Gastronomy of the Rhine & Moselle River Cruise - MS Oscar Wilde

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.

Arrival in Cologne - Welcome to Cologne, one of Germany’s oldest cities! Board your five-star ship and meet the friendly English-speaking crew who will be looking after you for the next week. They will welcome you and help you to your cabin. After settling into your spacious and well-equipped accommodation, it’s time to familiarise yourself with this floating boutique hotel that will be your home for the next seven nights. 

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.

Koblenz - Early this morning, we reach Koblenz, which sits at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. In this 2,000-year-old city, around half a million vines are currently cultivated. The Romans introduced vines to the region in the 5th century, and Koblenz has been a wine city ever since. The city's vineyards cover around 40 hectares, including almost 10 hectares on the famous Middle Rhine. The steep slopes of the Middle Rhine Valley and Moselle region make them ideal for wine cultivation - and one of its most popular offerings is the region's sparkling Rieslings. Today, we'll explore this gastronomic legacy with a trip to the Koblenz Wine and Sparkling Wine Museum, hidden in underground vaults in the heart of the city. During our self-guided tour, we'll gain insight into every stage of the vine-growing process and discover the time-honoured techniques used in the production of wine and sparkling wine. As you explore, you'll be treated to a tasting of three exquisite varieties of sparkling wine to enhance your understanding and showcase the best of the region's offerings. (And should you find a particular variety to your liking, feel free to return for unlimited refills!)   We'll return to our ship for lunch, during which we'll sail to Boppard, also known as the ‘Pearl of the Rhine’. Here, you'll have a guided tour of this famously picturesque town located on a long, looping bend of the river. The black and white spires of the Church of Saint Severus can be seen from a distance, but as we draw closer its bustling quayside comes into view. Captivating cobbled streets, lined by half-timbered houses, tucked-away shops selling traditional goods and characterful restaurants, lead into the town and its main square. Like many riverside settlements in the area, the Romans founded Boppard, and their legacy remains in the superbly preserved town walls, the finest in Germany. There’s time to explore or promenade along the river, gazing at views of the vineyard-covered hillsides. Or you can simply pass time on board in anticipation of more fine dining in the ship’s restaurant this evening. We're moored in Boppard overnight, so you're welcome to go ashore in the evening if you wish.

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.

Cologne - We’ll slip our mooring early this morning as our ship resumes its voyage downstream as you enjoy another fine breakfast with views of pretty riverside towns, backed by the rolling volcanic hills for which the area is renowned. Passing the last vineyards and half-timbered houses around the pretty town of Linz, it’s not long before we reach the railway bridge at Remagen. It was captured intact by US forces towards the end of the Second World War, which some say shortened the war in Germany. This afternoon, you can choose your own adventure with a choice of a guided tour to the Lindt Chocolate Museum or to explore the beer culture of Cologne on a beer and food tour. Today, we'll ignite your senses on a delectable journey through the world of chocolate during a guided tour of the Lindt Chocolate Museum. We'll delve into the rich history and cultural significance of this enticing treat, savouring every step of this indulgent experience. With each melt-in-your-mouth chocolate sampling, you'll be transported back to the origins of cocoa and witness its delightful conquest of Europe. Learn more about the trailblazing innovations of the Swiss chocolate pioneers who have sweetened our world and taste the finished product. Get ready to awaken all your senses - this one is perfect for those with a sweet tooth! Afterwards, you are free to explore Cologne. You could visit the cathedral, the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe, a miraculous survivor of Second World War bombing and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or wander around the vibrant old town, it’s beautifully restored and boasts an abundance of excellent shopping and cosy bars. Or join a guided tour of the highlights of this historic city, including its magnificent dual-spired Gothic cathedral. It’s a monumental building, taking over 600 years to build and features myriad religious and art treasures and perhaps the most intricate stained-glass windows in Europe. Cologne has more pubs and taverns per capita than any other major city in Germany, and as we explore its tree-lined square we'll see traditional Brauhäuser (brew-houses) and beer gardens selling cologne’s local drink of choice: Kölsch. Like Champagne, Kölsch - is a protected brew that must be crafted by a member of the Cologne Brewers Association. It's one of the few beers in the world which has a regional appellation. On our tour, we’ll learn more about this regional beer, the city’s beer culture, the beer houses and their usual etiquette - from the ordering process to how you indicate you've had your fill. And you’ll have the opportunity to practice what you’ve learned at a couple of beer houses en route as we stop to sample some, accompanied by a selection of bar snacks and German dishes such as reibekuchen (deep-fried potato pancakes served with apple puree) or the halve hahn (while it literally translates as half chicken, it is actually a rye bread roll with cheese and mustard). After our final dinner tonight, join us for a classical music performance in the lounge and enjoy one last drink with new-found friends.

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.

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