Day 1: UK to Cologne to Königswinter

Travel to Cologne and embark Rex Rheni.

Enjoy a welcome reception and dinner on board this evening. The ship departs Cologne this evening and will moor in Königswinter late tonight.

Day 2: Königswinter to Rüdesheim

Set sail before breakfast and arrive in Rüdesheim early this afternoon.

Perhaps explore the wine town’s cobbled Drosselgasse in search of a local tipple or alternatively join an optional excursion, one includes a wine tasting while another offers the chance to see and hear eccentric mechanical music machines in action.

Remain moored here overnight.

Day 3: Rüdesheim to Mainz

After breakfast resume your cruise, making the short voyage to Mainz, where you will arrive late morning and spend the rest of the day.

Enjoy time to explore independently, or conduct a self-guided tour using your interactive map and audio headset. The capital of Rheinland-Pfalz, Mainz has a large Romanesque red sandstone cathedral, which retains its cloisters. Behind the cathedral in Gutenbergplatz square is a statue of Johannes Gutenberg, the father of modern printing.

Remain moored here overnight.

Day 4: Mainz to Oberwesel

Bid Mainz farewell and cruise on to Oberwesel, where your arrival has been timed to allow you to enjoy the traditional Rhine in Flames celebrations.

Every year, this illuminated ship parade and fireworks spectacular takes place at some of the most scenic locations on the Middle Rhine and, as you’ll remain moored here for the rest of the evening, you can observe the passing flotilla and enjoy the firework display. Plus there is usually plenty of celebrating going on ashore – particularly wine tasting, live music and dancing.

Remain moored here overnight

Day 5: Oberwesel to Boppard to Koblenz

This morning enjoy a leisurely few hours cruising along the beautiful Moselle to the picturesque town of Boppard.

Boasting more than 2,000 years of history, this picturesque town is located in the valley of the mythical Lorelei. This afternoon you can go ashore and explore the town. The Rheinallee along the waterfront is an attractive promenade, and the Gothic Carmelite Church is famous for its 15th-century choir stalls.

Remain moored here until dinner and then make the short voyage to Koblenz, where you will moor overnight.

Day 6: Koblenz to Bonn

Wake up in Koblenz this morning, with its glorious location on the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers.

Discover the attractive riverside promenade and several historic churches, all set beneath the gaze of the looming Festung Ehrenbreitstein citadel on top of the hill, which you can visit on an optional excursion this morning.

Set sail later this afternoon and cruise through dinner to arrive in Bonn later this evening and moor overnight.

Day 7: Bonn to Cologne

Spend the morning in the Federal City, exploring at leisure or perhaps joining an optional excursion revealing the highlights.

Before lunch cruise on to reach Cologne early afternoon. You can explore independently or by using an interactive map and audio headset to take a self-guided tour. Arguably most famous for its eponymous brand of perfume, which has now become a generic term for men's aftershave, Cologne was founded by the Romans and has long been an important trading centre. The vast Gothic cathedral that towers over the surroundings was started in 1248 as a pilgrimage church to house the relics of the Three Magi. The two spires are 157 metres high, and were not completed until 1880.

Your ship remains moored here tonight.

Day 8: Cologne to UK

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