Sunday 22nd: We leave this morning heading for Hull for our overnight ferry to Rotterdam. You can enjoy great onboard entertainment and delicious food choices whilst sailing through the night. (Meals not included).
Monday 23rd: We continue today into Germany and onto the banks of the Rhine to our resort of Rudesheim and the Lindenwirt Hotel for a welcome glass of wine.
Tuesday 24th: Today we spend some free time in Boppard before hopping on board for a one-way river cruise from Boppard, upstream through the northern section of the UNESCO protected Upper Middle Rhine Valley, to Oberlahnstein, from where we continue by coach to Königswinter, a historic Rhine Valley town located at the foot of the Siebengebirge Hills. Here we join the Drachenfelsbahn, Germany’s oldest cog railway, for a return journey. From the Valley Station to the summit, we cover a height difference of 220 metres, and at the top we see the ruined medieval Drachenfels (‘dragon’s cliff’) Castle with great views across the River Rhine. After our time in Königswinter, we return to our hotel by coach.
Wednesday 25th: This morning we head to the Moselle Valley and the pretty riverside town of Cochem, from where we embark on a circular cruise along the Moselle River, enjoying views of Reichsburg Castle and the surrounding vineyards. After our cruise, we spend the rest of the day in Cochem at leisure, giving us time to explore the Old Town, made up of quaint squares, winding alleys, half-timbered buildings and imposing town gates, watched over by its magnificent 11th century Reichsburg Castle, a Gothic masterpiece perched on a rocky outcrop from where there are fantastic views.
Thursday 26th: Today we travel to Brohl for a one-way journey on the Vulkan Express, a unique narrow gauge railway. The line meanders up through the Brohl Valley into the Eifel Hills, where dramatic rock formations were created during a period of volcanic activity. Opened in 1901, the 11 mile journey takes 90 minutes as the locomotives reach a speed of 20 kilometres, climbing around 1,310 ft! We continue by coach from Engeln to the Ahr Valley, one of Germany’s most famous wine growing regions, where we visit the charming town of Mayschoss and enjoy a guided tour and tasting in one of the town’s traditional wine
cellars.
Friday 27th: Today we enjoy a full day at leisure. Why not take the cable car up to the Niederwald Memorial, enjoying the amazing views before exploring the famous Drosselgasse area in the heart of Rudesheim’s old town.
Saturday 28th: Sadly it’s time to leave the beautiful Rhine Valley and we head to Rotterdam for our overnight ferry crossing to Hull. Meals on board are not included.
Sunday 29th: After disembarking from the ferry this morning, we leave Hull for the final leg of our journey home.