In supplier order. Some entries may cover multiple days; optional experiences are described by the supplier.
Arrive in Cologne
Arrive in historic Cologne this morning and meet your friendly, experienced tour manager on arrival. Depending on the time of your arrival, you might have a few hours free to find lunch locally before reconvening with your group for the journey to the dock.
Here, you’ll be welcomed by A-ROSA BRAVA and her experienced crew, who will introduce you to the best of the Rhine Valley throughout the week. After checking in and settling into your cabin, enjoy your first evening on board at leisure.
Rüdesheim, Germany
Soak up panoramic views of the Rhine Gorge as you enjoy breakfast before arriving in winemaking Rüdesheim later this morning. After breakfast, you’ll step ashore and have the rest of the day to take in the town’s surrounding highlights under your own steam. If you’d like, you can join an optional excursion on the Winzerexpress railway through the Rhineland's rich wine country, gliding past its famous vineyards as you go. Back in the centre of Rüdesheim, there’ll be plenty to explore, including café-bars, historic monuments and scenic cable car routes which promise the perfect introduction to life on the Rhine.
This evening, A-ROSA BRAVA will continue south to Speyer, one of the oldest cities in Germany.
Speyer, Germany
Wake up along the banks of the Upper Rhine and stop in Germersheim, a charming Rhine-side village, for a shore excursion into nearby Speyer, Germany's oldest planned medieval town. Strategically important and well-placed along the Rhine's main trade routes, this former Roman city boasts a colourful history stretching back over 2,000 years and is home to several interesting landmarks built throughout the Holy Roman Empire. A visit to Speyer Cathedral, the largest remaining Romanesque cathedral in the world, won't disappoint with its stunning architecture, ruined abbey and imperial burial grounds.
Later on, head back to the ship for an overnight sailing to Breisach.
Breisach, Germany
Enjoy a leisurely morning on board A-ROSA BRAVA and get ready for the first guided excursion of your Rhine cruise. Dock in the picturesque town of Breisach, with its pastel-hued buildings and beautiful surrounding vineyards, and join an intriguing exploration of this charming cliffside city. Breisach marks the point where the Black Forest spills into the Alsace region, meaning this German town shares a lot with its French neighbours, including its love of good food and good wine.
After a tour of the city, return to A-ROSA BRAVA.
Strasbourg, France
Sail into the charming town of Kehl after breakfast for today’s included shore excursion. This delightful Rhine town is so close to the border that it’s possible to have one foot in France and the other in Germany, and after a brief stop, you’ll board a coach for the short transfer into elegant Strasbourg. Here, you’ll have time to explore alongside your expert tour manager, starting in the old town, with its pastel-painted houses and cobblestone alleys. You’ll also take in the canal-lined Petit France area ahead of a stop at the city’s magnificent sandstone cathedral. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even climb to the top of its spire, which was once the tallest structure in the world, and enjoy panoramic views stretching all the way to the Black Forest.
After an insightful tour of France’s Grand Est capital, head back to A-ROSA BRAVA for the evening under your own steam and your return journey north.
Mainz, Germany
You’ll arrive at the picturesque Rhineland city of Mainz in the early hours of the morning. Famous as the birthplace of the printing press, where Johannes Gutenberg created Europe's earliest printed book in the 15th century, Mainz was also originally a fort on the Roman Empire's northern border. You'll have the chance to discover the city's rich history and culture on an included walking tour ahead of some well-earned downtime this evening.
As night falls, A-ROSA BRAVA will whisk you away overnight for your next stop, the riverside city of Koblenz.
Koblenz, Germany
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast aboard A-ROSA BRAVA ahead of your cruise’s final shore excursion in charming Koblenz. Nestled on the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers, the Deutsches Eck (German Corner), this delightful UNESCO-listed town is a treasure trove of medieval architecture and cultural highlights.
While exploring, you can visit the Kaiser Wilhelm monument, an impressive memorial dedicated to the unification of Germany under Wilhelm I's rule, or the playful Schängel Fountain, which 'spits' on unsuspecting passersby. Also of interest will be the Basilica St. Castor, a grand Romanesque church and the oldest original religious building in the city, and the Church of Our Lady, a colourful, onion-domed building.
After a fascinating afternoon in Koblenz, reboard your ship for the last leg of the cruise.
Dock in Cologne and return to the UK
This morning, after a final breakfast on board A-ROSA BRAVA, you’ll arrive back in impressive Cologne. Bid farewell to your crew as you check out and, depending on the time of your return flight, spend some time taking in the city’s sights. From the world-famous Cologne Cathedral, one of the most imposing pieces of Gothic architecture in the world, to the Old Market, there’s plenty to enjoy in this remarkable Rhine city.
At the end of your unforgettable Rhine exploration, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.