About the tour: Scenic Cruise from Cologne to Passau along the Danube, Main & Rhine

Local departure by coach or Door-to Door service, then to Cologne, where we board our cruise ship for nine nights.

After breakfast we arrive in the town of Koblenz, situated on both sides of the Rhine and at the confluence of the Moselle River. This point is marked by the Deutsches Eck (German Corner) and its monument of Emperor William I on horseback. After a short amount of free time we enjoy a day of fantastic scenery as we cruise through the Rhine Gorge and past the legendary Loreley Rock. We pass vine-clad slopes and majestic fortresses, before reaching the ever popular ‘wine town’ of Rudesheim where we moor overnight. Rudesheim is home to the vibrant ‘Drosselgasse’, a narrow alley lined with restaurants, shops and bars, many playing traditional Rhineland music and the perfect place to enjoy a glass of local wine or beer. Why not join our optional ‘Highlights of Rudesheim’ excursion, enjoying sightseeing by little road train and visiting Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum. Our ship will sail from Rudesheim overnight.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We set sail in the early hours of the morning along the Rhine and then join the Main River to Aschaffenburg arriving at around lunchtime. Aschaffenburg is a compact town and many of its sights can be seen on foot. One of the major sights to see is the Johannisburg Palace, made of red Bunter sandstone and considered to be one of the most significant and beautiful Renaissance buildings in Germany. Later this afternoon we set sail to Miltenberg arriving later this evening. We remain berthed in Miltenberg overnight.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We set sail early this morning and continue our cruise along the Main River to the town of Wertheim located on the confluence of the rivers Tauber and Main. Wertheim is best known for its wine, castle and medieval town centre so explore the town or even take the time to visit the Wertheim Castle (additional fee may apply). After a morning at leisure, enjoy a relaxing cruise to the town of Wurzburg arriving just after midnight.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning finds us in Wurzburg. For those passengers who wish to stay aboard the ship, a full day of cruising awaits. Those who wish to see more of Wurzburg you can spend the morning at leisure and explore. The city is known as 'The Pearl of the Romantic Road' and is home to the 18th century Residenz Palace, the Romanesque St. Kilian Cathedral and the old Main Bridge. Alternatively, why not join our optional guided sightseeing tour to introduce you to the most important sights. After a morning of free time join our coach and head to the nearby town of Ochsenfurt to re-join our ship and continue our cruise to Schweinfurt arriving late evening.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We set sail from Schweinfurt in the early hours of the morning and continue our cruise arriving into Bamberg this morning. Bamberg is considered to be one of the true highlights of Bavaria, best represented in its stunning medieval architecture and half-timbered buildings. Explore the winding streets, the Imperial Cathedral, Old Town Hall, the Royal Neue Residence and Bamberg's 'Little Venice' area. To make the most of your time here, why not join our optional guided sightseeing tour? This afternoon we continue our cruise to Nuremberg arriving late evening.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a further full day cruising or alternatively spend the morning at leisure in Nuremberg allowing you free time to explore. This cosmopolitan city offers a bustling market square, which provides the main hub of activity with its restaurants, shops and bars. An optional guided sightseeing tour will be available to introduce you to the sights. This afternoon we continue, by coach, to the town of Hilpoltstein to re-join our ship for the cruise to Riedenburg or Berching.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We continue our cruise to Kelheim, where we have free time, before cruising along the Danube to Regensburg, arriving mid-afternoon. Regensburg is one of the largest and most well-preserved cities in Bavaria. Founded by the Romans, highlights include the Dom St. Peter and the Old Town Hall. Pretty squares offer an unspoilt view of the city’s architectural masterpieces.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the early hours of the morning we head to Passau, picturesquely set where the Danube is joined by the Inn and Ilz Rivers. We are due to arrive after lunch which will allow you time this afternoon to explore at your leisure. This evening we spend our final night on board ship.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We disembark our ship early this morning and re-join our coach for the journey to the charming town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This former imperial town is the perfect place to experience medieval and renaissance life in Germany as it was actually lived. Narrow towers and imposing ramparts; winding alleyways and picturesque oriels and half-timbered houses lovingly decorated with window boxes and hanging baskets make this a lovely place to explore. After free time we continue to our overnight hotel in central Germany.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We continue our journey to the overnight hotel in Belgium. En route we once again visit the Cathedral city of Cologne. Here you can enjoy some free time to explore the many shops and boutiques. During the Second World War around 90 percent of Cologne’s inner city was reduced to rubble. Today the Rhine metropolis is the fourth largest city and one of the most outstanding travel destinations in Germany and Europe. The Cologne cathedral, famous around the world, dominates the panorama of the city and is still today the second highest building in Cologne after the telecommunications tower. Maybe take time to visit the famous Gothic Cathedral, with its most celebrated work the Sarcophagus of the Magi thought to hold the remains of the three wise men. The local cuisine, with its many traditional pubs and restaurants, is highly varied and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Whether it’s relaxing on the Rhine promenade or drinking a Kolsch in one of the typical breweries – a visit to Cologne is always worthwhile!

• Included meals: Breakfast

Return home.

• Included meals: Breakfast

Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.

We head into Germany and travel along the scenic ‘Romantic Road’, visiting the charming medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, before an overnight stay in Bavaria, central Germany.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We head to Passau, picturesquely set where the Danube is joined by the Inn and Ilz Rivers. After some free time, we board our cruise ship, the MV Esmeralda, for our nine-night cruise. We cruise overnight from Passau to Regensburg.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

We cruise along the Danube towards Regensburg, arriving early afternoon. Regensburg is one of the largest and most well-preserved cities in Bavaria. Founded by the Romans, highlights include the Dom St. Peter and the Old Town Hall. Pretty squares offer an unspoilt view of the city’s architectural masterpieces. Why not join our optional city tour? We moor in Regensburg overnight.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We continue along the Danube to Kelheim, where we have free time before cruising to Bachhausen, arriving later this evening.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We cruise along the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg. This historic city offers a bustling market square, which provides the main hub of activity, with its restaurants, shops and bars. To see more of the city, why not join our optional sightseeing tour?

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We cruise to Bamberg on the River Main, one of the true highlights of Bavaria, best represented in its stunning medieval architecture and half-timbered buildings. Explore the winding streets, the Imperial Cathedral, Old Town Hall, the Royal Neue Residence and Bamberg’s ‘Little Venice’ area. To see more of the city, join our optional sightseeing tour. We cruise overnight to Kitzingen.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We arrive in Kitzingen this morning for a brief stop. Later this afternoon we continue our cruise on to Wurzburg, where we moor overnight. The city is known as 'The Pearl of the Romantic Road' and is home to the 18th century Residenz Palace, the Romanesque St. Kilian Cathedral and the old Main Bridge.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We cruise to Wertheim. Enjoy a relaxing day of sailing while taking in the beautiful scenery of the Main River.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Relax as we continue our cruise towards Mainz, arriving around lunchtime. After calling at Mainz, the ship continues its cruise to Rudesheim, or alternatively, why not join our optional excursion by coach to Heidelberg, before rejoining the ship at Rudesheim.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A day of fantastic scenery as we cruise through the Rhine Gorge and past the legendary Loreley Rock. We continue past vineclad slopes and majestic fortresses, before reaching our final destination, Cologne, the capital of the Rhineland. Spend the afternoon exploring this fine city with its main focal point being the Dom Cathedral.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We disembark and return home.

• Included meals: Breakfast