VIVA
Dusseldorf to Dusseldorf -
7 night Romance on the Rhine River Cruise

As easy-going as the Rhineland, but with the elegance of France and a hint of Mediterranean flair: The enchanting city of Strasbourg is a fantastic place to indulge in some gourmet food and boutique shopping after enjoying the half-timbered delights of medieval Mainz and the imperial grandeur of Speyer. Once you have said a fond adieu to the green valleys of the Alsace there is still time to clink glasses filled with world-famous Rhinegau wines before arriving in the 2,000-year-old city of Cologne.

 

 

 

DAY 1: DUSSELDORF - EMBARKATION

Ship departs in the afternoon toward Koblenz.

DAY 2: KOBLENZ - BOPPARD

The German city of Koblenz enjoys a fabulous geographical setting. It lies at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers (what a treat for riverboat cruise trips) and the convergence of three low mountain ranges, the Westerwald, Hunsrück, and the Eifel (great photo opportunities). It is a popular destination for exploring the romantic Rhine Valley. It is a rather unimposing town mostly visited because of its strategic position but it is welcoming and pleasant with a good range of bars and restaurants in a pedestrianised centre. There are some interesting attractions, a major one being the Deutsches Eck, a park with a huge statue of Kaiser Wilhelm who base provides a great position to view the point where the Rhine and Moselle meet. The best time to visit Koblenz is in August during the festival Rhein in Flammen (Rhine in Flames) when there is a splendid fireworks display.

Arrive Boppard around 3:30pm

Boppard is a small city consisting of nine villages located in the Rhine Province in Germany. The city is filled with Roman designed cathedrals and medieval buildings along its winding roads illustrating the life of Roman, French and German inhabitants that occupied the city in the middle ages. Nazi soldiers once occupied Rhine Province during world war one, and as a result, seized Boppard. Some buildings today still depict ruins that tell the story of aerial assaults and military combat fighting of the first world war. There are many significant landmarks such as the Former Electoral castle, Romanesque Revival church, the Town wall, and much more. Various events are held in the Summer, and wine festivals are held in the spring highlighting the city's vineyards and wineries

DAY 3: BOPPARD - MAINZ

Depart Boppard early morning, arriving in Mainz mid afternoon.  This lovely city is home to the Guttenberg Museum.  The city of Mainz is situated on the Rhine river, within the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. It serves as the state's capital city and is the 38th largest city in Germany, measured by population, with more than 200,000 residents. Significant attractions within the city include Mainz Cathedral, the State Theatre and the Romano-Germanic Central Museum. It is also recognised as a key hub for the German wine industry and, in actual fact, the history of wine production in the city can be traced all the way back to the Roman era. Bombing campaigns during the Second World War destroyed as much as 80 percent of the city centre, meaning much of the current city was built post-war. Nevertheless, pre-war buildings can still be seen in the Old Town area, south of the Cathedral, and this area is notable for its cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and Baroque architecture.

Day 4  MANNHEIM - SPEYER

Speyer sits on a bend in the Rhine in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It’s one of the country’s oldest cities boasting a vast cathedral, Medieval synagogue, a pedestrianized shopping area and a museum filled with planes, trains and automobiles. Speyer Cathedral dates back to the 1020s and is the largest European Romanesque church. It’s impressive proportions attract visitors who come to see the blind-arched construction, the frescoes by Johann von Schraudolph, and the crypt where 12 kings, queens and emperors are laid to rest. Judenhof is an important synagogue with a 13th century Mikvah – or bathing house. With an exhibition explaining about the Jewish community that prayed here, it’s a moving site to visit. Positioned at the end of pedestrianized Maximilian Street, The Old Gate was originally part of the Medieval city wall. Spectacular views over the city can be seen from the viewing area at the top of this landmark tower.

Day 5 - STRASBOURG

This 2000 year old city resembles something from a Black Forest fairy tale with its cobbled squares and medieval half timbered houses. Strasbourg is the largest city in the Grand Est region of France, formal site of the European Parliament and shares a border with Germany. This bi-cultural history is evident throughout the city’s architecture, culture and food. The UNESCO world heritage protected, Grand Ile is the historical heart of the city and home to the Romanesque - Gothic masterpiece, the Cathedral de Notre Dame. A 332 step climb to the Cathedral roof provides stunning views across the city. Nearby, Gutenberg Square is a great spot enjoy a relaxing drink on one of the outdoor terraces. Its small size makes the Grand Ile ideal to explore on foot and it is truly the best way to take in the breathtaking sights and atmosphere of stunning Strasbourg.

Day 6 OESTRICH WINKEL

The city of Oestrich-Winkel is one of the largest wine-growing regions along the River Rhine in Germany. One of the city's historic monuments, a square turret with a crane operated by counterweights, was built in 1745 and was still being used in the wine industry in the early twentieth century. Other attractions include the impressive Grey House which was built of stone in the tenth century and the stone Basilica dedicated to St. Giles, a seventh century monk, which is thought to be even older. Near the town centre is the Brentanohaus, a large, restored mansion with dozens of neat, leaded windows which was built in the eighteenth century. The famous poet, Goethe, was a guest at the mansion in 1814. The city has many entertaining festivals throughout the year such as the Jazzwoche, devoted to jazz music, the Lenchenfest wine festival and a Christmas market.

DAY 7: OESTRICH WINKEL - COLOGNE

Cologne is a Gothic masterpiece, anchored by its world-famous cathedral whose twin spires dominate the city skyline. Founded by the Romans in 38 BC, it grew as an important trading town to become the fourth largest city in Germany. A popular stopping off point on Rhine river cruises, the city is a charm to walk round to explore antique streets full of interesting architecture which besides the cathedral includes a number of splendid churches and medieval buildings (such as City Hall which dating from the 12th century is the oldest in Germany). Modern day Cologne has a liberal joie de vivre with an appreciation for culture from both ends of the spectrum. Visitors can enjoy the avant-garde and postmodern alongside the antique splendour and enjoy diverse pursuits from a visit to a chocolate museum to a lively night out on the tiles in the beer halls of the Altstadt district.

DAY 8: DUSSELDORF

Ship arrive about 8am. Disembark after breakfast.

 

 

DUSSELDORF TO DUSSELDORF

- subject to changes -

**Please note that this is a bi-lingual ship with information provided in both English and German, and an international cruise host on board.**

 

REGULAR Rate includes: cruise and port taxes, GRATUITIES, all meals, wine, and a beverage package - Soft Drinks, as well as tea and coffee, Beer, wine, throughout the day and evening between 10am and midnight. Sightseeing excursions are not included and can be booked onboard.