Rhine in the Springtime

Travel to Düsseldorf and embark Spirit of the Rhine.

Depart Düsseldorf, 0800.
Arrive Cologne, 1300. Depart 2300.

Founded by the Romans, Cologne has long been an important trading centre and was once home to the composers Schumann and Mendelssohn. The city’s main attraction is the twin-spired Gothic cathedral which dominates the skyline. There are also baroque palaces, medieval churches and a 16th-century City Hall.

Arrive Koblenz, 0800. Depart 1300. Scenic Cruise, Middle Rhine Gorge.
Arrive Rüdesheim, 2100.

The city of 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 Festung Ehrenbreitstein, a citadel built by the Prussians between 1816 and 1832.

Cruise through the scenery of the Middle Rhine Gorge this afternoon, passing the steep Lorelei Rock, which is a symbol of the Rhine and was the inspiration for a famous poem by Heinrich Heine, set to music by Frederich Silcher. The Lorelei was a siren who is said to have sat on the rock, combing her hair and singing, luring sailors to their watery deaths on the rocks below.

Depart 1900.

The popular wine town of Rüdesheim has a traditional old town of half-timbered houses and is backed by terraced vineyards. Among its main attractions is a long narrow street, the Drosselgasse, which is lined on both sides with traditional wine taverns.

Arrive 0800. Depart 0000.

The Cathedral and Imperial City of Speyer is dominated by the UNESCO-listed Speyer Cathedral, built in the 11th century and a fine example of Romanesque architecture. See some of the city’s main sights during an included excursion. Highlights include the Maximilianstrasse pedestrian street where a fountain sits in front of the Old Mint, celebrating the victory of St George over the dragon.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1300.

Bingen sits at the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, with its hilltop castles, historic towns and vineyards. The visionary and composer Hildegard von Bingen lived and worked in Bingen in the 12th century.

Arrive 0900. Depart 1900.

This afternoon, an included excursion from Tiel will introduce you to some of the sites associated with Operation Market Garden, including the old church in Oosterbeek, where the Allies took refuge prior to withdrawing.

Arrive 0800.

Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, started life as a fishing village in the 13th century.

Among the most interesting sights are the Royal Palace on Dam Square, the floating flower market, the Central Railway Station, which is built on thousands of wooden piles, and the grand 19th-century Rijksmuseum. Tree-shaded canals, historic bridges, colourful cafes, gabled buildings and plenty of bicycles combine to create an atmosphere that is unique to this city.

This morning, a cruise along the city’s tree-shaded canals past historic bridges and gabled houses is included.

Disembark Spirit of the Rhine and begin your return journey.