14 nights · Koln, Germany North Rhine-Westphalia · River cruise · Departs Cologne (Germany) · Visiting Koblenz, Rudesheim am Rhein, Mainz, Miltenberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Kelheim, Passau, Melk, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest · Aboard Riviera Travel on the MS Geoffrey Chaucer
Image courtesy of Riviera Travel ©
This river cruise sails the Rhine, Main, Rhine-Main-Danube Canal and Danube, departing Cologne.
| Cruise line | Riviera Travel |
|---|---|
| Ship | MS Geoffrey Chaucer |
| Duration | 14 nights |
| Port calls | 14 |
| From fare | $4,249 per person |
| Year built | 2021 |
| Guests | 176 |
| Cabins | 88 |
| Crew | 44 |
| Length | 135 m |
| Beam | 12 m |
| Cruising speed | 13.0 kn |
Cologne announces itself from the Rhine with the soaring twin spires of its Gothic cathedral. Step ashore to explore a compact old town, Roman remains, and museums holding major works of art. The cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, anchors the city centre. Enjoy Kölsch in a traditional brewery, then cross the river for a view of the skyline.
Koblenz stands where the Rhine and Moselle meet, beneath the watchful gaze of the Deutsches Eck. From here, river valleys, vineyard slopes and hilltop castles make an easy day’s exploration. Ride the cable car across the Rhine to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, whose ramparts command sweeping views. The compact old town is readily explored on foot, with cafés and riverside promenades within easy reach.
Rüdesheim is a rewarding first stop on the Rhine, with vineyards climbing steep slopes above the water. It stands at the southern gateway to the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, famed for castles and dramatic river scenery. Explore the old lanes and Drosselgasse, then take the cable car through the vines to the Niederwald Monument. From its hilltop setting, the Rhine spreads below in a view worth lingering over.
Mainz is best explored on foot, where Roman foundations meet the Rhine. Begin at the cathedral, whose red sandstone towers have watched over the old town for more than a millennium. Nearby, the Gutenberg Museum celebrates the Mainz-born inventor whose printing press transformed Europe. Browse market stalls, pause in a wine tavern, or follow lanes lined with timbered houses and shops. With history close at hand and Riesling on the menu, Mainz makes a rewarding day ashore.
Miltenberg sits between the Main River and wooded hills, with a compact old town made for exploring on foot. Half-timbered houses line market lanes leading to Schnatterloch, the handsome square beneath Mildenburg Castle. Climb to the castle for views across the rooftops and river valley, then linger over Franconian food or wine. This small town offers a vivid pause between larger German cities.
Step ashore in Würzburg, where Franconian wine, Baroque splendour and the Main River shape a memorable day. The Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rewards a visit for its grand staircase and Tiepolo frescoes. Cross the Old Main Bridge for views of Marienberg Fortress and vineyards climbing the surrounding slopes. Then explore the compact old town, where cafés and wine taverns offer a pause between landmarks.
Bamberg rewards a few hours on foot, with one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval town centres. On the Regnitz River, its UNESCO-listed Old Town brings together a Romanesque cathedral, baroque façades and half-timbered lanes. See the Old Town Hall, poised on an island, and the riverside houses known as Little Venice. Finish with Rauchbier, Bamberg’s distinctive smoked beer, in a traditional brewery tavern. Seven hills surround the city, while its compact centre keeps the main sights within easy reach.
Nuremberg is a city of striking contrasts, where medieval streets meet the history of twentieth-century Germany. Within its old walls, the Imperial Castle rises above timbered houses, churches and the Hauptmarkt. Visit St. Sebaldus Church, then explore the Documentation Center and former Nazi Party Rally Grounds for essential context. Allow time for local gingerbread and a walk across the Pegnitz, which divides the historic centre.
Kelheim sits where the Danube meets the Altmühl, beneath the grand dome of the Befreiungshalle. From the river landing, explore medieval lanes, then climb to this 19th-century monument for broad views across Bavaria. Boat trips pass through the Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey, famed for its Baroque church and historic brewery. Enjoy a beer in the abbey garden before returning to Kelheim.
Passau sits where the Danube, Inn and Ilz meet, their contrasting waters framing one of Bavaria’s most handsome old towns. Walk its baroque lanes to St Stephen’s Cathedral, famed for its historic organ. From the fortress of Veste Oberhaus, rooftops and rivers unfold in a memorable view. Passau rewards a leisurely call: explore on foot, pause beside the water, and watch three waterways shape the city’s character.
Melk stands at the western end of Austria’s Wachau, a UNESCO-listed Danube valley. Its vineyards, apricot orchards and medieval towns make the river journey especially rewarding. High above the water, Melk Abbey commands attention with its baroque church, imperial rooms and celebrated library. Founded as a Benedictine monastery in 1089, it remains active and ranks among Austria’s most memorable cultural landmarks.
Arrive in Vienna by river and give the city more than a passing glance. Its imperial centre rewards a slow walk, from St Stephen’s Cathedral to the grand Ringstrasse boulevards. Set aside time for Schönbrunn Palace, once the Habsburgs’ summer residence, or choose the Kunsthistorisches Museum for its remarkable collections. Then take a seat in a traditional coffeehouse; in Vienna, coffee and cake are part of the city’s daily ritual.
Bratislava rewards a day ashore with a walkable old town, a lively Danube waterfront and a castle above the river. Explore the lanes around Michael’s Gate, then climb to Bratislava Castle for wide views across the city and beyond. Pause at a café terrace before following the riverside promenade. Slovakia’s capital is compact, making its historic centre easy to discover on foot.
Budapest makes a memorable arrival, with the Danube dividing hilly Buda from lively, level Pest. From the river, the Hungarian Parliament’s Gothic Revival façade commands attention, especially after dark. Cross the Chain Bridge to explore Castle Hill, or stay in Pest for cafés, markets, and celebrated thermal baths. Allow time to linger: Budapest’s pleasures are best discovered on foot, over a long lunch, and beside the water.
Published August 15, 2026
Last updated October 11, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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