Christmas Cruise on the Rhine

Christmas Cruise on the Rhine

Explore the beauty of the Rhine Valley at Christmas time on this magical cruise. Our ports of call include the popular resort of Konigswinter and the picturesque town of Boppard, known as the ‘Pearl of the Rhine’. Our cruise begins in historic Cologne and sails to Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Christmas is a wonderful time to explore the Rhine Valley, a land of legends and castles.

6 & 8 days from only £799

Holiday highlights
• Historic & vibrant Cologne
• Boppard ‘Pearl of the Rhine’
• Koblenz and the Rhine Gorge
• Lively Rüdesheim

Optional excursions
• Cologne city tour
• Ahr Valley
• Wine tasting
• Tour of Koblenz
• Loreley & Niederwald

Holiday Itinerary by Coach
Tuesday 21 Dec UK to Northern France - To Northern France for dinner and overnight stay.
Wednesday 22 Dec Northern France to Cologne - Buffet breakfast before we head for Cologne and join the MPS Rotterdam. Time to explore the city and its many historical sights.
Thursday 23 December Königswinter to Koblenz - We start our gentle Christmas cruise along the Rhine & Moselle to the popular resort of Königswinter. We continue along the Rhine to Koblenz, arriving early afternoon.
Christmas Eve Koblenz to Rüdesheim - We continue today to Rüdesheim, set in the varied countryside between the gently rolling Taunus hills and the rugged Loreley Valley, surrounded by a wide expanse of vineyards.
Christmas Day Rüdesheim to Boppard - We make the short journey to Boppard ‘the Pearl of the Rhine’. Time to explore the historic town, founded by the Romans. This evening we enjoy a 5 course Christmas Dinner and on board festivities.
Boxing Day Boppard – Andernach – Bonn - We start the day with a short cruise to Andernach where you can enjoy the medieval remnants of the old town and castle. Then on to Bonn, birthplace of Beethoven. This evening is the Captains Dinner.
Monday 27 Dec Bonn to Cologne - Today we cruise north to our start point. Cologne is an exuberant and contrast-packed city dominated by its mighty cathedral.
Tuesday 28 Dec Cologne to Northern France - A deluxe buffet brunch is served this morning before it’s time to travel across to Northern France to our overnight hotel in time for dinner.
Wednesday 29 Dec Northern France to UK - On to Calais for our ferry crossing to Dover, from where we return home.

Holiday Itinerary by Rail
Wednesday 22 Dec London St Pancras to Cologne - Journey by Eurostar to Brussels. Transfer to Thalys rail service and continue to Cologne. Transfer to the ship
Thursday 23 Dec to Boxing Day - See Holiday itinerary by Coach.
Monday 27 Dec Cologne to London St Pancras - Buffet breakfast, then transfer to Cologne rail station to Brussels. Change on to 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
Wednesday 22 Dec UK to Cologne/Dusseldorf - Fly to Cologne/Dusseldorf and transfer to the MPS Rotterdam.
Thursday 23 Dec to Boxing Day - See Holiday itinerary by Coach.
Monday 27 Dec Cologne/Dusseldorf to UK - Buffet breakfast, then transfer to Cologne/Dusseldorf 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
• 5 nights full board cruise
• 2 nights hotel, dinner, bed & breakfast on/post route
• Grand Tourer coach travel
• Shearings cruise representative

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

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