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Free standard class return tickets to London from your local station, on selected 2019 European holidays by rail when you book between 15th February 2019 and the 10th May 2019.
Historic Trier, picturesque Cochem and charming Bernkastel are highlights on a tour that samples the best of meandering Moselle as well as a journey along the Rhine.
We depart from our dedicated Departure Office at St Pancras International by Eurostar to Brussels. Upon arrival at the Belgian capital, we continue our journey by train to Trier via Luxembourg. We stay in Trier for the next five nights at the Hotel Deutscher Hof where we enjoy a welcome drink on arrival.
The whole of Trier as a city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and with so much to discover in its plazas and bustling streets, this comes as little surprise. Thought to be Germany's oldest city, Trier is rife with ancient Roman ruins occupying the same street corner as classic Baroque architecture and brightly coloured town houses.
We depart by rail to Cochem, the Moselle Valley's most visited town, dominated by a 1,000-year-old castle with Renaissance and Baroque furnishings. Boasting exceptional surroundings thanks to its location on the banks of the Moselle River, Cochem is a popular place to visit, hidden as it is in verdant forests and looming hills. It is considered one of the prettiest towns on these riverbanks, thanks, no doubt to the classic architecture found in the old town houses.
Cochem's Old Town is a quaint square featuring half-timbered buildings and charming shops. Towering above the city on a rocky throne sits the glorious fairytale Cochem Castle. Built around 1,000 AD by the count of Cochem, Cochem Castle has been burnt down, blown up and generally mistreated by various people throughout the years, before being restored to its former glory (with some improvements) by a Berlin business man in 1868.
Wine production and trade is an important source of economical input. This town and the surrounding region is dotted by family owned vineyards producing superb local wines which are sold in Cochem. We enjoy a wine-tasting of local Moselle wines before returning to Trier by train.
Our excursion today takes us by rail to Koblenz, an ancient town with roots stretching back as far as the Romans. Whilst here, we have time to explore the beautifully preserved Old Town before we enjoy a cruise through the stunning scenery of the Rhine Valley. This river actually runs through six European countries on its way to its outlet in the Netherlands, drifting through some exceptionally attractive landscapes, valleys and forests. Our cruise takes us past the half-timbered river bank houses and past the low farmlands of this picture perfect region.
Today is free in Trier. The ruins of various Roman spaces are fantastic to explore. The large Roman amphitheatre is in superb shape, with the walls in the centre still very much intact and many of the animal pens explorable. Likewise, the Trier Imperial baths are fantastically well-preserved, making them a perfect snapshot into the lives of the aristocratic Romans who bathed here.
Today we take a coach to Bernkastel-Kues, a famous 700-year-old wine town. Bernkastel features a lovely market square adorned with fountains and surrounded by half-timbered houses, and we enjoy a cruise on the majestic Moselle River, a great way to admire the valley scenery. From the vineyards on its steep banks, to various castles, stately homes and churches, the Moselle is an ever changing painting full of glorious sights, smells and colours. Enjoy the superb views of isolated farmlands, stately homes and charming German villages as you drift by the green banks, and keep an eye out for the Moselle's swan population dotted on the shores and waters. After the cruise, your time is free to explore the charming town and maybe sample the local Riesling. We return to Trier by coach where we enjoy a farewell dinner tonight.
Leaving Germany behind, we leave Trier by train, travelling to Brussels. Here we join the Eurostar and return to St Pancras International. On arrival into the English capital, your tour comes to an end.
Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.
Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.
An escorted experience and all travel arrangements
Comfortable accommodation in your destination
Delicious meals included
Exciting excursions and free time to explore
Enhancing your tour
Please note: This tour may be suitable for reduced mobility passengers, please call for further information.
On 31st August twenty seven strangers were met by Martin
Lockwood at St Pancras International ready to board the 10.58
Eurostar service to Brussell Midi en route to Trier.
Martin ensured that everyone was in good time to negotiate the
Eurostar booking in procedures security and passport control and
settle us on the train. Our holiday followed the itinery and the
hotel and weather were superb. The visits to beautiful towns, short
history lessons, wine tasting, river cruises and even a Wine
Festival were first class - not quite sure how Martin managed to
co-ordinate this last one! The whole holiday was thoroughly
enjoyable.
On the last night at Dinner the twenty seven by now friends
presented Martin with a well deserved "Thankyou" gift.
One of Germany's most picturesque regions
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