Tracy’s Rhine & Moselle Experience
I gratefully accepted the opportunity to experience Riviera Travels Rhine & Moselle River Cruise along with my colleagues. Read on to hear all about our trip.
Day 1
Our trip to the Rhine & Moselle on the 5-star MS Geoffrey Chaucer with Riviera Travel started at Terminal 5 London Heathrow. Our flight out with British Airways was short & sweet and we arrived at Dusseldorf after just 58 minutes. Our transfer to Cologne where the ship was moored took approximately 1 hour, and once we arrived all our luggage was taken to our cabins so we could go straight to the restaurant for a delicious meal. We had a drinks package included and there are also free hot drinks and still/sparkling water machines available 24 hours a day and cabins also include tea and coffee.
The ship itself is beautifully decorated with a main lounge/bar area, bistro restaurant, main restaurant, hair & nail studio, fitness centre & wellness spa, I can personally recommend the head, neck and shoulder massage. On the top deck you will find sun loungers, and numerous seating areas which are ideal for day cruising and capturing some stunning scenery shots. Also on the top deck you will find a putting green and hot tub.
Day 2 - Cochem
This morning we continued to cruise down the Rhine through 3 locks, small German towns and winelands which cover the hills through out the Rhine & Moselle. Once we reached Koblenz, we left the river Rhine and continued down the Moselle and headed to our first included guided walking tour of Cochem. Cochem is a wonderful place to wander and explore from the narrow-cobbled streets with living statues to Cochem Castle which was constructed in the 12th & 13th centuries and was built to guard the Moselle River from attacks. The Endert Gate Tower dating back to 1332 leads you towards the bustling historical marketplace.
After the guided walking tour there is free time to explore Cochem on your own, we decided to take the chairlift to Pinner Cross, a mountain station over 250 meters above sea level. The chairlift is approximately 10 euro for the return trip and there is a restaurant at the top to take in the magnificent views, if you are feeling fit you can also walk to the top and chairlift back down or vice versa. Once back on the ship we again enjoyed a delicious a la carte dinner, followed by a traditional German folklore show in the lounge bar area.
Day 3 - Trier
We left Cochem around 6.45am to cruise to Traben Trarbach for our trip to Trier, the oldest town in Germany founded by the Romans. Waking in the morning and opening your curtains to see the mist rising from the river is a totally different experience to anything I’ve done before and extremely peaceful. Breakfast is served in the main restaurant, and you have the choice from buffet or off the a’ la carte menu (or both), room service is also available if you prefer to eat with your windows open and watching the world go by. You then have time to enjoy the scenery passing by before lunch, again in the main restaurant or the bistro which is situated at the back of the ship and has inside and outside seating areas.
We arrive in Traben Trarbach and there is a transfer to Trier for our included excursion, all rooms are equipped with audio devices to take so that you can hear your tour guide throughout the tour. Sites visited on the tour today is Basilica of Constantine which is believed to have been built around 310 during the reign of Constantine the Great, High Cathedral of St Peter which had been ordered by Roman Emperor Constantine to be constructed around 326. Also visited on the tour is Porta Nigra (Latin for “Black Gate”) this is by far the most famous landmark in Trier, its northern gate was once part of the city walls measuring 6418 meters and built between 160 and200 AD, it is definitely an imposing structure. After the tour there is free time again to wander the streets, local wine bars and chocolate shops. During the tour of Trier the ship moves to Bernkastel and the coach will take us to Bernkastel, in time to change for dinner.
Day 4 - Bernkastel
Today we leave the ship at 9am for our walking tour of Bernkastel, famous for its wine. The Bernkastel wine is often called “Doctors Wine” and has been known by this name for hundreds of years. With its medieval cobbled market square where they hold a Christmas market, coffee and pastry shops, Renaissance Town Hall of 1608, Parish of St Michael which is over 600 years old and wood clad buildings Bernkastel is a beautiful town to visit. Back on the ship for lunch and the ship departs for Koblenz. Cocktail hour is between 6-7pm and todays cocktail of the day is Campari Orange (highly recommended) also a Mint Julep Mocktail.
Day 5 (AM) - Koblenz
After breakfast we have a 1 1⁄2 hour guided tour of Koblenz. Koblenz is where the Rhine & Moselle meet, at the headland you will see the huge statue of King of Prussia and first German Emperor Wilhelm 1 on horseback. Koblenz is a picturesque town with churches, forest covered hillsides, half-timbered buildings, tiny streets, hidden passageways that lead to intimate squares with cafes serving coffee and cakes. There is a cable car 890m in length that takes you from the banks of the Rhine to Ehrenbreistein Fortress.
Day 5 (PM) - Boppard
After lunch and cruising a little way down the Rhine passing many castles high on the hills, we arrive at Boppard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is known as “Pearl of the Rhine”. Boppard is one of the most attractive villages in the Rhineland. Narrow cobbled streets, bustling quayside and another chairlift to some of the most breath taking views so far. Tonight we overnight in Boppard and leave around 07.45 and head to Rudesheim.
Day 6 - Rüdesheim
During the cruise to Rüdesheim we pass through the Rhine Gorge, Loreley Rock and the wine villages on both sides of the Rhine.
After lunch we head off for our guided tour, Rudesheim is perhaps the most famous wine town in the very heart of Riesling country. We venture down the 15th century narrow lane called The Drosselgasse and pass through more winding cobbled streets on our way to the marketplace, we were lucky enough to be there the same time as the local wine festival which goes on until 1am with live music, fireworks, food and local wines to sample. You can also visit Siegfried’s Mechanisches Musikkabinett, a collection of 350 intricate antique musical instruments. You will also find Hotel Lindenwirt where you can sleep in the old and extremely large wine barrels.
Day 7 - Cologne
We depart for Cologne in the early hours and after a final leisurely cruise and a visit to the Bridge with the captain, we arrive in Cologne at 12.30, after lunch we join our final guided tour with free time afterwards. Cologne Cathedral is the largest gothic structure on earth, construction was started in 1248 and finally finished in 1880!
Cologne has many squares with some great shopping and cosy bars some still brew their own beer, definitely worth it to try a few samples. Other attractions are Chocolate Museum, Old Town and Museum Ludwig. After our final night onboard the MS Geoffrey Chaucer and a truly amazing first experience on a river cruise we head back to Dusseldorf for our return flight to Heathrow.
