Autumn on three rivers (including Grevenmacher)

Introduction

Charming wine villages and breathtaking river landscapes accompany the dignified Rhine. No less lovely is the Moselle valley, where Trier as one of the oldest cities in Germany is a highlight of the trip.

Day 1 Embarkation on MS Johann Strauss in Mainz, which is located right at the mouth of the river Main into the Rhine. The ship leaves the port in the evening, glides downstream on the Rhine and swings into the Moselle at night.

Day 2 In the morning the ship arrives in Cochem. The city was already inhabited by the Romans, who brought wine growing to the Moselle valley. The *sightseeing tour includes a walking tour through the Old Town and a visit to the impressive Reichsburg Castle. The afternoon is spent on board, because there are many things to admire during the following Moselle section: narrow river meanders, castles and ruins, small wine-growing Moselle villages and steep vineyards.

Day 3 Today MS Johann Strauss stays in Trier, which is explored in the morning during a *guided tour of the city. The Roman town, which is over 2000 years old, is best known for its striking Porta Nigra gate. In addition, other Roman monuments are fascinating, even the Trier Cathedral in the city centre – the oldest bishop‘s church in Germany – dates back to a Constantinian palace complex. After lunch on board, a coach excursion to the city of *Luxembourg follows. The capital of the last Grand Duchy of Europe with the same name offers a surprisingly angled cityscape. The small but charming capital of the principality is characterised by bridge-covered gorges, the exposed EU quarter on a hill, rock faces and fortified casemates in the old town. In the late evening, the ship in Trier continues its journey and soon changes into the river Saar.

Day 4 MS Johann Strauss moors in Saarburg at night. After breakfast, you enjoy a *visit to the pretty town, overlooked by a mighty castle ruin. The lower part of the town is crowded by fishermen‘s houses, while the upper part of Saarburg is dominated by magnificent half-timbered houses and baroque stone buildings. In the middle of this scenery the Leukbach creek forms a waterfall. In the afternoon a coach excursion leads to the great *Saar loop between Merzig and Mettlach, which is known as the regional landmark. Here, a 180-degree turnaround is forced on the river because of the Hunsrück rock. In the evening you return by ship from Saarburg to the Moselle.

Day 5 This morning is dedicated to Bernkastel- Kues, the wine cultural centre of the Moselle. On a *walking tour the picturesque town shows its most beautiful side. You can also enjoy a wine tasting with a local winegrower. In the afternoon you can relax comfortably on board, while vineyards and other beautiful landscapes pass by.

Day 6 Right at the mouth of the Moselle River into the Rhine River Koblenz is located, *city walking tour to the most important sights at the Old Town. After the ship has left Koblenz, you enjoy the river cruise on the most romantic part of the Middle Rhine and past the Lorelei rock, steeped in legend. On the very same day MS Johann Strauss arrives in the charming wine-growing town of Rüdesheim, which is part of the Rhine Gorge – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The *shore leave in Rüdesheim includes a trip on the mini train „Winzerexpress“ into the centre of the small town, a visit to „Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet“ and a walk down the famous Drosselgasse, lined with wine taverns. Continuation of the cruise in the late evening.

Day 7 Disembarkation in Mainz after breakfast.