A Cruise Through Four Exquisite European Valleys (port-to-port cruise)

Departure for a guided tour of Koblenz. In the very heart of the picturesque regions around the Rhine and Moselle, Koblenz is surrounded by four low Rhineland mountain ranges and offers visitors a rich panel of cultural monuments and historic buildings. We will be able to see the "Liebfrauenkirche” (the Church of Our Lady) and the Deutsches Eck (German corner) from where we can see the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. We'll then take the funicular up to visit the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress from where the views over the town, the Rhine and the Moselle are breathtaking. Overlooking the mouth of the Moselle and the Rhine Valley, the fortress benefits from a real strategic location. The edifice as we see it today was constructed under Prussian rule in 1817. Return on board.

PLEASE NOTE

• Sturdy shoes are strongly recommended.
• 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.

Transfer to Cochem castle by minibus in groups of about 25 passengers. The Reichsburg is built on a remarkable site, a steep vine-covered hill overlooking the Moselle. Guided tour of this magnificent castle dating from the year 1000, which was destroyed by French troops in the 17th century and entirely rebuilt according to old plans in a Neo-Gothic style. It is distinguished by its graceful towers topped with bell turrets. It is one of the few castles in Germany which, having been rebuilt after being destroyed, still has its original countenance today. After visiting the castle, you will have some free time in the town. The town of Cochem is interesting in itself, with its narrow winding streets, its carefully restored half-timbered houses with their slate roofs, the Town Hall square with its history-filled past, as well as ancient walls, gates and churches. Return to the boat on foot.

PLEASE NOTE

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

Departure for the visit of Heidelberg. This cosmopolitan, friendly, and vibrant city is made up of 15 distinct neighborhoods and is particularly attractive to families, students, business people, and researchers. Its high quality of life comes through to visitors, who feel genuinely at home here. We'll begin with a visit to the outside of Heidelberg Castle, where you'll be able to see the Renaissance ruins and parts of its restoration. The castle has a history that is almost as old as the city itself. From either the Great Terrace or the gardens, enjoy an amazing view over Heidelberg, the Neckar River, and the valley. Don't miss seeing the Heidelberg Tun. Built in 1751 by Prince Elector Karl Theodor, it housed the wine paid as taxes by the wine growers in the region. Legend has it that the permanently intoxicated court jester who guarded the cask, Perkeo, died after mistakenly drinking a simple glass of water. You can also enjoy a stroll through the castle gardens, once considered a masterpiece of their time. Built upon several terraces, they were made up of many flower beds, mazes, sculptures, heated greenhouse with orange trees, large ponds, waterfalls, and a man-made grotto. We'll then head for the Neckarmünzplatz, on the banks of the Necker River, and continue with a guided tour of the old city. We'll pass by the Church of the Holy Spirit, the most famous church in Heidelberg, whose steeple dominates the town. And then you can take advantage of some free time to wander through the streets and shops before returning on board.

PLEASE NOTE

• Depending on the cruise, departure and/or return on board in Mannheim
• The access to the castle needs climbing up a 300m gradient.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• 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.

We'll go to the center of Rüdesheim to catch a gondola lift to the Niederwalddenkmal, a monument built in the 19th century to commemorate the first unification of Germany. From there, you'll have a great view of the small city, the vineyards and the Rhine. We'll hike through the vineyards to the Abbey of St. Hildegard, built in the early 20th century. You'll have some free time to explore the abbey before we return to the ship through the vineyards once more.

PLEASE NOTE

• Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.
• 8km-hike with a 300m elevation gain.
• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.

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.

Departure from the boat for a panoramic coach tour of the city of Trier. Discover the Roman cultural heritage of Trier with a splendid view over the Moselle and its magnificent countryside. Trier is the oldest of German cities, founded so long ago that it is 13 years older than Rome. And Trier's age is not its only claim to glory. It is known above all for having been one of the seats of power of the Holy Roman Empire, one of the great centers of Early Christianity as well as a dynamic medieval town. Of these three periods, the city has retained some precious architectural marks. The tour continues on foot. We'll discover (exteriors ony) the Amphitheater, the tenth biggest in all of the Roman Empire which could hold up to 30,000 spectators. We'll move on to the Imperial Baths which were sumptuously arranged inside: marble on the walls, floors, mosaics, frescoes on the walls, statues. The thermae buildings form a rectangle 140m x 250 m. Continuation to the Basilica of Constantine. Since its construction in about 310, the basilica has never been out of use. From the very start, the edifice was an imposing one - 67 m long, 27 m wide and 30 m high. Over time, numerous buildings have been added. Finally, we'll discover the famous Porta Nigra which was designed as a gate as well as a monument. Even Rome today does not have an ancient building of this size in such a state of conservation. Afterwards, we'll walk round the city center, marked by the Middle Ages thanks to St Peter's Cathedral in particular (exteriors only). Its oldest parts date from 326, but the general layout of the church was considerably altered in the 10th century. You'll also be able to enjoy the atmosphere on the Hauptmarkt - the Main Market square. Highly Baroque and located in the heart of the city center, its mixture of styles will enchant you. Old timber-framed houses mingle with classical pastel-colored houses, decorated with white stucco. At the end of your guided tour, you will have some free time to stroll around the town at your own pace. Return to the boat by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

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