CHAMBER MUSIC ON THE RHINE WITH THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC
NEW
7 nights FULL BOARD from £1699
aboard Spirit of the Rhine
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– see pages 144-149 for details No fly option
Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required.
SPIRIT OF THE RHINE THE RHINE AND HER TRIBUTARIES
Enjoy on-board concerts performed by musicians from the Royal Academy of Music and an exclusive concert at The Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on this musical cruise along the Rhine.
Admire Amsterdam’s canals
Day 1: UK-Amsterdam. Embark Spirit of the Rhine and begin the overnight journey to Düsseldorf. Day 2: Düsseldorf Look forward to spending the afternoon in Düsseldorf, where Robert Schumann held the position of Municipal Director of Music from 1850 to 1857, during which time he composed Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major Op. 97, the ‘Rhenish Symphony’. The fourth movement of which was later praised by Tchaikovsky as “brilliant a monument to the greatness of the human spirit… as Cologne Cathedral itself”. While here enjoy an included tour of the Old Town – a square kilometre full of churches, art and more than 250 pubs, bars and cafes. Join a guide on a stroll through the backstreets and discover why the Gothic St. Lambertus church has a twisted tower. See the Burgplatz (square) with the Schlossturm (palace tower) and from here, it's a short walk to the Rhine embankment promenade which offers a view of Düsseldorf's skyline and the Oberkassel Rhine banks. Set sail this evening and cruise overnight. Day 3: Bonn Arrive early this morning in the former capital city and perhaps join an optional excursion exploring the highlights this morning. The tour takes you to the banks of the Rhine near the Bonn Opera House to see the imposing view of Germany‘s oldest nature park, Siebengebirge and seven hills. You’ll also visit Beethoven’s birthplace, which includes a museum, archives and chamber music hall where you can learn more about the life and work of the great composer. This afternoon you may like to witness the world’s highest cold-water geyser on an optional excursion to Andernach.
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Day 4: Bonn to Rüdesheim Following an early sailing from Bonn, you’ll arrive mid morning in the wine town of Rüdesheim, famous for the 'olde-worlde' taverns of the famed Drosselgasse. Perhaps join an optional excursion this afternoon to either a local winery for a tasting, or to Siegfried's Museum of Mechanical Music. Your ship remains moored here overnight. Day 5: Rüdesheim to Koblenz This afternoon you’ll sail into Koblenz, situated at the point where the Rhine meets the Moselle and it's one of Germany's oldest towns with a history spanning 2,000 years. Stroll the riverside promenade where you’ll see several historic churches, all set beneath the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress on top of the hill. Perhaps take a cable car up to the fortress on an optional excursion. Day 6: Cologne Enjoy a morning exploring some of the city’s many highlights on an included guided tour. See the Altstadt, or old town, which has been sensitively restored to it's pre-World War II glory, the towers of Gross St Martin, the town hall and Gothic cathedral. Building started in 1248 to house the relics of the three Magi but was not finally completed until 1880. The shrine to Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar – now among the patron saints of Cologne – sits behind the high altar. Cologne has also given its name to the world’s most famous toilet water – Eau de Cologne – manufactured here since the 18th century. Depart Cologne later this afternoon. Day 7: Amsterdam The Dutch capital is rightly popular for its friendly welcome, picturesque canals, world-class museums
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and galleries, and laid-back cafes and bars. This morning perhaps enjoy the local food and culture on an included culinary walking tour with a guide. You’ll take a tram to Central Station from where you’ll begin a walking tour of the Dutch capital while tasting local delicacies including herring, cheese and croquettes along the way. Alternatively, you could join an included tour of Amsterdam by coach and see the Royal Palace on Dam Square, the floating flower market, the Central Railway Station, which is built on thousands of wooden piles, and the 19thcentury Rijksmuseum. Afterwards, enjoy a canal cruise to the city centre with its historic bridges and gabled houses and see the famous Skinny Bridge, the Montelbaanstoren tower and the Jewish Quarter. This evening take your seat in the recital hall of The Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam for an exclusive performance of classical music. Day 8: Amsterdam to UK. Disembark Spirit of the Rhine after breakfast for your return journey to the UK.
EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY Amsterdam 2 night with breakfasts included. Before your cruise stay two nights at the locally rated 4-star Westcord Fashion Hotel (4Q). The hotel is located within walking distance of the Vondelpark and has great links to be able to explore the capital at your leisure. It is a five-minute walk to the tram which arrives into Amsterdam Central approximately 15 minutes later. Available only when you fly or travel by Eurostar. Please see page 143 for details.
