Cruise the Heart of Europe: Explore the Rhine, Main and Danube

On arrival, transfer by coach to your cruise ship moored in Cologne’s picturesque centre. The dedicated English-speaking crew will welcome you aboard your first-class floating hotel, ensuring you settle in to your luxurious and well-equipped cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship.

The first morning on a river cruise is always a thrill as you awake to the gentle lapping of the water and the colourful valley sides slipping effortlessly past your cabin window. We call at historic Koblenz, situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers and dominated by the immense Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.

This morning we take a guided walk around the old town, exploring its twisting streets and charming squares.

During a relaxed lunch we cruise to Boppard, known as the ‘Pearl of the Rhine’ for a guided tour. Wonderfully situated on a sweeping meander, it is one of the Rhineland’s most attractive villages. Its stone quayside is lined with boats of all descriptions set against a backdrop of archetypal half-timbered buildings and cobbled streets.

There are also some superb Roman walls, reputed to be the finest in Germany. Uncover its fascinating Roman past on our guided walk, seeing the 4th-century fortress, reputedly the finest and best-preserved in the country. You’ll also see the striking St Severin Church, with its lovely stained glass and the picturesque marketplace, encircled by colourful facades.

This evening delight in the upbeat sounds of Rhenish folk music with a live performance on traditional instruments.

Today you experience one of the real highlights of your cruise – the passage through the Rhine Gorge. Here the river narrows, the current is swifter and the towering valley sides soar 600 feet, while the ruins of castles, which once held sway over passing mariners, crown every tortuous turn. We pass rocky outcrops and cruise around endless twisting bends to the famous Lorelei or ‘murmuring rock’, where according to legend, enchanting maidens lured unsuspecting sailors to watery graves.

Next, we call at Rüdesheim, a true Rhine wine town surrounded by vineyards whose fruits you can sample in the many wine taverns you’ll find in its cobbled streets.

This afternoon’s guided tour takes us on a delightful walk through the heart of the old town, seeing the Klunkhardshof, a magnificent half-timbered building dating back to the 16th century and the Brömserhof, which today is home to a quirky museum with an unusual collection of mechanical musical instruments.

This morning we take the short cruise to the town of Mainz, situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Main Rivers, for a city walking tour. An important Roman city for over 450 years with the largest amphitheatre north of the Alps, Mainz is also home to the magnificent Romanesque Saint Martin’s Cathedral and Saint Stephen’s Church, whose interior is filled with beautiful blue light flooding through stained glass windows featuring intricate biblical figures – a masterpiece by the great artist Marc Chagall.

On the tour, wander the crooked streets of the old town and city centre to discover the half-timbered houses, historic Roman Catholic monuments, striking Cathedral and bustling marketplace. Take in the atmosphere of this river port city and marvel at the architectural feat of the 13ft sandstone ‘Heunensäule’ which dates back to 1,000 AD. Mainz’s most famous son is Johannes Gutenberg, father of modern printing, and there’s an excellent museum housing a reconstruction of his workshop and two original 1455 Gutenberg Bibles, among the earliest books ever printed.

This afternoon our ship cruises up the Main River. Due to locks and low bridges the main part of the sun deck will be closed between Mainz and Passau. The other outside areas in front of the lounge, the lido bar and the lower section of the sun deck are still accessible.

The views this morning are of dense emerald, green forests as we cruise to Miltenberg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval villages, where we enjoy a guided tour. It became prosperous during the Middle Ages under the protection of its castle and today its colourful half-timbered houses and market square with its octagonal Renaissance fountain are an atmospheric reminder of times past.

Embark on our intriguing walking tour, to see one of the most beautiful marketplaces on the Main, the “Schnatterloch”, encircled by proud half-timbered houses, with their steeply gabled roofs and charmingly decorative facades. You’ll see the former Waaghaus, the old town hall and the oldest inn in Germany, dating back to the 15th-century.

During lunch, we cruise around the first of the many meandering bends that characterise the Main River, before learning more about the history of glassblowing and watching a fascinating demonstration of this historic craft.

This afternoon we’ll discover the secrets of Wertheim on a walking tour. Overlooked by a mighty ruined castle, it’s a joy to stroll through the town’s atmospheric streets, soaking up the ambience of this delightfully picturesque spot.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning as we glide towards Würzburg, situated at the head of Germany’s Romantic Road, so called because of its spellbinding procession of captivating scenery, medieval towns, lofty castles and grand palaces.

Würzburg is best explored by foot, and we have a walking tour through neat streets dotted with fine pastel-coloured Baroque and Rococo buildings. Its crowning jewel is the truly magnificent Residenz, the former seat of the prince-bishops and one of Europe’s finest Baroque palaces, constructed to compete with the greatest courts of the day such as Vienna and Versailles.

Today we visit Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s quite simply one of the most outstandingly preserved and beautiful small towns in Europe, easily on a par with Prague. The masterpiece you see today began its artistic journey during the 11th century when Emperor Heinrich II chose Bamberg as the location for a capital city he planned to be as grand as Rome.

Although it never became as large as Italy’s capital, Bamberg nevertheless has a wealth of fine buildings including a stupendous cathedral, a town hall built in the middle of the Regnitz River, a network of canals and former fishermen’s houses called ‘Little Venice’ and hundreds of medieval buildings in the tangled lanes of its Old Town.

Before tonight's dinner, there's the chance to sample some of Bavaria's legendary beers and learn more about its history and production.

Today we call at Nuremberg, the Bavarian city which will always be associated with the Nazi period – Hitler’s pre-war rallies and the international war crimes trials that brought down the final curtain on that notorious regime. What is less well known is that Nuremberg is regarded as the unofficial capital of Germany’s First Reich, better known as the Holy Roman Empire, which was founded with the coronation of Charlemagne in 800 AD and lasted for over a thousand years.

This morning we have a fascinating guided tour taking in the city’s great ramparts and many fine historic buildings, including the enormous Kaiserburg castle, Craftsmen’s Court, the Church of Saint Lawrence and the Market Square, with its exquisite fountain that resembles a Gothic church tower.

This morning we cruise along the Main– Danube Canal to Kelheim, where we join the Danube River. Our next port of call is Regensburg, formerly an important garrison guarding the most north-westerly point of the Roman Empire whose camp gate, the Porta Praetoria, can still be seen. Regensburg was spared war damage and today its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s a delight to explore.

This afternoon take in the sights of this fascinating Bavarian city on our guided tour. See the wealthy merchants’ houses, the Old Town Hall. Stroll along the iconic stone bridge; see the Altes Rathaus – the seat of the Diet, or parliament, of the Holy Roman Empire from 1663 to 1806 – and gaze in wonder at the Gothic cathedral.

Regensburg calls itself ‘Germany’s medieval miracle’, and it’s hard to argue as you wander along the glorious winding streets and elegant squares of the old town.

Another day dawns as our journey brings us to Passau, the last town we stop at in Germany, nestling where the Inn and Ilz Rivers join the Danube.

After a leisurely breakfast take the opportunity to explore the ‘Three Rivers City’, overlooked by the Veste Oberhaus, a 13th-century hilltop fortress on our guided tour. The old town below is known for its Baroque architecture including Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, where the world’s largest cathedral organ sounds.

Back on board, make sure to keep an eye on the superb views slipping silently by as we cross into Austria. It’s a country synonymous with superb scenery, but this beautiful section of the Danube Valley is something of a secret.

On a striking rocky bluff above the town of Melk is the enormous Benedictine Abbey, which we visit this morning. This extraordinary building was originally a castle that was subsequently bequeathed to the Benedictine order during the 11th century and has been a monastery ever since. Reconstructed in full Baroque style during the 18th century, the Abbey has many fine rooms and a stupendous library with 100,000 priceless volumes, including some intricate illuminated manuscripts.

As lunch is served, we cruise downstream through the delightfully picturesque Wachau Valley before approaching our next destination: Vienna, the city of Strauss. To celebrate Vienna’s wonderful legacy, we have arranged a recital on board by a quartet of talented classical musicians. Listening to this exquisite music while in the city of its creation makes a wonderful finale to the day.

The main event this evening is the ‘Captain’s Dinner’, the chef’s delicious selection of specialities from the countries and regions we’ve visited during our cruise. Afterwards, perhaps retire for a digestif in the bar to reflect on all the wonderful sights you’ve seen and the people you’ve met on this unforgettable river cruise through the heart of Europe.

Imagine Vienna and you think of an elegant imperial city that’s one of the gems of Central Europe, and perhaps the world’s most musical city. Its name conjures up an image of culture, ornate architecture, resplendent cafés, aristocratic palaces and imposing cathedrals, with the romantic music of the great composers filling the air. In fact, the reality is little different and there’s an absolute wealth of things to see in this former capital of the Habsburg Empire, which held sway over much of Central and Eastern Europe for centuries until its demise at the end of the First World War.

For such a grand city Vienna is quite compact and this morning we enjoy an enlightening guided tour. This most civilised of cities first rose to prominence in the 17th century, and over the next 200 years a magnificent array of galleries, churches and palaces was built. 

At its heart we have the lovely Saint Stephen’s Cathedral with its dazzling patterned roof of glazed tiles, then the awe-inspiring Hofburg Palace, the former royal court that’s now a collection of museums, home to the Crown Jewels and relics of the Holy Roman Empire as well as the famous Spanish Riding School, and where the Vienna Boys’ Choir performs.

The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy this wonderful city at your leisure.

This morning we explore Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, which has shrugged off the greyness of the communist era and rekindled the splendour of its imperial past in its painstakingly restored Baroque Old Town.

Wander the winding streets to the main square where you’ll find the former Old Town Hall, now housing a museum dedicated to the history of the city and where you may climb the tower for some lovely views. Equally impressive is the great 9th-century castle that dominates the city, with its expansive views across the Danube. Or head to the neoclassical Primatial Palace with its fabulous Hall of Mirrors and rare collection of 17th-century English tapestries. For something more relaxing, perhaps enjoy a refreshing homemade lemonade – a speciality of the city – in one of the many cafés.

Our cruise reaches another highlight this afternoon as we navigate the dramatic Danube Bend, one of the most spectacular stretches of this mighty river. Winding our way through a narrow twisting valley flanked by high mountains and verdant hillsides, we pass a kaleidoscope of exceptional river views, ancient castle ruins and historic towns.

We reach our journey’s end cruising into Budapest and enjoying spectacular views of this breath-taking city on our stately final approach. 

You rise refreshed in this breathtakingly beautiful imperial capital that straddles the great Danube River, and we have a whole day to enjoy it. Dominated by its castle, Budapest has been called ‘Little Paris of Middle Europe’ and, with its truly magnificent skyline of soaring spires and grand domes, it’s not hard to see why. It’s renowned for the bewitching blend of monuments reflecting Hungary’s national culture and those of the foreign powers that have dominated most of the city’s history.

Today Budapest is a collage of Roman ruins, Turkish baths from the Ottoman Empire, palatial buildings, Baroque churches and sensational Art Nouveau architecture and design – all wrapped up in a wonderful atmosphere enhanced by the unique sound of Hungary’s music and language.

You’ll really get to know this beguiling city on our guided tour of the main sights, such as the iconic Parliament Building, a huge neo-Gothic building that dominates the riverbank with its striking central dome and multitude of soaring spires. You have the rest of the day free to explore at your leisure, and culturally you’re spoilt for choice with the city’s array of fine museums and art galleries.

Alternatively, you might want to wander the ancient streets of the Castle District while you enjoy panoramic views of the city, stroll down elegant Andrassy Avenue or visit the spectacular Central Market Hall, where you can find everything from traditional foods to handicrafts.

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your crew and start the journey home.

On arrival, transfer by coach to your cruise ship. The dedicated crew will welcome you on board, ensuring you settle into your comfortable and extremely well-equipped cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship, your first-class floating hotel.

There’s always a sense of expectancy and excitement on the eve of a cruise, and after an excellent dinner in the stylish restaurant, conversation is sure to revolve around the delights ahead of you.

Our cruise begins in this most beautiful of imperial capitals, which straddles the great river, and we have the whole day to enjoy it. Dominated by its castle, Budapest has been called ‘Little Paris of Middle Europe’ and, with its truly magnificent skyline of soaring spires and grand domes, it’s not hard to see why.

Today, Budapest is a collage of ruins from Roman times, Turkish baths from the Ottoman Empire, palatial buildings, Baroque churches and some quite sensational architecture from the Art Nouveau era – all wrapped up in a wonderful atmosphere, enhanced by the unique sound of Hungary’s music and language.

We enjoy a guided tour seeing the main sights such as the iconic Parliament Building, a huge and palatial neo-Gothic building, which dominates the riverbank with its striking central dome and lofty spires. You will have the rest of the day free to explore this majestic city and, with a host of fine museums and galleries on offer, you will be spoilt for choice.

Alternatively, you might want to wander the ancient streets of the Castle District while you enjoy panoramic views of the city, stroll down elegant Andrassy Avenue or visit the spectacular Central Market Hall, where you can find everything from traditional foods to handicrafts.

During tonight’s excellent dinner, we leave beguiling Budapest behind as our ship glides away from her moorings and our voyage of adventure begins.

Awakening to the gentle lapping of the water and the colourful valley sides slipping effortlessly past your cabin window, there really is no other holiday experience quite like it. Sit back in one of the deck chairs on the sun deck and soak up the tranquillity and spectacular scenery in all its panoramic glory – now you’re really on holiday!

During lunch we’ll arrive in Slovakia’s fast-emerging capital city, Bratislava. Until recently swathed in the drab uniformity of communism, the city has shrugged off its greyness, rekindling the splendour of its imperial past, so evident in its beautifully restored Baroque old town.

We enjoy a guided tour after which you are at leisure. Wander the winding streets to the main square, where you will find the former old town hall, now housing a museum dedicated to the history of the city and where you may climb the tower for some lovely views.

Equally impressive is the great 17th-century fortress, which dominates the city with its commanding and expansive views across the Danube. Or head for the Primatial Palace with its fabulous Hall of Mirrors and rare collection of 17th-century English tapestries. For something less strenuous, perhaps enjoy a freshly ground coffee or homemade lemonade in one of the many bars or cafés.

Reconvene with your fellow travelling companions in the elegant restaurant to enjoy tonight’s dinner as we slip our moorings once again.

This morning, you awake in Vienna, a truly elegant city and one of the real gems of Central Europe, conjuring up an image in the mind of culture, ornate architecture, elegant cafés, aristocratic palaces, imposing cathedrals and everywhere, the romantic music of the great composers. To be fair the reality is little different and as capital of the Habsburg Empire, which held sway over much of Central and Eastern Europe for centuries, there is an absolute wealth of things to see. 

At its heart is the lovely Saint Stephen’s Cathedral with its dazzling patterned roof of glazed tiles, then the awe-inspiring Hofburg Palace, now home to the crown jewels and relics of the Holy Roman Empire, the Vienna Boys’ Choir and the famous Spanish Riding School. This morning we will have a guided tour to discover this wonderful city, while the afternoon is free for you to further explore.

This evening after dinner, to celebrate the city’s wonderful legacy, we have arranged a classical recital on board by a quartet of talented musicians. To hear this exquisite music whilst in the city of its creation makes a wonderful finale to the day.

As our cruise ship navigates the picturesque Wachau Valley, we arrive this morning in Melk for our visit to the enormous Benedictine Abbey, situated on a striking and resplendent rocky bluff above the town.

This extraordinary building was originally a castle, which was subsequently bequeathed to the Benedictine order in the 11th century and has been a monastery ever since. Reconstructed in full Baroque style during the 18th century, the abbey has many fine rooms and a stupendous library with 100,000 priceless volumes, including many intricate medieval manuscripts.

After lunch is served, we cruise upstream towards the German border. Synonymous with breath-taking scenery of course, this wonderful section of our fascinating journey is still something of a secret however, so sit back and relax as the Captain skilfully navigates us through the narrowing valley.

After tonight’s dinner, retire to the lounge for your favourite digestif to reflect on all you have seen so far.

This morning we have left Austria behind, and our first German port of call is the picturesque town of Passau, sitting at the confluence of three rivers: the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz. For centuries, the rivers ensured that Passau was a significant centre of trade, particularly for Central Europe’s precious Bohemian salt.

This morning enjoy a guided tour through the Altstadt’s tight lanes, tunnels and archways decorated with an Italianate flourish and built by the powerful prince-bishops. See the beautifully baroque Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, where the world’s largest cathedral organ sounds, before returning to the ship in time for lunch followed by an afternoon’s scenic cruising.

Please note: when cruising from Passau to Mainz, the main part of the sun deck is closed due to low bridges.

Our ship moors in the delightful town of Regensburg for an insightful guided tour. Originally a Roman garrison guarding the most north westerly point of their empire, the town is dominated by its cathedral, the finest in Bavaria. Thankfully spared war damage, Regensburg is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is a joy to explore this historic gem.

Stroll along the iconic Stone Bridge and meander through the ancient centre; see the Altes Rathaus, the town hall with its great Gothic Hall, where many of the great events in Germany’s history were solemnised and be enchanted by the wonderful ambience of the place. Indeed, Regensburg calls itself Germany’s best-preserved medieval city, and it is hard to argue as you wander through the glorious winding streets and alleyways.

Relax on board this afternoon as we cruise on to our next destination, leaving behind the Danube, one of the most famous and beautiful rivers in the world.

Now cruising on the Main-Danube Canal, we call at the historic Bavarian city of Nuremberg, where history buffs will be fascinated by its associations with the Second World War as the site of many pre-war Nazi rallies and later, the International War Crimes Tribunal.

What is less well-known is that Nuremberg is regarded as the capital of Germany’s First Reich, the era that lasted 1,000 years and was central to the trade routes and power of the Roman Empire. Today its picture-perfect streets and stunning landmarks, such as the beautiful Gothic Church of Saint Lawrence, can only enchant the visitor and there is plenty to admire about this historic city.

This morning, we have a fascinating guided tour taking in the city’s great ramparts and many fine historic buildings from Nuremberg’s Imperial Age, including the enormous Kaiserburg Castle, Craftsmen’s Court and the market square with its exquisite fountain that resembles a Gothic church tower.

Before tonight's dinner, there's the chance to sample some of Bavaria's legendary beers and learn more about its history and production.

Today we visit Bamberg, quite simply one of the most beautiful small towns in Europe, easily on a par with Prague and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The masterpiece you see today on our guided tour began its artistic journey in the 11th century, when Emperor Heinrich II planned a capital as grand as Rome and selected Bamberg as the location for this, sited on seven lush green hills like its inspiration. Although it never became as large as Rome, it has a wealth of fine historic buildings for its size.

See the striking multi-spired cathedral, wander the fascinating tangle of lanes in the pretty old town lined with tall merchants’ houses, and explore the picturesque canal paths reminiscent of Venice, before returning to the ship for another delicious lunch.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and relax on board this morning before we arrive and moor in Würzburg, a Bavarian city situated at the head of Germany’s ’Romantic Road’. A former seat of the Prince-Bishops, their truly magnificent Residenz is one of Europe’s finest Baroque palaces, constructed to compete with the greatest courts of the day, such as Vienna and Versailles, which in artistic terms they more than succeeded in doing.

After enjoying a guided tour, the rest of the afternoon is at leisure, allowing you to further explore this picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its art, architecture and delicate wines.

This morning, our journey brings us to Wertheim, one of those towns which is a joy to stumble across because it’s still relatively unknown on the mainstream tourist trail. Nestling beautifully at the confluence of the Main and Tauber, it’s a patchwork of twisting alleys and superb panoramic viewpoints with a ruined russet-walled 12th-century castle looming high above. Here we enjoy an expert-led tour which takes you past the highlights of this charming town.

During lunch, we cruise around some of the many meandering bends which so characterise the River Main before learning more about the history of glassblowing and watching a fascinating demonstration of this historic craft.

Later, we arrive at the beautiful small town of Miltenberg for our second tour of the day. Developing through the Middle Ages under the powerful protection of the nearby castle, surrounded by walls, it is one of Germany's best-preserved medieval villages. Its colourful half-timbered houses and market square, with an octagonal Renaissance fountain, are atmospheric reminders of times past.

Today there’s ample time to relax on board before our guided tour of Mainz – why not catch up on some reading in the lounge or make an appointment with the on-board hairdresser before our ship arrives at the fascinating town of Mainz, situated at the confluence of the rivers Main and Rhine.

An important Roman city for over 450 years, with the largest amphitheatre north of the Alps, it is home to the magnificent Romanesque Saint Martin’s Cathedral and the fine Saint Stephen’s Church, where light flickers through beautiful, blue stained-glass windows featuring intricate biblical figures – a masterpiece by the great artist Marc Chagall.

Mainz’s most famous son is Gutenberg, father of modern printing, and there’s an excellent museum housing a reconstruction of his workshop and two original 1455 Gutenberg Bibles, among the earliest books ever printed.

The afternoon is free for you to explore. Later this evening we call at Rüdesheim, a true Rhine wine town with many famous wines available to sample as you wander the quaint backstreets so typical of the area. After dinner, why not take a stroll along the Drosselgasse to sample a small Asbach – the locally distilled brandy.

Tonight, there’s another culinary highlight – the Captain’s Dinner, when the chef prepares his superb ‘signature’ dishes for you to enjoy in the splendid surroundings of the ship’s restaurant, with a chance to reflect on the fascinating places you have discovered, poignant stories you have heard and the new friends you have made.

We spend the morning moored in Rüdesheim, where you'll enjoy a fascinating tour of the old town. Over a delicious lunch you experience one of the real highlights of your cruise as we sail through the spectacular Rhine Gorge.

Here the valley narrows, the current is swifter and the towering valley sides soar 600 feet, crowned at every tortuous turn by the precarious ruins of castles, which once held sway over passing mariners. We pass rocky outcrops and around endless twisting bends to the famous Loreley Rock, where legend has it that enchanting maidens lured unsuspecting sailors to watery graves.

It’s not long before we arrive in Boppard, ‘Pearl of the Rhine’; wonderfully situated on a sweeping meander, it really is one of the most attractive villages in the Rhineland. Its delightful stone quayside is lined by boats of all descriptions against a backdrop of archetypical half-timbered buildings and cobbled streets, all surrounded by Germany’s finest Roman walls.

There will be some time at leisure before dinner to enjoy discovering this delightful spot. This evening delight in the upbeat sounds of Rhenish folk music with a live performance on traditional instruments. We arrive in Koblenz later this evening.

This morning, we take a guided walk to explore the twisting streets and picturesque squares of Koblenz’s old town, which is dominated by its immense fortress overlooking the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle.

This afternoon, sink into a comfy chair in the lounge and enjoy our last stretch of cruising as we make our final passage into Cologne in the shadow of the magnificent Gothic cathedral, for which the city is so famous. It is a truly staggering building, which took 600 years to build and has the most intricate stained glass in Europe.

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your crew and start the journey home.