Railways & Waterways Of The Enchanting Rhine & Moselle

Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1: We arrive at our elegant, Art Nouveau hotel, located on the beautiful Rhine, in time for dinner.

Day 2: This morning we head to the Moselle Valley with its breath-taking river landscapes, picturesque villages and steep vineyards. We arrive at the pretty, riverside town of Cochem and embark on a circular cruise along the Moselle River. Renowned for its castles and wineries along the banks of the water, we will enjoy views of the magnificent 11^th century Reichsburg Castle, a Gothic masterpiece which dominates the skyline, and the surrounding beauty of the vineyards. After our cruise, we spend the rest of the day in Cochem at leisure, with time to explore the old town, made up of quaint squares, winding alleys and half-timbered buildings, typically evocative of German towns. The town is also home to numerous restaurants and wine bars making it an ideal setting to sample some of the delicious local wines.  

Day 3: We’ll enjoy some free time in Boppard this morning, an enchanting German town, with a picturesque riverside promenade and nestled amongst the scenic hills of the Loreley Valley. From Boppard we join our river cruise for a one-way journey upstream through the tranquil, picture-perfect section of the UNESCO protected Upper Middle Rhine Valley, to Oberlahnstein.  We continue by coach to Königswinter for our return journey on the Drachenfelsbahn, Germany’s oldest cog railway. From the Valley Station to the summit, we cover a height difference of 220 metres, and at the top we see the ruined medieval Drachenfels (Dragon’s Rock) Castle with its striking location and stunning views across the Rhine Valley. After our journey we return to our hotel by coach.

Day 4: Today we travel to Brohl for a captivating one-way journey on the Vulkan Express, a narrow gauge railway through the unique and diverse Laacher See Area. The line meanders up through the Brohl Valley into the Eifel Hills, where dramatic rock formations were created during a period of volcanic activity. Opened in 1901, the 11-mile journey takes 90 minutes as the locomotives climb around 400 metres through stunning and narrow valleys and over elegant stone bridges. This afternoon we continue to Koblenz, one of Germany’s oldest and most beautiful cities, for some free time. This 2,000 year-old city where the Rhine and Moselle meet at the famous Deutsches Eck, or German Corner, is a popular tourist destination and well known for its history and beauty. Perhaps visit the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, the second largest preserved fortress in Europe.  Reached by cable car from the city, the Fortress houses several museums as well as offering incredible views over Koblenz and the valleys beyond.  The city itself is wonderful to explore with its riverside promenades, delightful restaurants and cafes, charming old town and beautifully maintained parks.

Day 5: After breakfast, we say Auf Weidersehen and begin our journey home.

Bellevue Rhienhotel, Boppard

Koblenz

Accommodation

Bellevue Rhienhotel, Boppard

The elegant, family-run 4 star Bellevue Rheinhotel is beautifully decorated in a Belle Epoque style and is perfectly situated on the main riverside promenade only a stone’s throw from the centre of Boppard.

All rooms are en-suite with TV and hairdryer, safe and free Wi-Fi. Leisure facilities include an indoor swimming pool, gym, and sauna.

There is a lift at the hotel.