Rhine Cruise to Switzerland

By Coach, 9 days Full Board. Departing September, October, November 2011 & May 2012. NOW from only £399 - save up to £1,000 per cabin!!!

The breathtaking beauty of the Rhine Gorge and the prettiest corners of France, Germany and Switzerland will be revealed on this terrific Rhine Cruise. This cruise holiday from Germany down through France to Switzerland includes visits to Strasbourg, Rudesheim and Basle. Enjoy panoramic views of snowy peaks, mountain streams and forests from the comfort of your excellent vessel, not forgetting great food and a very warm welcome. This river holiday is a great way to experience some of Europe's most beautiful scenery and to explore some wonderful towns and sights.

22nd September, 8th October & 1st November 2011 - NEW Tango Demonstration & Dancing NEW Latino Themed Evening including cocktail experience.

5-Day Break

Day 1 – Breisach Selected early morning coach pick-ups and journey to Dover/Folkestone for the 7.00am crossing to Calais. Alternatively join at the Holiday Inn Ashford North. Our coach then continues through Germany where you will join the MS Arlene in Breisach. After your evening meal on board, we remain berthed here overnight. D
Day 2 – Breisach - Basle After breakfast, we cruise to Basle, the cultural heart of Switzerland. After lunch on board, we offer an included orientation tour of Basle, followed by time at leisure. After your evening meal, perhaps explore the town by night and enjoy a drink at one of the many fashionable bars here. B,L,D
Day 3 – Basle Today, you will have a full day at leisure in Basle, but we’re sure you’ll want to take advantage of our breathtaking optional Grand Switzerland Tour. Tonight we remain berthed in Basle. B,L,D
Day 4 – After breakfast, our vessel will be cruising from Switzerland to Breisach in Germany. After lunch on board no visit to this enchanting region would be complete without joining our optional Black Forest Panorama Tour. This evening we remain berthed in Breisach. B,L,D
Day 5 - Breisach - Strasbourg This morning we cruise to the French city of Strasbourg following lunch join our included orientation tour, followed by time at leisure. This evening we remain berthed in Strasbourg. B,L,D
Day 6 - Strasbourg - Speyer Depart Strasbourg and sail to the lovely town of Speyer. Following lunch on board, we offer you the opportunity to join our optional Heidelberg excursion. Tonight we remain berthed in Speyer. B,L,D
Day 7 - Speyer - Rudesheim Cruise downstream to the delightful village of Rudesheim. Arrive in Rudesheim and choose from two great excursions. Take a cable car 250 metres above the Rhine on our Rudesheim and Niederwald Experience or keep your feet on the ground with our Siegfried’s Mechanical Musik Kabinett & Wine Tasting. We remain berthed in Rudesheim this evening. B,L,D
Day 8 - Rudesheim - Koblenz This morning, as you’re enjoying breakfast, we will be making our way down the mighty Rhine to the fascinating medieval town of Koblenz. Standing proudly on the confluence of the Rhine & Moselle, Koblenz is our destination today. From 1st May - 16th October 2011 the Koblenz National Garden Show will be taking place, which we offer you the opportunity to visit with us, or take a trip on our Cochem and Magical Moselle Valley excursion. Our Captain’s Farewell Dinner will take place this evening and we remain berthed in Koblenz. B,L,D
Day 9 - Koblenz After breakfast we must bid farewell to the MS Arlene and her crew and journey back to Calais for the 5.30pm return crossing. From here we will return you to your original pickup point. B

B=Breakfast Included, L=Lunch Included, D=Dinner Included

Look what's included

• Stays in Breisach, Basle, Strasbourg, Speyer, Rudesheim & Koblenz
• Eight nights accommodation in a twin bedded Grade 1 en suite cabin
• Full Board, welcome drink and Captain's Dinner
• Entertainment on board
• Complimentary tea & coffee
• Return coach travel from your local area
• Return Channel/North Sea crossings
• Full Services of a Tour Manager on board

Optional and Included Excursions:

Day 2 Basle Orientation Tour (Included)
Enjoy our orientation tour of Basle, followed by time at leisure. Be sure to explore the perfectly preserved old town where you'll discover the impressive Cathedral, historic Town Hall and
traditional market place.

Day 3 Grand Switzerland Tour (£24.99pp)
Join our breathtaking tour of the Bernese Oberland. Travel through picturesque alpine scenery, over the Brunig Pass and along Lake Brienz, to the famous Interlaken. In the afternoon, visit the world-renowned glacier village of Grindelwald, where there will be the opportunity to take a ride by chair lift. There will also be a visit to the beautiful Lake of the Four Forest Cantons, Lake Lucerne, famed for stylish shops and historic buildings.

Day 4 Black Forest Panorama Tour (£19.99pp)
From Breisach this unforgettable tour will take you past the Feldberg, the highest point in the Forest, to a clock factory which houses one of the largest cuckoo clocks in the world. You will also experience the best of the Black Forest scenery, taking in enchanting wooded valleys full of traditional houses and farms.

Day 5 Strasbourg Orientation Tour (Included)
This fascinating city is rich with historic monuments, museums and architecture, with highlights including the magnificent cathedral and Petite France, Strasbourg's remarkable old town.

Day 6 Heidelberg (£19.99pp)
Famed for its pink sandstone castle, this lovely city is regarded as one of the most beautiful in Germany. Its picturesque setting, surrounded by mountains, forest and vineyards, has long been an inspiration to famous artists.

Day 7 Option 1 - Wine tasting & Siegfried's Mechanical Musik Kabinett (£19.99pp)
You'll be transferred by land train to an excellent wine cellar in Rudesheim in order to sample the local product, followed by a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musik Kabinett where you can see the remarkable collection of mechanical instruments. Step back into an era of Marlene Dietrich and dance hall fever on a magical mechanical music trip.

Day 7 Option 2 - Rudesheim and Niederwald Experience (£19.99pp)
Hop on the little noddy train which takes you from the MS Arlene and up into the centre of Rudesheim, where we stop to enjoy a traditional Rudesheimer Coffee - made with the famous local Asbach Brandy! From here we glide on a cable car, 250 metres above the Rhine to the impressive Niederwald Monument for spectacular views over the Rhine. The monument is 132ft high and about 120ft wide, the main figure of the monument is the Germania (made of 32 tons of bronze), bearing the Imperial sword and the German Emperor's crown. Take in the breath-taking views or visit the gift shop and café, before at your leisure taking the cable car back down to Rudesheim, to enjoy free time.

Day 8 Option 1 - Cochem and the Magical Moselle Valley (£19.99pp)
Cochem is famed for its unique position beneath the Reichsburg Castle and for its bustling market place. This excursion also includes an enchanting journey through breathtaking scenery, taking in delightful locations such as Beilstein, a medieval town with crooked passages and charming buildings.

Day 8 Option 2 - Koblenz National Garden Show (£29.99pp)
Feast your eyes on the colour of thousands of flowers and blooms at the Electoral Palace with its uninterrupted views of the Rhine. The Blumenhof will display creative horticultural sculptures and gardens displaying plants and flowers from biblical mythology. Take a trip on the cable car over the Rhine and you'll find the largest area, the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress enthroned high above the valley with astounding views of the Rhine, the Moselle and the city.

Excursion Saving Package
Book 5 or more excursions in advance and save 10%.