Riviera Travel Grand Cruise of the Rhine Gorge, Medieval Germany & Switzerland

• Admire the natural beauty of the Rhine Gorge and Boppard river bend
• Explore some of the region’s historic gems including Miltenberg, Mainz, Strasbourg, and Bamberg
• Drive along the Romantic Road to Rothenburg
• Journey up the Bernese Oberland Mountains by rail
• Enjoy live music performances onboard

• Return flights and transfers
• 17nts onboard a 5* ship
• Full Board dining
• 19 visits and tours
• Services of an expert cruise director

Day 1: Basel
Fly to Switzerland and transfer to your cruise ship, moored in the city of Basel. The afternoon is free for you to settle into your cabin.

Day 2: Lucerne and Bernese Oberland
Drive to Lucerne, where some free time allows you to take in the beautiful city, including its iconic Chapel bridge before heading into the mountains. Arriving at the Bernese Oberland Mountain range, head up via mountain railway for amazing views of the snow-capped peaks. Return to Basel and reboard the ship

Day 3: Breisach & The Black Forest
Spend the morning relaxing onboard as you sail to Breisach, where you’ll disembark to drive to the idyllic lake-side town of Titisee. Here can spend some time before heading back to the ship in time for dinner. Tonight, enjoy a live violinist performance before the ship sets sail for Strasbourg.

Day 4: Strasbourg
After breakfast, venture out to explore the town on a guided tour. See its grand cathedral and pretty Petite France quarter. During lunch, the ship slips out of Strasbourg and starts an afternoon of scenic cruising, arriving in Speyer later in the evening.

Day 5: Speyer
The ship remains moored in Speyer as you enjoy a guided tour of this medieval city, giving you the chance to see its architectural gems including the Imperial cathedral. Back on board for lunch, you can look forward to another afternoon of relaxing cruising, followed by a splendid Captain’s Dinner as the ship arrives in Rüdesheim.

Day 6: Rüdesheim, Rhine Gorge & Koblenz
Explore Rüdesheim on a guided tour before sailing further along the river to experience one of the highlights of the cruise, the majestic Rhine Gorge. Keep an eye out for the ruins of historic castles and the famous Loreley Rock before passing Marksburg Castle and arriving in Koblenz. On arrival, you’ll take a guided tour of the town before dinner and a Rhenish folk music performance

Day 7: Cologne
The morning is spent sailing to Cologne, where you’ll be arriving during lunch. The afternoon is free for you to spend as you which, whether you want to explore the city or relax onboard the ship.

Day 8: Cologne
Today, you have the whole day to yourself to explore more Cologne at your own pace.

Day 9: Cologne
Embark on a guided walking tour through Cologne this morning. Visit the cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. Following this, explore the restored old town before returning to the ship for lunch and a relaxing afternoon as the ship sails to Andernach

Day 10: Andernach & Boppard
Enjoy a guided tour of Andernach, admiring its picturesque streets and defensive walls and towers. Return to the ship for lunch and sail to Boppard. Here, you’re free to explore as you wish, including visiting Marksburg Castle which overlooks the river.

Day 11: Rhine Gorge & Rüdesheim
You’ll have another chance to see the famous Rhine Gorge today as you sail back to Rüdesheim, where you’ll have the afternoon to yourself.

Day 12: Mainz
During breakfast, the ship will arrive in the historic city of Mainz. On a guided walking tour, you’ll learn more about the city, stopping to admire timber-framed buildings and see the city museum, with its reconstruction of Johannes Gutenberg’s workshop. Return to the ship for lunch before an afternoon of relaxing on board.

Day 13: Miltenberg & Wertheim
This morning, arrive in the medieval village of Miltenberg. Join a local guided to navigate its winding alleys and lanes to visit its charming marketplace and fountain. Later, sail further along the Main to Wertheim. On another walking tour, you’ll discover the town’s secrets.

Day 14: Wurzburg
In the afternoon, the ship arrives in the city of Wurzburg. After lunch, disembark for a tour, visiting the Marienberg Fortress and the Baroque Palace. As the ship is moored here overnight, you’ll have time to explore independently as well.

Day 15: Rothenburg & Ochsenfurt
Today sees you driving down the Romantic Road, which takes you through landscapes full of medieval towns, castles and palaces. Arrive in the town of Rothenburg. Spend some free time wandering through the town’s cobbled lanes before driving to Oschenfurt. After lunch on the ship, head back into the town for a guided tour, admiring the town hall with its mechanical clock and the 13^th century church.

Day 16: Bamberg
Spend the morning taking in the views as you sail to Bamberg. Here, a local guide will lead you on a tour, exploring the old town and the cathedral. During your tour, you’ll also visit the town hall, which sits on an island in the river. In the evening, enjoy a Gala Dinner hosted by the captain before a performance of traditional Bavarian folk music.

Day 17: Nuremberg
Enjoy a final morning of cruising before you arrive in Nuremberg. Today’s guided tour showcases its magnificent churches and picturesque streets and squares. Following the tour, there is time for you to explore at your own pace.

Day 18: Return home
Transfer back to the airport for your flight home

MS George Eliot

Fact File

• Currency: Euro, Swiss Franc
• Flight Time: Approx. 1 hr 20 mins to 2 hrs
• Language: German, French
• Time Zone: GMT+1
• Country: Germany, France, Switzerland

*All times listed here are approximate and dependent on traffic.