Day 1 – Overnight stay
Make your own way to our hotel in Ashford, Kent, where we stay overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2 – Ferry to Calais & embarkation in Cologne, Germany
Ferry to Calais and onwards to Cologne, where we board the A-ROSA BRAVA for the start of our seven-night cruise. There’s also time to explore the city, well-known for its fine selection of museums, excellent botanical gardens and the famous cathedral which dominates the skyline. Lined with a bustling wide promenade and crisscrossed with bridges, our first glimpse of the mighty Rhine in Cologne is destined to be a memorable one. A major trading centre since the Roman times, this impressive city perfectly merges the old and the new. We enjoy a welcome dinner on board this evening.
Day 3 – Koblenz, Germany
Our sail takes us to Koblenz - the perfect stop-off point for exploring the gorgeous surroundings and rich history of the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley. We recommend taking in the Baroque town hall, colourful Alstadt and the hilltop Ehrenbreitstein fortress. A trip over the Rhine via cable car is a must, too! We also enjoy a guided walking tour of Koblenz, which includes the impressive Kaiser Wilhelm monument at the Deutsches Eck (German Corner) and the unique Schängel Fountain. As we stroll through the romantic lanes between the Basilica St Kastor and the Church of Our Lady with their striking Romanesque two-tower façades, we hear fascinating details about the city’s history. In the evening, we are treated to a speciality dinner on board our ship.
Day 4 – Koblenz, Germany
We take a further day to explore Koblenz and an optional tour to its nearby highlights, including scenic countryside and several of the many nearby castles of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, such as the 14th Century Schloss Stolzenfels.
Day 5 – Boppard, Germany
Lying in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rhine Gorge, our next port of call of Boppard is a famous wine-growing region. The earliest trace of settlement unearthed by archaeologists in the Boppard area was a storage yard dating back some 13,000 years, created over the course of Julius Caesar’s conquest of Gaul. Trace the footsteps of history from Roman times to the Holy Roman Empire and Prussian times here.
After lunch, we sail to Bingen and join a flotilla of river ships that make up part of the special Rhine in Flames celebrations. As day becomes night, we take our place on the sun deck and enjoy music and magnificent fireworks on the riverbank, beautifully reflected in the gentle waters of the Rhine. This event is a long-standing celebration of the river, and all that it gives to the communities that lie on its banks; it’s a memorable evening to cherish forever.
Day 6 – Mainz, Rhine
Sitting at the very heart of the Rhineland's wine-growing region, sophisticated Mainz is the perfect mix of history and culture. Wander the cobbled streets of the Old Town and lose yourself among half-timbered houses, vibrant bars, traditional shops and tempting eateries. This area is most famed for its fantastic Riesling and Silvaner wines, so it'd be remiss not to sit, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a chilled glass or two. The Altstadt also plays host to the impressive 1,000-year-old Mainzer Dome, a masterpiece of Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque styles which now houses the fantastic Gutenberg Museum. Named after Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press, the museum boasts two near 600-year-old Gutenberg Bibles.
Day 7 – Frankfurt, Main
Our next stop, Frankfurt, is undergoing something of a metamorphosis, so expect to find a booming city rubbing shoulders with classic traditional German charm here on the banks of the Main. After suffering serious damage in World War Two, Frankfurt has risen from the ashes as one of Europe's premier financial centres. Glittering skyscrapers dominate the cityscape, earning the city one of its new nicknames, 'Mainhattan'. With a cluster of distinct neighbourhoods to explore, wander beautiful botanical gardens, cobblestone streets and dip into cafés, boutiques and museums. The dining scene here is delicious too, influenced by Frankfurt's melting pot of cultures and nationalities, there's everything from vegan cuisine to cosy German cookery. Head to the restored Altstadt (Old Town) and see the reconstructed and newly-built timber-framed houses so synonymous with this region, centred around the lively Romerberg Square.
Day 8 – Rüdesheim, Rhine
Located in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town of Rüdesheim marks the end of several old merchants’ routes and is renowned for its wine. Drosselgasse, an alleyway with half-timbered facades known as ‘The World’s Longest Wine Bar’, is one of Germany’s principal attractions and the perfect place to sample some of the region’s best vintages. It’s a wonderful final stop on our special cruise. We enjoy a farewell dinner on board this evening.
Day 9 – Disembarkation in Cologne & return ferry
We arrive back in Cologne where we disembark and head to Calais for our return ferry journey. The coach drops us back at our hotel in Ashford, Kent, where you will stay overnight.
Day 10 – Make Your Own Way Home
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and make your own way home.
Optional Excursions
With A-ROSA, you can enjoy the flexibility of exploring the local sights at your leisure or choosing from a range of optional excursions, which are bookable on board. From tours through ancient cities and trips through impressive landscapes to action-packed and fun-filled experiences, there is so much choice! In many cities, you have the opportunity to visit the country and its people with a guide and driver. Your on-board host will happily provide you with more information.