Regal Rhine Cruise to Switzerland with Royal Household Butler and Chef - MS Geoffrey Chaucer

Arrival in Basel

On arrival, transfer by coach to your cruise ship moored in picturesque Basel. The dedicated English-speaking crew will welcome you aboard your first-class floating hotel, ensuring you settle into your luxurious, well-equipped cabin and familiarise yourself with the ship.

Lucerne

What a start to our cruise, as for many, today will be one of the highlights. You firstly take the short drive to Lucerne. Spectacularly nestled among stunning mountain views, it is by far Switzerland’s most beautiful city and has been attracting well-heeled visitors for two centuries, one of the most famous of which being our own Queen Victoria.

You must take an invigorating stroll along the Chapel Bridge: symbol of the city, a unique and covered wooden walkway crossing the lake, supported by stilts, lined with colourful flower-filled window boxes and a superb way to absorb Lucerne’s rather regal atmosphere.

Bernese Oberland

The scenery becomes ever more dramatic, and as you enter the Bernese Oberland in central Switzerland, it becomes quite literally, breath-taking! This is the grand Alpine heart of Europe and amongst the finest mountain scenery on earth, described by the composer Mendelssohn as ‘the most wonderful of all in this unbelievably beautiful country’.

On viewing the legendary snow-capped peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, you’ll be quite simply awestruck; this is quintessential Switzerland at its very best.

We then ascend by mountain railway for more extraordinary vistas, with the crystal-clear lakes reflecting the grassy meadows and lush forests below. This truly magical landscape is sure to enchant you.

Later we’ll descend again by mountain railway before making the coach journey back to our ship in Basel. Please note: temperatures will be significantly lower at altitude, so it’s advisable to pack suitable clothing. Lunch is not included on this full-day excursion; however, the ship will offer a packed lunch.

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a royal-inspired dinner in the elegant restaurant as the ship cruises towards our next mooring, Breisach.

Included experiences:

Visit to Lucerne, tour of the Bernese Oberland and enjoy a Royal themed dinner.

Morning sailing

Relax this morning on board whilst we sail to the ancient town of Breisach. After a leisurely breakfast Head to the lounge as we sail for a talk from one of our special guests. Grant Harrold will shed light on the fascinating world of the Royal Family with unique insight from his time as Butler to King Charles III and William Prince of Wales.

Breisach & The Black Forest

After lunch you drive through some of Central Europe’s most stunning scenery – the Black Forest mountains. This is a fabled landscape of rugged valleys, white-water rivers, cascading waterfalls and rolling hillsides covered with huge, densely packed pine trees – exactly as you expect it to be. Our destination is the idyllic village of Titisee, nestling on the shores of its crystal-clear lake.

As the sun sets and the riverside lights begin to twinkle, enjoy the views through the restaurant’s panoramic windows during tonight's excellent dinner. Afterwards retire to the lounge to enjoy tonight's live performance of popular music spanning the years by a highly talented violin soloist, before we slip our moorings to commence our cruise towards Strasbourg.

Included experiences:

On-board talk from Grant Harrold - former Royal Butler, and scenic drive through the Black Forest with visit to Titisee.

Strasbourg

This morning, we’ll have arrived in France and Strasbourg, capital of the Alsace region. After breakfast we enjoy a walking tour of its picturesque 16th-century old town – a maze of narrow streets and canals lined with timber-framed houses and sculptured portals.

Unforgettable sights include the stupendous Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral, multi-towered Ponts Couverts – covered bridges – and the pretty Petite France quarter of pastel-coloured former artisans’ houses lining the canals. Don’t be surprised if you’re tempted to linger a while in a typical Alsatian café to sample some of the region’s world-famous wines – a crisp Riesling or that particular speciality of Alsace, spicy Gewürztraminer.

Afternoon sailing and afternoon tea

During lunch, our five-star vessel glides away from our mooring as we commence an afternoon’s scenic cruising. Later this afternoon, head to the panoramic lounge to hear tales of what it is like to serve up culinary delights for HM Queen Elizabeth II as Colin Alderson - former Royal Pastry Chef, over our very own royal afternoon tea.

As evening falls, thoughts turn to what might be on the menu tonight, so head to the relaxed ambience of the ship’s restaurant as the chef presents another delicious meal. Retire to the bar as we arrive in Speyer later tonight.

Included experiences:

Guided tour of Strasbourg and Royal afternoon tea with talk from Colin Alderson, former Royal Pastry Chef to HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Speyer

We remain moored in Speyer this morning to enjoy a guided tour of this delightful medieval gem, founded by the Celts and one of Germany’s oldest cities, celebrated for its illustrious past.

The breath-taking Imperial Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is among the largest Romanesque churches in the world and also one of the finest. The beautiful four-roomed crypt, with its striking marble floors and pastel-coloured pillars, is the resting place of many Holy Roman emperors and German kings.

Another landmark is the magnificent neo-Gothic Gedächtniskirche, built to commemorate the 1529 ‘Protestation at Speyer’, a significant event when a group of Martin Luther’s followers protested his imperial ban. Henceforth, Luther’s religious followers were known as Protestants.

Afternoon sailing and expert talk

Returning on board for lunch, we commence our cruise once again, so sit back and watch the idyllic scenery slipping past through the panoramic windows: rolling hills and fertile vineyards, home to the Liebfraumilch wines of the region, oxbow lakes, long deserted by the river flow and now havens for bird and wildlife.

As we sail, enjoy some fascinating anecdotes of life alongside the Royal Family from our special guests during our expert talk.  

During dinner our vessel arrives in the classic Rhine wine village of Rüdesheim, so you might fancy wandering ashore to enjoy a digestif – perhaps a glass of Asbach, the famous brandy distilled locally.

Included experiences:

Guided tour of Speyer and expert on-board talk on Royal formalities.

Rüdesheim

This morning, during the delightful walking tour of Rüdesheim with its crooked houses sloping down from wooded hillsides and terraced vineyards, witness the bustling marketplace, the half-timbered Klunkhardshof and Bromserburg Castle, which dates from 1275.

Rhine Gorge

This afternoon we witness a real highlight of the cruise, the dramatic Rhine Gorge: steep vineyards give way to almost vertical rocky outcrops, towering over 1,000 feet above the sweeping valley sides. Sailing past Saint Goar and the many ruined castles, you get a real sense of the myths of this historic river coming alive around you. No legend is more famous than that surrounding the Loreley Rock, where beautiful nymphs distracted hapless sailors, luring them to their deaths in the treacherous waters.

Relax on the sun deck as our captain skilfully navigates the ship through the huge looping bend at Boppard – one of the most impressive on the river. Keep an eye out for the mighty Marksburg Castle too, an impressive fortress dating back to the 13th century.

Koblenz

It’s not long before we arrive in picturesque Koblenz. Founded by the Romans, this historic city is beautifully located at the confluence of the Rhine and its sister river the Moselle. Discover Koblenz’s maze of medieval buildings in the Altstadt – old town – which is studded with a fine array of traditional shops and classic Rhineland cafés.

On our guided tour of this delightful town, historic buildings appear seemingly at every turn: see the former mint, the Four Towers with their ornamental 17th-century turrets and several fascinating squares and churches, including the 9th-century Basilica of Saint Kastor. The waterfront along the Moselle is stunning too, with the medieval Balduin Bridge, staggeringly still in use.

If you manage to resist the tempting cakes on offer from the beckoning pavement cafés, then you’ll be ready for your meticulously prepared dinner on board and afterwards, delight in the upbeat sounds of Rhenish folk music with a live performance of traditional instruments.

Included experiences:

Guided tour of Rüdesheim, cruise through Rhine Gorge, guided tour of Koblenz and live folk music performance.

Cologne

Early risers will witness our departure from Koblenz as we set sail towards Cologne.

Enjoy a leisurely morning on board as we drift through this lovely Rhineland scenery, past quaint riverside towns with pretty waterfronts and carefully tended vineyards. We get to enjoy one last appearance from our special guests, Colin and Grant as we sail.

During lunch, we arrive in historic Cologne, where you have a free afternoon to explore the city. Perhaps visit the superb cathedral, the largest Gothic structure on earth. It has Europe’s most stunningly intricate stained glass, which took 600 years to finish and when work was finally complete, it was the largest building on earth, remaining so until eclipsed by the Eiffel Tower.

Or maybe you’ll opt to wander in the vibrant and attractive old town, beautifully restored and boasting a plethora of excellent shopping and cosy bars, some of which still traditionally brew their own beer.

During dinner this evening, reflect on the spectacular sights seen and wonderful places visited whilst travelling with us on this magical cruise.

Included experiences:

Expert talk from Royal butler and chef and visit to Cologne.

Return home

It’s time to say goodbye to your crew and start the journey home.