30/07/2024
It’s not normally a type of trip that’s ever been on my radar, but having taken a last minute decision on a Riviera Travel Rhine cruise, I have to say I am absolutely sold!
As it turns out, there is something serene about peacefully traversing one of Europe’s greatest arterial waterways - who knew?!
Flying into Düsseldorf from Dublin, with a short transfer to the MS Oscar Wilde (docked in Köln) I had a first day getting orientated on this 5 Star river craft, with the included meals & excursions a welcome bonus.
Following days had stops in Koblenz, Boppard and via the Rhine Gorge to Mainz. Onward to Heidelberg and its eponymous castle, 80m up on cliffs overlooking the town.
Our fifth morning has an arrival in Straßburg (Germany) with a short transfer taking us over the bridge into Strasbourg (France) with its Old Town centre mostly unchanged from the 14th century.
Turning around and travelling with the current back north, we had an afternoon arrival in Rüdesheim, an immediate favourite stop of the entire journey. With its labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets, overlooked by vine covered mountain slopes.
Last full day has us berthing back in Cologne with a final guided tour in the Old Town, with the iconic Cologne Cathedral never far from view. It was rude not to stop off (and stock up) at the Lindt Chocolate Museum!
🇩🇪 Deutschland - Danke and auf wiedersehen, you’ve been amazing!