Love Scenic Cruises? Were in the same boat
Cruising the Christmas Markets of the Rhine Valley
Coming up shortly, we will begin our Christmas Market tours, and this is one not to be missed. Cruising down the Rhine Valley, stopping off at the markets of Rüdesheim, Koblenz, and Cologne, you really will be in the Christmas spirit. Rüdesheim is transformed from a little romantic town to a place buzzing with festive cheer. With over 120 stalls, there’s plenty to do, but we would suggest trying their coffee made with locally distilled Asbach Uralt Brandy, whipped cream, and traditionally served in an authentic Rüdesheim coffee set. After making your way back to the ship, you will be invited to the Captain’s dinner and party evening to warm up and let loose.
Koblenz market will give you the perfect opportunity to pick up some fabulous handmade gifts and decorations to bring home with you. There’s an array of stalls making fresh German Christmas cakes and biscuits right in front of your eyes. And to top it off, the magical Cologne. There are several markets you can find around Cologne, but the most impressive would have to be the market at Cologne Cathedral. With a dramatic backdrop, there’s nothing more quintessentially German than sipping mulled wine and indulging in an unlimited array of sweets. Click here to view this tour.
New Year Festive Celebration Rhine Cruise
Bringing in the New Year cruising on the Rhine River. Starting in Cologne, you will board the M.S Rhine Princess for a four-night cruise. You will have your chance to visit the beautiful city of Cologne. The home of the Kölner Dom, there’s plenty to see and do. You could treat yourself to a shopping spree in the elegant Belgian quarter, leave a love lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge, or visit the chocolate factory to pick up some treats for your journey. Of course, as it’s a New Year’s trip, you won’t miss the party.
After cruising to the beautiful Roman town of Andernach, then onto Oberwest, you will enjoy a daytime coach trip to Rüdesheim, then rejoining your ship in Koblenz for your Gala dinner party. You can view the fireworks in style as they light up the town around the river. After partying the night away, you could indulge in some hair of the dog as we take an optional excursion to Moselle Valley for wine tasting at the Anton Hammes wine estate, which has been family-owned for over 150 years. You will spend your last night in the town of Bonn, the former capital of West Germany. For anyone interested in classical music, Bonn is best known for being the birthplace of Beethoven. You can enjoy your final dinner before heading off home from this fantastic trip. Click here for more information on this tour.
Iberian Peninsula Cruise & Lake Garda
If you’re looking a bit further ahead and a warmer climate is more your style, the Iberian Peninsula Cruise & Lake Garda cruise could be the one for you. You will stay for ten nights cruising on the Costa Fortuna, spectacular in every detail. This superb vessel offers four restaurants and eleven bars, which include a Cognac and Cigar Bar. The ship includes a choice of swimming pools, jacuzzis, a theatre on three levels, a casino, shops, and a disco.
You will greet the Costa Fortuna in Savona for a 10-night cruise, but not before you’ve stopped off at Lake Garda for a full-day tour and the beautiful city of Venice, where you can enjoy the spectacular sights mentioned in our Venice blog. The first stop on your cruise will be the beautiful town of Marseille, where you can visit the Notre-Dame de La Garde and get your hands on a bar of the traditional Savon de Marseille soap, scented with lavender, verbena, or honey, to take home with you as a gift or a treat for yourself.
You will then make your way to Spain, stopping off at Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, and Cadiz. You will then head on to Portugal, where you will stop off in Lisbon, where you can visit the world’s most expensive chapel, Sao Roque, and head up the Santa Justa Elevator for sweeping views of the spectacular city. Heading back through Spain, stopping off at Vigo and La Coruna, your final stop will be in Le Havre in France, where you can sample some famous Normandy cider and cheese to top off this fabulous 15-day trip. You can view this tour here.
Norwegian Fjords Cruise
The last of our featured cruises is certainly not least: the Norwegian Fjords Cruise. Setting sail in June, you will be taken on a breathtaking tour of western Norway. Once again, you will take sail on the Costa Fortuna. You will start off your tour with a day in Amsterdam, where you can visit the fantastic museums and the world-famous coffee shops. In such a vibrant city, you will wonder where the day has gone when you board the ship and head off for your Norwegian adventure.
Springtime in the Fjords is when they really come to life, as the sun starts to shine on the mountains, turning them spectacular colors. The temperature will typically vary between 14-16 degrees Celsius, so be sure to take some warm clothes. You will stop off in Bergen, Hellesylt, Andalsnes, Olden, Flam, and Stavanger. The Fjords are canals reaching inland from the coast where the mountains emerge from the ocean. You will sail through the fjords, taking in the breathtaking natural beauty. Be sure to take your camera on this 12-day break, as the photos will be treasured for a lifetime. To view the itinerary for this tour, click here.
For more information and even more Leger Cruises, visit our website www.leger.co.uk.
