Autumn on the Rhine

Autumn on the Rhine

This classic cruise along the Rhine, the longest river in Germany, passes through some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe. This colourful Autumn cruise includes visits to vibrant towns and cities packed with charm, culture and history. Enjoy the many ancient castles and prehistoric fortifications found along the way and drink in the stunning scenery, magnificent mountains and rolling vineyards from the comfort of your ship as the season’s colours change.

5 & 7 days from only £529

Holiday highlights   
• Koblenz & the Rhine Gorge
• Picturesque Boppard
• Rüdesheim & the Loreley rock
• Historic Cologne

Optional excursions
• Cologne city tour
• Boppard wine tasting
• Niederwald Monument in Rüdesheim

Holiday Itinerary by Coach
Day 1 UK to Northern France - To Dover for the ferry crossing to Calais and then to your overnight hotel in time for dinner.
Day 2 Northern France to Cologne - Here you’ll join your ship in Cologne and have time to relax on board or explore this wonderful city. With its old town, gothic cathedral, that is Germany’s most visited monument, shops, bars and cafes, Cologne has lots to enjoy.
Day 3 Cologne to Koblenz - Today’s port of call is Koblenz, which marks the northern end of the Rhine Gorge, declared a World Heritage Site in 2002, and where you can see its gothic churches and the medieval Moselle Bridge.
Day 4 Koblenz to Rüdesheim - We cruise to Rüdesheim, a popular resort in the midst of the German wine-producing region. Definitely worth experiencing is the Drosselgasse, a 15th century cobblestone pedestrianised street lined with restaurants, wine houses and open-air taverns.
Day 5 Rüdesheim – Boppard –Cologne - Another treat today as we stop in Boppard, an ancient fortress town known as ‘The Pearl of the Rhine’ Time to explore the town, its historical sites and shops before it’s time to return to our journey’s start point in Cologne.
Day 6 Cologne to Northern France - Journey by coach to your overnight hotel to arrive in time for dinner
Day 7 Northern France to UK - To Calais for the ferry across to Dover and then home.

Holiday Itinerary by Rail
Day 1 London St Pancras to Cologne - Meet at St Pancras station and join your Eurostar service to Brussels. From Brussels transfer to the Thalys train onwards to Cologne. Transfer to the MV Virginia.
Days 2 to 4 Cruising - As per Holiday itinerary by Coach days 3 to 5.
Day 5 Cologne to London St Pancras - Transfer to Cologne and take the Thalys train to Brussels. Change at Brussels, to join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

Travel by Rail is based on standard class travel. Upgrades to leisure select on Eurostar and onwards in First Class on the Thalys, upgrade from £90 per person one way.

Holiday Itinerary by Air
Day 1 UK to Cologne/Dusseldorf - Fly to Cologne or Dusseldorf and transfer to the ship.
Days 2 to 4 Cruising - As per Holiday Itinerary by Coach days 3 to 5.
Day 5 Cologne/Dusseldorf to UK - Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Flight departures. Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham, East Midlands, Manchester, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford and Southampton.

By coach - whats included
• 4 nights full board cruise
• 2 nights hotel, dinner, bed & breakfast on/post route
• Luxury coach travel
• Shearings cruise representative

By rail - whats included
• 4 nights full board cruise
• Return Eurostar standard ticket, London-Brussels & onwards Thalys standard ticket Brussels-Cologne
• Shearings cruise & rail representative

By air - whats included
• 4 nights full board cruise
• Return flights & resort transfers
• Shearings cruise representative