Experience the Southern Rhine

Name: Experience the Southern Rhine
Brand: Newmarket Holidays
SKU: 97956

Soak up the scenic highlights and charming riverside towns of France and Germany with a premium all-inclusive cruise along the idyllic Rhine.

The premium-inclusive cruise aboard each A-ROSA ship guarantees enjoyment and relaxation. Buffet dining, cocktails in the lounge bar and your ship’s first-class amenities will keep you entertained as you cruise the southern stretch of the Rhine. Start in Cologne, crowned by its exquisite Gothic cathedral, and board A-ROSA BRAVA for an overnight sailing to Rüdesheim. Here, you’ll have a full day at leisure to get a taste for life in the Rhineland, perhaps with a tasting at one of the town’s award-winning wineries, before continuing south.

Speyer is next, and you’ll have another day to explore under your own steam ahead of a call at Breisach, where you’ll join a fascinating guided tour. Head to Strasbourg next, the historic capital of France’s Grand Est region, where your tour manager will introduce you to authentic Alsatian culture on an included excursion. Start the return leg of your river cruise with an escorted walking tour in metropolitan Mainz the following day, ahead of a final shore excursion in picturesque Koblenz, a special farewell dinner, and finally the return journey to Cologne.

Venture on a guided excursion in Strasbourg

Set off on a walking tour of Mainz

Explore the winemaking town of Rüdesheim at leisure

Spend the day in historic Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities and the once centre of the Holy Roman Empire

Arrive in historic Cologne this morning and meet your friendly, experienced tour manager on arrival. Depending on the time of your arrival, you might have a few hours free to find lunch locally before reconvening with your group for the journey to the dock.

Here, you’ll be welcomed by A-ROSA BRAVA and her experienced crew, who will introduce you to the best of the Rhine Valley throughout the week. After checking in and settling into your cabin, enjoy your first evening on board at leisure.

Soak up panoramic views of the Rhine Gorge as you enjoy breakfast before arriving in winemaking Rüdesheim later this morning. After breakfast, you’ll step ashore and have the rest of the day to take in the town’s surrounding highlights under your own steam. If you’d like, you can join an optional excursion on the Winzerexpress railway through the Rhineland's rich wine country, gliding past its famous vineyards as you go. Back in the centre of Rüdesheim, there’ll be plenty to explore, including café-bars, historic monuments and scenic cable car routes which promise the perfect introduction to life on the Rhine.

This evening, A-ROSA BRAVA will continue south to Speyer, one of the oldest cities in Germany.

Wake up along the banks of the Upper Rhine and stop in Germersheim, a charming Rhine-side village, for a shore excursion into nearby Speyer, Germany's oldest planned medieval town. Strategically important and well-placed along the Rhine's main trade routes, this former Roman city boasts a colourful history stretching back over 2,000 years and is home to several interesting landmarks built throughout the Holy Roman Empire. A visit to Speyer Cathedral, the largest remaining Romanesque cathedral in the world, won't disappoint with its stunning architecture, ruined abbey and imperial burial grounds. 

Later on, head back to the ship for an overnight sailing to Breisach.

Enjoy a leisurely morning on board A-ROSA BRAVA and get ready for the first guided excursion of your Rhine cruise. Dock in the picturesque town of Breisach, with its pastel-hued buildings and beautiful surrounding vineyards, and join an intriguing exploration of this charming cliffside city. Breisach marks the point where the Black Forest spills into the Alsace region, meaning this German town shares a lot with its French neighbours, including its love of good food and good wine.

After a tour of the city, return to A-ROSA BRAVA.

Sail into the charming town of Kehl after breakfast for today’s included shore excursion. This delightful Rhine town is so close to the border that it’s possible to have one foot in France and the other in Germany, and after a brief stop, you’ll board a coach for the short transfer into elegant Strasbourg. Here, you’ll have time to explore alongside your expert tour manager, starting in the old town, with its pastel-painted houses and cobblestone alleys. You’ll also take in the canal-lined Petit France area ahead of a stop at the city’s magnificent sandstone cathedral. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even climb to the top of its spire, which was once the tallest structure in the world, and enjoy panoramic views stretching all the way to the Black Forest.

After an insightful tour of France’s Grand Est capital, head back to A-ROSA BRAVA for the evening under your own steam and your return journey north.

You’ll arrive at the picturesque Rhineland city of Mainz in the early hours of the morning. Famous as the birthplace of the printing press, where Johannes Gutenberg created Europe's earliest printed book in the 15th century, Mainz was also originally a fort on the Roman Empire's northern border. You'll have the chance to discover the city's rich history and culture on an included walking tour ahead of some well-earned downtime this evening. 

As night falls, A-ROSA BRAVA will whisk you away overnight for your next stop, the riverside city of Koblenz.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast aboard A-ROSA BRAVA ahead of your cruise’s final shore excursion in charming Koblenz. Nestled on the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers, the Deutsches Eck (German Corner), this delightful UNESCO-listed town is a treasure trove of medieval architecture and cultural highlights.

While exploring, you can visit the Kaiser Wilhelm monument, an impressive memorial dedicated to the unification of Germany under Wilhelm I's rule, or the playful Schängel Fountain, which 'spits' on unsuspecting passersby. Also of interest will be the Basilica St. Castor, a grand Romanesque church and the oldest original religious building in the city, and the Church of Our Lady, a colourful, onion-domed building. 

After a fascinating afternoon in Koblenz, reboard your ship for the last leg of the cruise.

This morning, after a final breakfast on board A-ROSA BRAVA, you’ll arrive back in impressive Cologne. Bid farewell to your crew as you check out and, depending on the time of your return flight, spend some time taking in the city’s sights. From the world-famous Cologne Cathedral, one of the most imposing pieces of Gothic architecture in the world, to the Old Market, there’s plenty to enjoy in this remarkable Rhine city.

At the end of your unforgettable Rhine exploration, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Explore the winemaking town of Rüdesheim at leisure

Visit Breisach on the edge of the Black Forest

Call at Koblenz, with its towering castles and riverside monuments

Seven nights' premium all-inclusive cruise accommodation on board A-ROSA BRAVA
A FREE unlimited premium all-inclusive drinks package including water, soft drinks, speciality teas and coffees, beer, wine, spirits and cocktails throughout the day and evening
On-board activities and entertainment
Buffet dining options
Stops in Rüdesheim, Speyer, and Koblenz
Guided excursions to Breisach, Strasbourg, and Mainz
Occasional regional treats and specialities to complement your destination that day
Afternoon tea with freshly prepared cakes and pastries
Return flights with comfortable coach travel and transfers throughout
The services of a Cruise Director and experienced English-speaking crew
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

A-ROSA VIVA cruise ship on a calm city river at sunset, with a bridge in the background

A-ROSA BRAVA River CruiseEach of A-ROSA's elegant river cruise vessels has been built specifically for the river upon which it sails, offering spacious, contemporary public areas, light, bright cabins and a casual-yet-stylish cruising experience.

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Flights included
Dates Available
August 2026 - October 2026
Duration
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Depart From
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Excursions & Visits
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Meals
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Operator
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Ship
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Excursions & Visits
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Meals
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A-ROSA is a German based river cruise company. You’ll find a European vibe on board, with a mix of international guests and crew along with a welcoming atmosphere. While many guests are German-speaking, English is widely spoken on board, all announcements will be done in both German and English, you’ll have everything you need to feel right at home. It’s a great way to explore Europe with a bit of local flavour.

Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel.

Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names.

Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you arrive (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date").

Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.

The EES scheme commenced on the 12th October 2025, and the phased implementation will last until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, EES will be fully operational at all EU borders. - the latest information can be found at https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/ltr

EES is a new digital border management system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of most European countries. Once introduced, when you go through passport control on arrival, as well as producing your passport for checking, you will also have your photograph taken and fingerprints scanned. The system will register your entry on arrival and your exit when departing. You will only need to do this on your first entry into Europe after the scheme starts.

For those travelling via Eurostar, there is a dual British and French/Belgian border in operational at St Pancras International. Therefore the EES system will be in place at the station, you will not need to be checked again on arrival at the other side. For further information please visit the https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/planning-and-booking-a-holiday/upcoming-changes-travel-europe here.

Please note: Irish passport holders or British Passport holders with an EU residency are currently excluded.

Following the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, changes have been planned which affect the eligibility of citizens of the United Kingdom to have visa free travel to the EU. ETIAS travel authorisation is a new entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of the European Union and Schengen counties.

The ETIAS system is not live yet - the latest information can be found at www.etias.com. We recommend keeping yourself updated on the planned commencement date and, once live (and if applicable to you), apply for your ETIAS in good time prior to travel.

Newmarket Holidays will not be able to undertake ETIAS applications on your behalf, so have instead instructed the services of the Travel Visa Company to provide help, should you need it. You can find more information about this service here.

Please note: ETIAS will not be required for UK citizens travelling on our UK and Ireland tours.

Experience the Southern Rhine

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