Christine in Heidelberg

Last of the Summer Rhine

Christine sailed with Avalon Waterways in November, flying from London Heathrow Airport with Lufthansa to Frankfurt, then transferred to Rhine Gorge-Rüdesheim.

"We boarded the Avalon View, an Avalon Waterways river cruise ship known for its “Suite Ships” that feature unique Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall windows that transform into an 'Open-Air Balcony'.

We were allocated cabins with floor to ceiling windows that open onto a rail. All beds face the window, and there is a sofa, table and chairs, with the cabins designed with a slanted wall making the shower area larger. The two suites on board have a bedroom and a separate lounge area. We walked into the town of Rüdesheim am Rhein, and I loved the shop with cute cuckoo clocks!

Back on board, dinner was several courses of set menus with plenty of options of fantastic quality food, which everyone in the group thoroughly enjoyed. The ship cruises overnight to Speyer.

Saturday 1st November - All Saints’ Day

At 7am I attended a stretching fitness class. Breakfast is from 7am to 8.30am, lunch 12pm to 1.30pm, dinner is until 9pm, and 10pm onwards is for music and dancing! There are hot drinks machines and water refill stations with infused water. A hot tub is onboard, or you could play chess, board games, or read books if you didn’t fancy an excursion one day.

After breakfast, we took a Guided Tour of Heidelberg Castle to see the ruins of the magnificent Renaissance building towering above the city. We took the cable car up (or it’s a steep winding walk) and had lunch in the castle and saw its famed Great Vat, the “World’s Largest Wine Barrel.”

Heidelberg is a beautiful historic city on the Neckar River, half an hour’s drive from the Black Forest. Germany’s oldest and most famous university town, Heidelberg is known for its beautiful setting on the Neckar River, and its hilltop castle. Baroque dominates the architecture in the striking Old Town, which was rebuilt after a fire, but also features Gothic and Renaissance elements, visible in the Heidelberg Castle. We saw the gunpowder tower, and the more affluent area was visible on one side of the Neckar River.

We enjoyed live entertainment on board the ship, with classical music played by two violinists and a guitarist. The ship cruises evening and overnight to Kehl.

Sunday, we joined the City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s Gothic, stained-glass grand cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District. You could also take an Active tour and discover Strasbourg by bike with an Adventure Host.

The town is female friendly with a female ‘green’ Mayor of Strasbourg, and the city even has an initiative to provide pregnant women with baskets of fresh, organic produce. You could see the town preparing for the imminent Christmas markets. I wandered alone around this university town while the others took a wine tour, and it was really easy to hop on a shuttle bus provided by the ship. This evening’s onboard entertainment was a chocolate and wine pairing dinner hosted by the Master of Wine. The ship cruises overnight to Breisach, Germany.

Monday - Our group took a Guided Tour through the storybook village of Colmar, along the charming canals of the “Little Venice” of France and past countless historic early Renaissance buildings and monuments. “Little Venice” is a scenic neighbourhood with canals. Colmar town in France’s Alsace region, is one of the main inspirations for the animated film Beauty and the Beast!

The fairytale-like atmosphere, colourful half-timbered medieval houses, cobblestone streets, and canals draw visitors, especially in the “Little Venice” area. Schwendi fountain in the town, created by Frédéric Bartholdi (the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty), is also said to have inspired a similar fountain in the movie. Or you could join a Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernof open-air museum and visit an authentic water mill.

The staff fed us very well, with fantastic quality food, and there are snacks at all times, including room service. It’s an airy ship with 83 cabins, a small gym onboard, and a hot tub. I’d recommend the Avalon Rhine cruise for Wine Lovers to our clients who enjoy city breaks - it is ideal as we saw four cities and three countries in one trip!" Christine Unwin

For more information and to book contact Abbotts Travel,134 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1BA, 020 8989 9445 / info@abbottstravel.com