On our journey through the Rhine valley, we visit historic Koblenz where we have time to explore the old town at the confluence of both the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Next, we continue our navigation through the dramatic Rhine Gorge where the sheer valley walls tower over 400m above our heads and onto Rüdesheim, where we enjoy another evening complemented with an excellent dinner on board.
As the Rhine widens and the landscape becomes less rugged, our Swiss cruise continues south, stopping in medieval Speyer with its stunning Romanesque Basilica that dominates this pretty town.
Next day we arrive at the city of Strasbourg where you enjoy a walking tour of the old town. Continuing, we drive through the typical rolling tree-clad massif of the Black Forest onto the charming town of Titisee, nestling on the shores of its namesake lake. Our final destination is Switzerland where we moor in Basel.
Experience the most breathtaking Alpine scenery on earth on a mountain rail journey into the spectacular Bernese Oberland, seeing the majestic Eiger and Jungfrau, then discover Switzerland’s most attractive city, magnificent Lucerne, on our included tour.
Itinerary
Arrival in Basel
You fly to Basel or Zurich, from where a coach will take you to the ship. Or take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International to Paris then the connecting TGV (France’s famous high-speed train) to Basel and transfer by coach to the ship.
Lucerne
What a start to our cruise, as for many, today will be one of the highlights. You firstly take the short drive to Lucerne. Spectacularly nestled among stunning mountain views, it is by far Switzerland’s most beautiful city and has been attracting well-heeled visitors for two centuries, one of the most famous of which being our own Queen Victoria.
You must take an invigorating stroll along the Chapel Bridge: symbol of the city, a unique and covered wooden walkway crossing the lake, supported by stilts, lined with colourful flower-filled window boxes and a superb way to absorb Lucerne’s rather regal atmosphere.
Bernese Oberland
The scenery becomes ever more dramatic, and as you enter the Bernese Oberland in central Switzerland, it becomes quite literally, breath-taking! This is the grand Alpine heart of Europe and amongst the finest mountain scenery on earth, described by the composer Mendelssohn as ‘the most wonderful of all in this unbelievably beautiful country’.
On viewing the legendary snow-capped peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, you’ll be quite simply awestruck; this is quintessential Switzerland at its very best. We then ascend by mountain railway for more extraordinary vistas, with the crystal-clear lakes reflecting the grassy meadows and lush forests below. This truly magical landscape is sure to enchant you.
Later we’ll descend again by mountain railway before making the coach journey back to our ship in Basel.
Please note: temperatures will be significantly lower at altitude, even during the summer months, so it’s advisable to pack suitable clothing. Lunch is not included on this full-day excursion; however, the ship will offer a packed lunch.
Included experiences:
Visit to Lucerne & tour of the Bernese Oberland.
Cruise towards Breisach
Relax this morning on board whilst we sail to the ancient town of Breisach. After a leisurely breakfast why not find a comfortable chair and catch up on some reading, play chess or watch the rolling kaleidoscope of scenery from the Sun Deck?
The Black Forest
After lunch you drive through some of Central Europe’s most stunning scenery – the Black Forest mountains. This is a fabled landscape of rugged valleys, white-water rivers, cascading waterfalls and rolling hillsides covered with huge, densely packed pine trees – exactly as you expect it to be. Our destination is the idyllic village of Titisee, nestling on the shores of its crystal-clear lake.
We re-join the ship and slip our moorings during tonight’s excellent dinner.
As evening falls, thoughts turn to what might be on the menu tonight, so head to the relaxed ambience of the ship’s restaurant as the chef presents another delicious meal. Retire to the bar as we arrive in Speyer later tonight. Afterwards retire to the lounge to enjoy tonight's live performance of popular music spanning the years by a highly talented violin soloist, before we slip our moorings to commence our cruise towards Strasbourg.
Included experiences:
Visit to Breisach, drive through the Black Forest with visit to Titisee & live violin soloist.
Strasbourg
This morning, we have arrived in France and Strasbourg, capital of the Alsace region. After breakfast we enjoy a walking tour of its picturesque 16th-century old town – a maze of narrow streets and canals lined with timber-framed houses and sculptured portals.
Unforgettable sights include the stupendous Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral, multi-towered Ponts Couverts – covered bridges – and the pretty Petite France quarter of pastel-coloured former artisans’ houses lining the canals. Don’t be surprised if you’re tempted to linger a while in a typical Alsatian café to sample some of the region’s world-famous wines – a crisp Riesling or that particular speciality of Alsace, spicy Gewürztraminer.
Cruise towards Speyer
During lunch, our elegant vessel glides away from our mooring as we commence an afternoon’s scenic cruising. Head up to the sun deck and take in the views from the comfort of a sun lounger or retire to the lounge to chat over a coffee with newly made friends.
As evening falls, thoughts turn to what might be on the menu tonight, so head to the relaxed ambience of the ship’s restaurant as the chef presents another delicious meal. Retire to the bar as we arrive in Speyer later tonight.
Included experiences:
Guided tour of Strasbourg & live violin soloist.
Speyer
We remain moored in Speyer this morning to enjoy a guided tour of this delightful medieval gem, founded by the Celts and one of Germany’s oldest cities, celebrated for its illustrious past. The breath-taking Imperial Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is among the largest Romanesque churches in the world and also one of the finest. The beautiful four-roomed crypt, with its striking marble floors and pastel-coloured pillars, is the resting place of many Holy Roman emperors and German kings.
Another landmark is the magnificent neo-Gothic Gedächtniskirche, built to commemorate the 1529 ‘Protestation at Speyer’, a significant event when a group of Martin Luther’s followers protested his imperial ban. Henceforth, Luther’s religious followers were known as Protestants.
Cruise towards Rüdesheim
Returning on board for lunch, we commence our cruise once again, so sit back and watch the idyllic scenery slipping past through the panoramic windows: rolling hills and fertile vineyards, home to the Liebfraumilch wines of the region, oxbow lakes, long deserted by the river flow and now havens for bird and wildlife.
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, featuring delicious specialities of the countries and regions we visit during our cruise. During dinner our vessel arrives in the classic Rhine wine village of Rüdesheim, so you might fancy wandering ashore to enjoy a digestif – perhaps a glass of Asbach, the famous brandy distilled locally.
Included experience:
Guided tour of Speyer.
Rüdesheim
This morning, during the delightful walking tour of Rüdesheim with its crooked houses sloping down from wooded hillsides and terraced vineyards, witness the bustling marketplace, the half-timbered Klunkhardshof and Bromserburg Castle, which dates from 1275.
Rhine Gorge
This afternoon we witness a real highlight of the cruise, the dramatic Rhine Gorge: steep vineyards give way to almost vertical rocky outcrops, towering over 1,000 feet above the sweeping valley sides. Sailing past Saint Goar and the many ruined castles, you get a real sense of the myths of this historic river coming alive around you. No legend is more famous than that surrounding the Loreley Rock, where beautiful nymphs distracted hapless sailors, luring them to their deaths in the treacherous waters.
Relax on the sun deck as our captain skilfully navigates the ship through the huge looping bend at Boppard – one of the most impressive on the river. Keep an eye out for the mighty Marksburg Castle too, an impressive fortress dating back to the 13th century.
Koblenz
It’s not long before we arrive in picturesque Koblenz. Founded by the Romans, this historic city is beautifully located at the confluence of the Rhine and its sister river the Moselle. Discover Koblenz’s maze of medieval buildings in the Altstadt – old town – which is studded with a fine array of traditional shops and classic Rhineland cafés.
On our guided tour of this delightful town, historic buildings appear seemingly at every turn: see the former mint, the Four Towers with their ornamental 17th-century turrets and several fascinating squares and churches, including the 9th-century Basilica of Saint Kastor. The waterfront along the Moselle is stunning too, with the medieval Balduin Bridge, staggeringly still in use.
If you managed to resist the tempting cakes on offer from the beckoning pavement cafés, then you’ll be ready for your meticulously prepared dinner on board and afterwards, delight in the upbeat sounds of Rhenish folk music with a live performance of traditional instruments.
Included experiences:
Guided tour of Rüdesheim, cruise through Rhine Gorge, guided tour of Koblenz & live folk music performance.
Cruise towards Cologne
Early risers will witness our departure from Koblenz as we set sail towards Cologne. Enjoy a leisurely morning on board as we drift through this lovely Rhineland scenery, past quaint riverside towns with pretty waterfronts and carefully tended vineyards.
See the famous ruined bridge at Remagen, which was captured intact by the Allies towards the end of the Second World War, allowing thousands of troops to cross into Germany’s heartland, and the forested Siebengebirge – Seven Mountains – a cluster of ancient volcanic hills that inspired many of the Brothers Grimm’s legends, including Snow White.
Cologne
During lunch, we arrive in historic Cologne, where you have a free afternoon to explore the city. Perhaps visit the superb cathedral, the largest Gothic structure on earth. It has Europe’s most stunningly intricate stained glass, which took 600 years to finish and when work was finally complete, it was the largest building on earth, remaining so until eclipsed by the Eiffel Tower. Or maybe you’ll opt to wander in the vibrant and attractive old town, beautifully restored and boasting a plethora of excellent shopping and cosy bars, some of which still traditionally brew their own beer.
During dinner this evening, reflect on the spectacular sights seen and wonderful places visited whilst travelling with us on this magical cruise.
Included experience:
Visit to Cologne.
Return home
This morning, you transfer by coach to Brussels station for the Eurostar service to London St Pancras International. Should you be returning by air, you will transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.
What's Included
Holiday Highlights
Marvel at the sights along the Rhine River, including passage through the Rhine Gorge and the river bend outside of Boppard.
Tour five historic towns and cities, including Strasbourg, Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Speyer and Lucerne.
Drive through the folkloric scenery of Black Forest on a visit to the idyllic Titisee.
See stunning mountain vistas on a railway journey up the Bernese Oberland Mountain range.
Enjoy a live folk music band and a classical violin soloist performance on board the luxury ship.
Our Price Includes
Prices are per person based on one person in a twin cabin for sole occupancy. The price includes:
Full board during your cruise from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your final day (except one lunch)
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 & TGV
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
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Other Information
Holiday code
R514
Holiday provided by Riviera Travel
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Riviera Travel (ABTA V4744, ATOL 3430). These ABTA and ATOL bonds mean that, when you book a Riviera Travel holiday, you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.