Relax Along the Rhine

TRAVEL 15 Relax Along Top Tips n The Rhine cruise season is from spring through autumn, but be aware that low rainfall can involve The Rhine occasional diversions by coach. Unlike most ocean cruise vessels, river cruise boats can moor up in the heart of a town, so if you choose not to pay extra The boat moored at Quaint houses in the for excursions, you can Traben-Trarbach. vibrant city of Cologne. explore the local area independently. But information about ports of town hall. soak up the atmosphere of guided excursions can We spend the late one of Germany’s most call and onboard activities. offer an extra range of Today we have a handy afternoon meandering back vibrant cities. castles, wine tastings sheet identifying 24 of up the Moselle towards Whichever you choose, these photogenic castles. Koblenz, but next morning do leave time for the and other heritage So useful for captioning my there’s an unforgettable extensive Chocolate visits. numerous holiday photos! stop in the town of Cochem. Museum. n Dress code is smart We pass the Lorelei rock, Here, I opt for Fred Learn how chocolate is casual, though ladies narrowest point on the Olsen’s guided excursion to made, design your own tend to wear a smarter river and legendary home Reichsburg Castle. bar, and then stock up on to a siren who lured With its towers and Lindt, Milka and other dress or trousers for passing sailors. turrets, battlements and tempting brands. the gala dinner. Men We stop off in Oberwesel, wood-panelled rooms, it’s After lunch, we set off for sometimes wear a which still boasts 16 of its everyone’s idea of a magic Dusseldorf, arriving in time blazer. But no formal 21 mediaeval defensive castle, and we finish our for a walk before a final attire is necessary. towers. Life along the Rhine tour with a glass of local dinner on board. Pack comfortable flat wasn’t always peaceful. wine served in a souvenir Next morning, we say shoes for sightseeing, Gillian Thornton cruises the tranquil Beyond the Gorge lies glass to bring home. our goodbyes, but I’ve a suncream, hat and a Reichsburg waters of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Koblenz, which stands at Cochem proves glorious, suitcase full of chocolate jumper for days on Castle, Cochem. the confluence of the Rhine each new corner opening and a camera full of deck, and a battery and Moselle. up tempting routes to memories. n charger for phones and ARLY morning on vessel operated by Fred in Speyer, one of Germany’s Brabant glides beneath explore through the quaint cameras. You will take the Moselle river, Olsen Cruise Lines, and I’m oldest towns. the cable car that whisks town centre. lots of pictures! and from my cabin in chilled-out mood. It’s a delight with its passengers to I skip the mustard Visit www. window I watch I’ve chosen a week-long cathedral, tranquil gardens Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, museum and chairlift in fredolsencruises.com n Evening wisps of summer itinerary, starting in and fascinating Jewish second-largest castle in favour of coffee in the Tel: 0800 188 4601 entertainment onboard Emist curl over the still Switzerland and following courtyard, hidden during Europe, and we moor up in market square and the For discount deals on is low key – resident water. the Rhine north through the Nazi regime. the heart of the action, as stunning contemporary airport parking, hotels singers, a visiting A heron waits at the France and Germany to Speyer has a popular it’s carnival weekend. stained glass in the church and lounges, see musician, a quiz or water’s edge and a family Dusseldorf. museum of vintage Next morning, we step of St Martin. www.holidayextras.com bingo evening. A of swans glides past in Brabant offers a whole vehicles, but I visit the town down a gear as Brabant Joining the Rhine again nightly port talk by the search of breakfast. An range of European museum to see the world’s cruises the Upper Moselle at Koblenz, we cruise to We are currently required Cruise Director gives idyllic start to anyone’s day. waterway itineraries, but oldest wine bottle, found in valley with its steep Cologne, where we have a to avoid all unnecessary information on the I should get out of bed, Scenic Delights of the a Roman tomb and dating vineyards and bijou towns. morning to explore the travel. Keep this next destination and but there’s no rush. I’m Moselle Valley has the from 325 AD. We pitch up in Traben- famous Gothic cathedral, destination in mind for activities. cruising two of Europe’s bonus of combining the It’s still full of cloudy wine Trarbach, ready to explore visit the art gallery or when restrictions are most iconic rivers on board mighty Rhine with a trip sealed with olive oil. I’m not this twin community that Roman history museum, or lifted. n In 2020 Fred Olsen Brabant, a 180-passenger down the tranquil Moselle. surprised that no-one has straddles the river. Cruise Lines runs a After boarding Brabant been tempted to try it! After a delicious buffet seven-night Iconic Evening sunlight in Basel, our first port of Continuing north, we lunch – a highlight of each on the Moselle. Landmarks of the Rhine call is Strasbourg, capital of make a short stop in day on board – we stop & Moselle, sailing France’s Grand Est region Mannheim, renowned for again in Bernkastel-Kues from Basel on July 12, and seat of the Council of its shopping district, before amidst the vineyards of the August 2, August 23 Europe. cruising towards Bingen Middle Moselle. The historic heart – the and the start of the famous I jump on the land train, and September 13. Grande-Ile – was the first Rhine Gorge. conveniently close to our Prices from £1,599 per city centre to be classified Here, the river flows for mooring in Bernkastel, for person including all as a World Heritage site by 65km between steep hills, a trundle across the river to food and entertainment UNESCO in 1988, and it’s each, it seems, topped with Kues and up above the on board Brabant, an absolute gem, with its a castle, and small towns Riesling vineyards. return flights from half-timbered houses, with coloured houses and Then I alight in the London or Manchester, flower-fringed waterways slender church spires. mediaeval market place of and airport transfers. and magnificent cathedral. Each day, passengers are Bernkastel with its Sailing through the night, provided with Fred Olsen’s 17th-century half-timbered Cochem, a real highlight All details correct at time of our voyage. of going to press. we arrive before breakfast handy “Daily Times” with houses and Renaissance Photographs by Gillian Thornton..

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