Ship: Olympia
Departure date: 6th October 2017
Duration: 9 Days
On our Blue Riband voyage Olympia cruises from the Middle Rhine, through the Rhine Gorge and to the Swiss city of Basel, before turning north and cruising to Cologne. En route, you'll call at Rudesheim, visit ancient Speyer and have the chance to explore your surroundings on a series of optional excursions.
Holiday Itinerary:
Day 1 - Fly to Cologne or Dusseldorf and join Olympia in the ancient Rhine town of Andernach. After a first evening meal on board, retire to your comfortable cabin.
Day 2 - Olympia heads upstream into the Middle Rhine - passing Koblenz and the Ehrenbreitstein castle - through a land of vineyards, castles and villages into the Rhine Gorge beneath the fabled Lorelei. This afternoon we'll arrive in Rudesheim. Stroll along the famous Drosselgasse, and join our optional excursion to Siegfried's Musikkabinett, travelling on the local 'Winzer Express' train.
Day 3 - A morning cruise brings you to the ancient city of Speyer. Join our included walking tour of this, one of the most important cities in the Holy Roman Empire, with its UNESCO-listed cathedral and fascinating Altstadt (old town).
This evening, enjoy dinner and entertainment on board, as Olympia moors in Speyer for the night.
Day 4 - Olympia arrives, this afternoon, in the beautiful Alsace capital of Strasbourg. Join a fascinating optional excursion by boat through the city's winding canals, and discover its soaring Notre-Dame cathedral - one of France's great Gothic churches - and the buildings of the European Parliament and the Council of Europe.
Day 5 - A leisurely cruise this morning brings you to Basel, Switzerland's only gateway to the sea. Explore the bustling Altstadt and Marktplatz, and perhaps take in the stupendous views from atop the magnificent Munster. This afternoon's excursion visits the spectacular Rhine Falls, with the option to take a boat ride (payable locally).
Day 6 - Today's full-day optional excursion reveals beautiful lakeside Lucerne, with its restored wooden 'Chapel Bridge'. Enjoy a guided walking tour before heading through the surrounding Swiss countryside to rejoin Olympia in Breisach as she pauses on her northward journey to Kehl.
Day 7 - After a morning's scenic cruising, Olympia calls at Mannheim, from where you can join an optional excursion to beautiful Heidelberg on the wooded south bank of the Neckar. One of Germany's 'must-see' destinations, Heidelberg has inspired poets - and operetta composers - for centuries.
You'll rejoin Olympia in Mainz, and have the opportunity to take a stroll through the town after dinner.
Day 8 - Cruise back, along the most romantic stretch of the Rhine, to Cologne. Here our final optional excursion introduces the city, with its twin-towered Gothic cathedral and surrounding Altstadt, before you join the Captain and fellow guests for a special Farewell Dinner and entertainment on board.
Day 9 - Bid "auf wiedersehen" to Olympia and her crew this morning, and transfer to the airport to board your flight home.
Whats Included:
- Return flights from selected local airports to Cologne or Dusseldorf
- Return airport-to-Olympia coach transfers
- Embark in Andernach, disembark in Cologne
- Eight nights' accommodation in a standard lower cabin (upgrade cabins available)
- Full-board arrangements while on board, including afternoon tea, coffee and cake, and late-night snacks
- Two cruises (north and south) through the Rhine Gorge
- A guided walking tour of Speyer
- Calls at Strasbourg, Mannheim, Rudesheim and Mainz
- A visit to Breisach
- An overnight stop in Basel, Switzerland
- On-board English commentary
- On-board entertainment including a welcome cocktail party and a Captain's Farewell Dinner
- Luggage porterage
- The services of a friendly, professional crew
- The services of a Newmarket Cruise Manager
Prices start from only £1,119 per person - call our friendly cruise consultants today for further details!