Join Philly Cheese School's Julia Fox-Birnbaum on this amazing voyage along the Rhine and explore the regions' finest cheeses. Locally sourced? We're going to the source!

We will explore the cheese shops and farms of the Rhine regions of France, Germany & Switzerland together and sample the areas' finest cheeses and wines.

Your trip includes:

-Exclusive Philly Cheese School excursions & cheese shop visits

-On-board lectures & tastings by PCS owner Julia Fox-Birnbaum

Our Cruise: Gastronomy of the Rhine & Switzerland

We are partnering with Riviera River Cruises for this incredible culinary adventure aboard the luxurious MS Oscar Wilde.  

RIVER: Rhine

I’m Julia Fox-Birnbaum and I’ve been in the Cheese Industry since 2014.  I’ve worked in cheese education, marketing, social media and more.  Before making Philly Cheese School my full-time gig, I filled in as head  buyer and manager for one of the largest cheese counters on the East  Coast. Over the years I've been lucky enough to visit farms, meet  artisan cheese producers and train under some of the best cheese-mongers  in the field.

For me, cheese is a magical food which connects  flavor to tradition and science and so much more. My favorite thing  about cheese is its ability to tell a story and bring people together.  Philly Cheese School was born out of my love of sharing these stories with my community. My goal with this business is to educate cheese lovers from near and far on this endlessly fascinating and delicious  topic which I’ve dedicated my career to.

I am so excited to be working with Mayfair Travel to offer this dream trip along the Rhine!  I'll be there every step of the way to offer an industry pro's perspective on some iconic food locations, and provide my cheese expertise in order to make your experience even more  memorable. I look forward to connecting with fellow cheese lovers,  whether that means teaching a deeper understanding of cheese-making  techniques, telling stories from my over 10 years of experience in the field,  or simply sharing in the awe of this delicious and fascinating region."

After years of painstaking research to create the most perfect  vessels afloat, a new era in river cruising dawns as we introduce our  state of the art, ‘all suite’ ships. Swiss operated and truly  world-class, we are absolutely delighted to present the five-star MS  Oscar Wilde.

It is extremely difficult to convey just how extraordinary this  outstanding ship really is and exactly what distinguishes it from  similar vessels. It would be very easy to just say ‘luxurious’ but it’s  much more than that; we have deliberately avoided the current trend for a  minimalist style where you could be anywhere in the world, creating  instead a unique yet exquisite blend of understated taste, style and  elegance at the highest level. Immediately striking is just how  exceptionally spacious this new vessel is as you enter a gleaming,  richly colored marble-floored lobby flooded with natural light from a  stunning atrium above. Moving inside, exceptional creativity from  Europe’s finest design studio has produced a superbly balanced  masterpiece of onboard style, utilising sustainable rich hardwoods,  gleaming brass and polished copper, sparkling glass and intricate  wrought iron. The ship is beautifully illuminated throughout – including  the exterior and imaginatively furnished with harmonious colour  schemes, all designed to create the serene atmosphere reflective of the  golden age of cruising which time after time you tell us you adore.

The restaurant rivals the finest on shore establishments taking fine  dining to another level complemented by delicate European porcelain,  gleaming glassware and the intuitive service in which the Swiss excel.  This superb vessel carries 44 in-house trained crew members serving just  169 guests (similar size vessels may carry well over 190 passengers)  giving the ratio which our experience proves is concurrent with our  first class service levels.

Furthermore your suite will easily exceed your expectations for not only  will you enjoy the most discerning décor, so too the ship’s dimensions  afford the ultimate in space and comfort - a minimum 17 square metres  (183 square feet), with upgrades available to ‘Superior’ and ‘Deluxe’  accommodation.

Features:

• Thoroughly air conditioned public areas and individual heating controls in the cabins
• Stunning restaurant on the Main Deck serving buffet breakfast, buffet lunch and four-course dinner
• Lounge and bar to enjoy cocktails and the early risers' breakfast
• Elevator between Emerald, Ruby and Diamond decks
• Laundry Service
• Spa and wellness area featuring Nail Salon and Hairdressing Service
• Boutique gift shop for your vacation souvenirs
• Reception area open 24hrs
• Small splash pool and putting green on the Sun Deck
• 24hr self service station for complimentary tea & coffee

More details about the beautiful MS Oscar Wilde here:

https://www.rivierarivercruises.com/ms-oscar-wilde

Over lunch & dinner in our restaurants:  unlimited drinks from a choice of:

    -Red, white, rosé, and sparkling house wine, including non-alcoholic

    -Draught beer, including non-alcoholic

   -Selection of soft drinks & juices

From 6PM to midnight in our bar & restaurants: enjoy all the above, plus unlimited drinks from a choice of:

  -Our cocktail & mocktail of the day

  -House spirits & mixers (gin, vodka, rum & whisky)

  -A recommendation of wine during dinner

  -Martini & sherry pre-dinner

  -Port & Brandy after dinner

Welcome Aboard! The dedicated English-speaking crew will welcome you on board and help you to your cabin. After settling in to your spacious and tastefully furnished accommodation, there’s time to familiarize yourself with this five-star floating hotel.

Meet your fellow cheese-cruisers at the Bon Voyage cocktail reception this evening.

Lucerne

To make the most of the day we depart early and take the short drive to Lucerne, often considered Switzerland’s most beautiful city, spectacularly situated among stunning mountain views.

It has been attracting well-heeled visitors for two centuries, including Britain's renowned Queen Victoria. Highly recommended is an invigorating stroll along the Chapel Bridge, a unique covered wooden walkway crossing the lake, supported by stilts and lined with colorful flower-filled window boxes. Not only is it the city’s most iconic structure, it’s a superb way to absorb Lucerne’s regal atmosphere, before we continue our exploration of the best of Switzerland.

Bernese Oberland

As you enter the Bernese Oberland in central Switzerland, the views become quite literally breath-taking! This is the grand alpine heart of Europe with some of 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. We then ascend by mountain railway for more extraordinary vistas, with the crystal-clear lakes reflecting the meadows and forests below. This truly magical landscape is sure to enchant you.

Later we’ll descend again by mountain railway before returning to the ship. Please note, temperatures will be significantly lower at altitude, even during the summer months, 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.

If you chose a more leisurely start to the day, we drive to Lucerne. 

Lucerne & Free afternoon in Basel

Lucerne

Enjoy a more comprehensive excursion in Lucerne, with a guided tour of the city. Then spend time at leisure wandering its medieval streets before returning to the ship for lunch.

Basel

This afternoon you can choose to stay on board or hop on our shuttle bus to Basel for time to explore independently. With a mix of historic and modern architecture, Basel seamlessly blends tradition and innovation. While you're here, head to the old town to explore its narrow winding streets. At its heart, you'll find the magnificent cathedral with its red sandstone walls, colorful roof tiles, and twin towers. Or you could immerse yourself in the city's remarkable museums and countless galleries, celebrating its rich tradition of art collecting.

Focus on cheese with PCS:  Fondue Fun! 

Included experiences:

• Visit to Lucerne

• Option 1: Full day tour to  Lucerne and the Bernese Oberland with scenic rail journey

• Option 2: Morning tour to Lucerne and free afternoon in Basel

Breisach

This morning's cruising is spent gliding through the dramatic scenery of the rift valley separating the Vosges and Black Forest mountains.

We arrive at the ancient town of Breisach, whose historic heart is surrounded by stone ramparts and dominated by the impressive Saint Stephan’s Cathedral, which you can see during time at leisure before lunch onboard.

This afternoon you have a choice of touring the Black Forest and Freiburg or visiting the Alsace wine route with its typical wine villages. 

Black Forest and Freiburg

We 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.

Look out for the Baroque spires of St. Peter Abbey as we drive through the quaint village and stop for a photo of the incredible countryside surrounding St Märgen, on our way to Freiburg. On arrival, we'll follow a local guide around some of the city's sights - including the Münsterplatz and the historic Kaufhaus - before time at leisure to explore independently.

Alsace wine route

Traveling, between the vineyards and mountains, along the Wine Route we make our way to Ribeauvillé - a charming village that lies in the shadow of the majestic ruins of the Three Castles of the Lords of Ribeaupierre. After a short walking tour, there's time to wander its picturesque streets to admire the 15th- to 18th-century buildings and Renaissance squares.

Leaving Ribeauvillé, we head next to Riquewihr. Named the 'Most Beautiful Village in France', this medieval town lies right in the heart of the Alsatian vineyards. Famous for both its architecture and its wine, there's plenty to see during our walking tour. There's a little free time to explore before heading back to the ship.

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.

Focus on Cheese with PCS:  On-board cheese-tasting with Julia during scenic cruising this morning

Included:

• Visit to Breisach
• Afternoon option 1: Scenic drive through the Black Forest with visit to Freiburg
• Afternoon option 2: Scenic drive along the Alsace wine route with visits to Ribeauvillé and Riquewihr
• Live violin soloist on board

Strasbourg

This morning, we have crossed over into France to arrive in Strasbourg, capital of the Alsace region.  After breakfast we’ll take a walking tour of this picturesque 16th-century old town – a maze of narrow streets and canals lined with timber-framed houses and sculptured  portals. Unforgettable sights include the Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral,  multi-towered Ponts Couverts – covered bridges – and the pretty Petite France quarter of pastel-colored former artisans’ houses which line the canals.

As we wander Strasbourg, we will also have a chance to enjoy a traditional Alsace treat or two – local delicacies include tarte flambee, Munster cheese and kugelhopf (sweet bun). Enjoy a bite as you explore, and maybe even pick up a treat to enjoy in your cabin this  afternoon as we cruise!

Cruise towards Speyer

During lunch, our elegant vessel glides away from our mooring as we commence an afternoon’s scenic cruising. Head up to the sun deck and take in the views from a sun lounger or retire to the shady comfort of  the lounge to chat over a coffee with newly made friends.

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 inspired by traditional Alsace cuisine to round out the day perfectly.

We’ll arrive at Speyer this evening, where we’ll be moored overnight.

Focus on Cheese with PCS:  Visit to the La Cloche cheese shop, restaurant & maturing cellar in Strasbourg

Included experience 

Guided tour of Strasbourg 

(B,L,D)

Speyer

We remain moored in Speyer this morning but will be venturing out to a nearby vinegar manufacturer. Here, we’ll be able to enjoy a tour of the cellars, learning about the history of vinegar – in particular its use as Posca, an ‘energy drink’ drunk by Roman legionaries. Wandering the herbal chamber and candle-lit cellar rooms, you’ll be reminded of the wine-making processes as you view the centuries-old barrels where the  vinegar is fermented. The tour finishes, of course, with a vinegar tasting. See if you can spot the differences!

If learning about artisanal vinegar doesn’t tickle your fancy, you  have the choice instead to spend the morning exploring Speyer, where you’ll find many historic sites including the imposing Imperial Cathedral and the neo-Gothic Gedächtniskirche.

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 - and oxbow lakes, which are long deserted by the river flow and now havens for bird and wildlife.

Back on board this evening there’s a truly memorable occasion – the Captain’s Dinner, featuring delicious specialities of the countries and regions we visit during our cruise.

Cruise towards Rüdesheim

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.

Focus on Cheese with PCS:  Visit Speyer's best cheese shops with Julia.

Included experiences:

Visit to Speyer with tour of vinegar distillery.

(B,L,D)

Rüdesheim

This morning we moor in Rüdesheim, with its crooked houses sloping  down from wooded hillsides and terraced vineyards. This pretty town is surrounded by vineyards, and as such is an ideal stop for wine  enthusiasts – or oenophiles if you’re feeling fancy – as the vineyards here have been producing the Riesling sold in the local shops and  taverns for centuries. During the delightful land train tour, witness  the vignerons hard at work in their vineyards, the bustling marketplace, the iconic half-timbered Klunkhardshof building, and Bromserburg Castle, which dates from 1275.

Rhine Gorge

This afternoon we’ll experience 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. This experience provides the perfect backdrop to enjoy a famous Rüdesheimer coffee – a sweet brandy coffee  topped with whipped cream and chocolate.

Relax on the sun deck as our captain skillfully 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, the city is beautifully located at the confluence of the Rhine  and its sister, the Moselle. 

Here we'll 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:

Vineyard tour of Rüdesheim, cruise through the Rhine Gorge, guided tour of Koblenz and a local folk performance after dinner.

(B,L,D)

Cruise towards Cologne

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

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. See the famous ruined bridge at Remagen,  which was captured intact by the Allies towards the end of the Second World War, allowing thousands of troops to cross into Germany’s  heartland, and the forested Siebengebirge - Seven Mountains – a cluster  of ancient volcanic hills that inspired many of the Brothers Grimm’s  legends, including Snow White.

Cologne

When we arrive in historic Cologne, we’ll embark an indulgent journey  of exploration through the world of chocolate at the Schokoladenmuseum, where you can learn about the 5,000-year history of cocoa, from its  beginnings in Central America, all the way to the well-loved treat we know today.

Alternatively, you may choose to enjoy 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. 

Tonight is the last night of the cruise, so after your last delicious dinner in our elegant restaurant, why not linger in the ship’s bar to swap stories with your like-minded travel companions or bid a bittersweet farewell to our friendly, five-star crew.

Focus on Cheese with PCS:  Morning onboard cheese chat & tasting with Julia

Included experience:

Visit to the Chocolate Museum in Cologne.

(B,L,D)

Disembark and start your journey home, or opt to continue our cheesy adventure to Amsterdam!