WINE TOWNS OF THE RHINE AND MOSELLE
NEW
12 nights FULL BOARD from £2499 14 nights FULL BOARD from £2099
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
Explore Amsterdam and Germany’s riverside wine towns…
The vineyards of Rudesheim
Day 1: UK to Amsterdam. Travel to Amsterdam and embark Spirit of the Rhine. Day 2: Amsterdam The Dutch capital is rightly popular for its friendly welcome, historic canals, world-class museums and galleries, and laid-back cafes and bars. This morning enjoy the local food and culture on an included culinary walking tour with a guide, alternatively opt for an included tour of Amsterdam by coach and canal to see the Royal Palace, the floating flower market, 19thcentury Rijksmuseum, the Skinny Bridge, the Jewish Quarter and more. Your ship sets sail at lunchtime and spends the rest of the day and night cruising towards Cologne. Day 3: Amsterdam to Cologne Arrive at lunchtime in Cologne, Germany's cultural capital. Enjoy an afternoon of exploring during an optional city tour or by using our state-of-the-art interactive map – don't miss the vast Gothic cathedral, started in 1248 to house the relics of the three Magi but not finally completed until 1880! Depart later this evening and cruise overnight towards Bonn. Day 4: Bonn to Koblenz. This morning you’ll wake up in Bonn, having arrived in the early hours. Join an optional walking tour to see sights such as the Electoral Palace, the baroque City Hall, and Beethoven's former home, now a museum dedicated to his life and work. This afternoon Spirit of the Rhine will cruise to Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle, arriving early this evening. Day 5: Koblenz to Rüdesheim Discover the riverside promenade and several historic churches, all set beneath the Festung
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Ehrenbreitstein citadel on top of the hill, which you may choose to visit on an optional excursion this morning. Early this afternoon your cruise continues through the UNESCOlisted Middle Rhine to the wine town of Rüdesheim, passing the fabled Lorelei Rock en route. This evening, enjoy an included wine tasting at a family owned winery in Rüdesheim. Day 6: Rüdesheim to Boppard This morning an optional excursion visits Siegfried’s Museum of Mechanical Music where over 350 self-playing instruments are displayed. Set sail over lunch, arriving in Boppard this afternoon. A choice of optional excursions include a wine tasting in one of Boppard’s historic towers or a guided tour of Rheinfels Castle. Your ship remains moored here overnight. Day 7: Boppard to Cochem Depart early this morning to arrive in Cochem this afternoon. With the romantic backdrop of neo-Gothic Reichsburg Castle, which sits atop a hill cloaked in vines, Cochem is one of the most visited places on the Moselle River. This afternoon an optional excursion visits the castle, which features the original 11th-century keep. The excursion will also visit a local vineyard for a wine tasting. Another optional tour explores the town by land train. Your ship remains moored here overnight. Day 8: Cochem to Traben-Trarbach. Set off early and cruise through the morning to the twin villages of Traben-Trarbach which straddle the Moselle. Known as the 'capitals' of the wine region, they are home to many art nouveau buildings. Enjoy an included wine
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tasting at a vineyard this afternoon. Spirit of the Rhine remains here overnight. Day 9: Traben-Trarbach to BernkastelKues Cruise this morning to BernkastelKues where this afternoon you’ll have the opportunity to embark on an optional journey aboard the panorama train, which passes St Nikolaus Hospital, the parish church of St Michael and the historic market square. Day 10: Bernkastel-Kues to Piesport. Spirit of the Rhine sets sail for the historic village of Piesport this morning, arriving shortly before lunch. Perhaps take the opportunity to sample an authentic Piesporter light white wine during an optional wine tasting excursion. Day 11: Piesport to Trier. Cruise through the morning to arrive this afternoon in Germany’s oldest city, Trier, founded in 16BC by Emperor Augustus. Trier lies in the heart of Germany’s oldest wine region, the Moselle, which is home to many fine white wines and its location close to the steep banks of the Moselle River was the location the Romans first chose to plant their vines. Trier retains many relics of its illustrious past, such as the Porta Nigra, one of the best-preserved Roman city gates in the world. Day 12: Trier. Enjoy an included morning tour to see the Roman city gateway, Porta Nigra, and the cathedral, the oldest Bishop’s church in Germany which still serves its original purpose as a place of worship. Day 13: Trier to UK. Disembark Spirit of the Rhine after breakfast for your return journey
