The Rhine & Moselle

Departure on foot in the company of your guide who will introduce you to the charming village of Cochem, the pearl of the Moselle. The visit will begin on the opposite bank from Cochem, in Cond. The Moselle bridge linked this old fishermen town to Cochem in 1927. As you cross the bridge, you will be able to spot the 900-year-old Cochem Imperial Castle (the Reichsburg) sitting on the hilltop.
Arrival in Cochem. We will stop to admire a fresco relating the history of the town from its occupation by Roman legions to the 20th century. Afterwards, our guide will take us through the streets lined with picturesque half-timbered houses. We'll get to see St Martin's Catholic Parish Church, the Capuchin Monastery, the Market Square and more.
After our tour, we will have some free time to walk along the Moselle and enjoy the green landscape.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• Return on board on foot.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

We'll depart on foot for a walk along the Moselle before crossing the bridge leading to the old town of Cochem. You'll get to admire the picturesque streets lined with half-timbered houses, St Martin's Church, the Capuchin Monastery and Church and the marketplace. Our path will then lead us outside the town through a wild natural reserve all the way to Cochem Castle (Reichsburg) which overlooks the whole town. From there, we'll encounter gorgeous views over Cochem and the Moselle. We'll pass by the "Tummelchen" area, offering a view on the castle, before returning to our ship via the upper part of town. 

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Accompanied by your guides, set off to discover the majestic Mainz Cathedral(1), one of the most important religious buildings in Germany. Founded in 975, this millennium-old cathedral dominates the historic heart of the city and stands as a remarkable testament to the spiritual and political role Mainz has played over the centuries. You will admire its impressive architecture, blending Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque influences, as well as the many treasures it houses. This iconic monument, which has witnessed the passage of emperors, archbishops, and major figures of German history, remains today one of the most prestigious symbols of the Rhine Valley. During the visit, you will discover the various stages of its construction and the successive transformations that have given it its unique character. Its imposing nave, richly decorated chapels, and atmosphere of serenity make it an essential site for understanding the history and heritage of Mainz.

PLEASE NOTE

(1) Subject to religious services or special celebrations.

• Good walking shoes are recommended: the tour is on foot and the streets in the old town are cobblestoned.
• The ship will continue sailing during the excursion.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

You will start the visit with a tour and commentary of the Rüdesheim vineyards by mini-train, during which you will discover the famous vineyards already cultivated in the Roman period. During this tour, the history of winemaking in the region will be explained and you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Rüdesheim and the Rhine. The train will then stop right before the historical Bassenheimer Hof cellar, a seigneurial residence from the 16th century, where we'll indulge in a wine-tasting*. A winemaker from the Störzel family cellar will guide you through a tasting of three different wines, from the driest to the sweetest, all the while telling you about the history of the cellar and winemaking in the Rüdesheim region, complete with local stories. Afterwards, our visit will continue on to the Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments located 100m away from the cellar in an old building from the 15th century. The "Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett" is the first German museum dedicated to self-playing musical instruments, which holds an impressive collection of no less than 350 mechanical musical instruments dating back to the 18th century to the 20th, all spread out on more than 4000 ft². This is a vast collection, dating back three centuries, of fascinating musical instruments that function like computers, ranging from tiny, delicate music boxes to an enormous orchestrion. Tools and machines for the production of organ pipes, cardboard sheet music, rolls of sheet music and perforated disks are also on display in the collection. Whatever their age, museum visitors always take great pleasure in discovering this special music, the techniques from the past and how these instruments work. After visiting the Museum, you will have some free time to stroll through the streets of Rüdesheim ambling down the famous Drosselgasse, before making your own way back to the boat.

PLEASE NOTE

• Warm clothes are recommended for the visit of the cellar.
• After the visits, passengers will have free time in Rudesheim until they go back to the boat on foot on their own.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.

Departure by coach from Alken to Thurant castle, in the Moselle valley (Mosel und Eifel) around 20 km from Koblenz. This fortified castle proudly stands as a symbol of the region. The oldest castle in the Moselle got its name from the occupation of the fortress of Thuron in Syria at the time of the Crusades. Thurant Castle was built on the site of a Roman fort in 1197 by the brother of King Otto VI, Count Palatine Henry who had it built when he returned from the aforementioned Crusades. From 1246 to 1248, the castle was besieged by the archdiocese of Köln and Trier, following which it was divided into two parts separated by a wall. During the War of the Palatine Succession (1688-1697) most parts of the castle were destroyed by French troops. The castle was rebuilt in the 20th century. From the terrace, enjoy an unforgettable view of the Moselle. After some free time, we'll return on board in Alken.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.