RHINE-MAIN DISCOVERY
10 NIGHTS | 05 OCT 2017 | EMERALD DESTINY®
COACH TOUR
& EMERALD
STATEROOM
COACH TOUR
& PANORAMA
BALCONY SUITE
COACH TOUR &
GRAND BALCONY
SUITE
COACH TOUR &
OWNERS ONE-BED
SUITE
£1,249
PP
£1,979
PP
£2,699
PP
£3,379
PP
Few things personify Germany quite like the Rhine, flowing through some of the
most beautiful, historic and quintessentially German stretches of the country. Begin
your tour by passing through the most famous city in Belgium, Bruges, a fairy-tale
like medieval town. Join your river cruise ship for a tour like no other, stopping off in
iconic cities unreachable by sea as you cruise along the Rhine at leisure. Tour through
Luxembourg and Lille on your route back to the UK.
EMERALD DESTINY®
2017 will see the launch of the brand
new Emerald Destiny, guiding you
through some of Europe’s most
magical stretches of water and help
you explore many of the continent’s
most arresting and enchanting
cities. This ship benefits from 72
generously-proportioned suites and
20 staterooms, all with a river view,
a chic bar & lounge and large sun
& viewing decks.
INCLUDESHOTEL STAYS IN
BRUGES, GERMANY& LILLE
BRAND NEW 2017
RIVER CRUISE SHIP
WINE, BEER&SOFTDRINKS
INCLUDEDWITHLUNCH&
DINNERONBOARD
COLOGNE, GERMANY
MILTENBERG, BAVARIA
BRUGES, BELGIUM
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
LILLE, FRANCE
GRAND BALCONY SUITE
PICKUP POINTS IN
MANCHESTER, KNUTSFORD,
BIRMINGHAM, OXFORD,
HEATHROW & DOVER
DAY 1
BRUGES, BELGIUM
We set off from home today for a mid-afternoon
ferry to France. Once on the continent we cross into
Belgium where we stop in Bruges. If you set out to
design a fairy-tale medieval town, it would be hard
to improve on central Bruges. Picturesque cobbled
lanes and dreamy canals link photogenic market
squares lined with soaring towers, historic churches
and old whitewashed almshouses.
DAY 2
EMBARK ON SHIP
This morning after breakfast we travel to Antwerp,
Belgium’s second city and biggest port. Without a
doubt, this charming city is the country’s capital of
cool. It has long been a magnet for everyone from
fashion moguls to art lovers and diamond dealers.
In the mid-16th century it was one of Europe’s
most important cities and despite severe WWII
bombing, Antwerp retains an intriguing medieval
heart with plenty of café-filled cobbled lanes, a
riverside fortress and a truly impressive cathedral,
along with its startling architecture. We continue to
Amsterdam where you will board Emerald Destiny.
You can unpack, relax in your room and explore all
of the ship’s fantastic facilities, like the on-board
heated swimming pool and bar, and the spacious
Sun Deck which offers brilliant panoramic views of
your surroundings.
DAY 3
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
This morning board a glass top canal boat and
explore Amsterdam’s maze of canals, cruising
past 16th century merchant houses and charming
churches, dating back to Holland’s Golden Age.
Then, take a city tour including a guided walk
around the famous landmarks of Amsterdam. After
lunch on board, depart on your first day sailing
through the Dutch countryside, including canals,
locks and windmills. Tonight the Captain will be
delighted to host a gala dinner.
DAY 4
COLOGNE, GERMANY
Enjoy free time on board your ship before arriving
into Cologne. Founded by the Romans, and one of
Germany’s oldest cities, Cologne is famous for its
magnificent World Heritage listed Gothic Cathedral.
Join your guide and explore the city including the
Old Town with its beautiful squares and historical
monuments. During your free time shop for
handicrafts or visit a local market before returning
to your ship.
DAY 5
CRUISING THE RHINE
Today we cruise through the spectacular Rhine
Gorge. Keep your camera at the ready as around
every bend there are stunning vistas of castles
perched above steep vine–covered slopes. We’ll
also pass the infamous Lorelei Rock where sailors
are said to have been lured onto treacherous
rocks by enchanted temptresses. We also pass
the impressive Pfalzgrafenstein Castle which was
formerly a toll gate perched on an island in the
middle of the river. In the afternoon we arrive
at Rüdesheim, one of Germany’s most popular
towns. Enjoy a cable car ride up to the impressive
Germania monument with stunning views of the
Rhine Valley, then free time to shop for handicrafts
or taste the famous Rudesheim ice coffee.
DAY 6
MILTENBERG, BAVARIA
Welcome to Miltenberg, a picturesque village on
the Main River, which creates an imitable feeling
of Bavarian life in medieval times due to the Old
Town being lined with well-preserved half-timbered
buildings.
DAY 7
WÜRZBURG, GERMANY
Known as the “Pearl of the Romantic Road”,
Würzburg is surrounded by sloping hills covered
with vineyards. After breakfast, visit the Bishops’
Residenz, one of Germany’s largest and most ornate
baroque palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Your tour highlights the palace’s unique
staircase, elaborate 18th century frescoes and the
amazing 3–dimensional stuccowork. Then join our
guide for a walking tour of Würzburg. Tonight join
your Captain for a farewell reception and dinner.
DAY 8
BAMBERG, GERMANY
Relax on board this morning as we cruise through
the Main–Danube Canal, to Bamberg. Feel the
magic of the past as you explore this UNESCO
World Heritage city with your guide. Boasting one
of Europe’s largest intact medieval town centres,
Bamberg is bursting with character and charm.
At the town centre is the largest preserved old
quarter in Europe. Around 2,400 listed buildings
and the centuries–old garden quarter form a special
cultural heritage. Admire hundreds of building
façades richly decorated in fascinating detail with
spectacular ornamentation.
DAY 9
HEIDELBERG, GERMANY
After disembarking Emerald Destiny we re-board
the Land Cruiser as we travel on to Rothenburg-
ob-der-Tauber, a well preserved medieval town.
You can enjoy views of the fortified town from
the perfectly intact town walls, complete with 42
gates and towers. Take a stroll through the winding
streets to see half-timbered buildings, flower boxes,
fountains and lovingly restored house fronts. And
no visit to Rothenburg is complete without visiting
the Christmas Store, housing more than 30,000
Christmas decorations, a museum and an exhibition.
Another short journey and we will be in Heidelberg,
which sits with the Rhine Valley to the north and
the Black Forest to the south in the Rhine-Neckar
triangle. Heidelberg was rebuilt in the 18th century
with baroque buildings either side of its historic
Gothic streets. The oldest and most impressive
building is Zum Ritter Sankt Georg which was built
in 1592 during the Renaissance and its façade is
abundantly decorated by ornaments. We will make
another stop for dinner before we transfer to our
overnight hotel.
DAY 10
LILLE, FRANCE
Depart after breakfast and travel via the motorways
through Germany to Luxembourg where we make a
stop around lunchtime. The Old City of Luxembourg
is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with one third
being landscaped green spaces. There will be time
to take the tourist bus or train in order to discover
the best of the sights. Or just take time for lunch,
sightseeing or shopping. We then continue on
to Lille, (Rijsel in Flemish) possibly France’s most
underrated major city. In recent decades this
once-grimy industrial metropolis, its economy
based on declining industries, has transformed
itself into a glittering and self-confident cultural and
commercial hub. Highlights include an attractive
old town with a strong Flemish influence, three
renowned art museums and stylish shops.
DAY 11
LILLE TO THE UK
After breakfast we will visit Tyne Cot Cemetery,
the largest cemetery for Commonwealth Forces
in the world before heading to Dunkirk for the late
afternoon ferry to Dover. After clearing the port
we will begin to say our goodbyes as we head back
north.
INCLUDES 7 NIGHT
RIVER CRUISE
INCLUDES 4 DAY
COACH TOUR
10
