TRAVEL

MS Serenity example of 15th-century Gothic architecture, built in rose-coloured sandstone. It boasts a medieval astronomical clock, which Sailing can be seen in action each day at 12.30pm. I consider climbing the 468ft spire but as my visit is in December, I Down To decide instead to explore the Christmas market, the oldest in Europe dating back to the 1570s. Bagged baubles in hand, Strasbourg’s music quiz seat of the European I return to MS Serenity in Petite France and a fun Parliament I decide to walk to time for afternoon tea and Strasbourg district and Aboard the MS Serenity, a river cruise from Mainz in sing-along. the Wacken district to see the home-baked cakes, and the (right) the If you fancy controversial Louise Weiss strudel doesn’t disappoint. to the French medieval city is a leisurely affair cathedral clock getting on your building, where it meets. Next morning I’m off back feet, the dance This iconic, modern, to the UK by rail via Cologne, ’ve never been on a river journey to your embarkation make friends and get chatting. water tower easy to spot. bordered by the floor beckons. 60m-high curved edifice has a very scenic route along the cruise before but now I point is just the thing. Before sunrise we arrive at Palace was Königsstuhl and Overnight we been intentionally left with Valley. We pass miles understand why they’re In the city of Mainz, the MS Mannheim, sited where the damaged by Second World Gaisberg mountains and sail into France and, an unfinished look on one side of sloping vineyards and so popular. Cocktail Serenity awaits and smartly Rhine and Neckar rivers join. War bombs, but this luxurious overlooked by the city’s castle. negotiating two locks, join the – like an abandoned Roman towering cliffs with turreted Iof the day in the panoramic uniformed captains Leo and After a buffet breakfast with 18th-century Baroque building Ramble along the river Ill to reach Strasbourg, amphitheatre. The steel and castles high in the trees. It’s lounge bar of MS Serenity is a Roland warmly welcome guests lashings of bacon, egg, beans, has been restored and is used Philosophers’ Walk for where the historic city centre, glass design is certainly bold a shame to nod off… margarita, and I’m happy to go by the university. On display wonderful views and you may the Grande Île (Large Island), but, ironically, has been with the flow! The handsome Cocktail of the day is a margarita (Tuesday to Sunday) are spot a Siberian swan goose. is a UNESCO World Heritage dogged by bits falling down. Travel details Italian on-board manager and I’m happy to go with the flow! tapestries, furniture, paintings, It’s nice to enjoy a hot power site. The narrow buildings with To revive myself, I escape to The River Cruise Line (01858 438 Michele is singing Volare and porcelain and silverware. shower in our cabins and dress high roofs and tiny skylights the bright yellow decor of café 330; rivercruiseline.co.uk) offers everyone is joining in with the before casting off during sausage and toast, I’m off to In summer the peaceful up for dinner at the end of the offer character and charm. Gagao (gagao.eu) and enjoy a choice of cruises aboard the MS ‘oh oh oh oh’. dinner to sail down the Rhine. sightsee and shop. Luisenpark, a municipal green day. We’re ready for the chef’s Prettiest of all is the Petite a deliciously rich organic café Serenity in 2018, including the Dutch I arrive in Germany by train It’s a real family atmosphere It’s simple to get around space, offers an arboretum, four-course meal and I opt for France district, where the city’s choco (hot chocolate with a bulbfields, Rhine Valley and Danube. from the UK, although many of on the boat, a floating four-star as the city – nicknamed ‘die lush greenhouses and a smoked duck with raspberry tanners, millers and fishermen shot of espresso coffee). A four-day Strasbourg Christmas my fellow passengers travel by hotel with room for 190 Quadratestadt’ – has its streets Chinese garden with teahouse. dressing, tomato soup, braised congregated during the Middle The must-see before leaving Market cruise is from £449 per coach. If you don’t enjoy flying, passengers – many travelling and avenues laid out in a grid, After lunch, we head by lamb and panna cotta. Ages in waterfront houses. is the Notre-Dame Cathedral, person, inclusive of meals. then an organised road or rail alone, others in groups. I soon with the 1886 Romanesque coach to nearby , Then in the lounge there’s a As Strasbourg is the ‘official’ an ornate and very imposing reamstime.com, Fotolia.com, T he R iver C ruise L ine Fotolia.com, D reamstime.com, A lamy, Photos: Beverl E y Watts. Words:

Stop off at Great Heidelberg for For Food Lovers fabulous views Try the savoury choucroute garnie, a mix of sauerkraut, salted meats and mashed potatoes, or spätzle (little sparrows), a popular soft egg noodle. If you have a sweet tooth, taste kugelhopf, a bready cake with raisins and toasted almonds. Tranquil Choucroute Great garnie For Travellers Crisscross the water and wander over some of Strasbourg’s beautiful bridges. There are covered originals from the Middle The Passerelle Ages, and the 1858 Passerelle des Juifs des Juifs footbridge is adorned with love padlocks.

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