Germany: Along the Rhine & Main rivers, Koblenz – Aschaffenburg or vice versa

Arrive for your tour and board the Allure from 4 p.m. in Koblenz, where you’ll stay the night. After a welcome by the captain, crew and tour leader there’s time to explore Koblenz on a walking tour. The city’s name comes from the Latin confluentes, which means the merging of two rivers – in this case the Rhine and the Moselle. The imposing statue of Emperor Wilhelm of Prussia at the junction makes an impressive landmark.

Enjoy the passing scenery before and during breakfast as the barge sails to Winningen. Start on your first day’s cycling tour to medieval Burg Eltz. You’ll walk a small part of journey, as this magnificent castle is well hidden in the hills. Burg Eltz is different from any other castle because, throughout the centuries, it remained unscathed by wars. In fact, this fortress has been owned and cared for by the same family from when it was built until today. Its fine architecture has no comparison and many of the original furnishings from the past eight centuries still remain in place. The castle’s treasury and armory boast world-class artworks in gold and silver. And although Burg Eltz towers high on a large rock, it’s still enclosed in a valley. When we’re in the midst of such a picturesque setting, you’ll understand why we have to go there! After this great visit we walk and cycle back to the barge, which then takes us on an afternoon and dinner cruise back to Alken were we dock for the night.

Before and during breakfast the barge sails to Koblenz. Today’s cycling tour first goes to the castle Stolzenfels. Next up is the ancient city of Boppard, where the Rhine takes an amazing turn on its sharpest loop. Boppard, the ‘Pearl of the Rhine’, is home to the most famous observation point on the river which can be reached via a chairlift or on foot. Boppard has always been a travelers’ magnet, with its steep vineyards, one of the nicest riverside promenades on the Middle Rhine and the oldest intact Roman fort walls north of the Alps.

Our next destination is St. Goar, opposite the famous Lorelei rock. A ferry and a bus will bring you up to the see the famous 433-foot cliff for yourself, which offers a beautiful view over St.Goarshausen and the narrowest part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge. In the Middle Ages, the Lorelei had a reputation as one of the most dangerous sections of the Rhine. Here, many rivermen met with tragedy in their wooden vessels. Directly opposite the Lorelei, monk and hermit Saint Goar of Aquitaine settled to save shipwrecked mariners and nurse them back to health. After dinner you can join the walking tour of the town named after him.

During breakfast the Allure will take us through this famous passage. In Oberwesel We then set out cycling along the lovely banks of the middle Rhine to Rüdesheim. Keep an eye out for proud castles and romantic ruins along the way. We stay overnight in Rüdesheim, a historic city of winegrowers. The Romans already grew wine here. The old town, dating from the Middle Ages, and parts of the city’s fortifications, such as the Adlerturm (Eagle Tower) are well-maintained. The heart and center of the old town is the world-famous Drosselgasse alleyway, where you’ll find cozy traditional wine taverns in historic half-timbered houses. After dinner you can join the city walk through Rüdesheim.

This beautiful stage leads us through rolling vineyards and well-known wine villages. The Rhine flows leisurely, sometimes around little islands, and in places broadens its bed up to 800 meters in width! Our destination today is Mainz, where the Main river flows into the Rhine. In the afternoon there’s time to explore this interesting city with its spacious plazas, lovingly restored half-timbered houses and magnificent Baroque style churches. Mainz’spride and joy, the Old Town has a very charming and warm atmosphere. Dinner is at one of Mainz’s many restaurants tonight at your own expense.

Today we follow the river Main, passing some small villages to arrive in Frankfurt, the financial heart of Germany. A unique feature of this city is its impressive number of skyscrapers in the center. Frankfurt is one of only a few cities in the European Union with such a modern skyline – which is probably why it’s jokingly and affectionally referred to as ‘Mainhattan’ by locals. After dinner you can join a city walk exploring Frankfurt.

Today’s cycling tour passes by Philippsruhe Castle and leads first to Hanau, birthplace of the Brothers Grimm, famous for their fairy tales. We cross the river and go on to the small, romantic town of Seligenstadt with its winding alleys, wood-framed houses, and basilica. We’re then reunited with the barge in Aschaffenburg, home of the magnificent Johannisburg Palace on the banks of the Main River. You can’t miss this 17^th century palace in red sandstone as it’s one of Germany’s grandest Renaissance complexes. After a visit to the castle in the afternoon, we return to the Allure for a delicious, relaxing local beer and wine tasting on board. After dinner you can join the city walk.

Final morning of your tour: disembark the Allure after breakfast and warm goodbyes until 9.30 AM in Koblenz.