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- ESSENCE OF RHINE
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Description
Essence of Rhine
Undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking rivers
in Central Europe, the majestic Rhine begins its journey in Lake Constance
(Switzerland), flows through the charming French city of Strasbourg, and
reveals its most stunning beauty in Germany. Along its winding course, every
rock and hillside is crowned with castles, ancient ruins, or towers with
narrow, shadowy windows—each whispering tales of centuries past. Join us on a
journey to uncover the hidden treasures nestled along the legendary Rhine Rive
Dates
Itinerary
| THE ESSENCE OF THE RHINE I | ||
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 8 days | |
| Departure date | 02-09-2026 | | |
| Cities | Cologne, Rüdesheim, Speyer, Strasbourg, Basel, Breisach, Worms, Mainz | |
| Rivers | RHINE | |
|
INCLUDED: Accommodation in outside cabins; 3 guided tours
as indicated in the itinerary (min 10 pax); full board from dinner on the first
day to breakfast on the last day; drinks included during onboard meals: draft
beer, house wine, soft drinks, water, coffee/tea; welcome drink (limited time);
afternoon tea with pastries or a midnight snack; coffee station available; live
music onboard; welcome and farewell cocktail (includes one drink); Captain’s
dinner; port and tourist taxes (€65/person/cruise); medical assistance
insurance; onboard luggage handling. NOT INCLUDED: Optional excursions; drinks not mentioned above;
individual transfers; flights; trip cancellation insurance; tips
(€60/person/cruise); port and tourist taxes
(€65/person/cruise); Wi-Fi; laundry service; minibar PACKAGE OF INCLUDED
VISITS – ROUTE I (min
10 pax per language):
|
||
| Day 1 | COLOGNE Boarding from 16:00. Welcome cocktail. Free time in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay on board. |
|
| Day 2 | RÜDESHEIM Full board on board. After lunch, we arrive in Rüdesheim, one of Germany’s most
charming and frequently visited towns. Historic landmarks such as the
Klunkhardshof, the fortified Adler Tower, the thousand-year-old Brömser Castle,
and the ruins of Ehrenfels Castle invite visitors to step back in time. Enjoy
our guided walking tour through the picturesque old town. Overnight stay on
board. |
|
| Day 3 | SPEYER* Full board on board. We arrive in Speyer early in the morning. Located in the
state of Rhineland-Palatinate, this historic city is home to the largest
surviving Romanesque cathedral in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since
1981. The cathedral also serves as the final resting place for several emperors
of the Holy Roman Empire. Enjoy the guided walking tour through the city. Overnight on board. Please note: the stop in Speyer may be replaced by a visit to Gernsheim. |
|
| Day 4 | STRASBOURG Full board on board. In the morning, we arrive in Strasbourg, the capital of
the Alsace region. Its historic center, Grande Île, was declared a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1988 as a remarkable example of a medieval city. The area
where the canals converge is known as La Petite France, once a lively district
of fishermen and millers. In addition to its charming half-timbered houses, the
old town is home to numerous landmarks, most notably the stunning cathedral
that towers as a proud symbol of the city. Enjoy a guided optional tour of Strasbourg’s
most iconic sites. In the afternoon, we set sail again. Take in the
unforgettable scenery of the Rhine from the Sun Deck. Overnight stay on board. |
|
| Day 5 | BASEL Full board on board. Early in the morning, we arrive in Basel, one of
Switzerland’s most romantic and culturally rich cities. The skyline is marked
by the striking towers of Basel Cathedral, adorned with colorful tiled roofs.
In the heart of the Old Town, the central Marktplatz hosts a vibrant fruit and
vegetable market every weekday morning. This same square is home to Basel’s
Town Hall, famous for its bright red façade and ornate details. Enjoy a guided
walking tour through the charming historic center. Overnight stay on board. |
|
| Day 6 | BREISACH Full board on board. We wake up in Breisach, a charming town on the banks of
the Rhine. Its picturesque streets invite you to take a leisurely stroll, enjoy
a coffee or ice cream in one of the many cafés around the market square or
along the river. Highlights include the Cathedral Square, offering panoramic
views of the Rhine, Rhine Island, and the Black Forest. The city’s history
comes to life at the Historical Museum, located in the Rheintor—the last
remaining gate of Vauban’s fortifications. Overnight stay on board. |
|
| Day 7 | WORMS / MAINZ Full board on board. In the morning, we arrive in Worms (Bormes in German). The
Germanic tribes once made Worms their capital. The city is also famous for its
Romanesque architecture. The highlight of the visit is the 11th-century St.
Peter’s Cathedral. With its four towers and twin domes, this spectacular
ancient building ranks alongside the cathedrals of Speyer and Mainz as one of
the finest examples of High Romanesque style. The nave is particularly
impressive, rising about 27 meters, while its domes reach heights of up to 40
meters. Worms is also a popular starting point for exploring the Deutsche
Weinstrasse, a 50-mile route through local wine towns. Guided optional walking tour . In the afternoon, we arrive in Mainz, a city with nearly 2,000 years of rich
history. The cityscape is dominated by Mainz Cathedral. In the shadow of the
cathedral lies medieval Mainz, where life unfolds in its narrow, winding
streets, surrounded by numerous shops, boutiques, and cafés around the charming
Kirschgarten with its romantic half-timbered houses. In the evening, enjoy the
Captain’s dinner. Overnight on board. |
|
| Day 8 | COLOGNE In Cologne’s historic old town, you will find monuments, fountains, and
archaeological excavations in many places. The city’s Roman past and its Jewish
history during the Middle Ages have been uncovered in the archaeological site
at Rathausplatz. Another highlight of the old town is, of course, Cologne
Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world. Disembarkation
after breakfast. End of our services. |
|
| THE ESSENCE OF THE RHINE II | ||
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 8 days | |
| Departure date | 13-05-2026 | | |
| Cities | Cologne, Koblenz, Mannheim, Strasbourg, Speyer, Mainz, Rüdesheim, Andernach, Cologne | |
|
PACKAGE OF INCLUDED
VISITS – ROUTE II (min
10 pax):
|
||
| Day 1 | COLOGNE
Boarding from 4:00
PM. Welcome cocktail. Free time in the afternoon. Dinner
and overnight stay on board. |
|
| Day 2 | KOBLENZ Full board on board. In the early
afternoon, we will arrive in one of Germany’s most beautiful and oldest cities:
Koblenz. The city is located in the world-famous "German Corner." The
spectacular landscape, shaped by four central mountain ranges, vineyards, and
forests, surrounds this town with over 2,000 years of history. Guided tour of
the city. Overnight on board. |
|
| Day 3 | MANNHEIM Full board on board. Mannheim is the German
city where, in 1886, Carl Benz’s first automobile began circulating through its
streets. The city offers a wide range of monuments, culture, art, and
gastronomy. Among its many landmarks are the second-largest Baroque palace in
Europe and the beautiful Water Tower. Optional excursion to Heidelberg Castle.
Overnight on board. |
|
| Day 4 | STRASBOURG Full board on board. In the morning, we arrive in Strasbourg, the capital of
the Alsace region. Its historic center, Grande Île, was declared a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1988 as a remarkable example of a medieval city. The area
where the canals converge is known as La Petite France, once a lively district
of fishermen and millers. In addition to its charming half-timbered houses, the
old town is home to numerous landmarks, most notably the stunning cathedral
that towers as a proud symbol of the city. Enjoy a guided optional tour of Strasbourg’s
most iconic sites. In the afternoon, we set sail again. Take in the
unforgettable scenery of the Rhine from the Sun Deck. Overnight stay on board. |
|
| Day 5 | SPEYER / MAINZ Full board on
board. At breakfast time, we will arrive in Speyer, a city located in the state
of Rhineland-Palatinate, home to the largest surviving Romanesque cathedral in
the world. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, the cathedral is the
final resting place of several emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. Guided
optional tour of the city. Afternoon of navigation. Enjoy the unforgettable
scenery of the Rhine from the Sun Deck.
In the afternoon,
we will arrive in Mainz, a city with nearly 2,000 years of historical heritage.
The cityscape is dominated by the Mainz Cathedral. In its shadow lies medieval
Mainz, where life unfolds in narrow, winding streets filled with small shops,
boutiques, and cafés that surround the beautiful Kirschgarten with its romantic
half-timbered houses. Overnight stop in the city. Overnight on board. |
|
| Day 6 | RÜDESHEIM/ ANDERNACH
Full board on
board. Early in the morning, we will drop anchor in Rüdesheim, one of the most
visited towns in the country. Historical monuments such as the Klunkhardshof,
the fortified Adler Tower, the millennium-old Brömser Castle, and the ruins of
Ehrenfels Castle invite you to spend some time in this town. Free morning.
Afternoon sailing. Enjoy the unforgettable landscape offered by the Rhine from
the Sol bridge. We will spend the night in the German town of Andernach, known
for its geysers. Overnight
on board. |
|
| Day 7 | ANDERNACH / COLOGNE Full board on
board. In the morning, we will remain anchored in Andernach. With over 2,000
years of history, Andernach has many stories to tell. Impressive landmarks such
as the 56-meter-high Runde Turm (Round Tower), the Mariendom (St.
Mary's Cathedral), the old crane on the banks of the Rhine, the Mikveh (Jewish
ritual bath), and the well-preserved city walls await you during your stroll
through the town.
In the afternoon,
we will arrive in Cologne. In Cologne’s historic old town, you’ll find
monuments, fountains, and archaeological sites at nearly every turn. The city's
Roman past and its Jewish history during the Middle Ages have been uncovered in
the archaeological zone of Rathausplatz. Another highlight of the old town is,
of course, the Cologne Cathedral—one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the
world. Guided walking tour included. In the evening, the Captain’s Dinner will
take place. Overnight stay on board. |
|
| Day 8 | COLOGNE Disembarkation
after breakfast. End of our services. |
|
Ship MS "Vista Rio"
Technical Details
Amenities
Accommodation
The cabins are furnished with style and functionality. On the upper deck, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows can be opened onto a French balcony. The panoramic windows on the middle deck can also be opened.
