The Royal Academy of Music Spirit of the Rhine

7 nightsFULL BOARDfrom£1699

Includes insurance and cancellation cover§ Price reduction available if not required. aboard Spirit of the Rhine – see pages 144-149 for details No fly option

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 ofers 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. 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 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.

selected cabin grades FREE CABIN UPGRADE worth up to £150^

Enjoy classical performances

JOINING YOU ON BOARD…

Kyan Quartet: Formed in early 2020 at the Royal Academy of Music, Kyan Quartet consists of violinist Michelle Dierx, who completed her Masters at the Royal Academy of Music; violinist Sydney Grace Mariano who earned her Bachelors at the USC Thornton School of Music; violist Rachel Spence is the Sir Elton John Scholar at the Royal Academy of Music; and Simon Guémy, who entered the CRR of Paris in 2005 before entering the Royal Academy of Music with a scholarship.

Trio Mazzolini: Formed in late 2019 and is made up of violinist Jack Greed, cellist Yurie Lee and pianist Harry Rylance, all of whom are recent graduates from the Royal Academy of Music and are current Chamber Music Fellows.

RIVER CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

The Royal Academy of Music

Founded in 1822 by Lord Burghersh, the Royal Academy of Music is the world’s second oldest conservatoire and in 2022 it will celebrate its 200th anniversary. The Academy’s illustrious alumni range from conductor Sir Simon Rattle to percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie and its principal Jonathan Freeman-Attwood CBE is himself an accomplished trumpeter, recording producer, writer and broadcaster. The Royal Academy of Music seeks out and supports the musicians today whose music will move the world tomorrow and your cruise will be accompanied by musicians from the Academy. Kyan Quartet will join the first half and Trio Mazzolini join the second half, between them they will perform five on-board concerts and one at the Royal Concertgebouw.

Düsseldorf, Germany

Amsterdam

NETHERLANDS

Rhine

GERMANY

Düsseldorf

Cologne

Bonn

Koblenz

Rüdesheim

Kyan Quartet SO MUCH INCLUDED…

Included travel insurance

VIP door-to-door travel service – see page 155

20 meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners

Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner

Cruise Host Expert lecturer

Interactive maps and audio headsets for independent exploration.

Plus... Five on-board concerts from musicians of the Royal Academy of Music • Drinks reception and Captain’s dinner • Complimentary Wi-Fi on board • All gratuities on board • Return flights and transfers.

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS

• Düsseldorf walking tour • Cologne city tour • Sightseeing tour of Amsterdam OR culinary walking tour of Amsterdam • Exclusive concert in Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw.

Trio Mazzolini

Prices are £s per person from: Apr 6, 2022 Lower Deck Twin (Forward - E) 1899 1699 Lower Deck Twin (D) 1999 1799 Middle Deck Twin, French Balcony (Forward - C) 2349 2249* Middle Deck Twin, French Balcony (B) 2449 2249 Upper Deck Twin, French Balcony (A) 2599 2249 Lower Deck Sole occupancy (D) 2799 2599 Middle Deck, French Balcony Sole occupancy (B) 3199 2999 Upper Deck, French Balcony Sole occupancy (A) 3449 3349* Cruise code AN936 Chamber Music on the Rhine with The Royal Academy of Music. 7 nights. ^Free cabin upgrade from twin Middle Deck B grade to Upper Deck A grade, subject to limited availability. *These cabins have limited availability. §If you choose to opt out of the included insurance and cancellation cover, a reduction applies of £20 – see page 150 for details. TRAVEL OPTIONS: Prices based on return coach travel from Folkestone to Amsterdam via Eurotunnel or ferry. Eurostar standard is available for a supplement departing from London St Pancras direct to Amsterdam. Flights from Heathrow are also available for a supplement.

Be quick – to be guaranteed the best price, book early as flights can sell out and prices sometimes increase.