Rhine Gorge & Cologne Discovery River Cruise - MS George Eliot

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Arrive in Cologne - Arrive in Cologne, Dusseldorf or Brussels and transfer to our ship moored in the heart of Cologne, one of Germany's oldest cities. The friendly, English-speaking crew will welcome you and help you to your cabin. After time settling into your spacious accommodation, it's time to familiarise yourself with the many first-class aspects of this floating boutique hotel.   After your first delicious dinner onboard, we set sail on our journey upstream.
• Day 2
  Cruising the Rhine Gorge and Rüdesheim - Today, you'll get your first real taste of sailing - and it's truly a highlight of the trip.   After a leisurely breakfast on board, we highly recommend heading to our panoramic lounge or the sun deck to enjoy the outstanding natural beauty of the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each dramatic turn of the river unveils new castle ruins precariously clinging to towering valley slopes - the home of long-gone princes to display power and extort tolls from passing river traffic. The gorge is home to medieval legends, tales of mysterious happenings and dark deeds, and by mid-morning, we will pass one of the most famous. Lorelei - or 'murmuring rock' - is said to have lured passing boats onto the rocks with its irresistible song. What better way to mark the occasion than a glass of Rüdesheimer coffee, a local delicacy around these parts? After a delicious lunch on board, we'll dock in the charming Rüdesheim and enjoy a guided walk with a local expert as we get to know the town better. A delightful marketplace lined with pastel facades and cosy taverns lies at Rüdesheim's heart, overlooked by Brömserburg Castle. As you wander the maze of streets, don't miss the impressive Klunkhardshof, one of the town's finest 15th-century homes with its traditional timber frame and gabled roof. After our guided tour, there'll be time to enjoy the town at your own pace, wandering through a tangle of crooked houses, winding cobbled alleys and perusing curious little shops. Set amongst vineyard-clad slopes, this pretty town is famous for its winemaking. Riesling is the region's speciality grape, and you'll find a wealth of Weinstuben (a wine bar) where you can sample locally produced wines and perhaps pick up a bottle to take back home. Tonight, we'll enjoy our special Chef's Dinner – a celebration of the chef's signature dishes.  As we dine, our ship will set sail for Koblenz, where we will dock for the night. Included experiences - Cruise through the Rhine Gorge and guided tour of Rüdesheim.
• Day 3
  Cologne - If you're up early this morning, why not take a stroll through Koblenz - it's a great excuse to see some of the fascinating statues and sculptures. After breakfast, we set sail again, heading to our final destination, Cologne. Arriving mid-afternoon, we disembark for a guided walking tour of this majestic city. The cathedral's famous spires tower above the old town's maze of cobbled streets, where our expert guide will bring the city's fascinating history to life. We'll pass the cathedral, the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe, a miraculous survivor of Second World War bombing and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It took six centuries to complete this iconic masterpiece, and among its many treasures are the magnificent stained-glass windows and gilded sarcophagus said to contain the remains of the three kings from the Nativity story. Then, we will explore the vibrant old town, beautifully restored and boasting an abundance of excellent shopping and cosy bars, some of which still brew their own beer. Back on board, we'll enjoy another four course, a la carte dinner, and why not make full use of our included drinks package and raise a toast to a fabulous short break with your fellow travellers? Included experience - Guided tour of Cologne.
• Day 4
  Return home - After a memorable few days cruising along the Rhine, it's time to wave goodbye to the crew aboard our five-star vessel and transfer to the airport or train station for your journey home.