The Romantic Rhine

Ferry to Calais and onwards to our hotel, where we stay overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.

We continue our journey to Cologne, where we board the A-ROSA BRAVA for the start of our eight-day cruise. There’s also time to explore the city, well-known for its fine selection of museums, excellent botanical gardens and the famous cathedral which dominates the skyline. Lined with a bustling wide promenade and crisscrossed with bridges, our first glimpse of the mighty Rhine in Cologne is destined to be a memorable one. A major trading centre since Roman times, this impressive city perfectly merges the old and the new.

After a morning sailing on the scenic Upper Middle Rhine we arrive at the town of Rüdesheim (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), renowned the world over for its outstanding wines. Be sure to take a walk through the charming little streets of the Old Town, home to Drosselgasse, an alleyway with half-timbered facades known as ‘The World’s Longest Wine Bar’.

Today we sail through the historical heart of Europe, enjoying some of the most picture-perfect sights of our Rhine cruise with terraced vineyards, expansive forests and high peaks. Spend the day in the relaxed riverside town of Germersheim or opt to travel to nearby Heidelberg, one of Germany’s oldest cities and once home to Germany’s oldest university. Our Tour Manager takes us on a walking tour of the city to see the town square in the Altstadt (Old Town) the ruins of Heidelberg Castle and the Gothic Heiliggeistkirche church towers over the cafe-lined Marktplatzare and other notable key landmarks.

Cameras at the ready for picturesque Breisach, which is perched on a steep cliff above the Rhine with pastel-hued buildings and set in beautiful rolling vineyards. Nestled in the point where the Black Forest spills into the Alsace region, this German town shares a lot with its French neighbours; its love of delicious food and good wine among them.

The capital of the Grand Est region, formerly known as Alsace, Strasbourg sits on the border (the river itself being the border) with Germany. We moor up in Kehl on the German side; it’s a leisurely stroll across the bridge into Strasbourg, or take a local bus, taxi or optional excursion. Explore the Old Town with quaint colourful houses and twisting alleys, the canals of Petit France and the magnificent Strasbourg Cathedral. For 227 years, this imposing sandstone structure was the tallest building in the world and at its summit the views stretch as far as the Black Forest, some 30km away.

Today we visit Mainz in the Rhineland's wine-growing region, famed for its Riesling wines. Wander the cobbled streets of the Old Town and lose yourself among half-timbered buildings, housing colourful bars and traditional shops. Visit the impressive 1,000-year-old Mainzer Dome, a masterpiece of Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque styles and the impressive Gutenberg Museum, celebrating Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press.

Choose to stay on board to enjoy the scenery from Mainz to Koblenz or join the included excursion to the Moselle Valley. We stop at Bernkastel, a medieval old town with a historic market. Next, we head to the stunning town of Cochem, with its beautiful castle overlooking the river before carrying on to Koblenz. Located at the confluence of the mighty Rhine and the Moselle rivers, Koblenz is a delight to explore. Highlights include the Baroque town hall, the Old Town and the cable car ride with wonderful views over the Rhine.

We also enjoy a walking tour of Koblenz, which includes the impressive Kaiser Wilhelm monument at the Deutsches Eck (German Corner) and the unique Schängel Fountain. As we stroll through the romantic lanes between the Basilica St Kastor and the Church of Our Lady with their striking Romanesque two-tower façades, we hear fascinating details about the city’s history. In the evening we enjoy a farewell dinner on board our ship.

We arrive back in Cologne where we disembark and head to Calais for our return ferry home.