Day 1 AMSTERDAM, UTRECHT
Selected early morning coach pick-ups and a journey
to Dover for the 10.00am crossing to Calais.
Alternatively, we offer
overnight hotel accommodation close to port for those who would prefer. After disembarkation, your coach continues its
journey through France and Belgium to Amsterdam,
one of the most fascinating cities in Europe.
Here, you are welcomed on board your cruise
vessel, MS Britannia or MS Hispania. You will then
begin with an evening dinner cruise to the Dutch city
of Utrecht.
Those taking the air option will fly direct from the
UK and transfer to the vessel.
*Passengers taking the overnight crossing from
the north of England or Scotland, will depart the
previous day and join the vessel on day 1 for dinner.
Day 2 UTRECHT, ARNHEM
As you awake for breakfast, the vessel will begin a
gentle cruise through Holland to the Dutch city of
Arnhem, made famous in the film, A Bridge Too Far.
Arriving around lunchtime you will have the
opportunity to explore the city or to take advantage
of the optional excursion to the Airborne Museum,
which portrays in detail the heroic events during the
Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. The museum
shows how airborne forces were planning to capture
the bridges over the Rhine, Waal and Maas.
Day 3 ARNHEM, WESEL
This morning you will gently cruise along the Rhine
to Wesel in Germany. In the afternoon, enjoy an
optional half-day excursion to the charming
2000-year-old Roman town of Xanten, with its
narrow streets, city wall, forum, temple, thermal
baths and amphitheatre, before continuing to the
Castle of Moyland (entrance fees not included).
Day 4 WESEL, DÜSSELDORF
The vessel will slip quietly out of Wesel heading for
Düsseldorf, one of Germany’s most famous towns
with its mix of classical and avant-garde culture.
In the afternoon, you can take the optional half-day
excursion to the city of Wuppertal, which includes a
ride in the King’s Carriage* on the city’s suspended
monorail. Carriage No. 5, used by Kaiser Wilhelm II
and his wife Auguste Viktoria in 1900, has survived
through to the present day. The beautiful vehicle
was completely renovated with plush covered
seats, gold-coloured deco curtains and fin de siècle
ornamental glass panes. (Journey lasts approximately
30 minutes.)
*On some days the king's carriage does not operate, in this
instance a standard carriage will be used along with a guide.
Day 5 DÜSSELDORF, COLOGNE,KÖNIGSWINTER
As you enjoy breakfast, we will cruise to the ancient
city of Cologne, well known for its cathedral, Eau de
Cologne and its beer, called Kölsch. Cologne also
has a chocolate museum, so the included city tour
will be well worth taking.
In the evening, whilst enjoying your three-course
meal, the vessel will cruise to Königswinter.
Day 6 KÖNIGSWINTER, BOPPARD, RÜDESHEIM
In the early morning, you will cruise through the
countryside to Boppard. Arriving in time for an early
lunch, you can enjoy free time in Boppard before
rejoining the vessel for a cruise through the most
scenic section of the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim.
After dinner, there’s a fantastic opportunity to join
us on a guided tour of the famous Siegfried’s Musik
Kabinett, housing a remarkable collection of perfectly
preserved mechanical musical instruments. Our
excursion also includes a visit to Adolf’s wine cellar
in Rüdesheim to taste the famous local wines.
Day 7 RÜDESHEIM, MANNHEIM(for Heidelberg), SPEYER
This morning your vessel will gently cruise to
Mannheim, Germany’s largest river port and a
bustling city where there’s plenty to see and do.
In the afternoon, join an included excursion by
coach to Heidelberg and its extraordinary castle
(entrance fee not included). This university town
famed for its philosophers and thinkers, is the
inspiration for many famous artists.
Day 8 SPEYER, GREFFEN, STRASBOURG
Setting off before breakfast, you will cruise to
Greffen. After lunch we will travel by coach to
Strasbourg, famous for its sandstone gothic cathedral
and medieval Gothic timber-framed houses. This
historic French city has an intriguing mix of French
and German influences, best seen in the many
inviting cafes, patisseries and restaurants.
Wander through the cobbled streets of Petite France
and you’ll find an area of old-timbered houses
and pretty canals to rival any in Venice or Bruges.
The city’s cathedral stands proudly in the middle
of a wide, cobbled square, lined with attractive
restaurants, wine bars and bierkellers. We will rejoin
the vessel in Strasbourg for dinner.
Day 9 STRASBOURG, BREISACH
In the late morning, we will arrive at the ancient
Celtic town of Breisach. Captured by Julius Caesar,
the city now boasts two Romanesque gates and a
typically German Gothic cathedral.
In the afternoon, you can enjoy an optional
excursion to the enchanting Black Forest. From
Breisach this unmissable tour will take you past
the Feldberg, the highest point in the Forest, to
a clock factory which houses one of the largest
cuckoo clocks in the world. Also included is a tour
to experience the best of the Black Forest scenery,
taking in enchanting wooded valleys full of traditional
houses and farms.
Day 10 BREISACH, BASLE
Your last cruise on this fantastic holiday will take you
to the famous Swiss city of Basle. In the afternoon,
you can either explore the city, or take an optional
tour to Lucerne, a beautiful alpine oasis set against a
background of snowy peaks.
Renowned for its attractive medieval townscape,
historic Chapel Bridge and excellent shops, the city
of Lucerne is one of Switzerland's most popular
tourist destinations. You’ll have ample time in the
city, which sits on the lake shore, giving you plenty
of time to explore the famous bridge with its
paintings, the narrow streets of the old quarter, and
the promenades and plazas dotted with historical
towers and fountains.
Day 11 BASLE
And so your journey ends as you bid farewell and
rejoin the coach for the journey to Calais and
the 7.00pm ferry/Eurotunnel crossing to Dover/
Folkestone. Upon arrival, we will return you to your
original departure point.
Those taking the air option will transfer directly to
the airport for the return flight to the UK.
*Passengers returning on the overnight crossing to
the north of England or Scotland, will transfer to the
departure port and arrive in the UK the next day.
On certain dates the holiday itinerary will operate in
reverse, as follows:
Day 1: UK, Breisach
Day 2: Breisach, Basle
Day 3: Basle, Breisach
Day 4: Breisach, Strasbourg
Day 5: Strasbourg, Manheim (for Heidelberg)
Day 6: Manheim, Rüdesheim
Day 7: Rüdesheim, Cologne
Day 8: Cologne, Dusseldorf
Day 9: Dusseldorf, Wesel
Day 10: Wesel, Arnhem; Utrecht, Amsterdam
Day 11: UK
The excursions available at each destination are
exactly the same as those featured in the standard
holiday itinerary. Your itinerary will be confirmed
with your final travel documents.
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