Rhine in Flames

Rhine in Flames

Come and enjoy the spectacle of the ‘Rhine in Flames’, an annual event when the countryside is illuminated with fireworks soaring into the dark nocturnal sky. We have captured three magical cruises where thousands of red Bengal lights and magnificent hilltop firework displays radiate over the river valley. A wonderful journey with time to explore the pretty riverside villages and historic towns whilst absorbing the scenery and sights of the Rhine Valley. A cruise combination of fire, water and light.

8 & 10 days from only £899

Holiday highlights
• Experience the ‘Rhine in Flames’ 2010
• Koblenz & the Rhine Gorge
• Boppard, the wine capital of the upper-middle Rhine Valley
• Discover Cologne, one of Germany’s oldest cities

Optional excursions
• Cologne city tour
• Siegfied's Musikkabinett
• Boppard city tour

Holiday Itinerary by Coach
Day 1 UK to Northern France - Across to Calais and then to the overnight hotel in Northern France.
Day 2 Northern France to Cologne - Here you’ll join the MV Virginia in Cologne and have time to relax on board or explore this vibrant city, with its shops and numerous sights to see.
Day 3 to 8 Cruising - Various - see below for dates & itinerary
Day 9 Cologne to Northern France - Journey by coach to your overnight hotel.
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 - Various - see below for dates & itinerary
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.

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.
Day 2 to 7 Cruising - Various - see below for dates & itinerary
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, and Southampton.

29 June 2010
Day 3 Cologne to Königswinter
Day 4 Königswinter to Boppard
Day 5 Boppard to Rüdesheim (Rhine in Flames)
Day 6 Rüdesheim to Mainz
Day 7 Mainz to Koblenz
Day 8 Koblenz to Cologne

10 August 2010
Day 3 Cologne to Andernach
Day 4 Andernach to Cochem
Day 5 Cochem to Koblenz (Rhine in Flames)
Day 6 Koblenz to Rüdesheim
Day 7 Rüdesheim to Boppard
Day 8 Boppard to Cologne

7 September 2010
Day 3 Cologne to Königswinter
Day 4 Königswinter to Koblenz
Day 5 Koblenz to Boppard (Rhine in Flames, Oberwesel)
Day 6 Boppard to Rüdesheim
Day 7 Rüdesheim to Mainz
Day 8 Mainz to Cologne

PORTS OF CALL
Königswinter – pretty summer retreat at the foot of the impressive Drachenfels Mountain.
Boppard – an ancient fortress town and the wine capital of the upper-middle Rhine valley.
Mainz – a former fort city and the capital state of Rhineland.
Koblenz – Marks the Northern end of the Rhine Gorge World Heritage Site with many historical sites to see.
Rüdesheim – At the southern entrance to the Loreley valley, full of wine houses, restaurants and open air taverns.
Cochem – ‘Pearl of the Moselle’ and home to Reichsberg castle.
Andernach – Founded by the Romans in 12BC and situated on an old Celtic settlement.

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