Europe, enjoying some of the most picture-perfect sights you'll see on your Rhine river cruise with terraced vineyards, expansive forests and high peaks. Spend the day in the relaxed riverside town of Germersheim or opt to travel to nearby Speyer, one of Germany’s oldest cities and once centre of the Holy Roman Empire. You can see traces of this past in the delightful old town, with its romantic lanes leading to the imposing Cathedral, a UNESCO protected World Heritage Site.

Make sure you have your cameras to hand as perched on a steep cliff above the Rhine, admire picturesque Breisach with its pastel-hued buildings set in beautiful rolling vineyards. Where the Black Forest spills into the Alsace region, this German town shares a lot with its French neighbours - its love of good food and good wine among them. Take an optional guided walking tour including a visit to a local champagne cellar including tastings.

Uniquely positioned where France, Germany and Switzerland meet, Basel retains a strong and proud identity, with a thriving arts scene and bilingual culture. Spend the day exploring its pretty old town, the awe-inspiring cathedral and dipping in and out of the excellent museums. Optional excursions enable you to explore more of Switzerland.

The capital of the Grand Est region, formerly known as Alsace, Strasbourg sits on the border (the river itself being the border) with Germany. Included excursion exploring the old town with quaint colourful houses and twisting cobbled alleys, the canals of Petit France, magnificent Strasbourg Cathedral - for 227 years, this imposing sandstone structure was the tallest building in the world and at its summit, the views stretch as far as the Black Forest, some 30km away.

Today we visit Mainz in the Rhineland's wine growing region, famed for its Riesling wines. Wander the cobbled streets of the old town, and lose yourself among half-timbered buildings housing colourful bars and traditional shops. Visit the impressive 1,000-year-old Mainzer Dome, a masterpiece of Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque styles and the impressive Gutenburg Museum, celebrating Johanes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press. We continue sailing through the scenic Lorelei Valley, one of the highlights of your cruise. Take your place on the sun deck and admire the views of steeply-terraced vineyards plunging down towards the river, picture-perfect villages, fairy tale castles perched on hilltops, rugged cliffs and lush green forests. Your cruise director will bring to life the legends that make this part of Germany so fascinating - a glass of included sparkling wine in hand. Arrive in Koblenz at 1830 (depart 2130) for our final evening. Located at the confluence of the mighty Rhine and the Moselle rivers, Koblenz is easy to explore independently. We recommend the Baroque town hall, the old town and a cable car ride with wonderful views over the Rhine.  Enjoy an included walking tour of Koblenz, followed by a speciality dinner on board.

You'll wake this morning back in Cologne, as your unforgettable cruise on the Rhine ends. Disembark, and begin your journey home.