Heidelburg to Berlin

Overview

Heidelburg to Berlin

Cruise Germany’s intimate and beautiful waterways. Allow Johannes Brahms to take you to parts of Germany that larger river cruise ships can’t reach.

Spend two nights in the historic and beautiful setting of Heidelberg, enjoying an included tour while you’re there, before setting sail along the enchanting River Neckar. Explore Mainz and the half-timbered gem of Eltville during overnight moorings and continue to explore the pretty wine towns of Rüdesheim and Boppard. After visiting Düsseldorf your cruise will be the first Saga holiday to explore Bad Essen before continuing to Hannover, where you might choose to join an optional walking tour. See Wolfsburg and Brandenburg before exploring Potsdam en route to Germany’s bohemian capital Berlin, where your holiday concludes with another overnight mooring and an included sightseeing tour of the highlights.

What's Included:

  • VIP door-to-door travel service from anywhere on the UK mainland
  • 32 meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 11 dinners
  • Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Drinks reception and Captain's dinner
  • Saga Cruise Host
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
  • Return flights and transfers

    Excursions

  • Heidelberg tour and castle visit
  • Berlin city tour

Hand Picked By

Margaret Moulton

Saga are so popular with our clients here at Wells; all those little details are taken care of so that customers return time and time again to book with Saga.

Margaret Moulton

Additional Information

  • Departure Date: 27th July 2021
  • Duration: 11 nights
  • Highlights: Cruise Germany’s intimate and beautiful waterways

Ship Overview

Johannes Brahms

Exclusively chartered for Saga guests, the elegant Johannes Brahms ship is a compact vessel is the ideal introduction to river cruising in Europe and has the great advantage of navigating routes which larger vessels cannot.

As a result, it's small enough not to overwhelm yet large enough for you to find your own space, from a quiet corner in the Panorama lounge, enjoying the view from the sun deck or relaxing in your cabin, watching the scenery pass by.

With no more than 80 passengers on board the Johannes Brahms, the atmosphere is warm and informal – perfect for making new friends.

The cosy quarters of the Johannes Brahms have a timeless decor, with soothing earthy tones in the lounge and restaurant. You'll find a bar in the lounge, perfect for a sundowner after a day trip or nightcap to round off your evening. Relax in a chair on the sun deck – the perfect spot to watch the ever-changing landscape as you sail along.

Meals are served in the comfortable restaurant, the international cuisine offers a choice of options: a buffet-style breakfast, a three-course lunch also served buffet-style, and a four-course dinner.

Your cabin aboard the Johannes Brahms has a large window – all are well above the waterline – affording better views of the river. Cabins are compact but comfortable and have an en suite with shower, wc, safe, hairdryer, television, mini-fridge and individually controlled air conditioning. Each also has a small desk and two chairs.

Johannes Brahms Profile

  • Length: 82 metres
  • Breadth: 9.5 metres
  • Maiden Voyage: 1998
  • Passenger capacity: 80
  • Officers and Crew: 20
  • Passenger decks: 3
Johannes Brahms Deck Plan

Full Itinerary

Day 1: UK to Heidelberg

Fly to Frankfurt and transfer to the waterfront in Heidelberg where you will embark Johannes Brahms.

Day 2: Heidelberg

Spend the day in the beautiful city of Heidelberg, the home of Germany's oldest university, founded in 1386.

Highlights include the landmark Old Bridge across the River Neckar and the ruined castle high above the city. It's rather random appearance is due to it having been added to through different periods of German architectural styles. Virtually destroyed by lightning in 1764 it was cannibalised by locals who used stones from it in their own houses! Enjoy a tour of the magnificent Renaissance castle, then a walking tour around the cobbled streets. You can also take the funicular railway up to the peak of Konigstühl – the ‘King’s seat’ – for breathtaking views.

Day 3: Heidelberg to Mainz

Set sail over breakfast and cruise through the morning to arrive at lunchtime at historic Mainz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Main rivers.

It has a large Romanesque cathedral. Behind it, in Gutenbergplatz Square, is a statue of Johannes Gutenberg, the ‘father of modern printing’ who was born in Mainz. There are plenty of Roman ruins to discover, including a huge theatre, an aqueduct and more. Perhaps grab an interactive map and your headphones to conduct a self-guided tour this afternoon.

Sail overnight towards Eltville.

Day 4: Eltville to Rüdesheim

Wake up in the charming waterside town of Eltville.

Spend the morning at leisure, exploring the streets of timber-frame houses in this hidden gem of a town with a brilliant white castle and romantic fortifications.

At lunchtime, cruise the famous Middle Rhine which has steep banks overlooked by many historic castles, and past Lorelei Rock, to moor in the town of Rüdesheim, which is famed for the wine taverns lining its charming Drosselgasse. Whilst here, perhaps join an optional visit to Siegfried’s Museum of Mechanical Music or join an optional wine tasting excursion.

Remain moored here overnight.

Day 5: Rüdesheim to Boppard

Set sail again over breakfast and spend the morning cruising along the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rhine Gorge to the small riverside town of Boppard in a magical setting in the valley of the mythical Lorelei.

This afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps explore the town’s Rheinallee waterfront promenade, and the Gothic Carmelite Church, famous for its 15th-century choir stalls, before your cruise resumes before dinner, sailing through the evening to moor in Düsseldorf in the early hours.

Day 6: Düsseldorf

Moor in the early hours and wake-up in Düsseldorf.

After breakfast you might wish to explore independently or perhaps join an optional tour of the old town.

Set sail again before lunch and cruise for the rest of the day.

Day 7: Bad Essen

Cruise through the morning to Bad Essen where you have the afternoon to explore independently.

Sail through dinner bound for Hannover, where you will moor in the early hours.

Day 8: Hannover to Wolfsburg

Wake up in Hannover and after breakfast enjoy an optional walking tour of the city.

At lunchtime set sail once more and cruise through the afternoon and evening to arrive in Wolfsburg after dinner.

Day 9: Wolfsburg to Brandenburg

Enjoy another morning at leisure in Wolfsburg before setting sail for the rest of the day bound for Brandenburg.

Day 10: Brandenburg to Potsdam

Sail through the morning to arrive in Brandenburg at lunchtime.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore independently.

Set sail late afternoon and cruise through dinner before arriving in Potsdam this evening and mooring overnight.

Day 11: Potsdam to Berlin

After breakfast perhaps join an optional excursion touring Potsdam and visiting Cecilienhof Palace before you set sail for the final time before lunch.

Cruise to Berlin where you can enjoy an included tour of the highlights this afternoon. The final night of your holiday is at leisure in Bohemian Berlin.

Day 12: Berlin to UK

Disembark your ship after breakfast for your return journey to the UK.

Additional Information

  • Departure Date: 27th July 2021
  • Duration: 11 nights
  • Highlights: Cruise Germany’s intimate and beautiful waterways

Cabin and Fares

Cabin TypeGuide PriceAdditional InfoCabinEnquire
Standard TwinFrom £2,045ppPrice includes saving of up to £250pp on selected cabinsView Cabin

Standard Twin

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Your cabin aboard the Johannes Brahms has a large window – all are well above the waterline – affording better views of the river. Cabins are compact but comfortable and have an en suite with shower, wc, safe, hairdryer, television, mini-fridge and individually controlled air conditioning. Each also has a small desk and two chairs.

Enquire Now
View Cabin

Standard Twin

--

Your cabin aboard the Johannes Brahms has a large window – all are well above the waterline – affording better views of the river. Cabins are compact but comfortable and have an en suite with shower, wc, safe, hairdryer, television, mini-fridge and individually controlled air conditioning. Each also has a small desk and two chairs.

Enquire Now