Day 1

You fly to Düsseldorf from where a coach will take you to the ship. Or you can take a late morning Eurostar from London St. Pancras International arriving in Brussels approximately two hours later, where a coach will take you over the German border to your ship. Moored in Cologne’s picturesque historic centre, the dedicated crew will welcome you aboard your first-class floating hotel, ensuring you settle into your comfortable and extremely well equipped cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship.

Day 2

The first morning on board a river cruise is always a thrill, awakening to the gentle lapping of the water outside as the scenic valley sides slip silently past your cabin window – there is no other holiday experience quite like it.

Your first port of call is thriving, 2000–year–old Koblenz, with its mighty fortress dominating the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle, the two great rivers you will explore during your cruise. You take a guided walk around the principal monuments and historic centre, exploring delightful squares, admiring beautifully restored historic house frontages and quaint hidden passageways. Koblenz will delight you and it is an absolute joy to wander through its tiny streets, pausing to window shop whilst trying to resist the aroma of fresh coffee drifting from the numerous traditional cafés, and all in such historic surroundings.

During your first delightful lunch you cruise to Boppard, also known as the ‘Pearl of the Rhine’, a classically picturesque village, located on a long, sweeping, looping bend of the river and exactly how you imagine the Rhineland to be: a bustling stone quayside crowded with people going about their daily business, the cobbled streets, lined by typical half-timbered houses and cafés, leading to the town and its main square beyond. Founded by the Romans, as much of the area was, Boppard boasts the bestpreserved Roman town walls in Germany.

Day 3

Leaving Boppard, as the sun crests the surrounding hilltops, expectation rises at what lies in store today - this morning’s cruise is a real highlight as you journey through the outstanding natural beauty of the world famous Rhine Gorge. Here, at every turn of the tortuous river, towering valley sides are crowned by the precarious ruins of castles, which once held sway over the fortunes of passing travellers. This is home to numerous medieval legends, tales of mysterious happenings and dark deeds that have been passed down by generations of sailors. What a wonderful time to relax in one of the comfortable deck chairs on the Sun Deck and really absorb the spectacular scenery in all its glory.

You leave the stunning Gorge and during the afternoon, stop in Rüdesheim, perhaps the most famous of all the Rhine wine towns with crooked houses sloping down from the wooded hillsides and terraced vineyards. A visit to the Asbach brandy distillery is rewarding (tasting assured of course) or you could perhaps take a trip on the unusual gondola lift with its spectacular views across the river. Especially worth a visit is the excellent mechanical music museum: a superb collection of 350 intricate antique musical instruments and musical boxes from all over the world, many in working order, still playing the delicate sounds of yesteryear. This evening, the atmospheric ship’s restaurant promises another memorable dinner.

Day 4

This morning enjoy once again, the spectacular passage of the Rhine Gorge. Legends abound of ancient travellers lost in the Gorge and passing the Loreley Rock, the swirling waters of the bend are a reminder of the most famous legend of all: a beautiful maiden is said to have lured sailors on to the rocks with her feminine charms and alluring song. The villages drifting by, StGoar, Bacharach and Kaub are synonymous with wine production and one of the most enjoyable things on this cruise is sampling the best of local wines with local produce.

This afternoon, you cruise upstream along the Moselle, even more beautiful than the Rhine as it twists its way past verdant hills. The banks, studded with yet more picture postcard villages with tottering timber framed houses pass peacefully by, before you stop at delightful Cochem, in times gone by the centre of the Moselle wine trade.

Day 5

Leaving Cochem, you will be astonished by the steep dramatic valley sides, covered with reputedly the steepest cultivated vineyards in the world. The valley’s gradient here means your progress is respectably sedate but never dull as you meander upstream through the heart of the Moselle’s stunningly beautiful winelands. You call at the romantic twin village of Traben-Trarbach, once the second most important wine trading town in Europe after Bordeaux and renowned for the Belle Epoque buildings from that time. During dinner this evening, enjoy the unfolding scene from the panoramic restaurant windows as the vineyards slip by en route to your overnight port, Bernkastel.

Day 6

Today you drive to Trier, the oldest and one of the most fascinating cities in Germany. Founded by the Romans, it was the capital of a huge portion of their empire, encompassing present-day Spain, France, Britain and parts of Germany. It had a population of a staggering 80,000, little different from today, the Emperor Constantine lived here and it boasted a range of buildings to match. It has one of the most impressive amphitheatres in existence, baths, a Roman bridge but best of all, the Porta Nigra, an immense fortified gate which formed the eastern border of the Roman Empire and towers above the surrounding medieval buildings. This is the largest and best-preserved Roman building north of the Alps and is an awesome testimony to their architectural genius. You enjoy a guided tour during which you learn all about the historical significance of the city. The rest of the day is free to explore Bernkastel and its delightful cobbled market square surrounded by some of the finest, most ornate half-timbered houses you will ever see, many dating from the 15th century. Most famously, is the Pointed House, a jewel of the rustic middle class building tradition from the Middle Ages and a classic example of the Moselle vintner’s dwelling. As you slip your mooring, and cruise downstream, recline and soak up for one last time the peaceful atmosphere of this magical river. Retire to the welcoming ambience of the ship’s restaurant for another meticulously prepared dinner, and perhaps enjoy one of the fine Riesling wines, from the vineyards before you.

Day 7

Rejoining the Rhine this morning, there is so much to see as yo cruise effortlessly downstream past pretty riverside towns backed by the rolling volcanic hills for which the area is renowned. You also see the railway bridge at Remagen, captured intact towards the end of The Second World War, thus arguably shortening the war in Germany. Passing the last riverside vineyards and half– timbered houses around Linz, you leave the last great historic strong point, before mooring in the heart of Cologne, in the shadow of the magnificent Gothic cathedral for which the city is so famous. It is a truly staggering building, taking 600 years to build and has the most intricate stained glass in Europe. This afternoon, you have a guided tour of the city with time to explore its delightful tree-lined squares and perhaps visit one of its famous bars, many of which still traditionally brew their own beer.

This evening, the ‘Captain’s Dinner’ will take place on board, during which delicious specialities of the regions you have visited during your cruise will be served, hosted, of course, by the Captain himself.

Day 8

This morning, at the appropriate time, you drive to Brussels connecting with the Eurostar service to London St. Pancras International. Should you be returning by air, you will be taken to the airport for your homeward fligh

MS Lord Byron – five star
We have worked tirelessly with our Swiss partner Scylla AG, one of the world’s most experienced luxury rivership builders with a pedigree stretching back over nearly 40 years, to design the perfect vessel, with virtually no expense spared.
You’ll feel the unmistakable understated opulence of this extraordinary vessel as you board through the spacious, marble-floored lobby. Stylish furnishings using environmentally friendly materials are beautifully combined with the most advanced safety systems … and the work of a wonderful designer’s eye conjuring up the classic lines and sophistication of a luxurious ocean liner. As always, the finesse is in the detail - beautifully crafted tropical hardwoods, wrought iron, highly polished copper and brass, all beautifully illuminated then added to soft leather furnishings and imaginative colour schemes, promotes a subtle, chic ambience of exceptional taste.
Intuitive, unobtrusive service is graceful, efficient yet friendly as you might expect from a Swiss operated ship with 35 staff serving just 140 guests. This outstanding ratio of 4:1 allows a personal touch which makes such a difference to your cruise. Plus unlike other vessels typically carrying up to 200 passengers, you’ll enjoy simply far more space – as well as a smaller, more intimate dining experience.