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Flights
Flights are currently possible from Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester, Edinburgh & Birmingham Airports to Cologne ssubject to availability at time of booking the flights, and a supplement may apply. Alternative UK departure airports may become available, we will look at all options when you book.
• Flights include 1 checked in bag (usually no more than 20kgs) and 1 carry on bag per person – weight/size subject to airline rules.
• Flight duration around 2 hours.
• Transfer time to ship around 30 mins.
Please call us on 01895 83 33 33 to discuss your flight requirements.
Rhine Wine Festival, Lightning Night & Moselle River Cruise
8 days by Rail or Air, 25 September 2023, from £1699 per person
Itinerary
Day 1: UK to Cologne
Depart London St Pancras in the morning on Eurostar to Brussels, arriving in just over 2 hours. Continue by coach to Cologne and the MS Traviata. Alternatively travel to and from Cologne by air from regional UK airports – see flight information and options. Time to settle into your cabin before dinner. Entertainment and free drinks in the lounge. Overnight in Cologne.
Day 2: Cologne to Andernach
Early morning we begin our cruise to Andernach, a quiet riverside town with winding streets and historic architecture. Explore on your own or join our optional guided walking tour. Entertainment and free drinks in the lounge. Overnight in Andernach.
Day 3: Andernach to Cochem
Early morning we continue along the Rhine to Koblenz where we enter the tranquil Moselle river with rolling vineyards and lush greenery. Arriving in Cochem early to mid-afternoon there is time to explore on your own, or join our optional guided town walking tour with wine tasting – try 5 wines of this unique region. Wine tasting only also available. Entertainment and free drinks in the lounge. Overnight in Cochem.
Day 4: Cochem to Koblenz
Early morning we cruise back to Koblenz arriving early afternoon. You will be free to explore on your own, we recommend taking the cable car over the Rhine to the imposing Ehrenbreitstein fortress, or join our optional walking tour of the town. Entertainment and free drinks in the lounge. Overnight in Koblenz.
Day 5: Koblenz to Rüdesheim
This morning we sail through the Middle Rhine passing countless castles, fortresses and sleepy hamlets in the narrowest and deepest part of the river, marked by the legendary Lorelei Rock, arriving in Rüdesheim mid-afternoon. Our optional 2-hour guided town walk includes the cable car to the Niederwald Monument. Alternatively, our optional tour by land train takes us from the ship through the vineyards and town to the famous Drosselgasse – a unique cobbled lane just 144 metres long, packed with bars, restaurants and live music – to enjoy a delicious Rüdesheimer Kaffee made with local Asbach brandy. Entertainment and free drinks in the lounge. Overnight in Rüdesheim.
Day 6: Rüdesheim to Boppard
Early morning we sail back through the middle Rhine to Boppard arriving early afternoon. The town’s treasures include romantic squares, small lanes and the Rhine Allee (Riverside Promenade), filled with trees and flowers. Enjoy one of the highlights of the year in Boppard, the Wine Festival in the market square, with various wine stands for wine-tasting, music and entertainment. Tonight is the highlight of the cruise as we enjoy the Lightning Night on the Middle Rhine when the night sky erupts into a million stars with a spectacular fireworks display. Entertainment and free drinks in the lounge. Overnight in Boppard.
Day 7: Boppard to Cologne
We sail from Boppard in the early morning enjoying a relaxing day on board, before arriving in Cologne early afternoon. Time perhaps to visit the magnificent gothic Cathedral before a farewell dinner on board. Entertainment and free drinks in the lounge. Overnight in Cologne.
Day 8: Cologne to UK
After Breakfast we disembark and transfer by coach to Brussels where we take the Eurostar to London St Pancras arriving during the afternoon. Or, transfer to Cologne airport for your flight back to the UK.
Note: Order of itinerary subject to change depending on local conditions.
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
- Andernach guided walk, 1.5hrs – £18pp
- Cochem Walking tour & 5 Wine tasting, 2.5hrs – £39
- OR Cochem 5 wine tasting, 1hr – £25
- Koblenz guided walk, 2 hrs – £18pp
- Rüdesheim Highlights – land train tour to Drosselgasse & Rüdesheimer Kaffee, 1.5hrs – £39pp
- OR Rüdesheim guided walk & cable car to Niederwald Monument, 2hrs – £29pp
Excursions must be booked prior to departure. 10% excursion discount when you pre-book 1 in every town above. All operate subject to minimum numbers.
Accommodation
MS Traviata
GN Holidays & Voyages is exclusively chartering the elegant, four-star MS Traviata for our Rhine Wine Festival, Lightning Night & Moselle River Cruise in september 2023. Formerly the Switzerland II, the ship has been renovated and now accommodates 110 guests in spacious and comfortable cabins including 24 new french balcony cabins.
The impressive Reception on the Ruby deck and the adjacent areas resemble a top quality boutique hotel.
At the front of the ship, enjoy the magnificent lounge with bar, dance floor and easy chairs.
The Sun deck has loungers, chairs and covered areas with wind protection so suitable for all weathers.
Restaurant – The restaurant on the Emerald Deck features large picture windows. It is light and airy with elegant decor and furnishings engendering a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Diners can enjoy generous buffet breakfasts, plus lunches from the buffet and served at your table. Dinner is a daily highlight with four courses served at your table.
Leisure facilities – On the Sun Deck there is a large awning, plenty of chairs and a giant chess set. On the ruby deck you will find the small boutique and the reception which is open 24/7.
Decks & Cabins –Cabins all have window, TV, safe, hair dryer, individually, controlled heating and cooling system, shower, WC, double, twin or single beds . Cabins are situated over two decks with a choice of S-grade Suite A- Upper Deck French Balcony, B-E grade Emerald Deck with panoramic window.
Please note: Please note: When docking ships can be moored side by side so views from the cabin may be obscured.
SUITES – The ship has two suites on the Ruby upper deck. These spacious suites are 25 m², twice the size of the standard cabin, and equipped with French balconies* and all the facilities of the standard cabins plus a king-size double bed and a sitting area.
*French Balconies appear like a regular balcony, with the exception the railing is placed directly behind the glass, meaning you cannot step out onto a separate space. The glass is almost full cabin width and height like a sliding patio door.
RUBY DECK FRENCH BALCONY – Situated on the same level as the lounge/bar. Cabins are available with two single beds or one double bed.
EMERALD DECK – B to E grade cabins with fixed panoramic window are on the lower deck with the restaurant accessed from the reception via a short flight of steps. Cabins have two single beds or one single bed.
Ship’s stats
Length: 100 meters • Breadth: 11.40 metres • Passenger Capacity: 110 • Passengers
Length: 100 meters • Breadth: 11.40 metres • Passenger Capacity: 110 • Passengers
What Our Customers Say
Just to say how much we all enjoyed the Danube Fortunes Cruise. Our first holiday with you and our first river cruise, won't be the last. We've recommended your company to friends. Read more “‘Fortunes’ River Cruise”
Mr & Mrs.Greenwood, Mr & Mrs.Ellis & Mr & Mrs.Bamford.
The presentation of all concerned, a good attitude by all staff and crew. GN hosts were excellent. the pace of the tour was just right and very relaxing. Having never heard of GN Holidays before seeing the ad, we were very sceptical on what to expect, but we are very happy with our experience, and would book and recommend them to anybody. Read more “Rhine Wine Festival”
The holiday had a relaxed atmosphere with freedom to do as much or as little as you liked at each location. Read more “Rhine Wine Festival”
J Robertson
The friendliness on board and good all round entertainment was fine, not to mention the good food and wine. Read more “Rhine Wine Festival”
F Bellamy
I, like so many other,s are only ready to make a complaint, BUT, not this time. I would like to say a big thank you and well done on the river cruise. We had never heard of GN Holidays until we saw the advertisement in the Daily Mail, we liked the itinerary, but were sceptical, and thought we would give it a go not knowing what to expect. We were very pleasantly surprised, the ship and crew of the Carmen were excellent, as was the pace of the tour, the GN tour manager Sheena, the host Gareth and the singer Chris Baker all deserve special praise. Read more “Rhine Wine Festival”
R Frear
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