Your Holiday Itinerary
Summer Gardens of the Rhine Cruise
Day 1 RÜDESHEIM
Selected early morning coach pick-ups and a journey to Dover/Folkestone for the 9.00am ferry/ Eurotunnel crossing to Calais. Alternatively, we offer overnight hotel accommodation close to port for those who would prefer. From Calais we continue into Germany to arrive at Rüdesheim where you will join MS Hispania in time for a welcome drink and included three-course evening meal.
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 day1 for dinner.
Your evening is at leisure in Rüdesheim. The liveliest and most popular town in the wine-producing Rheingau region, Rüdesheim stretches out along a long, cobbled riverfront lined with souvenir shops, hotels and restaurants. Rüdesheim’s most celebrated street, the Drosselgasse, is a wonderfully atmospheric and narrow alley known as ‘the happiest little street in the world’. Only 200 yards long and a few yards wide, the Drosselgasse boasts perhaps the densest concentration of wine bars and tavernas in Europe.
Day 2 RÜDESHEIM, MAINZ, WORMS, SPEYER
Following breakfast this morning, we cruise to Mainz, a classic, vibrant modern city with a wellpreserved historic core, and which features the second most important Catholic cathedral in Germany after the one in Cologne. After lunch on board, join our included excursion by coach to the Palmengarten in Frankfurt. Take time to appreciate the historic greenhouses, perennial garden, rock garden and stunning rose gardens. Admire tulips, narcissi, hyacinths, crocuses, rhododendrons and endangered and protected plants, And, by the pond and stream, see day lilies, irises, peonies and much more along the broad herbaceous borders.
In recent years, new conservatories have been added to the 50-acre Palmengarten. The 5000m2 Tropicarium is a complex for tropical vegetation, with collections of orchids, palms, succulents, ferns and many others according to their natural habitats such as rain forest, mangrove, mountain rain forest, monsoon and trade-wind forest, savannah, thorn forest and desert-type vegetation. There’s also a Sub-Antarctic house displaying plants from New Zealand, southern Chile and Argentina. In the park area, there's a small lake where you can hire rowing boats.
During the excursion to Frankfurt your vessel will cruise to Worms, an ancient town of great history and legend. We will rejoin the vessel in Worms before continuing to Speyer while you enjoy an evening dinner cruise.
Day 3 SPEYER, RASTATT
Today we continue our cruise along the Rhine to arrive at Rastatt, situated on the edge of the Black Forest.
This afternoon we have included an excursion by coach to the baroque Karlsruhe Palace. This magnificent 18th century palace is renowned for its remarkable collection of rare trees, sculptures, monuments, ponds and fountains set in beautiful ornamental gardens. Its Botanical Gardens include a palm house, cactus house and orchid house, with a wide variety of species indigenous to the tropical regions of South America and Asia. Also in the Botanical Gardens is the Orangerie, which exhibits art from the 20th and 21st century.
Day 4 RASTATT, STRASBOURG
This morning we will cruise to Strasbourg for an included tour of this great historic city, including a visit to its splendid Botanical Gardens. With over 5,000 hectares of ‘green pathways’ and 300 hectares of parks and gardens, Strasbourg aligns itself close to nature. Built in the 19th century, Strasbourg’s Botanical Gardens contain a collection of interesting and unusual plants housed in large greenhouses.
We will also visit the Garden of Two Shores: a lovely, landscaped park laid out on both the French and German banks of the Rhine. At the centre of these 55-hectare gardens is a footbridge over the Rhine, a crossing that takes you from France into Germany.
Day 5 RASTATT, BREISACH
After breakfast, join us for one of the highlights of your cruise, an optional excursion to Lake Constance and the world-famous garden island of Mainau. Crossing the beautiful Lake Constance, where the watery borders of Germany, Switzerland and Austria merge, we’ll arrive at the remarkable sub-tropical island, owned by the Royal House of Sweden.
Even though Mainau practically lies in the shadow of the snow-capped Alps, it enjoys a mild, almost tropical climate and magnolias, orange and lemon trees, palms, rhododendrons and other exotic plants flourish in abundance. A botanical garden in the centre of the island is set on the site of an ancient castle that was once a residence of the Knights of the Teutonic Order, and now owned by Sweden’s Royal Family. Located on the arm of Lake Constance known as the Überlingersee, Mainau is a genuine island of paradise and home to many natural wonders. Its amazing arboretum is a serene sanctuary for over 500 trees, including giant sequoias, Atlas cedars, cedars of Lebanon, redwood and tulip trees.
Mainau is also home to Germany's biggest butterfly house, a wine trail, the tropical Arena of Fountains, stunning rose gardens and the Palm House, filled with oranges, parrots and more than 20 different sorts of palm trees including a Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), which was planted in 1888 and is now more than 15 meters high. From historic wine cellars and Swedish Taverns, to cake-and-coffee cafes and terraces overlooking the lake where you can enjoy ice-cold beers and pretzels: Mainau is an island unlike any other. (Packed lunch is included.)
Those not joining the optional excursion will enjoy a full day cruise to Breisach, where the vessel will remain overnight.
Day 6 BREISACH
This morning we disembark after breakfast for the return journey to Calais, in time for the 6.30pm crossing to Dover/Folkestone. Upon arrival you will be returned 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.
Reverse Itinerary
On certain dates the holiday itinerary operates in reverse, as follows:
Day 1: UK, Breisach
Day 2: Breisach
Day 3: Breisach, Strasbourg, Rastatt
Day 4: Rastatt, Speyer
Day 5: Speyer, Mainz, Rüdesheim
Day 6: 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.
Selected early morning coach pick-ups and a journey to Dover/Folkestone for the 9.00am ferry/ Eurotunnel crossing to Calais. Alternatively, we offer overnight hotel accommodation close to port for those who would prefer. From Calais we continue into Germany to arrive at Rüdesheim where you will join MS Hispania in time for a welcome drink and included three-course evening meal.
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 day1 for dinner.
Your evening is at leisure in Rüdesheim. The liveliest and most popular town in the wine-producing Rheingau region, Rüdesheim stretches out along a long, cobbled riverfront lined with souvenir shops, hotels and restaurants. Rüdesheim’s most celebrated street, the Drosselgasse, is a wonderfully atmospheric and narrow alley known as ‘the happiest little street in the world’. Only 200 yards long and a few yards wide, the Drosselgasse boasts perhaps the densest concentration of wine bars and tavernas in Europe.
Day 2 RÜDESHEIM, MAINZ, WORMS, SPEYER
Following breakfast this morning, we cruise to Mainz, a classic, vibrant modern city with a wellpreserved historic core, and which features the second most important Catholic cathedral in Germany after the one in Cologne. After lunch on board, join our included excursion by coach to the Palmengarten in Frankfurt. Take time to appreciate the historic greenhouses, perennial garden, rock garden and stunning rose gardens. Admire tulips, narcissi, hyacinths, crocuses, rhododendrons and endangered and protected plants, And, by the pond and stream, see day lilies, irises, peonies and much more along the broad herbaceous borders.
In recent years, new conservatories have been added to the 50-acre Palmengarten. The 5000m2 Tropicarium is a complex for tropical vegetation, with collections of orchids, palms, succulents, ferns and many others according to their natural habitats such as rain forest, mangrove, mountain rain forest, monsoon and trade-wind forest, savannah, thorn forest and desert-type vegetation. There’s also a Sub-Antarctic house displaying plants from New Zealand, southern Chile and Argentina. In the park area, there's a small lake where you can hire rowing boats.
During the excursion to Frankfurt your vessel will cruise to Worms, an ancient town of great history and legend. We will rejoin the vessel in Worms before continuing to Speyer while you enjoy an evening dinner cruise.
Day 3 SPEYER, RASTATT
Today we continue our cruise along the Rhine to arrive at Rastatt, situated on the edge of the Black Forest.
This afternoon we have included an excursion by coach to the baroque Karlsruhe Palace. This magnificent 18th century palace is renowned for its remarkable collection of rare trees, sculptures, monuments, ponds and fountains set in beautiful ornamental gardens. Its Botanical Gardens include a palm house, cactus house and orchid house, with a wide variety of species indigenous to the tropical regions of South America and Asia. Also in the Botanical Gardens is the Orangerie, which exhibits art from the 20th and 21st century.
Day 4 RASTATT, STRASBOURG
This morning we will cruise to Strasbourg for an included tour of this great historic city, including a visit to its splendid Botanical Gardens. With over 5,000 hectares of ‘green pathways’ and 300 hectares of parks and gardens, Strasbourg aligns itself close to nature. Built in the 19th century, Strasbourg’s Botanical Gardens contain a collection of interesting and unusual plants housed in large greenhouses.
We will also visit the Garden of Two Shores: a lovely, landscaped park laid out on both the French and German banks of the Rhine. At the centre of these 55-hectare gardens is a footbridge over the Rhine, a crossing that takes you from France into Germany.
Day 5 RASTATT, BREISACH
After breakfast, join us for one of the highlights of your cruise, an optional excursion to Lake Constance and the world-famous garden island of Mainau. Crossing the beautiful Lake Constance, where the watery borders of Germany, Switzerland and Austria merge, we’ll arrive at the remarkable sub-tropical island, owned by the Royal House of Sweden.
Even though Mainau practically lies in the shadow of the snow-capped Alps, it enjoys a mild, almost tropical climate and magnolias, orange and lemon trees, palms, rhododendrons and other exotic plants flourish in abundance. A botanical garden in the centre of the island is set on the site of an ancient castle that was once a residence of the Knights of the Teutonic Order, and now owned by Sweden’s Royal Family. Located on the arm of Lake Constance known as the Überlingersee, Mainau is a genuine island of paradise and home to many natural wonders. Its amazing arboretum is a serene sanctuary for over 500 trees, including giant sequoias, Atlas cedars, cedars of Lebanon, redwood and tulip trees.
Mainau is also home to Germany's biggest butterfly house, a wine trail, the tropical Arena of Fountains, stunning rose gardens and the Palm House, filled with oranges, parrots and more than 20 different sorts of palm trees including a Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), which was planted in 1888 and is now more than 15 meters high. From historic wine cellars and Swedish Taverns, to cake-and-coffee cafes and terraces overlooking the lake where you can enjoy ice-cold beers and pretzels: Mainau is an island unlike any other. (Packed lunch is included.)
Those not joining the optional excursion will enjoy a full day cruise to Breisach, where the vessel will remain overnight.
Day 6 BREISACH
This morning we disembark after breakfast for the return journey to Calais, in time for the 6.30pm crossing to Dover/Folkestone. Upon arrival you will be returned 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.
Reverse Itinerary
On certain dates the holiday itinerary operates in reverse, as follows:
Day 1: UK, Breisach
Day 2: Breisach
Day 3: Breisach, Strasbourg, Rastatt
Day 4: Rastatt, Speyer
Day 5: Speyer, Mainz, Rüdesheim
Day 6: 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.
