Castles & Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle

Welcome to Switzerland and the start of your European journey. Basel is a world-renowned centre of art and culture that sits on the banks of the Rhine River.   Board your 5-star Scenic Space-Ship this afternoon, meet your fellow guests and raise a glass to the start of a fascinating cruise ahead of you at this evening’s welcome reception.  Please book your flight to arrive into Basel prior to 03:00 PM.

Located between the Rhine River and the legendary Black Forest, Breisach is a food and wine destination that shares its border with the Alsace region. It was almost destroyed during World War II but was meticulously rebuilt with its traditional cobbled streets and pastel houses restored to their former glory. Freechoice: Explore the region on one of these Freechoice excursions: Wine tasting at Kaiserstuhl: Thanks to its 16-million-year-old volcanic soils, the Kaiserstuhl is known as a top-quality wine-producing region. Visit today and sample some of these delicious wines. Excursion to Colmar: Visit to Colmar and step into a fairy tale. Likened to Venice due to its quaint canals, the city centre features an abundance of half-timbered houses, some dating back a thousand years, cobblestoned streets lined with charming stores and cafes, and bustling markets serving up delicious local produce. Excursion to Freiburg: Discover picturesque Freiburg, located on the edge of the magical Black Forest. Your local guide will escort you through the medieval town centre to see the Freiburg Munster cathedral, one of only a handful of structures that survived the bombings during WW II. Tour of Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg: Visit this 12th century royal castle that was destroyed during the 30 Years War of the 1600s, then rebuilt 200 years later. On a guided tour, you’ll feel as though you are stepping back into the Middle Ages.

After a relaxing morning on board your 5-star Scenic Space-Ship, dock in Rastatt after lunch. Set on the northern edge of the Black Forest region, Rastatt has a well-preserved Baroque centre, an abundance of green spaces, two iconic palaces, and a vibrant modern arts and theatre scene. It’s also the gateway to the spa town of Baden-Baden. Its curative waters, thermal baths and luxurious hotels made it a favourite retreat of the European elite in the 19th century. Freechoice: Explore your way this afternoon with one of these Scenic Freechoice: Walking tour of Baden-Baden: Follow in the steps of the notable Europeans who spent summers in this famed spa town two centuries ago. See the elegant Kurhaus, built in the 1820s with a casino and luxury shopping in its colonnade, and explore the remains of the Roman baths. Schloss Favorite: Once a hunting lodge and summer palace for 18th century aristocrats (though used for seven weeks a year), Schloss Favorite is now the oldest of the German ‘porcelain palaces’ and the only one to survive intact. Excursion to Fort Schoenenbourg – Maginot Line: Discover the history of the Maginot Line, a system of concrete fortifications built by the French in the 1930s to deter a German invasion during World War II. Visit the underground bunkers and learn about soldiers’ daily life. Walking tour of Strasbourg: Enjoy a guided walking tour of the charming town of Strasbourg, seeing the cathedral, Petit France, the Grand Ile, and its many half-timbered houses and beautiful canals. Set on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg is a unique mixture of both French and German architecture and culture. Please note: this is an active walk.

This morning, disembark in Rüdesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been cultivating wine for more than two millennia. It is filled with half-timbered houses along cobbled streets, quaint shops selling trinkets such as cuckoo clocks, as well as a smattering of wine taverns and open-air beer gardens.  Freechoice: Make your selection from this todays Scenic Freechoice excursions: Siegfried’s Musikkabinett Museum: Visit Siegfried’s Musikkabinett Museum, where a local guide will introduce you to the weird and wonderful mechanical musical instruments. Then explore on your own or take the cable car up to the Niederwald Monument. Hike & cable car: Join a local guide for a hike through the rolling vineyards of Rüdesheim and enjoy spectacular views of the countryside and Rhine River below. After your hike, board the cable car to return to town.

A medieval gem resting on the banks of the Moselle River, Cochem will make you feel as if you are stepping directly into a fairy-tale. The traditional town is nestled on the riverbanks, with pastel-coloured buildings, half-timbered houses, cobbled laneways and an enchanting medieval hilltop castle surrounded by sloped vineyards.   Freechoice: Explore Cochem your way this morning with one of these excursions: Walking tour of Cochem: Explore Reichsburg Castle, which dates back to the Middle Ages and has a well-preserved Knight’s Hall and Trophy Room, then enjoy some free time to walk Cochem’s charming streets on your own. Cycling tour of Cochem: Hop on an e-bike to cycle along the flat path beside the Moselle River. Your local guide will show you Reichsburg Castle, the half-timbered houses of Cochem, and the nearby towns of Valwig and Belstein.

Another wonderfully preserved riverside town, Bernkastel is home to an atmospheric market square with buildings that date to the 13th century and the ruins of Landshut Castle sitting high above on a hill, where archaeological remains from the fourth and fifth centuries were uncovered in 2012. It also sits at the heart of the Moselle Valley wine region and one of the world’s most famous Riesling vineyards, Bernkasteler Doctor, is just on the edge of town. Freechoice: Discover Bernkastel your way on one of these excursions: Walking tour of Bernkastel: Your expert guide will explain the local architecture and culture during a guided tour or the town’s highlights, including perfectly preserved half-timbered houses and the Renaissance-style Rathaus (Town Hall). Then enjoy some time at leisure. Wine tasting along the Moselle: The fertile banks of the Moselle River are a winemakers paradise. Learn about the varieties that are grown and produced at one of the most renowned wineries in the region, then sample a selection of local wines. Hike to Landshut Castle: Landshut Castle, in its current form, has stood on a hill overlooking Bernkastel since the 13th century though its origins are much older. Join your local guide and learn about its fascinating history as you take an active hike up to the fortress. Enrich Tonight,  be immersed in a private classical concert in the breathtaking surroundings of the World Heritage-listed Liebfrauenkirche, or Church of Our Lady, in the heart of the Roman city of Trier. During the concert, admire the incredible architecture and intricate stained-glass windows of the church as magnificent classical music echoes through the walls.

One of Germany’s oldest cities, Koblenz was founded by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago and is brimming with history. It sits where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet and promises a mélange of French and German cultures. Koblenz is filled with parks and flowers and is the gateway to both the romantic Rhine Valley and the beautiful Moselle Valley. Freechoice: Choose to explore your way this morning with these Scenic Freechoice excursions: Walking tour of Koblenz: Join your guide to explore the Old Town’s winding streets, impressive townhouses, charming squares and historic churches, and visit the famed Florinsmarkt, the former political and economic centre of the city. Visit Burg Eltz: Considered one of the most magical castles in Germany, Burg Eltz is perched on a rocky outcrop deep in a valley of the Eltz Forest and has been under the ownership of the same family for more than 850 years. Inside the castle walls, you can visit the treasury and armoury, which exhibits nine centuries of artefacts. Medieval Limburg: Travel by coach to the charming medieval town of Limburg an der Lahn. Walk the historic cobblestone streets lined with perfectly preserved half-timbered houses, visit the cathedral that overlooks the city and see Alte Lahnbrucke, the Old Bridge that straddles the Lahn River. Koblenz biking tour: Ride along the Moselle and Rhine rivers on a guided e-bike cycling tour. Let your bike do most of the hard work as you glide past many city attractions and cross over the Rhine River twice, while learning the historic background of Koblenz from your expert local guide.

Your cruise concludes this morning in the German city of Mainz. Set on the Rhine River, it’s known for its rich Roman heritage, wine growing, university and striking cathedral. Disembark after breakfast, taking with you wonderful memories of Europe’s most beautiful valleys. Please book your flight to depart out of Frankfurt after 11:30 AM. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions.