Rhine and Moselle River Cruise - MS George Eliot

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Rhine and Moselle River Cruise - MS George Eliot

8 Days - River Cruises

Following embarkation in Cologne, we meander south on the Rhine to Koblenz where we join the Moselle River, calling in the delightful town of Cochem. We also visit Trier, the oldest city in Germany, famous for its Roman amphitheatre, baths and the imposing Porta Nigra, the huge, fortified gate that formed the eastern border of the Roman Empire. After our furthest port of call, Bernkastel, we commence our cruise back downstream, with time to relax and absorb the stunning scenery along the Moselle valley. We rejoin the Rhine, visiting the old town of Koblenz and then to Boppard, known as ‘the Pearl of the Rhine’ en route. Cruising through the Rhine Gorge, we experience spectacular scenery on our way to Rüdesheim, before heading back north, to Cologne for a guided city tour. All in all a spectacular and relaxing cruise in some of the finest landscape that Germany has to offer, appreciated from a most privileged vantage point.

Holiday Highlights

Enjoy guided tours of Cochem, where a multi-turreted castle crowns the vineyard covered hillsides and Bernkastel, wandering the market square of this beautiful town.
Discover Trier, one of Germany's oldest cities, and visit Porta Nigra as part of our guided tour.
Explore Koblenz through its patchwork of cobbled streets and wander along the river promenade of Boppard.
Cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge to reach the atmospheric streets of Rüdesheim.
Enjoy a fascinating tour of Cologne, taking in the magnificent twin-spired cathedral and the beautifully restored old town.

What's Included

Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a twin cabin with a limited number of sole occupancy cabins available, at the relevant supplement. The price includes:
Full board during your cruise from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your final day
Free Superior drinks package
Complimentary on-board tea and coffee
Complimentary on-board Wi-Fi (connection speeds may vary)
All visits and excursions as mentioned
Return flights or Eurostar with regional rail connections
Coach travel as mentioned
Transfers from the airport or station to and from the port of embarkation
English-speaking expert guides
The services of a Riviera Travel Cruise Director and Concierge

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Cologne Arrive at the airport for your flight to Düsseldorf or Cologne or take the Eurostar to Brussels from London St Pancras International. On arrival, transfer by coach to your five-star cruise ship moored in the heart of Cologne, one of Germany’s oldest cities. The friendly English-speaking crew will welcome you and help you to your cabin. After settling into your spacious and well-equipped accommodation, it’s time to familiarise yourself with the many first-class aspects of this floating boutique hotel.

Day 2

Cruise towards Cochem The first morning on board a river cruise is always a thrill, awakening to the peaceful lapping of the water outside as the scenic valley sides slip past your cabin window – there’s no other holiday experience quite like it. Breakfast is a leisurely affair; life on board is unhurried, so you can linger over that extra cup of tea or coffee. You’re cruising some of Europe’s most dramatic and romantic waterways – the mighty River Rhine and its tributary the Moselle. The Sun Deck is perfect for an invigorating mid-morning stroll, watching picture-postcard villages with slanting timber-framed houses pass by. Cochem After a delicious lunch we glide into our moorings at Cochem, the traditional centre of the Moselle wine trade, for an afternoon guided tour. Dominating the scene is a multi-turreted castle crowning a vineyard covered hillside, but Cochem’s real charm is its jumble of narrow streets lined with pastel-coloured buildings and peppered with quirky shops and wine cellars. There’s ample time to explore here, immersing yourself in the relaxed ambience of this quintessential riverside town, before stepping back on board to enjoy the chef’s choices for dinner, served in the splendid ship’s restaurant. Then delight in the upbeat sounds of Rhenish folk music with a live performance on traditional instruments. Included experiences: Guided tour of Cochem & live folk music performance.

Day 3

Cruise along the Moselle Leaving Cochem, we pass through an impressive series of four locks allowing passage further upstream, through meanders in the river against a backdrop of green valley sides. All around are steep, tree-crested slopes covered in a patchwork of vineyards, crisscrossed by narrow tracks and roads giving workers access to the vines – it’s a miracle that anything can be cultivated on such terrain. The Romans first planted vines in the Moselle during the second century AD and today white varieties such as Riesling thrive in the flinty soils. Before long we approach the delightful town of Zell. Trier After lunch we drive to Trier for an afternoon tour of one of Germany’s most fascinating cities – and its oldest. Founded by the Romans, it was the capital of much of their empire, encompassing present-day Spain, France, Britain and parts of Germany. The city had a population of 80,000 people – an enormous number in ancient times – and the Emperor Constantine lived here. Many of its Roman monuments, including the amphitheatre, baths and bridge, have survived surprisingly intact, but most impressive is the Porta Nigra, a fortified gate made of huge stone blocks that towers above the surrounding medieval buildings. This is the largest and best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps and stands as testimony to their architectural genius. Such is the significance of Trier’s Roman heritage and its other buildings, including its Cathedral, the oldest bishop’s church in Germany, that together they form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We return to our ship, moored in the charming town of Bernkastel, in time for another exquisite meal. Included experience: Guided tour of Trier.

Day 4

Bernkastel After a delicious breakfast on board, join the expert guided tour of Bernkastel town, a romantic wonder from another age. Wander its cobbled streets to the market square, where you’ll be surrounded by ornate half-timbered houses, many dating from the 15th-century. Most famous is the Pointed House, a jewel of the rustic middle-class building tradition from the Middle Ages and a classic example of a Moselle vintner’s dwelling. You might spot the famous Graacher Tor too, built in 1300, the last remaining gate and now home to a museum of local history. Cruise towards Koblenz We have lunch on board as the ship slips its moorings and cruises back downstream. This afternoon, sit back on one of the comfortable deck chairs on the Sun Deck and soak up the atmosphere of this magical river, breathing in the clean air, listening to the rippling water and absorbing the scenery. Another gourmet experience awaits this evening in the ship’s restaurant, possibly followed by a nightcap in the company of newly made friends. Included experience: Guided tour of Bernkastel.

Day 5

Koblenz Early this morning, we reach Koblenz. Strategically situated at the confluence of these two great rivers, this 2,000-year-old city, with its mighty fortress towering above, is full of appeal. A knowledgeable local guide accompanies us around its principal monuments and intriguing centre, taking in historic squares, highlighting painstakingly restored house frontages and revealing hidden aspects of the city that only locals know. Koblenz is a joy to wander through, pausing to window shop while trying to resist the aromas of fresh coffee and cakes drifting from the numerous traditional cafés. Boppard Returning to our ship for lunch, we proceed to Boppard, also known as the ‘Pearl of the Rhine’ for a guided tour, a famously picturesque town located on a long, looping bend of the river. The black and white spires of the Church of Saint Severus can be seen from a distance, but as we draw closer its bustling quayside comes into view. Captivating, cobbled streets, lined by half-timbered houses, tucked-away shops selling traditional goods and characterful restaurants, lead into the town and its main square. Like many riverside settlements in the area, the Romans founded Boppard, and their legacy remains in the superbly preserved town walls, the finest in Germany. There’s time to explore or promenade along the river, gazing at views of the vineyard-covered hillsides. Or you can simply pass time on board in anticipation of more fine dining in the ship’s restaurant this evening. Included experiences: Guided tours of Koblenz & Boppard.

Day 6

Rhine Gorge Leaving Boppard, as the sun crests the surrounding hilltops, expectation rises at what lies in store as we journey through the outstanding natural beauty of the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, at every dramatic turn of the river, towering valley slopes are crowned by the precarious ruins of castles built by princes to display their power and extort tolls from passing river traffic. The Gorge is home to medieval legends, tales of mysterious happenings and dark deeds, most famously the Lorelei – or ‘murmuring rock’ – said to have lured passing boats onto the rocks with its irresistible song. The villages drifting by – Saint Goar, Bacharach and Kaub – are synonymous with wine production and one of the many thoughtful details of this cruise is the carefully compiled wine list, from which you can choose fine Rhine and Moselle wines to enjoy with the foods sourced from the region. Rüdesheim During lunch, we arrive in Rüdesheim, for a guided tour with our local expert. Perhaps the best known of all the wine towns, the picturesque, crooked houses slope down from wooded hillsides and terraced vineyards. Meander through the Market Place, Brömserburg Castle and the charming Klunkhardshof, a monumental half-timbered building dating back to the first half of the 16th-century. You’ll also see the Brömserhof, now the home of Siegfried‘s excellent mechanical music museum - a collection of around 350 intricate antique musical instruments and musical boxes from all over the world, many in working order, still playing the delicate sounds of yesteryear. This evening there’s a truly memorable occasion – the ‘Chef’s Dinner’, when the chef prepares his superb ‘signature’ dishes for you to enjoy in the splendid surroundings of the ship’s restaurant. Included experiences: Cruise through Rhine Gorge & guided tour of Rüdesheim.

Day 7

Cruise towards Cologne We slip our mooring early this morning and our ship resumes its voyage downstream as you enjoy another fine breakfast with views of pretty riverside towns, backed by the rolling volcanic hills for which the area is renowned. Passing the last vineyards and half-timbered houses around the pretty town of Linz, it’s not long before we reach the railway bridge at Remagen, captured intact towards the end of the Second World War, thereby arguably shortening the war in Germany. Cologne Not long after, we draw into the heart of Cologne, in the shadow of the magnificent dual-spired Gothic cathedral for which the city is so famous. It’s a truly monumental building, taking over 600 years to build and featuring myriad religious and art treasures and perhaps the most intricate stained-glass windows in Europe. After lunch, we join a local guide for an informative tour of the city, with time to explore its tree-lined squares and perhaps visit one of its traditional bars, many of which still brew their own beer. After our final dinner tonight, indulge in a delicious on-board tasting, with a presentation and Q&A session from Cologne's Lindt Chocolate Museum and the chance to sample its world-famous produce. Included experiences: Guided tour of Cologne & on-board Lindt chocolate tasting.

Day 8

Return home It’s time to say goodbye to your crew and start the journey home.

The five-star MS George Eliot – named after one of the leading English novelists of the 19th century – is 110 metres of fine Swiss engineering and craftsmanship. As with all Riviera Travel cruise ships, MS George Eliot was built to the highest specifications and strict safety regulations by Scylla AG, world-renowned builders of the most modern cruisers in Europe.

Guests are welcomed in the elegant lobby with its gleaming marble floor, well-lit by sophisticated lighting. Thoughtful design is on tasteful display throughout the ship – sustainable hardwood furniture, intricate wrought-iron work, and polished copper and brass are beautifully complemented by soft leather and sumptuous Italian fabrics.

MS George Eliot offers the convivial ambience and personal service of a luxury boutique hotel. With 36 staff serving just 132 guests, the experience is far more intimate and enjoyable.

There are 70 luxuriously appointed suites and cabins, which all feature an en-suite bathroom with shower, individually controlled air-conditioning, flat-screen TV, hairdryer, safe, mini fridge, telephone and facilities for making tea and coffee. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship.

For information about life on board our European river cruise ships, click here.

Deck Plan

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