| | | | | Arrive | Depart |
| 16th16 | JulJul | 202323 | Frankfurt, Germany, embark on the TUI Isla | | 01:30 |
| You might hear Frankfurt referred to by another name – Mainhattan, alluding to the city’s setting on the Main River, as well as its futuristic skyline. But, mixed in with the new, there are timber houses and red-brick churches. Lots of the city was damaged in World War Two, but it’s since undergone a huge restoration project. Römerberg square’s now lined with traditional, Medieval-style buildings. Palmengarten is Frankfurt’s version of Kew Gardens, with zones dedicated to rainforest, sub-Antarctic and desert plants. And the 200-year-old Städel Museum houses artworks by Van Gogh, Monet and Rembrandt. Get a feel for Frankfurt on the Ebbelwei Express tram, which does a circuit of the city, rattling past the zoo and Römerberg. |
| 17th17 | JulJul | 202323 | 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. Settings like Koblenz’s don’t come around often. The city’s a meeting place of mountains and rivers and the Rhine and Moselle rivers come together here, too. The waterfront’s dotted with UNESCO-stamped forts and palaces, while fairy tale castles christen the hilltops on the edge of town. And the surrounding valleys are teeming with terraced vines and world-class wineries. You can take a cable car up to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for spectacular views over the city and its two rivers. When you arrive at the fort, you can explore its many museums, as well. Alternatively, catch a bus to Schloss Stolzenfels. This hilltop-castle-turned-palace is super-grand, which is fitting considering it’s played host to guests like Queen Victoria. |
| 18th18 | JulJul | 202323 | Bernkastel-Kues, Germany | | |
| There’s an English countryside feel to Bernkastel-Kues, thanks to rolling green hillsides, pointy church spires and cosy streets. The Moselle River splits the town in half, and once acted as a natural divider between the separate villages. They joined forces at the turn of the 20th century, combining Bernkastel’s quaint, timber-clad marketplace and Kues’ more modern streets. A single bridge connects the east and west banks, and a brief stroll out of town gets you to vineyard-coated hills with standout views. |
| 19th19 | JulJul | 202323 | Trier, Germany | | |
| Get to know the Romans in Trier, a city in the Moselle wine region, right near the Luxembourg border. It’s Germany’s oldest city, and easy to navigate on foot. From port, you can walk into the centre in 10 minutes, and many of its main attractions are close together. And if you don’t fancy walking, there’s a tourist mini-train called the Romer Express that can drive you around the old town in 35 minutes. The main tourist landmarks to look out for are the Porta Nigra – the only surviving city gate – as well as the City Museum and St Peter’s Cathedral, said to be the oldest in all of Germany. |
| 20th20 | JulJul | 202323 | Traben-Trarbach, Germany | | |
| Hot springs and fine wines are a couple of Traben-Trarbach’s major calling cards. The town was once one of Europe’s biggest exporters of vino, thanks to the signature Riesling tipple that garnered international attention. Vineyards are spread out across the sloping banks either side of the Moselle River, and the town itself has underground vaults where some of the top tipples are stored. Toasty spring waters are used in one of the Moselle valley’s only thermal spas. Art Nouveau buildings add a fairy tale feel to the town centre, and the crumbling ruins of Grevenburg Castle rise above the rooftops. |
| 20th20 | JulJul | 202323 | Piesport, Germany | | |
| You’ll find the town of Piesport cosied up on the banks of the Moselle, halfway between Trier and Bernkastel-Kues. Its slate-roofed buildings are surrounded by vineyards, including the famous Goldtropfchen estate, which translates to ‘golden droplet’. The steep slopes rising up from the Moselle were favoured by the Romans for wine production, and there are wine presses here that date back to the 2nd century. Other attractions include the Baroque church of St Michael. Its elaborate ceiling paintings will have you reaching for the camera. And if you want to explore the town further on foot, there’s a walking trail with 23 different information points describing special buildings, fountains and chapels along the way. |
| 21st21 | JulJul | 202323 | Cochem, Germany | | |
| Cosied into one of the curves of the Moselle River, Cochem is Germany at its prettiest. Its old town’s fit to bursting with half-timbered houses and Medieval gates. Its hill’s crowned by a romantic-looking castle, and restaurants and manicured parks form ranks along its riverside promenade. Hiking trails lace through the surrounding valleys and vineyards, where you can reward yourself with a glass of local Reisling. Catching a ride on the chairlift up to the Pinnerkreuz lookout is a great way to start. It’s worth it for the views alone. Elsewhere, you can track down the town’s secret Cold War bunker. It’s home to a huge safe, where Germany’s Central Bank stored £8 billion in case of a nuclear war. |
| 22nd22 | JulJul | 202323 | Oberwesel, Germany | | |
| Known as the town of towers, Oberwesel hugs the hills that flank the Rhine. Its Medieval architecture and production of Riesling wine are two of this town’s shout-about features, plus it’s bookended by a couple of Gothic churches. You’ll find a market square at its centre, and from here you can take some stairs up to the old city wall. Walk along this stretch – it lies parallel to the river, and has some top-notch views of the Rhine Valley. Oberwesel also used to have 21 defensive towers – 16 of these remain intact today. The footpath that runs along the outside of the town wall provides the best sights of these looming stone giants. And for more on the town’s history, visit the Kulturhaus Museum. |
| 22nd22 | JulJul | 202323 | Boppard, Germany | | |
| The German town of Boppard’s main claim to fame is its wine. White Riesling and red Pinot Noir’s been bottled here for centuries, starting off life in the vineyards – including the biggest in the Middle Rhine Valley – outside of town. The bars and restaurants here put on tasting sessions where you can sample them for yourself. You’ll find them clustered along the waterfront – which is also home to traditionally German, 16th-century architecture and museums – and around the modern-meets-Medieval town square. Wander around the Electoral Castle. It was built in the 13th century, and has been a hospital, a prison and a police station. These days it’s a museum, and you can dive deep into all this history through the exhibits here. |
| 23rd23 | JulJul | 202323 | Frankfurt, Germany, disembark the TUI Isla | | |
| You might hear Frankfurt referred to by another name – Mainhattan, alluding to the city’s setting on the Main River, as well as its futuristic skyline. But, mixed in with the new, there are timber houses and red-brick churches. Lots of the city was damaged in World War Two, but it’s since undergone a huge restoration project. Römerberg square’s now lined with traditional, Medieval-style buildings. Palmengarten is Frankfurt’s version of Kew Gardens, with zones dedicated to rainforest, sub-Antarctic and desert plants. And the 200-year-old Städel Museum houses artworks by Van Gogh, Monet and Rembrandt. Get a feel for Frankfurt on the Ebbelwei Express tram, which does a circuit of the city, rattling past the zoo and Römerberg. |
