Itinerary
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to France. Continue via the auto-routes of France to your overnight hotel, 3* Holiday Inn Reims Centre. From your central location you may like to explore this handsome city this evening, full of flair, medieval history and impressive architecture. Porterage on arrival and a 3-course set dinner are included DBB
Day 2 - Strasbourg
Head to Strasbourg today with some time in the afternoon to enjoy the city with its many surprises - historic architecture, hidden canals and waterways, and superb shopping. A chance to see the world-famous cathedral, the Palais Rohan and the picturesque banks of the Ill River. Board the MS Gérard Schmitter later this afternoon for the start of your 4-night 'all-inclusive' Rhine cruise adventure. Settle into your cabin, before enjoying a welcome cocktail with the crew followed by dinner. Cruise through the night. DBB
Day 3 - Koblenz
Enjoy a full day afloat as you cruise along the river, crossing the border into Germany at the town of Lauterbourg, and passing Speyer and Mainz before continuing to the most picturesque part of the romantic Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002. Pass by the legendary Loreley Rock, named after a beautiful maiden who, according to legend, threw herself into the river in despair over a faithless lover and was transformed into a siren. Before arriving at your overnight mooring in Koblenz later this afternoon, you will also sail through Kaub, Oberwesel and Sankt Goar and pass the atmospheric castle of Stolzenfels perched high above the river. The historic, 2,000-year-old city of Koblenz is located where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet, and where the 'Deutsches Eck' (German Corner) headland proudly marks the spot. There will be time to explore the city on your own this evening where the ship is moored for the night. Full board
Day 4 - Koblenz - Rüdesheim
A day of panoramas as you cruise back towards Rüdesheim passed Boppard to Sankt Goar and the Loreley. The scenery is simply spectacular, and a cruise is certainly the very best (and most relaxing) way to enjoy the river. Arrive this afternoon in pretty Rüdesheim with its undeniable charm of cobbled streets, cosy wine cellars and quaint, half-timbered houses. Here you can visit the 16th century Drosselgasse, which is packed with wine bars and traditional German music. Sample some local wines in a historic wine cave for an included guided tasting in a historic wine cellar as you get an insight into viniculture in the region. A visit is also included to the quaint Museum of Mechanical Instruments where artistic ingenuity combines with amazing feats of engineering from decades past. The ship remains in Rüdesheim overnight giving you plenty of time to explore. Full board
Day 5 - Rüdesheim to Mannheim
The ship departs early this morning to head towards Mannheim via Wiesbaden, Mainz, Nierstein and Worms. The ship will stop for the afternoon in Mannheim for the included excursion to the vibrant city of Heidelberg. Heidelberg attracts visitors from all over the world and with its fabulous baroque old town, beautiful riverside setting and rich literary heritage, it is easy to see why. A guided walking tour will show you the many different faces of Heidelberg and well as the majestic 'half-ruined' hill top castle (castle exterior, Great Terrace and Gardens only - return ride on the funicular railway included). Re-join the ship for this evening's Gala Dinner. Sail overnight towards Strasbourg. Full board.
Day 6 - Amiens
After a final buffet breakfast afloat, you will disembark the MS Gérard Schmitter this morning in Strasbourg. Your coach and driver await you for the drive to Amiens to check into the centrally located 3* Moxy Hotel Amiens for your final overnight with porterage and 3-course set dinner included. Amiens is the former capital of Picardy and is known for its mighty UNESCO World Heritage Gothic cathedral of Notre Dame as well as its lovely old quarter - a kind of mini Venice with its canals and colourful houses.
Day 7 - Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and start to the day before travelling back to the port for the return to England.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Full valid travel insurance and a valid passport are required
- Non-refundable deposit for a cruise holiday is higher than for a normal coach holiday
- Cancellation charges and final payment due date is different to normal coach holidays
- River cruisers may be moored alongside each other which may reduce/obscure the view from cabins and the dining room / lounge windows
- The dress code on board is informal but shorts or denim should not be worn during dinner in the restaurant. On the Captain's Farewell Gala Night some passengers do dress up for the occasion but this is entirely optional
- Tipping onboard is entirely at the passenger's discretion and should reflect their satisfaction with the services they have received. At the end of the cruise a ship's questionnaire will be placed in each cabin for comments and feedback, together with an envelope should you wish to leave a tip for the crew. A guideline for tipping is approximately €5 per day
- Itinerary routes and timings may be subject to change for navigational reasons and passenger safety. The captain and cruise operator reserve the right to modify the cruise itinerary if necessary
Deposit required £100
Full payment required 90 days before departure
Cancellation Charges for this cruise
Cancellation prior to 90 days Loss of deposit
Cancellation 89 - 0 days 100%
CroisiEurope T&Cs apply to the cruise element of this holiday. CroisiEurope reserves the right to cancel cruises in the event of force majeure or recurrent weather conditions or natural events (rising or dropping of water levels, cyclones, etc.)-or for circumstances making it impossible to enjoy certain services because of risks to passenger safety-at any moment before departure without any other obligation than reimbursement of paid amounts. If this occurs, customers cannot claim any additional compensation. In the event of cancellation CroisiEurope will propose to passengers, when possible, a substitute cruise having an equivalent value. Passengers will have the right to choose between this substitute cruise or be reimbursed under the conditions provided in these Terms and Conditions. If the passenger accepts the substitute cruise, no reimbursement or compensation will be given. CroisiEurope reserves the right to cancel cruise up to 21 days before departure because of the lack of participants. In this specific case, customers cannot claim any compensation.