Sights of the Southern Rhine
 

Usually I choose the destination first, but daughter and the grandsons were on a weeks holiday leaving me with no grandparenting commitments. It was too good a chance to miss so I was searching the net for possible holidays at the beginning of August. I soon discovered that most companies don't do holidays during the school holidays unless you wanted an all inclusive resort holiday (the kiss of death). Sights of the Southern Rhine advertised by Titan Travel was the only one that appealed. I also liked their door to door service. Once I'd locked the door I would be their responsibility until I unlocked the door at the end of the holiday. I booked.

It is the first time I've done a river cruise but was assured it was all very casual and I didn't need the cocktail dress and family jewels. The dress code was smart casual. Actually the casual bit was probably more important than the smart bit. Some of the visions in their shorts and skimpy tops made me look decidedly smart in my cargo trousers and seer sucker shirt.

The A-Rosa Viva took 198 passengers - a manageable size compared with some of the enormous cruise liners. Cabins were comfortable, staff good and the food was not only plentiful it was also excellent with plenty of choice.

Apart from one wet afternoon the sun shone and I spent all my time sitting on the sun deck watching the scenery glide by, helped by a Hugo Spritzer. It was very relaxing and I could get used to this.

The cruise started from Cologne, travelling as far as Basel and back to Cologne. There was a good mix of cities and small medieval towns. I did the guided tour of Strasbourg and remembered why I dislike city tours. I missed the rest and went off exploring by myself.

You can read my full report with pictures here:
http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/otherh...ine/index.html

It's a shame you didn't explore the St. Alban historic district in Basel. It might have been more of what you were expecting/hoping for.

https://www.basel.com/en/Media/Offer...-anchor-images

But I'm glad you liked the views from the Wettstein bridge -- I go over that twice a day going to and from work :-)

It all looks gorgeous.

I had researched BAsel before visiting, but hadn't picked up about St Alba. I wish I had as the pictures on Google do look good - and yes, it would have been much more 'my sort of thing'.

bookmarking!

Bookmarking as well! Looks something different from what's advertised in NZ for river cruises.