Waters & Wines

Waters & Wines

This Cruise along two of Europe's most beautiful rivers, includes an array of points of interest from historic towns and villages to the vine clad slopes of the Rhine & Moselle Valleys. Enjoy the stunning scenery as you sail through magnificent mountains and rolling vineyards all from the comfort of the MV Virginia. The highlight of the cruise is the stop at Cochem and the annual Wine festival & Fireworks display. A cruise to experience the beautiful waters and the wonderful wines of Germany.

8 & 10 days from only £849

Holiday highlights
• Relaxed cruising passing vine-covered valleys, mountains and forests
• Rudesheim’s Drosselgasse
• Discover wonderful wines at Winningen
• Cochem’s annual Wine Festival & Fireworks

Optional excursions
• Siegfreid Musikkabinett
• Boppard
• Loreley & Neiderwald

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, you’ll be ready to sample a Kolsch – Cologne’s local beer
Day 3 Cologne to Koblenz - Here, where the Moselle meets the Rhine, Koblenz marks the Northern end of the Rhine Gorge World Heritage Site and contains historical sights such as the medieval Moselle Bridge, a number of gothic churches and the medieval old town.
Day 4 Koblenz to Rüdesheim - This morning we cruise south and stop at the popular resort of Rüdesheim, at the southern entrance to the Loreley valley, full of wine houses, restaurants and open air taverns. Take the chair lift up to the Niederwald Monument where you can enjoy some spectacular views of the Rhine and surrounding vineyards.
Day 5 Rüdesheim to Winningen - Our next stop is the village of Winningen, famous for the oldest wine festival in Germany. Above the village on the Witch Hill is the oldest known monument to the victims of witch persecution.
Day 6 Winningen to Cochem - We now leave the Rhine and sail to Cochem, the ‘Pearl of the Moselle’ and home to Reichsberg castle.The highlight of our cruise as we arrive this afternoon when the wine festival is in full swing, take time to join in the celebrations and explore this wonderful town. The day concludes with a fantastic firework display above the Rhine, Cochem and the castle.
Day 7 Cochem to Andernach - We continue on to the town of Andernach, founded by the Romans in 12BC and situated on an old Celtic settlement. There is time to explore the old town and the castle ruins as we moor overnight.
Day 8 Andernach to Cologne - We head North and return to our journey’s start point at Cologne. Arriving this afternoon, you have a final opportunity to explore Cologne or for last minute shopping. On board this evening will be the farewell dinner. 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 - 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.
Day 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 from: Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham, East Midlands, Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh, Luton, Glasgow, Norwich, Cardiff, Bristol, Aberdeen, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle

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