Treasures of the Rhine

Our holiday begins this morning as we meet at London St Pancras before boarding the Eurostar. In the lively city of Cologne, we board our magnificent ship and settle into our home on the river. Our friendly crew warmly greet us with a welcome cocktail before dinner.

• Dinner

After breakfast, we enjoy a leisurely tour of Cologne and wander through its vibrant streets and squares. We admire the Romanesque townhouses before visiting the city's impressive Gothic cathedral which is 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 enchanting town of Königswinter. Here, we journey on the Drachenfelsbahn railway. This fabulous cog railway rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels castle - which is said to have been the inspiration for the castle in Disney's 'Sleeping Beauty'. We experience wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany as we climb higher. We then head back to our cruise ship for dinner onboard.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we continue our relaxing cruise. Drifting through the enchanting Middle Rhine, we pass by riverbanks lined with lush green meadows and pretty villages on our way to Koblenz. When we arrive, your morning is at leisure to explore the quaint, friendly town located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. We recommend strolling to Deutsches Eck where you'll be surrounded by inspiring vistas including the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.

After lunch, we enjoy a highlight of our cruising experience - sailing through the romantic Rhine gorge. This section of the Rhine is renowned for its spectacular views. The riverbanks plunge deeper here, and we wind around bends surrounded by endless miles of lush green vineyards, ancient castles, and picturesque riverside towns. It's also one of the narrowest points of the river with one of the strongest currents.

As we sail, we hear the fascinating story of the legendary Lorelei Rock which soars almost 500 feet out of the water. This monument has been the inspiration for countless myths and legends, and we hear of them as we sail by. Later this afternoon, we arrive in the captivating town of Rüdesheim, famous for its delicious white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety. We get to know the history and stories of the renowned wine town during a guided tour aboard a land train

After dinner, you could discover more of Rüdesheim. The evening is a wonderful time to experience the famous Drosselgasse alley and enjoy a drink at one of its enticing wine bars.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a morning of relaxed sailing, we step ashore in Speyer this afternoon You could choose to join an excursion to the picturesque university town of Heidelberg, known for its lovely Old Town and stunning riverfront. Here, we enjoy a guided tour including a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone castle that towers over the city, providing amazing views of the surrounding forests, river, and cityscape. If you'd prefer to stay in Speyer, you can take in the sights of this historic German city and its 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 fantastic natural beauty along the Rhine. Arriving in Strasbourg later this afternoon, you could experience the city's unique character at leisure.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you have a choice of two wonderful excursions. The first is a magical trip into the Black Forest, to witness stunning 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 enjoy a city tour of Strasbourg. The city sits on the French-German border and blends the best of the two cultures, with colourful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. On our tour, we visit the cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district. Later this afternoon, you're at leisure in Strasbourg until dinner this evening. Discover the city's fascinating history, admire its grand architecture and experience its unique character at your own pace.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew. We make our way to the railway station and head towards Paris where we catch the Eurostar to London St Pancras. Here, we say goodbye to new friends and fellow travellers.

• Breakfast