24 Oct 2026
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,099pp
Flights from UK airports
Escorted tour
Rhine River Cruise: Strasbourg, Heidelberg & the Rhine Gorge – 8 Days
A seven-night Rhine cruise from Cologne with full board, a drinks package and flights from the UK.
8 days
From £1,899 incl. flights
Tour overview
This 8-day river cruise sails a loop from Cologne along the most scenic stretches of the Rhine, combining the castles and vineyards of the Rhine Gorge with university town Heidelberg and the half-timbered cities of Alsace in France. Travellers aged 18 and over stay seven nights aboard a five-star river cruise ship with spacious, tastefully furnished cabins and an English-speaking crew. Full board is included from dinner on arrival to breakfast on departure, along with an all-inclusive drinks package from 10am until midnight, tea, coffee and Wi-Fi on board. Return flights or Eurostar travel from the UK, and transfers to the ship, are included.
After arriving in Cologne and settling into your cabin, you wake moored on the Moselle at Koblenz, where a guided walk explores the old town near the meeting of the two rivers, before sailing on to Boppard. Next morning the ship cruises through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the river narrows between steep vineyards, hilltop castles and the famous Lorelei rock, arriving in Mainz, birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg.
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A short drive takes you to Heidelberg, Germany's oldest university town, with its red sandstone castle ruins above a baroque old town and the River Neckar. By breakfast the next day you have arrived in France at Strasbourg, capital of Alsace and home to the European Parliament, with its Gothic cathedral and the canals and half-timbered houses of Petite France, and an excursion to the fairy-tale town of Colmar.
Heading back downstream, you can relax on the sun deck before reaching Rüdesheim, a wine town known for its lively lanes, its cable car over the vineyards and its Riesling. Early risers enjoy the Rhine Gorge once more as the ship returns to Cologne, with time to see its great Gothic cathedral before the final evening on board.
The physical rating is low, with gentle guided walks and plenty of time to relax on board. This cruise suits couples and travellers who want a relaxed, inclusive holiday taking in some of Europe's most beautiful river scenery. The lead price is for the entry cabin grade, with higher decks and balcony cabins available.
Trip highlights
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Old Koblenz on foot (Day 2)
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Cruising the Rhine Gorge (Day 3)
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Heidelberg's castle and old town (Day 4)
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Strasbourg and Colmar (Day 5)
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Riesling town Rüdesheim (Day 6)
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Cologne Cathedral (Day 7)
Your route
8 stops from Cologne to Rüdesheim
- Cologne Days 1 & 7–8
- Koblenz Day 2
- Boppard Day 2
- Mainz Day 3
- Mannheim Day 4
- Heidelberg Day 4
- Strasbourg Day 5
- Rüdesheim Day 6
Why choose this tour
Full board, a drinks package and flights included in one price. Germany's Rhine Gorge and France's Alsace in a single week.
Best suited to
- Couples
- First-time river cruisers
- Travellers who want an inclusive holiday
- Wine and history lovers
Day-by-day itinerary
8 days from Cologne, Germany to Cologne, Germany
-
Day 1 · Cologne Arrive in Cologne
Fly to Germany and transfer to the ship.
- Hotel
- Five-star river cruise ship
- Meals
- Dinner
-
Day 2 · Koblenz, Boppard Koblenz and Boppard
A guided walk in Koblenz, then sail on.
- Hotel
- Five-star river cruise ship
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 3 · Rhine Gorge, Lorelei, Mainz Rhine Gorge and Mainz
Cruise the gorge to Mainz.
- Hotel
- Five-star river cruise ship
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 4 · Heidelberg Heidelberg
Visit the castle and old town.
- Hotel
- Five-star river cruise ship
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 5 · Strasbourg, Colmar Strasbourg and Colmar
Alsace's capital and a fairy-tale town.
- Hotel
- Five-star river cruise ship
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 6 · Rüdesheim Rüdesheim
Relax on deck, then explore the wine town.
- Hotel
- Five-star river cruise ship
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 7 · Rhine Gorge, Cologne Cologne
The gorge once more and Cologne Cathedral.
- Hotel
- Five-star river cruise ship
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 8 · Cologne Return home
Transfer for your journey home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Rhine (7 nights) Five-star river cruise ship
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 7 nights aboard a five-star river cruise ship
- Meals 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners, including full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8
- All-inclusive drinks package, tea, coffee and Wi-Fi on board
- Return flights or Eurostar from the UK, with transfers
- Guided walk in Koblenz
- Heidelberg and Strasbourg visits with an excursion to Colmar
- Cruise director and English-speaking crew
Not included
- Optional excursions such as Strasbourg's boat tour
- Meals taken ashore during free time
- Travel insurance
- Personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want an active holiday — this is a relaxed cruise
- You want to explore independently — most days follow a set route
- You are under 18 — the minimum age is 18
- You want a long stay in each town — most visits are a day or less
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–8 · Lunch: Days 2–7 · Dinner: Days 1–7
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,899 per person, including flights. 23 upcoming departures.
Flights from UK airports.
26 May 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£3,599pp
Flights from UK airports
31 May 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,749pp
Flights from UK airports
15 Jun 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,749pp
Flights from UK airports
21 Jun 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,699pp
Flights from UK airports
13 Jul 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,349pp
Flights from UK airports
14 Jul 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,349pp
Flights from UK airports
02 Aug 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,299pp
Flights from UK airports
24 Aug 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,299pp
Flights from UK airports
25 Aug 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,349pp
Flights from UK airports
13 Sept 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,649pp
Flights from UK airports
05 Oct 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,999pp
Flights from UK airports
25 Oct 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,199pp
Flights from UK airports
01 May 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,549pp
Flights from UK airports
17 May 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,699pp
Flights from UK airports
05 Jun 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,599pp
Flights from UK airports
26 Jun 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,499pp
Flights from UK airports
10 Jul 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,249pp
Flights from UK airports
07 Aug 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,299pp
Flights from UK airports
21 Aug 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,899pp
Flights from UK airports
04 Sept 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,499pp
Flights from UK airports
28 Sept 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£2,449pp
Flights from UK airports
25 Oct 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,999pp
Flights from UK airports
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Are flights included?
Yes, return flights or Eurostar from the UK are included, with transfers to the ship.
What does the drinks package include?
An all-inclusive drinks package on board, running from 10am until midnight daily.
Which cabin is included in the price?
The lead price is for the entry cabin grade. Higher decks and balcony cabins cost more.
Is there much walking?
The physical rating is low, with gentle guided walks in each town.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 18.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors do not need a visa for short stays in Germany and France, but must register with the EU's Entry/Exit System.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary