Rhine Cruise 2012 

We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar in Standard Premier Class to Brussels, enjoying a light meal and drinks on board. We change trains in Brussels and continue by First Class rail into Germany on the high-speed train to Cologne, boarding a coach to Düsseldorf, where our home for the next seven nights, the TC Bellevue is moored. Over the next week, the pace of your holiday is set by you - you may wish to take part in optional excursions (payable locally), enjoy the facilities on board or simply take it easy. Tonight we enjoy our first dinner together on board as we begin our cruise on the majestic River Rhine. (E,D)

We arrive in Koblenz before breakfast this morning. Situated in the picturesque landscape of the Rhine and Moselle, Koblenz was founded over 2,000 years ago by the Romans, and the defensive walls surrounding the city pay tribute to its turbulent history. You are free this morning to explore , or alternatively join an optional walking tour detailing the city's past. We depart Koblenz as lunch is served, sailing further south along the mighty Rhine, through the spectacular Middle Rhine, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As we sail south we pass countless villages, towns and hilltop castles surrounded by rolling vineyards that appear around almost every bend. We also navigate past the imposing Lorelei Rock, a legendary rocky outcrop that soars 120 metres above the water line. During dinner we arrive in Rüdesheim, home to the world-renowned Drosselgasse where lively traditional pubs and wine cellars line the street. This evening you have chance to enjoy a tasting of some of the wines for which this part of Germany is justly famous. (B,L,D)

Today you can join an optional excursion in Rüdesheim, visiting Siegfried's Mechanical Museum, which has one of the world's largest collections of self-playing instruments. We cruise on during the afternoon and evening to Mannheim, where we moor for the night. (B,L,D)

This morning you have the option to explore Mannheim or to join an excursion to Heidelberg, one of Germany's most attractive towns, famous for its historic university and castle. The fortress itself, parts of which date from the 13th century, sits above the charming Baroque Old Town, offering fantastic views over the city and the Neckar Valley. We continue to Speyer this afternoon, enjoying time here to explore. On the optional excursion, see the highlights of Speyer including its famous Romanesque cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site well known as the final resting place of eight German emperors and kings. Alternatively take a stroll along the Maximilianstrasse, the street that led kings and emperors straight to the cathedral. We leave Speyer and sail south towards Kehl this evening. (B,L,D)

We arrive at the town of Kehl this morning, from where you can visit Strasbourg, the attractive capital of Alsace. The city has changed hands several times and both German and French influences can be seen in abundance. Strasbourg's historic Old Town is dominated by the spectacular Notre Dame Cathedral, with its famous astronomical clock. The Grande Île, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the ancient heart of the city, with the vast main square, Place Kléber, at its centre. This evening we leave our mooring at Kehl and begin to sail north. (B,L,D)

We spend this morning in Mainz, the last big town before we re-enter the Rhine Gorge. Mainz is a Roman city famous for its marvellous Romanesque Cathedral of St Martin and is also well known as the home of Gutenberg, the pioneer of the printing press. The Gutenberg Museum is located opposite the Cathedral. This afternoon you can choose to join an excursion through the scenic Siebengebirge Hills, located to the east of the river. We sail into Bonn during dinner on board, mooring here overnight. (B,L,D)

This morning you have the chance to explore Bonn, once a sleepy university town until the post-war period when it was catapulted into the international limelight as the new capital city of West Germany. A walking tour of Bonn will uncover some of the city's hidden gems. Bonn's major claim to fame is that it was the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven. We leave Bonn and sail the short distance to Cologne, one of Germany's oldest cities, which you have the chance to explore at leisure or on an optional guided city walk that includes the charming Old Town and impressive Gothic cathedral that stands out as the city's most famous landmark. (B,L,D)

Leaving Cologne in the early hours, we sail through the night to Düsseldorf, arriving before breakfast. After enjoying our last meal on board the TC Bellevue, we disembark and transfer to Cologne railway station to begin our journey home. We travel by high-speed train in First Class to Brussels, connecting with the Eurostar service to London. A light meal and drinks are served on board the Eurostar ahead of our arrival into St Pancras International. (B,E)

E = Eurostar meal, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday