Across to Calais, and onwards to Northern France to our overnight hotel.

Joining our cruise vessel in Cologne, you’ll be given time to enjoy the facilities or visit vibrant Cologne.

We start our cruise along the Rhine as we head to Koblenz, which marks the northern end of the Rhine Gorge World Heritage Site. The town has a lot to see including gothic churches and the medieval Moselle Bridge. There will be time to explore the town as we moor overnight. In 2011 the first Rhineland National Garden Show will take place in Koblenz. The town will be transformed with displays taking place within the town centre. There will also be a new cable car connecting the town centre to the Fortress on the opposite side of the river, a ride offering truly spectacular views of the Rhine.

This morning we cruise to Cochem, a town surrounded by vineyards and known as the ‘Pearl of the Moselle’, with its promenade decorated with abundant flowers. The town is also home to the famous Reichsberg Castle, an iconic landmark standing guard above the banks of the Moselle.

Our cruise to Bernkastel offers the chance to visit its medieval market square, containing 400 year-old half-timbered houses, the 17th century Renaissance town hall and the Spitzhauschen, or ‘pointed house’.

We remain moored in Bernkastel today. Take time to further explore the town or you may choose to join the optional excursion to Trier & Luxembourg. History abounds in Trier, the oldest city in Germany and Luxembourg, a city landlocked by Belgium, France and Germany.

Our first port of call today is the genuine pretty working wine town of Zell, unspoilt by mass tourism with a lovely promenade beside the calm waters of the Moselle. Here you’ll find black cats everywhere – on houses, signposts, souvenirs and car stickers, but especially on the wine bottles. The Schwartze Katz, or ‘black cat’, is the emblem of Zell’s renowned Riesling wine. The final stop today is Alken, one of the oldest places in Moselle country and surrounded by forests, valleys and vineyards.

We retrace our journey, rejoin the Rhine and sail north to Cologne. Arriving this afternoon there is time for last minute shopping or time to further explore the city. Cologne is the fourth biggest city in Germany with shops, bars, an historic old town and the gothic cathedral.

Continuing north we make our way back to our cruise’s start point. We say a fond farewell to the MPS Rotterdam and continue our journey by coach to our overnight hotel.

Calais, Dover, and then home.