From Koblenz to Switzerland

WHAT’S INCLUDED
Departing on June 22nd & September 29th 2009 (other dates available on request)
10 days 9 nights duration
Return executive coach
Return Eurotunnel crossings
9 nights full board accommodation on board the mps Amsterdam
Included excursion package
FREE place for the group organiser (based on twin share - minimum numbers apply)

* Flight packages also available

This exceptionally popular cruise ‘border-hops’ and winds its way through the romantic Rhine gorge of Germany, the relaxing Alsace region of France and into the northern mountain slopes of Switzerland. From the ship you will see countless aristocratic castles perched on the hillsides, attractive Rhineland towns and villages with their half-timbered buildings, as well as pretty river tributaries rushing to meet the mighty Rhine. Our excursions in Switzerland simply provide the icing on the cake to this sumptuous cruise where having viewed the mightiest waterfalls in central Europe, you are driven through the Jura mountains to visit the picture-postcard resort of Lucerne. Wunderbar!

ITINERARY

Day 1 Having travelled to the Rhineland town of Andernach, settle yourselves aboard the mps Amsterdam. Sit down to your first evening meal as she casts off to sail as far as Koblenz at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers.
Day 2 Casting off this morning from Koblenz, we cruise up the Rhine through the dramatic narrow Rhine Gorge to reach the attractive, typical Rhineland town of Rüdesheim. Whilst berthed here, you surely won't want to miss our Rüdesheim Highlight excursion that features an awesome ride to the heights of the gorge by cable car. This evening we include a further excursion, sampling some of the Rheingau region's best wines on our Rüdesheim by Night excursion. Experience the delights of the Drosselgasse, the captivating street of traditional taverns.
Day 3 Whilst you are still tucked up in your cabins, your Captain casts off to sail out of the narrow Rhine Gorge into the Rhine's broader waters. We make a late afternoon stop in Speyer where a walking tour of the city is included. Speyr was once a Free Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire of German Nations. You will take dinner onboard as the Captain again casts off for an evening's sail as far as Germesheim where we stop for the night.
Day 4 Your Captain will again be up before you to cast off for the next leg of our journey, this time cruising through the lush Rhine Plains. crossing over the border into the Alsace region of France we berth at Strasbourg just after lunch. Those who wish can then join the included afternoon coach excursion into Strasbourg. Following dinner on board the ship, a further excursion is included, in the form of a canal cruise of Strasbourg, aboard a glass topped canal cruiser.
Day 5 Another early start sees us pressing on through the Rhine Plain to reach the small town of Breisach at around lunchtime. It is from here that our excursion up into the cooler mountain slopes of the Black Forest departs. Those who elect not to join the excursion can either relax on board or explore the quaint old town of Breisach. We all meet up again later for dinner on board ship.
Day 6 Before breakfast, the mps Amsterdam will be setting her course for your next destination of Basel, just across the border in northern Switzerland. Straddling the Rhine between the Alsace, Black Forest and the Jura Mountains, the ancient university and trading city of Basel is a centre of art and research. Your choice of activity for this afternoon will be either free time in Basel or you may choose to join us on an excursion to Schaffhausen to view the Rhine Falls, the mightiest waterfall in central Europe. We all meet up again on board for dinner together this evening.
Day 7 As soon as you have breakfasted this morning we set off by coach through the Jura Mountains to reach the Swiss resort of Lucerne. In the meantime, the mps Amsterdam retraces her route back down the Rhine to relocate in Breisach, awaiting our return. We cast off again early evening travelling through the Rhine Plains, via a number of fascinating locks, to reach the former fishing village of Kehl. We moor for the remainder of the night.
Day 8 Leaving Kehl in the early morning, the river port of Mannheim is our destination for a lunchtime stop today. This afternoon offers an excursion to delightful Heidelberg. Whilst the coach tour is away, the mps Amsterdam relocates herself to Mainz to await the excursion's return in the late afternoon. Following dinner on board this evening, you will have some free time to walk around this ancient city that was the former centre of Germanic Christendom. Greatly rebuilt following the bombing raids of World War II, Mainz has a museum and university named after its most famous son, Johannes Gutenberg, who is regarded as the inventor of printing.
Day 9 The final "leg" of our cruise gets underway before breakfast so settle back in your seat on the sundeck and take in the magnificent scenery of the Rhine Gorge as we pass the fabled Loreley rock, the confluence with the Moselle river at Koblenz, the foot of the Seven Mountains and the former capital of West Germany, Bonn. On our arrival in Cologne we suggest an afternoon walking tour of the city. This evening sees you spending a final night on board with your new friends.
Day 10 Bidding a sad farewell to our Captain and his crew, we disembark the mps Amsterdam after breakfast and commence our return journey home.

PRICE & SUPPLEMENTS
Price from £899.00 twin share
Supplements apply for single cabins

HOW TO BOOK

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For your instant quote / more information:
Call Simply Groups on 01943 605999 or
click here to use our online enquiry form.

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