Grand Voyage of the Rhine, Main and Moselle

Düsseldorf's Old Town is packed with more than 260 bars, restaurants, cafes, and breweries, adding to the atmosphere of this historic city. Tour the city firstly by coach with short stops at the Königsallee, a popular area of the city with a landscaped canal that runs through its centre, which is unusual for Germany, and the busy Media Harbour area.

Then travel to the Old Town where your guides will be on hand with tips on what to see as you enjoy some time at leisure. Perhaps discover the Burgplatz (castle square) with the Schlossturm (palace tower) which holds great charm or choose from one of the numerous cafes to sit back, relax and watch the world go by in this bustling city.

Walking Grade 3

Please note: This is a combined coach and walking tour. There is approximately 40 minutes of essential walking. During the free time in Düsseldorf Old Town walking will be at your discretion, but to make the most of your visit we recommend that you should expect to walk approximately one mile over terrain which may be cobbled. There is a total walking/standing time of approximately two hours. If your visit to Dusseldorf falls on a weekend, please be aware that the city centre can be very busy.

3 hours

This combined coach and walking tour of the largest city in the German state of Hesse, straddling the river Main, reveals a striking contrast of old and new. Take a guided coach tour through the modern centre with its skyline of dazzling glass skyscrapers, then enjoy a stroll in Römerberg, the central square of the historic old town where you can see the stepped gables of Römer City Hall. Other highlights include St Paul's Church, the seat of the first freely elected German parliament.

Walking Grade 4

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-quarter miles over paved terrain, which may at times be cobbled. There is a total walking and/or standing time of approximately 90 minutes.

2½ hours

Visit Strasbourg’s UNESCO-listed old quarter, famous for its wealth of history and graceful architecture. Take a short coach journey from your ship to embark the canal boat and enjoy a relaxing cruise along the waterways overlooked by 12 centuries of religious, civil and military architecture with commentary provided through headphones.

You disembark in the city centre just a short walk from the old town and pink sandstone cathedral. From here you will have approximately 90 minutes of free time to explore the city independently. Perhaps take a walk to the lively hub Petit-France, browse the shops for souvenirs or treat yourself to a sweet treat from one of the many tempting patisseries.

After your free time, rejoin your guide at the cathedral and walk to the Place de la Republique, one of Strasbourg’s main squares, where you will board your coach for the return journey to the ship.

Walking Grade 4

Please note: There are two versions of this tour available. The Standard Tour has approximately one hour of free time after the canal cruise before a return to your ship for lunch and a relaxing afternoon on board. The Extended Tour has three-and-a-half hours of free time, enabling you to spend more time exploring at leisure and to enjoy lunch independently in the city before a return transfer mid-afternoon. Please ensure you book the version of the tour you wish to participate in, changes once you have arrived on board are not always possible.

Most of the walking on this tour is at your discretion however, as access to the city centre in Strasbourg is restricted for large vehicles, there will be essential walking of approximately three-quarters-of-a-mile from the centre to rejoin your coach. The terrain is cobbled in many parts of the city.

Due to large scale events taking place in both Germany and France, enhanced Border Control checks are likely. Please ensure you take your passport with you when you leave the ship to visit Strasbourg, either as part of your included tour or independently.

4 hours

Visit Strasbourg’s UNESCO-listed old quarter, famous for its wealth of history and graceful architecture. Make the short coach journey from your ship to embark the canal boat and enjoy a gentle cruise along the waterways overlooked by 12 centuries of religious, civil and military architecture with commentary provided through headphones. You disembark in the city centre just a short walk from the old town and pink sandstone cathedral.

From here you have approximately three-and-a-half hours of free time to explore independently. Take a walk to the lively hub Petit-France where you can find a selection of cafes and restaurants perfect for a relaxed lunch, visit the inside of the cathedral or browse the shops for souvenirs.

After your free time you will rejoin your guide at the cathedral and walk to the Place de la Republique, one of Strasbourg’s main squares, to board your coach for the return journey to the ship.

Walking Grade 3

Please note: There are two versions of this tour available. The Standard Tour has approximately one hour of free time after the canal cruise before a return to your ship for lunch and a relaxing afternoon on board. The Extended Tour has three-and-a-half hours of free time, enabling you to spend more time exploring at leisure and to enjoy lunch independently in the city before a return transfer mid-afternoon. Please ensure you book the version of the tour you wish to participate in, changes once you have arrived on board are not always possible.

Most of the walking on this tour is at your discretion however, as access to the city centre in Strasbourg is restricted for large vehicles, there will be essential walking of approximately three-quarters-of-a-mile from the centre to rejoin your coach. The terrain is cobbled in many parts of the city.

Due to large scale events taking place in both Germany and France, enhanced Border Control checks are likely. Please ensure you take your passport with you when you leave the ship to visit Strasbourg, either as part of your included tour or independently.

4 hours

After a short walk, either from your ship or following a short coach journey depending on your ship's mooring, you’ll embark a glass-topped sightseeing boat for a tour along Amsterdam’s historic canals.

Once the hub of the city’s commercial life, the canals are lined with houses that were originally workshops and stores. As you sail you can learn more about the city’s rich history and its connection to the waterways for which it is famous.

Walking Grade 2

Please note: Expect to walk approximately 550 yards in total over flat ground with the possibility of cobblestones. During this excursion there is a total standing and/or walking time of approximately 15 minutes. There are several steps to access the pontoon where you board the canal cruise boat and several steps on and off the boat itself.

1½ hours

Depart the ship by coach for your journey to the fairytale Eltz Castle, widely considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in Germany, partly due to its hillside setting surrounded by woodland.

The 850-year-old castle is now in the possession of the 34th generation of the von Eltz family and is one of the only complexes in Germany that has never been conquered in conflict and was able to survive the wars of the 17th and 18th centuries and the social upheavals of the French Revolution unscathed.

The treasure chamber in the cellar vaults houses more than 500 masterpieces of art from the 12th-19th centuries. You will explore the castle and discover more about its unique history in the company of an expert guide.

Walking Grade 5

Please Note: As Eltz Castle has an elevated position there is a moderately steep downhill walk of approximately half a mile on arrival and half a mile uphill on your return via a tarmac path. Inside the castle there are frequent steps, no lifts are available, and you should expect to walk approximately 550 yards. The terrain can be uneven in places and during wet weather some of the stone paths can also be very slippery, so we recommend that sturdy footwear is worn. This tour has a total walking and/or standing time of approximately two hours. This tour is not suitable for those with limitedmobility.

4½ hours

Koblenz is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities on the Rhine. The city has a rich history spanning over 2000 years and incorporating both French and German influences.

With a local guide you will discover the city on foot, taking in highlights such as the Deutsches Eck, or German Corner on the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, the quaint Old Town and the Schängel fountain, which stands in the courtyard of the Town Hall and is one of the city's main landmarks.

The fountain dates to a time when Koblenz was under French control and features a little boy who periodically spits water a surprising distance, catching passers by unaware.

Walking Grade 4

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-half miles over terrain which will be cobbled and some steps may also be required. There is a standing and/or walking time of approximately 90 minutes.

1½ hours

Among this tour’s sights are the St Nikolaus Hospital, the parish church of St Michael with its mighty Gothic slate tower, the birthplace of Nikolaus Cusanus and the historic market square with its centuries-old half-timbered houses in the old town.

The unique vista of the Moselle cultural landscape is your constant companion on this land train journey through Bernkastel-Kues. After your tour concludes you may walk back to your ship or perhaps choose to stay for further time to explore independently.

Walking Grade 2

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately 550 yards over paved terrain which may at times be uneven or cobbled. There is a total walking and/or standing time of approximately 20 minutes. This tour includes travel by land train, which can occasionally be bumpy and therefore may not be suitable for those with back and/or neck problems.

1 hour

Join a leisurely walk through the traditional Moselle town of Traben-Trarbach. Stroll through the old town which is renowned for its Art Nouveau villas and Belle Epoque splendour.

In the early 1900's, the town was the largest wine trading centre in Europe after Bordeaux. Discover the town's many secluded alleys and traces of bygone days, whilst your guide highlights the historical tales and modern day life in this delightful town.

Walking Grade 4

Please note: Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-quarter miles over level but cobbled terrain. Expect to be walking or standing for the full duration of this excursion.

1½ hours

Disembarking the ship, you’ll start the day by boarding the Land Train for a relaxing journey through the streets of Rüdesheim. After enjoying the passing vistas of this small wine town, get ready for a musical tour through Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum, home to the world's largest collection of immersive self-playing instruments.

Accompanied by a guide, you’ll be shown some of the most beautiful musical pieces spanning three centuries, from music boxes to concert piano orchestrions, all presented to you in a humorous and curious way. Finally, you will experience the ""Admiral 2"", dating back to 1910 and fully restored, it is now the largest instrument in the collection. Next, you’ll have the chance to sample three regional wines with a guided tasting before your return to the ship via the Land Train.

Walking Grade 2

Please note: Expect to walk approximately 250 yards in total over flat ground with a total standing and/or walking time of approximately 45 minutes. This excursion includes travel by land train, which can occasionally be bumpy and therefore may be unsuitable for those with back and/or neck problems.

2½ hours

This botanical showcase in the centre of Frankfurt was established following the purchase of the Duke of Nassau's excellent tropical-plant collection. A special glasshouse was erected to house these plants, enabling visitors to experience a jungle-like tropical environment.

Over the years the collection has increased substantially and there are now greenhouses displaying plants from a variety of climate zones, a butterfly house and outdoor exhibits including a rose garden and boating lake. After a short transfer from your ship by coach, your guide will give you a brief orientation walk before allowing you time at leisure to explore your preferred exhibits further on your own.

Walking Grade 3

Please Note: Aside from the orientation walk, most of the walking on this tour is at your discretion. However, we suggest that you should expect to walk at least one mile to make the most of your visit. Terrain is varied and dependent on the route you chose may include paved paths, steps and grass.

3½ hours

Join your guide and begin this tour with a walk of approximately half-a-mile from your ship to the grand Johannisburg Palace, located in the centre of Aschaffenburg, overlooking the Main river.

This vast, four-winged complex was built in the early 1600s and is one of the most important examples of palace architecture from the German Renaissance era – when designed, the architect chose only to retain the keep of the original medieval castle.

The interior of the palace was redesigned in the 18th century in Neoclassical style, but the building suffered significant damage during World War Two. Since its refurbishment the palace now features an art gallery, Palace Chapel, Vestment Chamber, Princely Apartments and the Municipal Palace Museum.

Explore the palace with your guide followed by some free time to explore independently before your return walk to the ship.

Walking Grade 4

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-half miles in total over flat ground with the possibility ofcobblestones and steps in the palace gardens. A lift is available inside the palace if required. This excursion has a total standing and/or walking time of approximately two hours.

3 hours

Join a local guide on a walking tour exploring the city's history, from its beginnings to present today. After your walking tour your guide will leave you to explore at your own pace at the Gutenberg Museum, one of the oldest book and print museums located in the heart of Mainz. Founded in 1900 by a group of citizens from Mainz, the Gutenberg Museum is dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg, the man behind one of the most important inventions in the history of mankind, the printing press. Inside you will see the work of Johannes Gutenberg during a demonstration at the historic printing press and be sure not to miss the original Gutenberg Bible in the vault of the museum. After your time in the museum you return to your ship independently on foot.

Walking Grade 4

Please Note: Expect to walk up to approximately three-quarters-of-a-mile over mostly level, cobbled terrain on the guided walking section of this tour, however in addition to this there will be a further walk of approximately three-quarters-of-a-mile from the Gutenberg Museum back to your ship at your own pace.

Inside the museum walking is at your discretion, however we suggest you should expect to walk a further 750 yards to make the most of your visit. Some steps are possible inside the museum, but a lift is available if required. This tour has a total walking and/or standing time of approximately two-and-a-half hours, however one hour of this is at your discretion inside the museum.

2½ hours

On this walking tour of Boppard, you’ll pass by historical buildings at every turn, giving you a great insight into the wealth of Roman history that lies here.

Accompanied by your guide, you’ll hear about this city’s link as one of the most important settlements during this period; then it’s time to make your way on foot to the Gothic-style Carmelite church dating back to the 14th century.

Afterwards, you can feast your eyes on the imposing two-towered church of St Severus, home to painted wall scenes built over the Roman military baths in the 13th century.

Before you return to the ship, you can trace the banks of the Rhine to explore the Roman fort of Bodobrica, passing rows of old half-timbered houses in the centre of the town.

Walking Grade 4

Please note: Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-half miles in total over flat ground with a total standing and/or walking time of approximately 90 minutes.

2½ hours

Travel from your ship by coach with your local Historian Ruud de Bie. Born in Arnhem and still living there to this day, Ruud has become an expert in Operation Market Garden and the role of the city in the World War Two battle. He, along with four other volunteers actively participate in a continuing project to locate, and where appropriate, recover the bodies of Airborne soldiers who are still missing.

In his company you will head to your first stop, the Airborne Museum, with commentary en route. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to explore independently and get a closer look at different artillery types including the Sherman tank, which stands on the same spot where it was left in battle. Your next stop is the Airborne Cemetery, the final resting place of 1,748 allied troops, which accompanied by personal stories and photographs is sure to be a moving and inspirational experience.

On the way back to your ship, you’ll pass the location of Operation Market Garden, which hosted the 2nd Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Frost in 1944. Here, with commentary from your local guide, you’ll gain insight into this four-day tragic event with overwhelming odds and as a result, many lives were lost. As you continue to where the Allies took refuge in the old church in Oosterbeek you will see the monument honouring those who fought.

Walking Grade 3

Please note: Walking at the Airborne Museum is at your discretion, as you explore independently, and is over flat ground. At the Airborne Cemetery, you should expect to walk approximately 500 yards over grass. Depending on your chosen walking distance during the museum visit you can expect this excursion to have a total standing and/or walking time of approximately two hours. This excursion can also operate in reverse starting with the Airborne Cemetery visit and finishing with the Airborne Museum.

4 hours

This excursion takes you to a traditional cheese-making farmhouse in the village of Katwoude, approximately a 30-minute drive from the centre of Amsterdam. Here, you’ll enjoy a demonstration of the craft of making cheese and can taste the product for yourself.

Next, take a tour through the barn to see the farm's herd of organic Jersey cows, before some free time to browse the quirky farm shop for souvenirs. Then, you will head to Edam, one of the Netherland’s best-preserved towns. It’s notably famous for its red-waxed cheese. Enjoy a short walking tour through the pretty streets and visit the Edam cheese weigh house before returning to your ship.

Walking Grade 4

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-half miles over terrain which will be cobbled and uneven at times and will include some steps. There is a total walking and/or standing time of approximately two hours. This excursion may run in reverse. This tour is not suitable for those with animal related allergies.

4 hours

After a short coach transfer from your ship, you will arrive at the Rijksmuseum, in the heart of Amsterdam’s Museum Square. Here you will see the works of 17th-century Dutch masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Hals.

The museum, designed by Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers, has been housed in the Rijksmuseum building since 1885 and is now one of the most visited museums in the world. You can explore the museum independently at your own pace with an audio guide commentary. A return coach transfer will be provided.

Walking Grade 3

Please Note: Standing and/or walking on this tour is mostly at your discretion over level terrain. However, you should expect to walk approximately one mile to make the most of your visit. Some steps may also be necessary depending on your chosen route; however, a lift is available if required.

3½ hours