Treasures of the Main and Rhine

Join our representative at London Heathrow airport for pre-flight refreshments, before boarding the accompanied flight to the capital of The Netherlands, Amsterdam, where Royal Crown awaits.

2,000-year-old Cologne spans the Rhine River and has a distinctive historical charm. Here, we embark on an exciting journey of discovery into the city’s past, and visit a landmark of High Gothic architecture set amid the reconstructed Old Town, the twin-spired Cologne Cathedral which still stands proud after being hit by 14 large aerial bombs during World War II.

Standing on the foundations of an urban Roma villa, with the world-famous Dionysius mosaic, the Romano- Germanic Museum houses Roman antiquities and explores the archaeological heritage of the city and the surrounding area from the Palaeolithic period to the early Middle Ages.

Cruising through the dramatic UNESCO World Heritage site of the Rhine Gorge, we are immersed in a stunningly beautiful landscape of fairytale castles atop the steep, terraced banks before passing the legendary Lorelei Rock, where it is said the sweet songs of lovelorn maidens lured enchanted sailors to their doom.

From Rüdesheim, we venture to Schloss Vollrads, one of the oldest wineries in Germany. Situated above Oestrich- Winkel in the Rheingau it is attractively nestled in a cultivated landscape and an ideal venue at which to enjoy our tour and wine tasting. Only Riesling grapes are cultivated on the 80 hectares of vineyards, used to make unique and authentic wines. All vineyards around Schloss Vollrads descend down to the Rhine in a southerly direction and, using knowledge and a tradition of over 800 years of viticulture, they create very special Riesling wines.

This morning is spent cruising the Rhine Valley and the Main, with the opportunity to perhaps attend an enlightening talk by our guest speaker in the Lounge, or enjoy panoramic vistas from the Sun Deck.

After exploring the Old Town of Aschaffenburg, we travel to Schloss Mespelbrunn, a true jewel in the heart of Bavaria. The romantic castle is surrounded by a water- filled moat and, due to its hidden location in a quiet valley, it has never suffered any war damage. The present Renaissance building is mostly from the mid- 16th century. Still a private residence, it provides a great insight into life in a castle of yesteryear.

This morning we step ashore in the delightful Franconian town of Miltenberg, famed for its magnificent half- timbered buildings, where our walking tour allows us to discover the Old Market Place, known as the ‘Schnatterloch’ and the Gasthaus zum Riesen, Germany’s oldest royal inn.

Our next port of call is Wertheim am Main. Situated at the confluence of the Main and Tauber rivers, it is famed for its landmark castle and the medieval buildings of its Old Town. Here, we discover one of the best-preserved Cistercian monasteries in southern Germany. Bronnbach Monastery was established in 1151 and wine growing was an integral part of the cloister life of the Cistercians. The long history has left a rich legacy such as the Romanesque church with baroque altars and choir stalls and the Gothic cloister.

Today, we join Germany’s ‘Romantic Road’ in Würzburg. The city is set in a beautiful hilly location on the River Main and possesses a wealth of history, as well as playing host to a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Residence Palace. A walking tour of the city’s main attractions takes us to the Prince Bishop’s Palace for a tasting of renowned local Franconian wines.

The vine-clad hills of the Main valley glide gently by as we navigate the river to join the continent’s greatest man-made waterway, The Rhine-Main-Danube canal, at Bamberg.

Standing on seven hills, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bamberg, with its 11th century Romanesque cathedral, welcomes our arrival. Exploring on foot, we embrace the old town and its preserved medieval buildings, including the muraled Altes Rathaus, located on an island in the Regnitz river.

Before departing Bamberg, we travel to the New Residence, which served as the seat of Bamberg’s prince bishops. We enjoy an exclusive Champagne

reception prior to a private string quartet recital with musicians from the world- renowned Bamberg Symphony Orchestra in the newly renovated Imperial Hall.

We disembark Royal Crown in Nuremberg before being transferred to Munich airport for our flight home.