From one of the Rhine Valley's best locations, genteel riverside Boppard, cruise through the Loreley Valley to Rüdesheim's 'Christmas Market of Nations' and explore the festive ambience of Koblenz.
- Rüdesheim and its Christmas Market
- Rhine Cruise including lunch
- Koblenz & its Christmas Market
We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar for Brussels. On arrival in the Belgian capital, we continue on the high-speed service to Cologne. Here we transfer to a coach for the trip along the Rhine Valley to the wine town of Boppard for a four-night stay at the Hotel Bellevue. (D)
Today we join one of the KD cruise ships for a magnificent journey through the Lorelei Valley. Our ship takes us past some beautiful scenery, with hilltop castles overlooking the rows of precious vines and unspoilt riverside villages below, as we make our way to Rüdesheim. Lunch on board is included. In Rüdesheim you are free to explore the pretty town and its 'Christmas Market of Nations', where more than 120 stalls represent 12 nations, their specialities and traditions. Along the Drosselgasse and in the Old Town, shops and stalls offer a variety of produce, and the town's winemakers open their cellars to serve wine and other winter treats. Another option is to take a cable car ride up through the vineyards for panoramic views or to visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. We return to Boppard by rail this evening. (B,L)
You are free to spend today as you wish. Relax in the hotel, and make use of its leisure facilities, or perhaps explore the quaint town, which has a few remains from its time as a Roman settlement. Alternatively, take a ride on the local Hunsrückbahn Railway. The steepest standard gauge railway in Germany, the Hunsrückbahn climbs 984ft in the space of just 5 miles as it rises from Boppard to the village of Emmelshausen. (B)
Our excursion today takes us north wards to Koblenz, which is situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. We explore Koblenz's charming Old Town, and your time is free to discover its wonderful Christmas Market. More than 130 festively decorated wooden stalls fill the centre, each offering a range of festive gifts, decorations and regional delicacies. Whilst in Koblenz, be sure to visit Deutsches Eck, which marks the meeting point of the mighty rivers. The Electoral Palace is also a delight to explore. (B,D)
We transfer to Cologne by coach and then join the high speed rail service to Brussels. Here we join the connecting Eurostar back to St Pancras International. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of the
holiday
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