The bridge to Heidelberg- Mainz
- Strasbourg’s Gothic cathedral
- The vineyards of Rüdesheim
Historic Gems of the Rhine
The Rhine and her Tributaries
from
£2,039 per person
7 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £24 if not requiredHow our discounts work
Read moreHow our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each level at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected levels. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold.
This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare.
Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin.
When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.
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See the highlights of the Upper Rhine
Visit a succession of historic cities and medieval towns on this all-inclusive river cruise in 2026 aboard Spirit of the Rhine. Walking tours will reveal the 12th-century cathedral, St Stephan’s Minster, in Breisach and the 16th-century Market Square and late medieval Town Hall of Basel. Cruise the Rhine where it forms a border between France and Germany and enjoy a canal cruise in medieval Strasbourg, followed by time at leisure in the city. Nestled beside the River Neckar, Heidelberg is home to Germany’s oldest university. Travel by coach from your ship to the medieval city and join a local guide to tour the inner courtyard and castle garden of Heidelberg Castle. See the historic university and the Church of the Holy Spirit on a guided walk through the old town.
In the traditional wine town of Rüdesheim, known for its narrow cobbled street Drosselgasse, which is lined with cosy wine taverns, you can visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum, where the world’s largest collection of self-playing instruments is exhibited. Your river cruise concludes in Mainz, where you can enjoy a walking tour into the Old Town, which features one of the city’s most famous landmarks, Mainz Cathedral.
Included excursion in every port
Itinerary
Spirit of the Rhine
Travel to Breisach and embark Spirit of the Rhine.
Depart 1800.
Breisach was an important medieval town of the Holy Roman Empire during the 16th century. It is overlooked by a 12th-century cathedral, St Stephan’s Minster, set high on a hilltop above.
Included excursion
Explore the city of Breisach on foot with a local guide, who will point out the key attractions. This excursion covers approximately one-and-a-half miles, however a shorter included walking tour is also available.
Arrive 0100. Depart 1400.
Basel is located at the meeting point of Switzerland, Germany and France. The oldest part of the city is situated near the banks of the Rhine, and is where you will find the cathedral. Other places of interest are the 16th-century Market Square and the late medieval Town Hall.
Included excursion
Travel from the ship by coach into Basel where you can explore the city on a guided walking tour. This excursion covers approximately one-and-a-half miles, however a shorter included walking tour is also available.
Arrive 0100. Depart 1900.
Strasbourg, the elegant capital of Alsace, features cobbled streets, medieval architecture and a Gothic cathedral with an astronomical clock.
Sail overnight.
Included excursion
Enjoy an included canal cruise in Strasbourg, followed by time at leisure in the city. You can choose to return to Spirit of the Rhine for lunch and a relaxing afternoon on board, or remain in Strasbourg to explore independently for the afternoon (coach access is restricted in Strasbourg, so there will be a walk of around a mile from the cathedral back to the coach).
Arrive Heidelberg, 0800. Depart 1400.
Arrive Rüdesheim, 2200.
Heidelberg is the home of Germany’s oldest university. Its highlights include the Old Bridge across the River Neckar and the ruined castle high above the city. Its unusual appearance is due to it having been added to through different periods of German architectural styles. Virtually destroyed by lightning in 1764 it was ransacked by locals who used stones from it in their own houses. Your ship will be moored approximately an hour’s drive away from Heidelberg.
Included excursion
Travel by coach for approximately 45 minutes to the medieval city of Heidelberg. Visit Heidelberg Castle, perched above the city, and join an expert local guide to tour the inner courtyard and castle garden, as well as the residence ruins and the famous giant barrel. Enjoy a guided walk through the old town, where you can see the historic university and the Church of the Holy Spirit. This excursion covers approximately one-and-a-half miles on foot, however a shorter tour with limited walking is also available.
Depart Rüdesheim, 1400. Arrive Mainz, 1700.
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 and overlooked by the glockenspiel tower with its hourly chimes.
Included excursion
Step aboard the Land Train and journey through Rüdesheim to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of self-playing instruments. Accompanied by a guide, see musical pieces spanning three centuries, from music boxes to concert piano orchestrions.
Mainz is known for its medieval market squares, half-timbered houses, Romanesque sandstone cathedral and St Stephen’s church, which features stained glass windows by renowned artist Marc Chagall. Behind the cathedral in Gutenberg square is a statue of the father of modern printing Johannes Gutenberg, who was born in Mainz in the 14th century.
Included excursion
Join a walking tour into the Old Town of Mainz, which is home to one of the city’s most famous landmarks Mainz Cathedral. Continue past medieval houses to view the exterior of the Gutenberg Museum, a building dedicated to the work of Johannes Gutenberg. This excursion covers approximately one-and-a-half miles to two miles over two hours, however a shorter included walking tour is also available.
Disembark Spirit of the Rhine after breakfast and begin your return journey.
Including...
All Inclusive†
Cruise Director
Plus…
- Drinks reception and Gala dinner
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
- All gratuities on board
- Return flights and transfers
Included excursion in every port
Find out more about when excursions are available to book.
Interactive maps and audio headsets are available for independent exploration.
†The included drinks are available on board from 9am to midnight and include non-branded alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Excludes branded spirits.
from
£2,039 per person
7 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £24 if not requiredHow our discounts work
Read moreHow our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each level at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected levels. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold.
This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare.
Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin.
When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.
from
£2,039 per person
7 nights
Including optional travel insurance or a price reduction of £24 if not requiredHow our discounts work
Read moreHow our discounts work
On all cruises we set aside a number of cabins within each level at a discounted fare, with the highest discount of 35% for ocean cruises and 25% for river cruises available on selected levels. These cabins are sold on a first come, first served basis. As cabins are sold, the discount begins to reduce, and continues to reduce until those selected cabins are sold.
This means that the earlier you book, the higher the chance of securing a greater discount. Our price panels clearly show the full cruise price, along with the current discount fare.
Please note: During busy periods for holiday bookings, the early booking discount can reduce rapidly. We recommend that you book early to benefit from the best booking discounts and to secure your preferred cabin.
When promoting new cruises for the first time, we contact customers on our Advanced Registration list first, allowing then to secure the cabin of their choice and benefit from the best savings. Our brochures are then sent out to loyalty club members first, followed by past cruise goers and then everyone else.