Treasures of the Rhine

Your vacation begins this morning at London St. Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager before boarding the Eurostar to Cologne, via Brussels. Here, we board our ship, the MS Amadeus Cara, and settle into our elegant home on the river.

Our friendly crew greets us with a welcome cocktail as we get ready to immerse ourselves in the wonders of the Rhine. We then gather for our first dinner onboard, savoring the beginning of our cruise experience. Overnight ship.

• Dinner

Our first full day begins with a leisurely tour of Cologne. Exploring the historic streets, we admire the Romanesque townhouses and visit the city's impressive Gothic cathedral - the largest in northern Europe. The intricate spires and magnificent stained-glass windows of this UNESCO-listed landmark are captivating as we marvel at the grand architecture. After our tour, we enjoy a beer-tasting - Cologne is world-famous for its Kölsch beer, which can only be described as such if it's brewed within 30 miles of the city.

Later this morning, we set off on our first sail. Drifting upstream past Bonn, lush green hills begin to coast into view as we arrive in the town of Königswinter. Here, we journey on the charming Drachenfelsbahn railway.

This cog railway rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels castle - whose name translates as "Dragon's Rock" - inspiring many of the dragon-related legends still heard today. Wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany are revealed as we climb higher. After enjoying panoramic vistas at the summit, we return to our cruise ship for dinner onboard. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sailing to Koblenz this morning, there is time at leisure after breakfast to explore this beautiful city, once a Roman stronghold. We recommend strolling to Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers where you'll be surrounded by inspiring vistas including the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. We then begin sailing again after lunch, arriving in the picturesque town of Boppard later this afternoon.

There's time at leisure for exploration before dinner this evening. As you wander the cobblestone streets, you'll find the town's Roman legacy echoes through its architecture. Admire the half-timbered houses which lead to vineyards scattering the surrounding hills and discover well-preserved Roman fortifications, including the historic town walls and the Roman tower.

If you're up for a bit of adventure, take the chairlift up to the Vier Seen Blick (Four Lakes Viewpoint). From here, you'll be enveloped with panoramic views of the Rhine Valley and the surrounding countryside. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The morning is spent onboard, leisurely sailing through river landscapes including a highlight of our cruising experience - the romantic Rhine gorge. This section of the Rhine is renowned for its spectacular views and the best place to witness them is from the top deck of our ship. Winding past miles of green vineyards, ancient castles, and picturesque riverside towns, we hear the story of the legendary Lorelei Rock which soars almost 500 feet out of the water.

We dock in Rüdesheim after lunch, where we travel through steep vineyards aboard a land train, arriving in the center of this wine town. Here there's a choice of excursions. You could experience why the town is famous with a wine-tasting, savoring the finest local varieties. Alternatively, you could visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet - Europe's largest collection of mechanical instruments.

After dinner this evening there's time to explore the town's cobbled streets at your own pace and see the half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and wine bars on Drosselgasse alley. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a morning of relaxed cruising and lunch onboard, we arrive in the city of Mannheim. From here, you have the option to coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour.

This town has a long and fascinating history and is home to the oldest university in Germany, founded in 1386. Known for its characterful Old Town and stunning riverfront, it is a perfect place to soak up the history and beauty of the area. Our tour includes a visit to the magnificent ruins of the red sandstone castle that towers over the city, providing amazing views of the surrounding forests, river and cityscape.

If you choose to stay onboard, you will sail to Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities, founded as a Roman camp around 10 B.C. Here, there is some free time to explore before dinner - perhaps visit the UNESCO listed cathedral, recognized as the largest Romanesque church in the world. Head to one of the city's museums to delve into its fascinating history or stroll along Maximilian Street to browse the shops housed in its charming gabled buildings, before we reconvene for dinner onboard. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we enjoy a full day cruise to the French city of Strasbourg. Relax onboard as we pass diverse landscapes and natural beauty along the Rhine. Take in the panoramic views while enjoying a refreshment in the bar or the open-air sun deck. You may also like to unwind with a massage or visit the fitness room as we cruise along.

We arrive in Strasbourg later this afternoon, where we enjoy dinner onboard. This evening, you can experience the city's unique character at leisure.

Sitting near the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg perfectly represents the blending of both country's cultures. The Old Town is well worth a visit, and here you'll discover timber-framed houses, cobbled streets, and the iconic cathedral, all creating a fairytale ambience. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you have a choice of two excursions. The first is a trip into the Black Forest to witness picture-perfect panoramas. Experience the beauty of Germany's largest nature park filled with rolling hills, picturesque villages, dense forests, and meadows dotted with wildflowers. As you explore this fairytale setting, you'll learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region.

Alternatively, you could choose a city tour of Strasbourg. During the tour, you'll discover its history and admire its grand architecture, visiting the UNESCO-listed cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district, with its winding medieval alleys and 13th-century covered bridges spanning pretty canals.

After your choice of excursion, we return to the ship for lunch. The rest of your afternoon is at leisure to discover more of Strasbourg, and you could join our coach into the Old Town. The scenic capital of France's Alsace region offers an evening of history and culture, whether you choose to wander the charming streets or relax with a beverage at one of the inviting cafés or wine bars. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sailing along the Rhine from Cologne to Strasbourg has provided a superb glimpse into the beauty of Germany and its revered river. From our luxury ship, we have viewed fairytale scenes such as the Rhine Gorge and pretty Strasbourg, explored timeless history in Koblenz and Heidelberg, and savored local flavors in Rüdesheim.

After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew. We head to the railway station and catch our train to Paris. In the French capital, we board the Eurostar back to London, where your vacation concludes.

• Breakfast