Romantic Rhine and Moselle Valleys

Travel to Dover and take the short sea ferry crossing from Dover to Calais. Continue through France and into Belgium for an overnight stop in the Ghent/Brussels area.  Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Travel to Boppard

We will depart after breakfast for the onward journey through Belgium, via Liege and over the border into Germany passing Aachen and travelling south to Boppard, our base for the next 4 nights.  Dinner will be together in the hotel this evening.

Boppard and Rhine River Cruise

Meet up with a local guide for a walking tour of Boppard to discover its stories,  secrets and medieval history. It’s visually one of the most beautiful towns in the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge.  From the Roman fort to the medieval castle, Boppard has many architectural gems to admire. You can also enjoy the scenic views of the river and the hills from the Vierseenblick lookout. Boppard is also famous for its wine.

After some free time and lunch, step aboard one of many excursion ships for a return Rhine cruise from Boppard to St Goar.  The journey takes about two and a half hours and you will witness magnificent scenery including several castles and the famous Loreley Rock near St. Goarshausen.  This stretch of river is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you will get the perfect impression of hte picturesque scenery in the heart of the Middle Rhine Valley.

Back at the hotel enjoy dinner together and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Cochem and Moselle River Cruise

Depart for Cochem, stopping enroute in Koblenz, famous as the meeting point ‘Deutches-Eck (German Corner’) where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet.  Admire the imposing Emperor’s Monument, dedicated to Kaiser Wilhelm which is over 37 metres high.

From here, follow the Moselle to Cochem which enjoys a wonderful setting in one of the most romantic parts of the Moselle Valley and overlooked by the fairytale Reichsburg Castle.  There’s time to explore the old town, see the medieval squares, the beautiful baroque styled town hall, the market-place with its ‘Martin’s Fountain’, and the old gabled houses built on steep, narrow alleys.

Embark on a relaxing one hour panoramic round trip cruise on the Moselle, view the gorgeous vineyards, charming villages with their half-timbered houses and enjoy the landscape tranquility and serenity whilst you cruise along the river.

After the cruise, continue by coach to Alken and enjoy a wine tasting at the famous Anton Hammes winery before continuing on a scenic drive over the Hunsrück low mountain range to Boppard.  Dinner is at the hotel this evening.

Romantic Rüdesheim

Rüdesheim is one of the most famous riverside towns on the Rhine. Take a stroll along the famous Drosselgasse, a lively, narrow cobbled street with bars, cafes and restaurants. Visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Museum to see and hear some remarkable musical instruments before exploring more of the town at leisure.  There is the option to take the chairlift over the vineyards to the Germania Monument high above the town for some magnificent views.

On the way back to Boppard, stop at the nearby Asbach Brandy Visitor Centre and shop where the famous brandy is distilled and which has been produced here since 1892. (Entrance to the visitor centre and shop is free)

Return to Boppard for our final evening and dinner.

Depart Germany

We will depart after breakfast for the return journey, retracing our steps back into Belgium for an overnight stop.  Dinner is at the hotel this evening.

Return to the UK

Depart after breakfast for the journey to Calais, travelling through Belgium, and board the ferry for the short sea crossing to Calais, and home.