Christmas and New Year on Spirit of the Moselle

Travel to Nuremberg and embark Spirit of the Moselle.

Depart 0000.

The Imperial Castle, Kaiserburg, dominates the skyline of this medieval city, which has undergone a great deal of restoration since it was heavily bombed in World War Two. At this time of year, the main square or Hauptmarkt, will be hosting its renowned Christmas market, where little wooden booths sell handmade Christmas decorations and tempting sweet treats, including lebkuchen and spekulatius cookies. A coach transfer to the city centre is included.

Sail overnight.

Included excursion

Take our included coach transfer into the city centre where you can browse the stalls of the Christmas market.

Arrive 1200.

Bamberg was, like Rome, built on seven hills and because of its mixture of architectural styles and baroque town houses is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its Imperial Cathedral is set on Cathedral Hill and Altenburg Castle is located at the town's highest point.

Sail overnight.

Included excursion

Take our complimentary transfer service into Bamberg, where you can join an included walking tour which will reveal the Cathedral square and the New Residence. Expect to walk a distance of approximately two miles over two hours. An alternative tour with a reduced walking will also be available.

Depart Bamberg, 0100.
Arrive Schweinfurt, 1200.

Following a leisurely morning cruising the Main River, arrive at Bavarian Schweinfurt. The city, which straggles the Main River, has numerous well-preserved ruins, including the Alte Stadtmauer city walls. The cobblestone market square features a mix of modern and historic buildings, such as the 15th-century Town Hall.

Included excursion

An included guided walking tour will reveal some of the city’s highlights. This excursion covers approximately one-and-a-half miles, however a shorter included walking tour is also available.

Sailing day
Depart Schweinfurt, 0400.
Arrive Würzburg, 1800.

Look forward to a leisurely day on board Spirit of the Moselle, with Christmas dinner and festive celebrations.

Depart 1900.

An important city in the Middle Ages, Würzburg features numerous baroque buildings erected by the prince-bishops of the Schönborn family in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Residence Palace, one of Europe’s most renowned baroque castles, was built here between 1720 and 1724 for the prince-bishop Johann Philipp Franz, who commissioned master builder Balthasar Neumann to create the 'palace of all palaces'.

Sail overnight.

Included excursion

An included excursion visits the Residence Palace for a guided tour. Afterwards, you have the choice to join a walking tour through the historic city centre of Würzburg in the company of a local guide, or to return to your ship.

Arrive 1200. Depart 1900.

Miltenberg is set in the scenic Main valley, between the Odenwald and the Spessart Mountains. The oldest part of the city lies on the left bank of the Main below a steep wooded hill, crowned by a 13th-century castle. The old town, enclosed within ancient walls and gates, is home to picturesque cobblestone streets of half-timbered houses and old wine taverns.

Sail overnight.

Included excursion

Walk from your ship to Miltenberg’s Old Town, with its cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and quaint squares. See the 16th-century Old Town Hall, one of the key landmarks, renowned for its Renaissance architecture. This excursion covers approximately one-and-a-half miles to two miles over two hours, however a shorter included walking tour is also available.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1400.

Frankfurt, Germany. Arrive 2100. The city of Aschaffenburg is set beside the Main river and an included walking tour from your ship will reveal some of the main sights. The riverbank is dominated by the Renaissance Johannisburg Palace. It’s a vast complex, with four wings and two towers, built in the 17th century. In the old quarter, on Theaterplatz square, is a fine neo-classical theatre, arcade and fountains. Nearby, there is a replica of a Roman villa discovered in Pompeii – the Pompejanum – commissioned by King Ludwig I and built between 1840-1848.

Included excursion

Join a local expert for an included walking tour of the city, pausing at Castle Square, which is overlooked by the vast, 17th-century Johannisburg Palace complex. You will either walk directly from the ship or transfer by coach into the city centre for this excursion, depending on your ship’s berth. This excursion covers approximately one-and-a-half miles, however a shorter included walking tour is also available.

The bustling city of Frankfurt sits beside the Main River and, depending on your mooring, can be reached using our complimentary transfer service. The medieval old town, in the heart of the city, is lined with half-timbered buildings, boutiques and quaint apple-wine taverns. In the central square, Römerberg, you can see the medieval Römer complex with their distinctive stepped gables and opposite is the Old St Nicholas church.

Sail overnight.

Included excursion

See more of Frankfurt by coach and on foot during an included excursion this morning and, depending on the distance of your ship’s mooring, a complimentary shuttle service will be available for you to return to the city to explore independently this afternoon depending on the ship’s berth.

Depart Frankfurt, 0200.
Scenic Cruise, Middle Rhine Gorge.
Arrive Boppard, 1200. Depart 1800.
Arrive Koblenz, Arrive 2000.

Cruise the UNESCO0-listed scenery of the Middle Rhine Gorge to the Rhineland wine town of Boppard, where the waterfront is overlooked by rolling hills and vineyards famous for Reisling wine. There are extensive Roman remains, medieval fortifications and half-timbered buildings.

Look forward to an included wine tasting session on board Spirit of Moselle before you sail to Koblenz for an overnight mooring.

Included excursion

Enjoy an included wine tasting session on board Spirit of the Moselle with our local vineyard partner.

Koblenz, meaning 'merging of the rivers', is situated on the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. At the exact point where the two rivers meet, the Deutsches Eck, there is a monument with a huge equestrian statue of Emperor Wilhelm I. Above the town sits the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, a citadel built by the Prussians between 1816 and 1832. Look forward to on-board festivities to welcome in the New Year.

Included excursion

Join a local guide for an included walking tour of Koblenz, taking in highlights such as the Deutsches Eck, or German Corner, the Old Town and the Schängel fountain, which stands in the courtyard of the Town Hall. This excursion covers approximately one-and-a-half miles, however a shorter included walking tour is also available.

Sailing day
Depart Koblenz, 0900.
Arrive Cochem, 1600.

Enjoy the facilities on board Spirit of the Moselle as you cruise the scenic Moselle River.

Depart, 2000.

The small town of Cochem is overlooked by the neo-Gothic Reichsburg Castle, and although most of the castle was rebuilt in the 19th century, the original 11th-century keep still survives. The town’s other historic architectural gems include a baroque Town Hall backed by a maze of streets and a quaint market square lined with timber-framed buildings.

Sail overnight.

Included excursion

Look forward to a trip aboard Cochem’s Land Train for a leisurely introduction to the town.

Arrive Bonn 0800. Depart 1800.
Arrive Düsseldorf, 2300.

This morning you arrive in Bonn, capital of West Germany from 1949 until 1999 and birthplace of famous composer Beethoven.

Included excursion

Enjoy an included tour by coach to see sights such as the Romanesque Minster Cathedral and the University of Bonn, which was formerly the Elector’s Palace – with its elegant Hofgarten and the baroque City Hall. Alternatively, explore the city on foot with a local guide, covering approximately one-and-a-half miles during 90 minutes.

Disembark Spirit of the Moselle and begin the return journey to the UK.