Gilbert & Sullivan on the Rhine

Relax in the comfort of your coach and admire the scenery as you journey through the lowlands north of Amsterdam, passing lakes and windmills and pastureland dotted with farmhouses. Your first stop is a visit to the Cheese Farm, where the various stages of cheesemaking will be explained, and you can sample some of the cheese. Return to the city centre of Amsterdam by coach. During the journey you’ll see some of the city’s sights, including the Concert Hall, Tropen Museum and Java Island.

After a short walk from your coach, you’ll embark a glass-topped boat for a tour along Amsterdam’s historic canals, once the hub of the city’s commercial life, and 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 is also a small number of steps to access the pontoon to board the canal cruise boat and several steps on and off the boat itself. This excursion may also run in reverse with the canal cruise before the Cheese Farm visit.

4 hours

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 (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 compulsory 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 1650 yards over terrain which may be cobbled. There is a total walking/standing time of approximately two hours.

4½ 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 also follow along 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.

4 hours

Resting in the centre of Koblenz city, underneath the main building of the former Deinhard sparkling wine cellar, is the Koblenz Wine and Sparkling Wine Museum founded in 1969. After a refreshing walk from the ship, enjoy a guided tour where you can journey through the historical museum, stepping into the vaults to learn about how the local wine used to be made with the original equipment before being exported. Then, there’s time to look forward to a tasting of three Sekt wines, giving you more of a flavour of Deinhard before heading back to the port.

Walking Grade 3

Please note: Expect to walk approximately 800 yards in total over flat ground with a total standing and/or walking time of approximately one hour. Some steps are required inside the venue leading down to the vaults

1½ hours

Bingen sits at the confluence of Rhine and Nahe rivers and is the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley. The city has over 2000 years of history to explore.

Join your expert local guide on a walking tour exploring some of the city’s highlights, including the quirky old town where you can learn about St Hildegard von Bingen – the 12th-century composer, scholar, healer and theologian who lived here. You will also discover the Bingen Mouse Tower, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. It stands prominently on the small Rhine island in front of Bingen and its history is shrouded in legend.

Walking Grade 4

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-half miles over terrain which may be uneven and cobbled and include some steps and slight inclines. The total walking and/or standing time is 90 minutes.

2 hours

Discover this large residence in Brühl, set out across a garden landscape, nestled on the outskirts of the city. Resting on the foundations of a medieval castle, architect Johann Conrad Schlaun began construction on Augustusburg Palace before it was finished by François de Cuvilliés. Now the sumptuous residence of the prince-archbishops of Cologne, it is one of best examples of 18th century Rococo architecture in Germany.

After a short coach journey to this palace, you will have the chance to explore it for yourself, accompanied by an expert guide who will share their knowledge on the building’s history and importance. After heading through the three wings built of brick with rough-cast rendering, you can also venture through the two adjoining orangeries, one on the south side which includes an oratory, and one other to the north.

Before heading back to the ship, there’s some free time to discover the manicured grounds independently.

Walking Grade 3

Please note: Expect to walk approximately one and a half miles over mostly level terrain with a number of steps required within the palace. Your tour inside the palace is guided by a specialist Palace guide and is not exclusive, therefore you may occasionally also be joined by other English-speaking visitors. There is a total compulsory walking and/ Explore the iconic sights of Cologne or standing time of approximately one and a half hours. During your time for independent exploration, walking is at your discretion.

3½ hours

Dive into the most interesting facets of Cologne’s past and present on this guided tour through history. First, you’ll see the grand exterior of Cologne Cathedral, recognised as a UNESCO-listed site in 1996. During independent time later on, you may choose to go inside for a glimpse into the Roman’s previous love for ornate and intricate architecture.

Then it’s time to venture into the medieval Old Town, home to characteristic churches, guilds and merchant’s houses. Stroll past the town hall and the Romanesque St Martin Church and see Cologne’s modernised and urban development. Many parts of the city have undergone a long period of restoration following heavy bombing during World War Two.

Walking Grade 4

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-quarter miles over mostly flat ground. On the way to the Alter Markt, there is a gentle incline with some cobblestones. If a coach transfer is required for this excursion due to a less central docking location, it will add approximately 45 minutes to the overall excursion duration.

1½ hours

Enjoy a panoramic drive through the wild and romantic Brohl valley, in the company of a local guide, to Lake Laach – the largest and oldest active crater lake in the Eifel. Next to it is situated the striking Maria Laach Abbey. At the Abbey information centre you will be able to view a short film presentation about the building’s history, before some free time to explore at your own pace with your guide remaining on hand to provide additional insight if you choose.

The monastery was founded in 1093 by Count Palatine Heinrich II von Laach and is now run by the Beuron Benedictines. Next to the impressive abbey church, is the monastery nursery nestled between the monastery wall and the basilica. After you have explored the monastery grounds, which also house a library, art smithy and furniture exhibition, there is time to visit the souvenir and organic food shop where you can purchase some of the monastery's own produce.

Walking Grade 3

Please note: On this tour you should expect to walk approximately 1650 yards over terrain which may be uneven in places, although the majority of walking is at your own discretion. We suggest a total standing and/or walking time of approximately two hours, but this is also at your discretion.

3½ hours