Castles & Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle

Welcome to Germany and the city of Mainz. Set on the Rhine River, it’s known for its rich Roman heritage, wine growing, university and striking cathedral. This afternoon, board your 5-star Scenic Space-Ship, which will be your home for the next eight days. Meet your fellow guests and raise a glass to the start of a wonderful journey. 

Please book your flight to arrive into Frankfurt prior to 03:00 PM.

Welcome to Germany and the city of Mainz. Set on the Rhine River, it’s known for its rich Roman heritage, wine growing, university and striking cathedral. This afternoon, board your 5-star Scenic Space-Ship, which will be your home for the next eight days. Meet your fellow guests and raise a glass to the start of a wonderful journey. 

Please book your flight to arrive into Frankfurt prior to 03:00 PM.

Located in the West of the country, Koblenz is one of the oldest cities in Germany. It is situated on both banks of the river Rhine, at its confluence with the Moselle River. The beginnings of Koblenz can be traced back to its military beginnings around 8 BC. The city is rich in its history and heritage and is easily explored on foot. Take the cable car crossing over the river Rhine for spectacular aerial views or enjoy the city from the one thousand year old fortress, Ehrenbreitstein. The upper middle Rhine Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its unique landscape can be enjoyed and discovered through the interactive multimedia journey at the Romanticum. Historical and architectural sites of interest include Stolzenfels Castle, the Electoral Palace of Koblenz and Old Town. From the romantic winding streets and small squares of Old Town, stroll through the alleyways from the Church of the Holy Virgin to the St Kastor Basilica and enjoy the picturesque buildings and squares along the way. Koblenz is also very popular for its Riesling and strong Spatburgunder wines since the Romans introduced it two thousand years ago.

Another wonderfully preserved riverside town, Bernkastel is home to an atmospheric market square with buildings that date to the 13th century and the remnants of Landshut Castle sitting high above on a hill, where archaeological remains from the fourth and fifth centuries were uncovered in 2012. It also sits at the heart of the Moselle Valley wine region and one of the world’s most famous Riesling vineyards, Bernkasteler Doctor, is just on the edge of town. 

Scenic Freechoice:
Discover Bernkastel your way on one of these excursions:

Walking tour of Bernkastel: Your expert guide will explain the local architecture and culture during a guided tour or the town’s highlights, including perfectly preserved half-timbered houses and the Renaissance-style Rathaus (Town Hall). Then enjoy some time at leisure.

Wine tasting along the Moselle: The fertile banks of the Moselle River are a winemaker’s paradise. Learn about the varieties that are grown and produced at one of the most renowned wineries in the region, then sample a selection of local wines.

Hike to Landshut Castle: Landshut Castle, in its current form, has stood on a hill overlooking Bernkastel since the 13th century though its origins are much older. Join your local guide and learn about its fascinating history as you take an active hike up to the castle.

Scenic Enrich
Tonight, be immersed in a private classical concert in the breathtaking surroundings of the World Heritage-listed Liebfrauenkirche, or Church of Our Lady, in the heart of the Roman city of Trier. During the concert, admire the incredible architecture and intricate stained-glass windows of the church as magnificent classical music echoes through the walls.

A medieval gem resting on the banks of the Moselle River, Cochem will make you feel as if you are stepping directly into a fairy-tale. The traditional town is nestled on the riverbanks, with pastel-coloured buildings, half-timbered houses, cobbled laneways and an enchanting medieval hilltop castle surrounded by sloped vineyards.  

Scenic Freechoice:
Explore Cochem your way this morning with one of these excursions:

Walking tour of Cochem: Explore Reichsburg Castle, which dates back to the Middle Ages and has a well-preserved Knight’s Hall and Trophy Room, then enjoy some free time to walk Cochem’s charming streets on your own. (Please be advised, when Reichsburg Castle is unavailable, it will be replaced with a Walking Tour of Cochem including a wine tasting.)

Cycling tour of Cochem: Hop on an e-bike to cycle along the flat path beside the Moselle River. Your local guide will show you Reichsburg Castle, the half-timbered houses of Cochem, and the nearby towns of Valwig and Belstein.

Depart to Rüdesheim this afternoon.

Relax on board this morning as you cruise gently through the beautiful landscapes of the Rhine Valley. Admire the scenery from your private Scenic Sun Lounge or take some time to explore the features of your 5-star Space-Ship, like the Vitality Pool, wellness centre and Sun Deck.

This afternoon, disembark in Rüdesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been cultivating wine for more than two millennia. It is filled with half-timbered houses along cobbled streets, quaint shops selling trinkets such as traditional Christmas ornaments and cuckoo clocks, as well as a smattering of wine taverns and open-air beer gardens.

Scenic Freechoice:
Make your selection from this afternoon’s Scenic Freechoice excursions:

Siegfried’s Musikkabinett Museum: Visit Siegfried’s Musikkabinett Museum, where a local guide will introduce you to the weird and wonderful mechanical musical instruments. Then explore on your own or take the cable car up to the Niederwald Monument.

Hike & cable car: Join a local guide for a hike through the rolling vineyards of Rüdesheim and enjoy spectacular views of the countryside and Rhine River below. After your hike, board the cable car to return to town.

Rastatt, Germany, is a charming town in the Baden-Württemberg region, known for its Baroque architecture and historic significance. The centerpiece is the Rastatt Palace, a stunning example of Baroque grandeur with its beautiful gardens. The town offers picturesque streets, vibrant markets, and a rich cultural scene. Located near the Rhine River, Rastatt combines historical charm with a lively atmosphere, making it a delightful destination for exploring its architectural heritage and enjoying its local culture.

Breisach is a town located in Southwest Germany on the French border. The town is situated in the Rhine Valley on the banks of the river Rhine and dates back over four thousand years. Breisach and its history can be experienced through the City History Museum, which houses a permanent exhibition taking you from Stone Age through the Celtic, to the Romans and Middle Ages, right up to modern day. St Stephen’s Cathedral is home to the city’s famous art treasures, the wheel wells, which are housed in the neighbouring Radbrunnenturm with the forty one metre deep water well. The cathedral is also home to many other treasures including the High Altar of Master HL and wall paintings by Martin Schongauer as well as High Gothic and Roman architecture. A visit to the Blue House, the former Jewish Community Centre, is highly recommended. Now owned by the Friends of Former Jewish Community House Breisach it exhibits memorials to Breisach’s Jewish heritage.

Basel is a city in northwestern Switzerland on the Swiss, French and German borders. It is located on the bend of the River Rhine and benefits from a Mediterranean climate. It is the third most populated city in Switzerland and has been the commercial hub for Swiss arts and culture since the Renaissance. In 1967 the people of Basel voted to acquire two paintings by Picasso, who was so moved by the Basel people that he donated 3 paintings and a study to the city’s Kunstmuseum (Museum of Fine Arts). Visit the Augusta Raurica, one of the largest Roman archaeology parks in Switzerland, and enjoy a river crossings over the River Rhine by non-motorised ferries. During the summer months, time is spent outdoors, either swimming in the River Rhine, dining al fresco, enjoying open air concerts, cinema, street parties and festivals. Basel is home to over 20 restaurants that have won GaultMillau or Michelin awards, and boasts Switzerland’s largest collection of theatre shows, including modern contemporary dance, touring and puppetry theatre.