The Majestic Rhine, Heidelberg & Switzerland river cruise - MS Geoffrey Chaucer
This cruise has the perfect mix of river views, mountain peaks, urban splendour and a dash of medieval charm. There’s no better way to savour the flavours (and the wine) of the Rhine Valley, than aboard our five-star ship.
We’re rolling out the red carpet for these cruising stars: Heidelberg and Lucerne bring the class, Boppard and Rüdesheim add a quirky twist, and Strasbourg and Cologne throw in a bit of time-travel magic. As ever the Rhine Gorge steals the show.
You’ll be wowed by the scenery of the Swiss alps on a mountain rail journey amidst the snow-capped peaks, and in for a treat as we cruise the epic Rhine Gorge where Mother Nature puts on her most dramatic show. And the views don’t stop there. The sleepy town of Titisee snoozes quietly on the peaceful shores of its shimmering lake whilst the pine-forested landscapes of the Black Forest cast their magic spell during a scenic drive.
From Cologne to Koblenz, Strasbourg to Speyer, immerse yourself in cities steeped in wonder, where history really happened; you’ll feel it echoing around every corner as you wander with our local experts, marvelling in awe at ancient cathedrals and Romanesque churches, unchanged by the passing centuries. There’s charm galore in the old towns of Boppard and Rüdesheim, surrounded by sun-ripened vineyards whilst in Colmar’s timber-clad idyll, it’s hard to believe real life goes on here! Join us on a river adventure that showcases the very best of this historic and scenic region.
Leaving from:
Basel
Cruise ship:
MS Geoffrey Chaucer
Visiting:
Basel •
Lucerne •
Breisach •
Strasbourg •
From
Price shown provided by:
Riviera Travel
Riviera Travel is one of the oldest and most reliable river cruise operators in the world, with 40 years of experience running guided and escorted tours, a land and water all around the world, including river cruises.
Riviera Travel operates a unique cruising experience, partnering with local guides and experts to create a programme of guided tours and river cruises, bringing like-minded travellers together and offering a selection of authentic and bespoke travel experiences.
The operator runs river cruises on European waterways like the Danube, Rhine and Douro, but also the Nile, Mekong and Yangtze. Championing escorted tours and guided holidays, Riviera Travel line also specialises in solo travel, providing a safe, friendly and social environment for travellers going it alone.
167
Passengers
44
Crew
2019
Launched
4
Decks
EUR
Currency
Cruise Itinerary
Day 1
Basel, Switzerland
Day 2
Lucerne, Switzerland
Day 3
Breisach, Germany
Day 4
Strasbourg, France
Day 5
Speyer, Germany
Day 6
Rüdesheim, Germany
Days 7 - 8
Cologne, Germany
Day 9
Koblenz, Germany
Day 10
River travel
Day 11
Heidelberg, Germany
Day 12
Strasbourg, France
Day 13
Rüdesheim, Germany
Days 14 - 15
Cologne, Germany
Day 1
Basel, Switzerland
Basel is a city in northwestern Switzerland on the Swiss, French and German borders. It is located on the bend of the River Rhine and benefits from a Mediterranean climate. It is the third most populated city in Switzerland and has been the commercial hub for Swiss arts and culture since the Renaissance. In 1967 the people of Basel voted to acquire two paintings by Picasso, who was so moved by the Basel people that he donated 3 paintings and a study to the city's Kunstmuseum (Museum of Fine Arts). Visit the Augusta Raurica, one of the largest Roman archaeology parks in Switzerland, and enjoy a river crossings over the River Rhine by non-motorised ferries. During the summer months, time is spent outdoors, either swimming in the River Rhine, dining al fresco, enjoying open air concerts, cinema, street parties and festivals. Basel is home to over 20 restaurants that have won GaultMillau or Michelin awards, and boasts Switzerland's largest collection of theatre shows, including modern contemporary dance, touring and puppetry theatre.
Day 2
Lucerne, Switzerland
Day 3
Breisach, Germany
Breisach is a town located in Southwest Germany on the French border. The town is situated in the Rhine Valley on the banks of the river Rhine and dates back over four thousand years. Breisach and its history can be experienced through the City History Museum, which houses a permanent exhibition taking you from Stone Age through the Celtic, to the Romans and Middle Ages, right up to modern day. St Stephen's Cathedral is home to the city’s famous art treasures, the wheel wells, which are housed in the neighbouring Radbrunnenturm with the forty one metre deep water well. The cathedral is also home to many other treasures including the High Altar of Master HL and wall paintings by Martin Schongauer as well as High Gothic and Roman architecture. A visit to the Blue House, the former Jewish Community Centre, is highly recommended. Now owned by the Friends of Former Jewish Community House Breisach it exhibits memorials to Breisach’s Jewish heritage.
Day 4
Strasbourg, France
Day 5
Speyer, Germany
Speyer is a town located in southwest Germany situated beside the river Rhine. Originally founded by the Romans, it is one of the oldest settlements in Germany and is situated in the popular wine growing region of the Palatinate. A key attraction of Speyer is the Historical Museum of the Palatinate, which is one of the most celebrated culture-history museums in Germany. It features five permanent collections including Prehistory, Roman Times, Cathedral Treasury, Modern Era and Wine Museum. Not far from the museum, visitors will find the Imperial Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is considered the largest preserved Romanesque church in Europe. Originally constructed by Konrad II, this magnificent and looming building was intended to demonstrate the Lord’s religio-political claim to power against the papacy. Speyer has been producing wine since its Roman beginnings and wine tasting, festivals and events are popular all year round. The town is popular for outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling as well as guided walking tours of the town.
Day 6
Rüdesheim, Germany
Days 7 - 8
Cologne, Germany
Cologne is a city in western Germany located across the Rhine river. It is the oldest in Germany, dating back 2000 years and is considered the region’s cultural hub. The city is known for its iconic landmark of the twin-spired Cologne Cathedral set against the reconstructed Old Town buildings. When in Old Town, visit the historic Old Town Hall and the Roman Church Great St Martin, or take time out and sit at one of the traditional breweries and enjoy the scenery around you. Historical sites such as the Roman Dionysus mosaic and the medieval Overstolzenhaus are worth a visit too. Another iconic sight in Cologne is at Hohenzollern Bridge. Here, local and tourist couples affix padlocks to the railings of the bridge and swear their loyalty to each other, they then throw the key into the Rhein to ensure everlasting love. Cologne is home to over 30 stages providing cabaret, free ensembles, theatre and dance and also celebrates its openly gay culture.
Day 9
Koblenz, Germany
Located in the West of the country, Koblenz is one of the oldest cities in Germany. It is situated on both banks of the river Rhine, at its confluence with the Moselle River. The beginnings of Koblenz can be traced back to its military beginnings around 8 BC. The city is rich in its history and heritage and is easily explored on foot. Take the cable car crossing over the river Rhine for spectacular aerial views or enjoy the city from the one thousand year old fortress, Ehrenbreitstein. The upper middle Rhine Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its unique landscape can be enjoyed and discovered through the interactive multimedia journey at the Romanticum. Historical and architectural sites of interest include Stolzenfels Castle, the Electoral Palace of Koblenz and Old Town. From the romantic winding streets and small squares of Old Town, stroll through the alleyways from the Church of the Holy Virgin to the St Kastor Basilica and enjoy the picturesque buildings and squares along the way. Koblenz is also very popular for its Riesling and strong Spatburgunder wines since the Romans introduced it two thousand years ago.
Day 10
River travel
Day 11
Heidelberg, Germany
Day 12
Strasbourg, France
Day 13
Rüdesheim, Germany
Days 14 - 15
Cologne, Germany
Cologne is a city in western Germany located across the Rhine river. It is the oldest in Germany, dating back 2000 years and is considered the region’s cultural hub. The city is known for its iconic landmark of the twin-spired Cologne Cathedral set against the reconstructed Old Town buildings. When in Old Town, visit the historic Old Town Hall and the Roman Church Great St Martin, or take time out and sit at one of the traditional breweries and enjoy the scenery around you. Historical sites such as the Roman Dionysus mosaic and the medieval Overstolzenhaus are worth a visit too. Another iconic sight in Cologne is at Hohenzollern Bridge. Here, local and tourist couples affix padlocks to the railings of the bridge and swear their loyalty to each other, they then throw the key into the Rhein to ensure everlasting love. Cologne is home to over 30 stages providing cabaret, free ensembles, theatre and dance and also celebrates its openly gay culture.
Ship Details
Riviera Travel
MS Geoffrey Chaucer
After years of painstaking research to create the most perfect vessels afloat, a new era in river cruising dawns as we introduce our brand new, state of the art, ‘all suite’ ships. Swiss operated and truly world-class, we are absolutely delighted to present the five-star MS Geoffrey Chaucer.
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