Rhine Gorge & Cologne Discovery River Cruise
Holiday Highlights
- Sail along the mighty Rhine River and marvel at views of the magnificent Rhine Gorge.
- Explore the charming town of Rüdesheim on a guided tour through streets lined with traditional timber framed houses and gabled roofs.
- Discover historic Cologne on a guided tour with a local expert.
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 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
Arrive in Cologne - Arrive in Cologne, Dusseldorf or Brussels and transfer to our 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 time settling into your spacious accommodation, it's time to familiarise yourself with the many first-class aspects of this floating boutique hotel. After your first delicious dinner onboard, we set sail on our journey upstream.
Day 2
Cruising the Rhine Gorge and Rüdesheim - Today, you'll get your first real taste of sailing - and it's truly a highlight of the trip. After a leisurely breakfast on board, we highly recommend heading to our panoramic lounge or the sun deck to enjoy the outstanding natural beauty of the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each dramatic turn of the river unveils new castle ruins precariously clinging to towering valley slopes - the home of long-gone princes to display power and extort tolls from passing river traffic. The gorge is home to medieval legends, tales of mysterious happenings and dark deeds, and by mid-morning, we will pass one of the most famous. Lorelei - or 'murmuring rock' - is said to have lured passing boats onto the rocks with its irresistible song. What better way to mark the occasion than a glass of Rüdesheimer coffee, a local delicacy around these parts? After a delicious lunch on board, we'll dock in the charming Rüdesheim and enjoy a guided walk with a local expert as we get to know the town better. A delightful marketplace lined with pastel facades and cosy taverns lies at Rüdesheim's heart, overlooked by Brömserburg Castle. As you wander the maze of streets, don't miss the impressive Klunkhardshof, one of the town's finest 15th-century homes with its traditional timber frame and gabled roof. After our guided tour, there'll be time to enjoy the town at your own pace, wandering through a tangle of crooked houses, winding cobbled alleys and perusing curious little shops. Set amongst vineyard-clad slopes, this pretty town is famous for its winemaking. Riesling is the region's speciality grape, and you'll find a wealth of Weinstuben (a wine bar) where you can sample locally produced wines and perhaps pick up a bottle to take back home. Tonight, we'll enjoy our special Chef's Dinner – a celebration of the chef's signature dishes. As we dine, our ship will set sail for Koblenz, where we will dock for the night. Included experiences - Cruise through the Rhine Gorge and guided tour of Rüdesheim.