Middle Rhine Cruise to Cologne
Starting in Arnhem in the Netherlands, this over-50s cultural Rhine river cruise travels to historic towns like Cologne, Bonn and Trier. Sail the Middle Rhine and admire the chequered vineyards, medieval towns and historic castles that line the riverbank. See the point where the Moselle meets the Rhine, take the opportunity to sample German wines, explore the oldest town in Germany and walk the cobbles of Rüdesheim and Cologne.
Your Tour Includes
TRAVEL
VIP door-to-door travel service from anywhere on the UK mainland
Included travel insurance
Return coach travel via Eurotunnel or ferry
ACCOMMODATION
Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
EXPERIENCES
Cruise Host
Entertainment and activities on the ship
Tour of Trier
FOOD & DRINK
32 meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 11 dinners
Free bar open 12 hours a day
Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Drinks reception and Captain’s dinner
23/08/2022 UK - Arnhem
Travel by coach from Folkestone to Arnhem via Eurotunnel or ferry. The 230 mile journey will take approximately four hours.
Embark Rex Rheni and enjoy a welcome reception and dinner on board as your ship begins the overnight journey to Cologne.
24/08/2022 Cologne - Bonn
Arrive in Cologne early this afternoon and look forward to exploring this historic city either on an optional excursion or independently.
This evening your ship will depart for Bonn, arriving later tonight and mooring overnight.
25/08/2022 Bonn - Königswinter - Andernach
This morning you may like to join an optional walking tour and see some of the sites associated with the city’s famous son Beethoven.
After lunch your ship will make the short journey to Königswinter where you can travel by rack-railway up the hillside to the ruined castle of Drachenfels on an optional excursion. Dating from the 12th century and immortalised by Wagner, it was here that Siegfried slew the dragon and then bathed in its blood to render himself invulnerable.
This evening your ship sails to Andernach, arriving late tonight and mooring overnight.
26/08/2022 Andernach - Rüdesheim
An optional excursion this morning reveals the world’s tallest cold water geyser, which rises 200 feet.
During lunch, continue to Rüdesheim where you’ll arrive this evening. Perhaps join an optional wine tasting excursion.
27/08/2022 Rüdesheim - Boppard
Spend a relaxing morning in Rüdesheim, where you may like to see the self-playing music machines in Siegfried's Museum of Mechanical Music on an optional excursion before setting sail for Boppard during lunch.
Pass the Lorelei rock, where legend claims that a siren’s song lured sailors, causing their ships to crash onto the submerged rocks. As you approach the base of the rock, spot her bronze statue perched on a narrow strip of land. You’ll also pass the famous Cat and Mouse castles before arriving in Boppard this afternoon. Boasting more than 2,000 years of history, this picturesque in the valley of the mythical Lorelei has an attractive waterfront promenade running along the Rheinallee, and the Gothic Carmelite Church is famous for its 15th-century choir stalls. This evening you’ll have the opportunity to sample locally produced wine during an optional wine tasting.
Rex Rheni remains moored here overnight.
28/08/2022 Boppard - Traben-Trarbach
Take in the scenery as you leave Boppard early this morning, and admire the dramatic landscapes of the Moselle as you cruise to the ‘twin towns’ of Traben-Trarbach which straddle the river, linked by a bridge.
Moor here in what was once the second-largest wine-trading centre in Europe, after the French city of Bordeaux. In contrast the half-timbered architecture of other Moselle wine villages, Traben-Trarbach features many buildings in smart art nouveau style, known in Germany as Jugendstil. These include a number of grand villas built for wealthy wine merchants by the Berlin architect Bruno Möhring.
Perhaps join an optional wine tasting to sample more great wines this evening.
29/08/2022 Traben-Trarbach - Trier
After a morning at leisure depart Traben-Trarbach during lunch and spend a relaxing afternoon sailing to Germany’s oldest city, Trier, founded in 16BC by Emperor Augustus.
You arrive here this evening and moor overnight.
30/08/2022 Trier
Enjoy an included tour of Trier this morning.
Uncover the relics of the city’s illustrious past, such as the cathedral and the impressive Porta Nigra, one of the best-preserved Roman city gates in the world.
Your ship sets sail early this afternoon and continues cruising through the night towards Bernkastel-Kues.
31/08/2022 Bernkastel-Kues - Cochem
Spend the morning in Bernkastel-Kues, where the historic market square is lined with colourful Renaissance houses.
Rex Rheni continues sailing to Cochem during lunch, arriving this evening for an overnight mooring.
01/09/2022 Cochem - Winningen
The small town of Cochem enjoys a beautiful setting and has a neo-Gothic castle which overlooks the river and crowns a hill cloaked in vines. Although most of the castle was rebuilt in the 19th century, the original 11th-century keep still survives. You may like to explore it on an optional tour or see more of the surrounding scenery on an optional trip aboard the tourist train.
Sail to Winningen late this afternoon, arriving this evening and mooring overnight.
02/09/2022 Winningen - Koblenz - Cologne
Set sail for Koblenz early this morning.
Its origins date back to Roman times when it was established as a military post by the Roman politician and military commander Drusus in around 8BC. An optional excursion this afternoon tours the city and visits Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, reached by cable car.
Sail to Cologne this afternoon to arrive this evening for an overnight mooring.
03/09/2022 Cologne - UK
Disembark your ship after breakfast and start your return journey to the UK.
