Tributaries of the Rhine

Fly from London to Basel. Transfer to Strasbourg. Embark on the MS Leonardo da Vinci, your vessel for the eight-night cruise, and enjoy a welcome drink and introduction to the crew. Overnight cruising.
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Arrive in Mannheim, where the Rhine is joined by the Neckar, and sail on the smaller river to hauntingly beautiful Heidelberg, its wooded hillside, multi-arched bridge, atmospheric old town, and red sandstone castle collectively forming a fabulous cityscape, inspiring poets and artists for centuries. Pre-dinner Jules Verne drinks party aboard.
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Cruise to Mainz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Main rivers, for a tour of the city, with traditional taverns, half-timbered houses, and baroque churches in the medieval Altstadt (old town), an octagon tower crowning the Romanesque cathedral, and the Gutenberg Museum celebrating the inventor of the printing press, for which the city is renowned. Cruise the Main to Frankfurt, where steel and glass skyscrapers contrast with a charming old quarter.
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A guided tour of Frankfurt takes you into the painstakingly restored Altstadt, focused on the imposing Gothic façade of the Catholic cathedral, and on vibrant Römerberg square, with its 16th century Fountain of Justice, and ‘the Römer’ city hall, in use since the 15th century. Cruise the Main and the Rhine to arrive in Rüdesheim in the late afternoon. Enjoy a train ride through the Rüdesheim vineyards, first established by the Romans; visit a wine cellar for wine tastings; and continue to the Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments. The name says it all, and the array and variety is mesmerising.
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Today’s journey is a dramatic passage through the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of the Rhine Valley. The river creates its own legend as home to the water nymph, Lorelei, with the steep, slate, Lorelei Rock on the right bank of the river, and a bronze statue of the siren on St. Goarshausen’s pier. Cruise past the Deutsches Eck (German Corner) at Koblenz, a triangular, man-made headland at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle, as you sail toward Cochem.
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Begin the day with a morning walking tour of Cochem’s magnificent Reichsburg Castle, with gorgeous views of the river from its hilltop setting, amid the vines of crisp Moselle wines. Destroyed in the 17th century, it was rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style, following its original plans, and featuring the fanciful turrets and towers which form its fairytale image. Time at leisure to enjoy the old town’s narrow alleys and medieval Market Square, hemmed with half-timbered houses and the rose-pink Town Hall. Cruise to ‘the Rome of the North’, ancient Trier.
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With several historic monuments earning UNESCO World Heritage status for the city, a guided tour of Trier takes in the elliptical Roman Amphitheatre, built around 100BC; the 4th century AD Imperial Baths; the Basilica of Constantine, used as the Bishops’ residence in the middle ages; Trier Cathedral, Germany’s oldest, echoing the arches and round towers of the Roman Porta Nigra gate; and the Market Square, encircled by a confection of old-world townhouses, painted in pastel icing-sugar shades. Cruise the Moselle and Saar rivers for an afternoon at leisure in Saarburg, where an urban waterfall drops 60ft between the old-town buildings on the Leuk Stream’s rush to meet the river. Jules Verne farewell drinks party this evening.
(B, L, D)

Cruise to Remich, on the left-bank of the Moselle, where the river forms the Luxembourg / Germany border. Tour by road to the capital for a guided tour including the UNESCO listed Ville Hauteis (old city), clinging to its clifftop above the river, its zig-zag streets passing palaces and opening onto picturesque squares; the 10th century fortress ruins, crowning an almost inaccessible rock; the Corniche, running on the ramparts of the Alzette river valley, and described as ‘Europe’s most beautiful balcony’; and the Place d’Armes, ‘the city’s parlour’, traffic-free and surrounded by street cafés. Return to Remich for a winery visit and tasting. Gala Dinner on board this evening.
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Disembark and transfer to Luxembourg airport for the return flight to London Heathrow (enjoy free time in Luxembourg with luggage left at Luxembourg station for Aug).
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