Experience the Rhine & Moselle 2012 

We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar to Brussels, travelling in Standard Premier Class. We enjoy a light meal and drinks on board during our journey. From Brussels we continue our journey in First Class on the high-speed train to Cologne, where our ship for the next seven nights, TC Bellevue, is moored. Tonight we enjoy our first meal on board together as we begin our cruise along the Rhine. (E,D)

This morning we explore Cochem, an idyllic town surrounded by vineyards and famous for producing Riesling wines. Join the optional guided walking tour or discover Cochem at your own pace. Overlooked by the hilltop Reichsburg Castle, the town also boasts a half-timbered market square, cobbled streets and an impressive Promenade. (B,L,D)

This morning we arrive in Mainz, a Roman city famous for its marvellous Romanesque Cathedral of St Martin and also well known as the home of Gutenberg, the pioneer of the printing press. The Gutenberg Museum is located opposite the Cathedral. (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. (B,L,D)

This morning we cruise along the upper Rhine relaxing as the picturesque scenery slips past the window. We arrive in Basel, at lunchtime, where we disembark. Here we have the opportunity of taking a guided tour of this beautiful Swiss city that stands at the point where Switzerland, France and Germany meet, and provides Switzerland with its only navigable outlet to the sea. Basel is home to many museums and art galleries including the world famous Beyeler Collection, home to works of art by Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso. The historic Old Town contains lively shopping streets that connect the two main squares, while medieval town houses and churches line the steep lanes that lead up towards the majestic Münster, dominating the skyline from high above the Rhine. (B,L,D)

Today we stop in Breisach, a fortified town in the Rhine Gorge. From here you can join the optional excursion to the pretty Breisgau region and visit historic Freiburg, known for the Minster of Our Lady, a wonderful red sandstone Gothic cathedral. (B,L,D)

We cruise to Rüdesheim, a pretty town surrounded by vineyards. Perhaps join the optional excursion to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet, or explore independently. After cruising on the stunning Rhine Gorge - a UNESCO World Heritage site - and past the Lorelei Rock, we arrive in St Goarshausen, where you can take the optional visit to the Marksburg Fortress. We then sail back towards Cologne. (B,L,D)

Today we disembark the TC Bellevue and travel by rail to Brussels. Here we join the Eurostar to London, travelling in Standard Premier Class. We enjoy a light meal and drinks before our arrival at 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

Our September departures offer the added highlight of the spectacular 'Rhine in Flames' event, when a flotilla of ships will sail along the Rhine Gorge as darkness falls, with a blaze of fireworks illuminating the pretty riverside villages and hilltop castles. To accommodate this spectacle, a slightly different itinerary will operate, visiting Bernkastel on Day 3, Koblenz on Day 4, Mainz on Day 5, Kehl on Day 6 and Rüdesheim on Day 7.

Tours departing on 29 September and 6 October operate a different itinerary. Please call us for details.