We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar for Brussels (Standard Class). After changing trains we continue to Cologne (First Class), where we transfer by coach to Rüdesheim and our hotel for the next five nights, the Aumüller Traube. (D)

This morning our guided walking tour leads you through the quaint streets of Rüdesheim, a pretty town situated at the meeting point of four wine regions. We also include a visit to Siegfried's Museum, with its fine collection of mechanical musical instruments. The rest of the day is then free to explore the final day of Rüdesheim's 'Christmas Market of Nations', with 120 stalls representing 12 nations. Rüdesheim's market fills the pretty squares, quaint Drosselgasse and stretches along the Rhine Promenade. (B)

Christmas Eve features a leisurely cruise along the Rhine Gorge, past islands, pretty villages and vineyards towards Rheinstein Castle. (B,D)

Christmas Day's excursion by rail hugs the riverside before reaching Koblenz, where we change for the scenic journey into the Moselle Valley and Cochem. Here we enjoy a guided tour and wine tasting. On our return to the hotel a five-course Christmas dinner awaits. (B,D)

Today's excursion takes us by coach to Brohl, where we embark on a journey on board the Vulkan Express narrow-gauge railway. Dating back to 1901, the track stretches for almost 11 miles (18km) to the village of Engeln in the Eiffel hills, winding its way past castles, across viaducts and featuring a 1 in 20 incline between Oberzissen and Engeln. (B,D)

After breakfast we depart Rüdesheim by coach for Cologne. Here we meet our train for Brussels (First Class) where we join the Eurostar service (Standard Class) to St Pancras International. (B)

 B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday

All prices are per person and assume full occupancy of the room.
Please always refer to the website for up-to-date prices and availability.

Can there be a more civilised way to travel than by rail?

Viewing an ever-changing landscape from the comfort of your seat is surely the finest way to travel. When travelling by train, your journey is an integral and delightful part of your holiday experience. What you see from your seat is as much part of the holiday as arriving at the destination.

The high speed Eurostar trains link St Pancras International in London with Paris and Lille in France as well as Brussels in Belgium.

The First Class coaches are divided between Business Premier class and Leisure Select (soon to be re-named 'Standard Premier Class'), which is essentially Eurostar's equivalent First Class service for leisure, rather than business travellers. In your dedicated Leisure Select (Standard Premier Class) carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. Pick up a complimentary newspaper or magazine and look forward to your holiday in your spacious, comfortable seat. As part of the service you'll enjoy drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

Passengers travelling in Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet, which sells a range of snacks, meals, hot and cold drinks - including champagne!

More than fifteen years ago, Eurostar changed the way that people travel to Paris and Brussels forever. The rail service, which directly links the UK to France and Belgium via the Channel Tunnel, started operating in 1994.

Eurostar launched services from its new London station, St. Pancras International, and from Ebbsfleet International in Kent in November 2007 with the completion of the second section of the UK's first high-speed line. Following the move, Eurostar's fastest journey times have fallen with London-Paris taking 2 hours 15 minutes, London-Brussels 1 hour 51 minutes and London-Lille just 1 hour 20 minutes.

Travelling at up to 186mph (299km/h), Eurostar speeds through the Kent countryside before diving into the 31.4 mile (50.5km) long Channel Tunnel in Kent and emerging in Coquelles in northern France. From here the train travels to Lille before heading on to Paris or Brussels. From the heart of London to the heart of these great European cities, Eurostar services allow travellers to avoid long queues, lengthy transfers and the hassles of air travel while arriving at our destination more quickly than ever.

Our hotels have been chosen based on their location, the facilities and value for money. Where possible we select hotels with individual style and character, preferably run by local families as we find this gives our hotels a friendlier, more personal feel. We have worked with many of our hotels for over a decade.

The 4-star Hotel Aumüller Traube is well situated alongside the Rhine, not far from the railway station, KD's landing stage and just around the corner from the Rüdesheim's famous Drosselgasse. The hotel boasts a sauna (payable locally), an indoor pool and four restaurants. All rooms are equipped with a minibar, telephone and television.

• First & Standard Class rail travel as described
• 5 nights' hotel accommodation in your own room with breakfast each day
• 4 dinners
• 2 full day excursions, a cruise and 2 guided walking tours NB Single (Standard) class trains operate on excursions
• All transfers
• Services of your Tour Manager throughout

• Cancellation, medical & travel insurance from £21

Make even more of your holiday with some of these upgrades designed to make your holiday even easier. 

Upgrade to First Class accommodation on Eurostar (Leisure Select Class with a complimentary meal and drinks). Please contact us for a quote.

Extending your European holiday in Cologne

Many of our holidays include a final stopover in Cologne en route to London. Why not extend your holiday by enjoying an extra night or two in this attractive city, returning to London in your own time?

The Four Points Hotel or Grand City Hotel Cologne Centre, Cologne

Both hotels are well appointed 4-star hotels with a bar, lounge and restaurant. Room facilities include en suite bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities (available on request), minibar with free soft drinks, cable TV, hairdryer and telephone. A laundry service is available at both hotels.

Hotel im Wasserturm, Cologne

The Hotel im Wasserturm was once Europe's highest water tower, and is now a stylish and unique 5-star superior hotel. The 130 year old walls surround the elegant internal décor and architecture. Rooms are equipped to the highest standard and the hotel boasts a Michelin-star restaurant on its 11th floor, a further restaurant, lobby bar, sauna, solarium and fitness facilities.

We can book UK rail tickets from your local station to London to join your holiday. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes. Detailed below are our specially negotiated Standard Class off-peak return prices to London, based on your county of departure. Prices to non-London joining point (ie Edinburgh, Torquay and Holyhead) and prices for First Class travel are also available - please ask us for a quotation.

Prices are per person and are subject to change without notice.

We are able to book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow or Gatwick Airport for the night before your holiday. The hotels listed below are some of the more popular hotels our customers book, others available on request.

Prices are based on 2 sharing a twin room in May 2009, subject to availability. Prices may change without prior notice. Booking conditions apply.

If you wish to avoid taking your cases to and from London, we recommend Carry My Luggage. Carry My Luggage collects your suitcase from a few days before departure and delivers it to your main hotel. The system also works in reverse with luggage delivered to your home a few days after your return to the UK. Please note that Carry My Luggage do not deliver to all the countries we operate in. Prices and further details are available on request.

This page was printed from www.greatrail.com/tours/single-travellers-rudesheim-and-the-rhine-at-christmas-2010.aspx on 11 September 2010.
Call 01904 521 936 to discuss your holiday

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