Classic Rhine Cruise

Classic Rhine Cruise

This classic cruise along the mighty Rhine – the longest river in Germany – passes through some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe and 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 the MV Virginia.

8 & 10 days from only £849

Holiday highlights
• Vibrant Cologne
• Relaxing cruising through magnificent mountains, valleys and forests
• Rüdesheim, amongst the vineyards
• Medieval and Roman history of Koblenz and Boppard

Optional excursions
• Ahr Valley tour
• Charming Town of Heidelberg
• Loreley and the Niederwald Monument at Rüdesheim
• Cochem 'Pearl of the Moselle'
• Cologne City tour

Why not pre-book your excursion package? Price includes excursions noted above for just £85 per person

Holiday Itinerary by Coach
Day 1 UK to Northern France - Across to Calais and then onwards to our overnight hotel in Northern France in time for dinner.
Day 2 Northern France to Cologne - Here we join the ship in Cologne and have time to relax on board or explore this wonderful city. With its old town, gothic cathedral, shops, bars and cafes, Cologne has lots to enjoy.
Day 3 Cologne to Königswinter - A gentle morning’s sailing to this pretty summer retreat at the foot of the Drachenfels Mountain. You can take the cogwheel railway to the top and visit the Drachenfels Castle, from where the views are simply breathtaking.
Day 4 Königswinter to Boppard - Enjoy a full day on board to Boppard, an ancient fortress town, known as ‘The Pearl of the Rhine’. With its unspoilt promenade, it’s easy to see why it became a royal residence during Roman times.
Day 5 Boppard to Rüdesheim - Our next port of call is a popular resort in the midst of the German wine-producing region, famous for its Riesling grapes. Definitely worth experiencing is the Drosselgasse, a 15th century cobblestone pedestrianised street lined with restaurants, wine houses and openair taverns.
Day 6 Rüdesheim to Mainz - A morning’s cruise south to the former fort city of Mainz, which formed part of the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire.
Day 7 Mainz to Koblenz - Heading back northwards, we sail to Koblenz, where the Rhine meets the Moselle. It also marks the northern end of the Rhine Gorge, declared a World Heritage Site in 2002.
Day 8 Koblenz to Cologne - Continuing north to Cologne, there will be a Farewell dinner on board in the evening.
Day 9 Cologne to Northern France - We disembark the MV Virginia in Cologne and journey by coach to our overnight hotel.
Day 10 Northern France to UK - To Calais for our return ferry crossing to Dover, then home.

Holiday Itinerary by Rail
Day 1 London St Pancras to Cologne - We meet at St Pancras station and join the Eurostar service to Brussels. At Brussels we change trains and join the Thalys service onwards to Cologne. We then make the short transfer to join our ship the MV Virginia. You can relax on board or explore Cologne.
Days 2 to 7 Cruising - As per Holiday itinerary by Coach days 3 to 8.
Day 8 Cologne to London St Pancras - Time to say goodbye and take the short transfer to Cologne station to join the Thalys service to Brussels. At Brussels we change on to 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 - Flight to Cologne or Dusseldorf where you will be met by a representative and transferred to the MV Virginia.
Days 2 to 7 Cruising - As per Holiday itinerary by Coach days 3 to 8.
Day 8 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, Southampton

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

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

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