Four Rivers of Germany
Flights from London→Saarbrucken → Trier → Bernkastel → Rudesheim → Heidelberg → Bad Wimpfen → Lauffen → Ludwigsburg Palace → Stuttgart→Return to London
Organised by Noble Caledonia.
From
from £2995
per person
Overview
Experience an enchanting seven-night voyage through the valleys of the Neckar, Rhine, Moselle, and Saar Rivers aboard the MS Thurgau Saxonia. This scenic journey between Saarbrücken and Stuttgart is meticulously planned by Noble Caledonia for late summer—an ideal time to explore Europe, when the weather is warm, the evenings are longer, and the popular towns and cities are less crowded.
The river odyssey begins in Saarbrücken on the River Saar, sailing through unspoilt landscapes and past fascinating small towns toward Bernkastel. From there, the route continues along the beautiful Moselle River, traveling through a historic region first cultivated by the Romans, where the river's path meanders between steeply terraced vineyards and hills dotted with attractive villages. Upon reaching Rüdesheim, the River Rhine displays her unique beauty, featuring legendary castles, sunlit vineyards, and charming villages scattered along her banks. Finally, the journey follows the River Neckar, one of Germany's most idyllic rivers, cruising past tiny villages and majestic castles such as Neckargemund, Neckarsteinach, and Hirschhorn.
To complement the time spent sailing these four picturesque rivers, Noble Caledonia includes guided excursions featuring highlights such as the picturesque town of Heidelberg, a wine tasting in Bernkastel, and the fascinating medieval town of Bad Wimpfen. The MS Thurgau Saxonia, exclusively chartered by Noble Caledonia for these unique journeys, transports guests in comfort. With a maximum of just 70 passengers on board, alongside Noble Caledonia’s expert team and Guest Speaker, a marvelous experience is guaranteed.
Highlights
- Spend eight days traversing four different rivers.
- Discover Germany’s most ancient city, Trier.
- Savor a wine sampling session within the medieval setting of Bernkastel.
- Sightsee in the charming town of Heidelberg.
- Take a guided walk through the grounds and rooms of the Baroque Ludwigsburg Palace.
Explore further
Itinerary
- 1
Day 1 London to Saarbrucken, Germany.
Fly by scheduled flight to Frankfurt. On arrival transfer to the MS Thurgau Saxonia moored in Saarbrucken. Sail in the early evening and meet your fellow guests and crew this evening during dinner on board.
- 2
Day 2 Saar River Cruising & Trier.
Spend a leisurely morning cruising along the Saar River arriving over lunch in lovely Trier, the oldest city in Germany. Trier was once the capital of the Roman Western Empire and retains one of the most impressive groups of Roman monuments north of the Alps. Here we will see the Roman ruins including the impressive Porta Nigra, the most important ancient monument in the city and the largest Roman city gate extant. Sail this evening to Bernkastel where we moor overnight.
- 3
Day 3 Bernkastel & Moselle River Cruising.
After breakfast a morning walking tour will include the Medieval market square and lovingly decorated half-timbered houses and will end with a wine tasting of some of the region's glorious wines. Return to the ship for lunch as we continue cruising this afternoon through the beautiful Moselle Valley.
- 4
Day 4 Rhine Gorge & Mainz.
A morning of cruising takes us along the romantic Rhine. Enjoy witnessing some magnificent scenery including the Rhine Gorge, the striking hilltop castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Later this afternoon we arrive at the historic city of Mainz, the capital of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Our guided walking tour will include the Hoefchen (“Little Court”), residence of the city's archbishops until the 15th century, the Kirschgarten with its romantic half-timbered houses and Marian-Fountain. The ship will remain here overnight with a central mooring, allowing time ashore for an after-dinner stroll.
- 5
Day 5 Rhine River Cruising & Heidelberg.
After a morning cruising on the Rhine River we will join the Neckar River at Mannheim and in the early afternoon we arrive in Heidelberg. This most picturesque and romantic of cities is home to Germany's oldest university dating back to 1386. An afternoon tour will include the dramatically sited castle, the old town with its famous palace and the city gates. We will moor overnight for anyone wishing to take an after dinner stroll.
- 6
Day 6 Neckar River Cruising & Bad Wimpfen.
Spend the morning cruising down the Neckar River passing idyllic villages and majestic castles such as Neckergemund, Neckarsteinach and Hirschhorn on our way to Bad Wimpfen. As we approach, we will see the dramatic skyline of the town which is dominated by the largest Hohenstaufen Imperial palace north of the Alps and its imperious Medieval towers. Although only small, the town is fascinating with a wonderful array of monuments that testify to its richly varied history, dating back to pre-historic times. During our afternoon walking tour we will experience the unique atmosphere of the Medieval town centre with its half-timbered houses in Alemannic and Franconian architectural styles.
- 7
Day 7 Lauffen & Ludwigsburg Palace.
Overnight we sail to Lauffen, the base for our morning visit to Ludwigsburg Palace. The residential palace was built at the beginning of the 18th century under Duke Ludwig Eberhard and is one of the largest preserved German Baroque palaces. This “Swabian Versailles”, formerly the residence of the Wurttemberg dukes and kings, is picturesquely situated in the middle of the Blooming Baroque gardens. Return to the ship for lunch and a leisurely final afternoon cruising on the Neckar River before we arrive in Stuttgart and moor overnight.
- 8
Day 8 Frankfurt to London.
Disembark this morning and transfer to Frankfurt airport for our scheduled flight to London.
The Ship
Thurgau Saxonia
For our journey along the rivers of Germany we have chartered the charming MS Thurgau Saxonia. Renovated in 2020, this comfortable ship offers a tranquil atmosphere on which to relax and enjoy the picturesque views of the passing landscapes. The vessel can accommodate up to 84 passengers but we will be limiting numbers to just 70 for our charters in order to enhance our guests' experience.
Deck plan
Life aboard Thurgau Saxonia
The MS Thurgau Saxonia is a charming, intimate river cruiser renovated in 2020 that accommodates up to 70 guests for a tranquil travel experience. With its elegant public spaces and comfortable cabins, it provides a relaxed atmosphere perfect for enjoying the passing landscapes of the German rivers.
Quick facts
Passengers
70
Crew
approx. 22
Year built
2001 (Renovated 2020)
Cabin count
42
Length
82 metres
Suites
All accommodation on board consists of 12-square-metre cabins featuring modern comforts and fixed double beds. Guests can choose between Main Deck cabins with fixed picture windows or Upper Deck cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows that open.
- •All cabins feature individual air-conditioning, private bathrooms, TVs, safes, and hairdryers.
- •Main Deck cabins have two fixed picture windows.
- •Upper Deck cabins feature floor-to-ceiling windows with an opening upper section.
- •All cabins are equipped with a minibar (chargeable) and telephone.
- •Under-bed storage is available for suitcases.
Life on board
Public areas are spread over three decks and are designed for leisure and socialising while taking in the river views. The ship features an elegant lounge and a spacious Sun Deck for outdoor relaxation.
- •Panorama Lounge Bar on the Upper Deck with comfortable seating and panoramic windows.
- •Sun Deck equipped with awnings, sun loungers, tables, and chairs.
- •Complimentary Wi-Fi available in cabins and public areas.
- •Small gift shop located near Reception.
- •No lift on board; all deck access is via stairs.
Dining
Meals are served in the Main Deck restaurant in an open seating arrangement, offering a blend of buffet and served set menus. Local and international dishes are featured, with vegetarian options always available.
- •House wine, beer, and soft drinks included with lunch and dinner.
- •Complimentary tea and coffee available 24 hours a day in the lounge.
- •Daily afternoon tea, coffee, and cake provided from 2pm to 5pm.
- •Dietary requirements should be notified to the Reservations Department in advance.
- •Reusable water bottles provided with a refilling station at reception.
Practical information
The ship operates with a focus on convenience and safety, with crew available 24 hours a day. Guests should be prepared for a smart-casual dress code and the requirement to use 2-pin adaptors for electrical devices.
- •No doctor on board; crew are trained in First Aid.
- •Gratuities are included in the holiday price.
- •Currency on board is the Euro; shipboard accounts are settled at the end of the cruise.
- •Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the ship; designated outdoor areas are available.
- •Electricity is 220v; 2-pin power outlets are used.
- •Laundry service is available on board.
- •Docking alongside other vessels may occur, potentially restricting cabin views.
Ship information may be subject to operational change. Please contact us for the latest details before booking.
Departures & pricing
Prices per person based on double occupancy
| 4 to 11 September 2027 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
| B Main Deck Double | £3295 | £2995 |
| A Upper Deck Double | £3795 | £3495 |
| B Main Deck Double for sole use | £4295 | £3995 |
Tour Reference Code: RCTS040927
PRICE INCLUDES:
• Economy class scheduled air travel • Seven nights aboard the MS Thurgau Saxonia on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Shore excursions • Noble Caledonia onboard team including Guest Speaker • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes • Airport taxes
Not Included:
Travel insurance.
Please note that availability and prices shown on our website are not updated in real time and may change. For the latest availability and pricing, please call 0800 678 3787