Jazz and Wine on the Rhine and Moselle

Day 1 UK to Cologne

Travel by coach from Folkestone to Cologne (Cologne is approximately five hours from Calais) and embark Rex Rheni. Meet your guest musicians at a welcome drink reception. Enjoy dinner on board tonight, followed by a performance from the on-board jazz band.

Day 2 Koblenz 🎧

Explore historic Koblenz, and perhaps visit the Festung Ehrenbreitstein, a citadel built by the Prussians, on an optional excursion. As you sail away keep a look-out for the Deutsches Eck headland, which marks the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. Enjoy an afternoon of live jazz as you cruise the beautiful sweeping curves of the Moselle towards Zell.

Day 3 Zell to Traben-Trarbach

The picturesque little town of Zell is famous for its Schwarze Katze – Black Cat – vineyard.

Later this morning, cruise along the meandering Middle Rhine to the twin villages of Traben-Trarbach which straddle the Moselle. They are known as the 'capitals' of the wine region and are home to many art nouveau buildings. Join an included excursion to a local vineyard for a wine tasting – perhaps sample some 'flowery' Mosel.

This evening take your seats for an introduction and informal chat from the band before enjoying a live jazz performance tonight.

Day 4 Traben-Trarbach to Beilstein to Cochem

Set sail this morning and cruise to Beilstein – known as the ‘Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle’ due to its historic inaccessibility and beautiful setting.

Enjoy some time at leisure before cruising on to moor in the wine town of Cochem tonight.

Day 5 Cochem to Rüdesheim 🎧

The lovely town of Cochem has been inhabited since Roman times. Wander the narrow streets lined with gabled houses, and see the remains of the Old Town Wall. You can join an optional excursion around Cochem and magical Reichsburg Castle finishing with a trip to a local vineyard.

Cruise from the Moselle into the stunning Rhine Gorge and sail to Rüdesheim. Enjoy a live jazz performance this evening.

Day 6 Rudesheim to Boppard

Explore the charming old wine-town of Rüdesheim and perhaps sample the local coffee, a heady brew laced with German brandy. You can also join an optional excursion to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum. This afternoon you'll cruise back along what is probably the most famous and scenic stretch of the river – the romantic Rhine Gorge – to Boppard, past a heady array of castles, terraced vineyards and attractive villages as well as the famous Lorelei Rock. The small riverside town of Boppard boasts more than 2,000 years of history. Don't miss the Gothic Carmelite Church or the opportunity to stroll along the Rheinallee, a waterfront promenade. Enjoy a wine tasting this evening in Boppard.

Day 7 Boppard to Cologne 🎧

Leave Boppard this morning and sail to Cologne to explore Germany's fourth largest city.

The skyline is dominated by the vast Gothic cathedral, originally a pilgrimage church designed to house the relics of the three Magi. The colourful houses of the old town are nearby, but large swathes of the city are modern as a result of bombing during World War II. Art lovers will enjoy both the Wallraf-Richartz Museum and the Museum Ludwig.

Enjoy a farewell dinner and a jazz concert on board your ship tonight.

Day 8 Cologne to UK

Disembark after breakfast and travel to the UK by coach.