Highlights of the Rhine (8 days, Amsterdam - Zurich, 2013)

 

 

 

 

Day 1: UK - Amsterdam (D)

Travel from the UK a selection of ways with British Airways, KLM or Eurostar.
Travel from London Heathrow or London Gatwick with British Airways. Alternatively fly from up to 15 UK regional airports with KLM or travel Standard Premier aboard Eurostar from St.Pancras International to Brussels and on to Amsterdam by first class rail. (Supplements may apply)
Welcome to Amsterdam, a fascinating and compact city of picturesque canals. A Scenic Tours Representative will transfer* you to your luxury Scenic Tours ‘Space-Ship’. Tonight enjoy a Welcome Reception with your fellow travellers.
Next Seven Nights: Cruising

Day 2: Amsterdam (FB,L,D)

There is so much to enjoy. Choose one of the included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours: (1) a sightseeing canal cruise through the city’s 17th century architecture in a glass-top boat (2) explore Amsterdam the traditional way on a guided bicycle tour through the canals and over the wooden bridges. En route visit Dam Square, the Royal Palace and the war monument and then into the Red-Light district where you’ll see the Old church and Nieuw Market (3) a visit to the open-air conservation area and windmills of Zaanse Schans. Original buildings vividly depict Dutch life in the 17th and 18th centuries where once over 800 windmills industrialised this area. Back on board, time to relax and enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Dinner.

Day 3: Cologne (FB,L,D)

Today, cruise into historic Cologne, the fourth largest city in Germany. Choose one of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities: (1) famous for its grand cathedral, explore the city of Cologne on foot, seeing many of its impressive sights including ancient Roman walls and medieval churches (2) join your guide on your walking tour of Düsseldorf, taking in all the ‘must-see’ sights including the famous Altstadt and the Gothic town hall. This afternoon relax on board your Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ as you sail this picturesque pocket of Germany on the tranquil Rhine River.

Day 4: Koblenz (FB,L,D)

Today choose from one of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE options: (1) Join a guided tour of Koblenz, situated on both banks of the Rhine and at its confluence with the Moselle River; or (2) enter the breathtaking lower Moselle Valley to discover the treasures of this spectacular region including a visit to Cochem and its beautiful medieval castle; or (3) join the well-developed cycle-paths of Koblenz for your peddle-powered discovery of this gorgeous gem on the shores of the Rhine River. Why not sit back with a cool drink this afternoon on the Roof Garden Terrace of your Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ as we sail through the famous Rhine Gorge, with its stunning vistas of castles sitting high above steep vine covered slopes, headed for Rüdesheim. This evening, enjoy a special musical performance on board.

Day 5: Rüdesheim (FB,L,D)

All aboard the ‘Winzerexpress’ this morning bound for Siegfrieds Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, where you’ll enjoy an included guided tour of the many rooms of this fabulous museum complete with demonstrations. Then take a cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument, perched 250 meters above the Rhine River offering stunning panoramas of the local scenery.

Day 6: Mannheim (FB,L,D)

Today choose one of the following included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities: (1) take a guided tour of the romantic and picturesque cityscape of Heidelberg, home to Europe’s oldest university. Including a visit to the historic Heidelberg Castle and Baroque style Old Town (2) explore Speyer, one of Germany’s oldest cities, dominated by the Speyer Cathedral before a home hosted visit for some ‘coffee and conversation’ with the locals (3) for the speedsters amongst us, visit the Hockenheim Formula 1 track. Your tour includes entrance to the museum and an insider tour of the circuit which has been the setting for over thirty Formula 1 races.

Day 7: Breisach (FB,L,D)

Today, the choice is yours, step into France or go the other way where Germany awaits. Choose one of the following included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities: (1) a visit to the stunning Alsace wine region of France is a truly memorable experience. We’ll stop in the pearl of this region, Colmar, for a visit to a local winery to sample the delicious local wines in an incredibly pretty setting (2) step inside the setting of the fable, Hansel and Gretel, on your tour to the spectacularly beautiful Black Forest region in Germany. Delight your senses in the Vogtsbauernhof open air museum and tantalise your taste buds with a slice of delicious Black Forest Gâteau. On board your luxury Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ this evening, enjoy an entertaining musical performance akin to the region through which we are cruising.

Day 8: Basel - UK (FB)

After breakfast, transfer* to the airport for your flight home: fly to your choice of 13 UK regional airports via Amsterdam with KLM, travel with British Airways to London Heathrow or with a low cost carrier to London Gatwick. Alternatively, travel first class rail from Basel to Paris. Change stations in Paris and travel Standard Premier aboard Eurostar to St.Pancras International. *Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For guests who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.