Rhine & Moselle Valley Cruise

Rhine & Moselle Valley Cruise

Taking in two of Europe’s most spectacular rivers, this trip is simply steeped in history. From Germany’s fourth oldest city to ancient medieval towns, this cruise is a relaxing journey set amongst a backdrop of scenery and sights that will leave you spellbound. A wonderful cruise with an array of ports of call to riverside villages, magnificent vineyards, hilltop castles,  mountain ranges and stunning scenery. This popular cruise is sure to provide a truly memorable trip.

8 & 10 days from only £879

Holiday highlights
• Cologne, one of Germany’s oldest cities
• The Roman town of Andernach
• Discover wonderful wines at Winningen
• Rüdesheim’s Drosselgasse

Optional excursions
• Cologne city tour
• Tour of Boppard ‘Pearl of the Rhine’
• Loreley Rock & the Niederwald Monument
• Tour of Berkastel-kues

Why not pre-book your excursion package? Price includes excursions noted above for just £79 per person.

Holiday Itinerary by Coach
Day 1 UK to Northern France - Across to Calais and then onwards to our overnight hotel.
Day 2 Northern France to Cologne - We join our ship, the MV Virginia, at Cologne, which was founded by the Romans and is one of Germany’s oldest cities. The old town contains the magnificent gothic cathedral, the most visited monument in the country.
Day 3 Cologne to Andernach - Andernach, one of the oldest towns in Germany, was founded by the Romans in 12BC and has its own dialect – the ‘Andernacher Platt’. Medieval remains of old town fortifications, castle ruins and the old town wall can be explored.
Day 4 Andernach to Winningen - In the morning we set sail downstream for Winningen, a village dominated by the surrounding terraced vineyards and home to the oldest wine festival in Germany. High above the village is the oldest-known monument to the victims of witch persecution.
Day 5 Winningen to Cochem - Heading down the Moselle River we come to Cochem, once protected by a feudal castle – the Reichburg – dating from 1051. This pretty town is full of charm, with its narrow streets, twisting alleys, lovingly restored half-timbered houses, ancient market place, medieval town gates, churches and old town walls.
Day 6 Cochem to Koblenz - The medieval centre of the old part of Koblenz town is still recognisable and is based on the layout of the Roman town. There is much to see here including St Castor gothic church, the medieval Moselle bridge, the Jesuit church and college, and the old theatre.
Day 7 Koblenz to Rüdesheim - Cruising southwards we stop at Rüdesheim, a popular resort in the midst of Germany’s wine growing region. A popular attraction is the Drosselgasse – a 15th century cobblestone street lined with wine houses and open-air taverns.
Day 8 Rüdesheim to Cologne - We continue sailing north to where the journey started, with a Farewell dinner on board in the evening.
Day 9 Cologne to Northern France - We say a fond farewell to the MV Virginia and journey by coach to our overnight hotel in Northern France.
Day 10 Northern France to UK - Calais, 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.
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 the 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