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Experience the delights of three of Europe’s most picturesque waterways on this fantastic river cruise, sailing through the very heart of Germany. Sit back and relax as we cruise through charming river valleys, home to steep vineyards, fairy tale castles, pretty wine towns and historic cities. With a choice of two itineraries, you can set sail in either May or September onboard the MV Esmeralda, allowing you to spend time in spectacular ports-of-call including Cologne, Passau, Nuremberg and Rüdesheim. This is a river cruise you won’t want to miss.
12 days from £1,469 pp
We offer flexible payment options
Once you have booked your tour either online, or by telephone ( 01709 787 463 ), you have the flexibility of how you pay off the remainder of your balance. You can:
Our contact and online banking payment details will be on your confirmation invoice to remind you of your choices.
Upon joining your coach, please have your passport/correct documentation ready to show your crew! On arrival in Calais we make our way through France, Belgium and Germany to the city of Cologne where we board our cruise ship, the M.V. Esmeralda, for our nine-night cruise. Please note that case distribution can take up to 1 hour and any medication should be carried in your hand luggage.
After breakfast we arrive in the town of Koblenz, situated on both sides of the Rhine and at the confluence of the Moselle River. This point is marked by the Deutsches Eke (German Corner) and its monument of Emperor William I on horseback. After a short amount of free time we enjoy a day of fantastic scenery as we cruise through the Rhine Gorge and past the legendary Loreley Rock. We pass vine-clad slopes and majestic fortresses, before reaching the ever popular ‘wine town’ of Rudesheim where we moor overnight. Rudesheim is home to the vibrant ‘Drosselgasse’, a narrow alley lined with restaurants, shops and bars, many playing traditional Rhineland music and the perfect place to enjoy a glass of local wine or beer. Why not join our optional ‘Highlights of Rudesheim’ excursion, enjoying sightseeing by little road train and visiting Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum. Our ship will sail from Rudesheim overnight.
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.| 2019 | |
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£19.00 |
We set sail in the early hours of the morning along the Rhine and then join the Main River to Aschaffenburg arriving at around lunchtime. Aschaffenburg is a compact town and many of its sights can be seen on foot. One of the major sights to see is the Johannisburg Palace, made of red Bunter sandstone and considered to be one of the most significant and beautiful Renaissance buildings in Germany. Later this afternoon we set sail to Miltenberg arriving later this evening. We remain berthed in Miltenberg overnight.
We set sail early this morning and continue our cruise along the Main River to the town of Wertheim located on the confluence of the rivers Tauber and Main. Wertheim is best known for its wine, castle and medieval town centre so explore the town or even take the time to visit the Wertheim Castle (additional fee may apply). You can also join an optional excursion, enjoying a city walk around Wertheim. Then after a morning at leisure, enjoy a relaxing cruise to the town of Wurzburg arriving just after midnight.
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.| 2019 | |
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£11.50 |
Morning finds us in Wurzburg. For those passengers who wish to stay aboard the ship, a full day of cruising awaits. Those who wish to see more of Wurzburg you can spend the morning at leisure and explore. The city is known as 'The Pearl of the Romantic Road' and is home to the 18th century Residenz Palace, the Romanesque St. Kilian Cathedral and the old Main Bridge. Alternatively, why not join our optional guided sightseeing tour to introduce you to the most important sights. After a morning of free time join our coach and head to the nearby town of Ochsenfurt to re-join our ship and continue our cruise to Schweinfurt arriving late evening.
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.| 2019 | |
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£19.00 |
We set sail from Schweinfurt in the early hours of the morning and continue our cruise arriving into Bamberg this morning. Bamberg is considered to be one of the true highlights of Bavaria, best represented in its stunning medieval architecture and half-timbered buildings. Explore the winding streets, the Imperial Cathedral, Old Town Hall, the Royal Neue Residence and Bamberg's 'Little Venice' area. To make the most of your time here, why not join our optional guided sightseeing tour? This afternoon we continue our cruise to Nuremberg arriving late evening.
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.| 2019 | |
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£20.50 |
Enjoy a further full day cruising or alternatively spend the morning at leisure in Nuremberg allowing you free time to explore. This cosmopolitan city offers a bustling market square, which provides the main hub of activity with its restaurants, shops and bars. An optional guided sightseeing tour will be available to introduce you to the sights. This afternoon we continue, by coach, to the town of Hilpoltstein to re-join our ship for the cruise to Riedenburg.
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.| 2019 | |
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£20.50 |
We continue our cruise to Kelheim, where we have free time, before cruising along the Danube to Regensburg, arriving mid-afternoon. Regensburg is one of the largest and most well-preserved cities in Bavaria. Founded by the Romans, highlights include the Dom St. Peter and the Old Town Hall. Pretty squares offer an unspoilt view of the city’s architectural masterpieces.
Included Highlights
In the early hours of the morning we head to Passau, picturesquely set where the Danube is joined by the Inn and Ilz Rivers. We are due to arrive after lunch which will allow you time this afternoon to explore at your leisure. This evening we spend our final night on board ship.
Included Highlights
We disembark our ship early this morning and re-join our coach for the journey to the charming town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This former imperial town is the perfect place to experience medieval and renaissance life in Germany as it was actually lived. Narrow towers and imposing ramparts; winding alleyways and picturesque oriels and half-timbered houses lovingly decorated with window boxes and hanging baskets make this a lovely place to explore. After free time we continue to our overnight hotel near Mannheim.
Included Highlights
We continue our journey to the overnight hotel in Belgium. En route we once again visit the Cathedral city of Cologne. Here you can enjoy some free time to explore the many shops and boutiques. During the Second World War around 90 percent of Cologne’s inner city was reduced to rubble. Today the Rhine metropolis is the fourth largest city and one of the most outstanding travel destinations in Germany and Europe. The Cologne cathedral, famous around the world, dominates the panorama of the city and is still today the second highest building in Cologne after the telecommunications tower. Maybe take time to visit the famous Gothic Cathedral, with its most celebrated work the Sarcophagus of the Magi thought to hold the remains of the three wise men. The local cuisine, with its many traditional pubs and restaurants, is highly varied and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Whether it’s relaxing on the Rhine promenade or drinking a Kolsch in one of the typical breweries – a visit to Cologne is always worthwhile!
Included Highlights
Return home.
*Heidelberg excursion available on September tour only.
Cabin Upgrades (per person) |
Twin |
| Promenade Deck Cabin | £110 |
No single rooms/cabins available.
Travel Insurance from £38.00 (12 days) (includes insurance premium tax, prices per person).
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.
We head into Germany and travel along the scenic ‘Romantic Road’, visiting the charming medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, before an overnight stay in Bavaria, Central Germany.
Included Highlights
We head to Passau, picturesquely set where the Danube is joined by the Inn and Ilz Rivers. After some free time, we board our cruise ship, the MV Esmeralda, for our nine-night cruise. We cruise overnight from Passau to Regensburg.
Included Highlights
We cruise along the Danube towards Regensburg, arriving early afternoon. Regensburg is one of the largest and most well-preserved cities in Bavaria. Founded by the Romans, highlights include the Dom St. Peter and the Old Town Hall. Pretty squares offer an unspoilt view of the city’s architectural masterpieces. Why not join our optional city tour? We moor in Regensburg overnight.
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.| 2019 | |
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£20.50 |
We continue along the Danube to Kelheim, where we have free time before cruising to Bachhausen, arriving later this evening.
Included Highlights
We cruise along the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg. This historic city offers a bustling market square, which provides the main hub of activity, with its restaurants, shops and bars. To see more of the city, why not join our optional sightseeing tour?
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.| 2019 | |
|---|---|
|
£20.50 |
We cruise to Bamberg on the River Main, one of the true highlights of Bavaria, best represented in its stunning medieval architecture and half-timbered buildings. Explore the winding streets, the Imperial Cathedral, Old Town Hall, the Royal Neue Residence and Bamberg’s ‘Little Venice’ area. To see more of the city, join our optional sightseeing tour. We cruise overnight to Kitzingen.
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.| 2019 | |
|---|---|
|
£20.50 |
We arrive in Kitzingen this morning for a brief stop. Later this afternoon we continue our cruise on to Wurzburg, where we moor overnight. The city is known as 'The Pearl of the Romantic Road' and is home to the 18th century Residenz Palace, the Romanesque St. Kilian Cathedral and the old Main Bridge.
Included Highlights
We cruise to Wertheim. Enjoy a relaxing day of sailing while taking in the beautiful scenery of the Main River.
Included Highlights
Relax as we continue our cruise towards Mainz, arriving around lunchtime. After calling at Mainz, the ship continues its cruise to Rudesheim, or alternatively, why not join our optional excursion by coach to Heidelberg, before rejoining the ship at Rudesheim.
Included Highlights
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.| 2019 | |
|---|---|
|
£18.00 |
A day of fantastic scenery as we cruise through the Rhine Gorge and past the legendary Loreley Rock. We continue past vineclad slopes and majestic fortresses, before reaching our final destination, Cologne, the capital of the Rhineland. Spend the afternoon exploring this fine city with its main focal point being the Dom Cathedral.
Included Highlights
We disembark and return home.
*Heidelberg excursion available on September tour only.
Cabin Upgrades (per person) |
Twin |
| Promenade Deck Cabin | £110 |
No single rooms/cabins available.
Travel Insurance from £38.00 (12 days) (includes insurance premium tax, prices per person).
Book online OR call our friendly travel advisers on:
01709 787 463
If you prefer, then you can join the tour at the hotel. To do this, we will require a copy of your passport for identification purposes and you must advise us at the time of booking.
No reduction will be given if you should choose to do this.
We are unable to guarantee that the hotel will be able to meet your dietary requirements. We find that the majority of European countries do not generally cater for vegetarians and that the meal supplied may well be what everyone else is having minus the meat.
We will of course endeavour to arrange for a vegetarian meal at the hotel. We do however suggest that you advise us of your dietary requests at the time of booking and recommend that you speak to the receptionist on arrival with regard to your request.
You will spend nine nights aboard the 3-star MV Esmeralda. Cabin accommodation is on two decks: main and promenade. There is a lounge with bar, restaurant and sun deck. All cabins have twin beds, en suite facilities with shower, picture window and a safe. The MV Esmeralda has a lift between the main deck and the promenade deck, and a stair lift between the promenade deck and the sun deck.
Your overnight hotels in Belgium and Germany will be in city-style hotels.
Am Hofgarten , 89312 Günzburg,
Siegfriedstraße 1, 64646 Heppenheim,
Front row seats can be reserved for £14pp (up to 6 days' duration), £22pp (7 & 8 days' duration) and £25pp (9 days' duration and over) on all European tours. This offer is only available for bookings of two or four persons on the front row and is subject to availability. In addition to this, seats on the second row can be reserved for £7pp (up to 6 days duration), £14pp (7 & 8 days duration) and £17pp (9 days duration and over). Guaranteed front/second row seats cannot be reserved on transfer journeys to/from the interchange. Children under 15 years cannot occupy a front row seat due to French Law. Central view seats are free.
Please note: On some coaches the legroom on front seats may be slightly less than that available on other seats due to the presence of a modesty board in front.
If your tour is cancelled for any reason and front/second row seats are not available on your new tour, you will be refunded the supplement. No other compensation will be payable.
Alternatively, we can take seating requests on your booking. However, requests are not guaranteed. All seat numbers are confirmed on travel documents approximately 7-10 days prior to departure.
Transfer coaches are routed approximately 2-3 weeks before departure. The route taken depends on where paassengers are booked to travel from on any particular date as to which route is taken. If you require further detailed information regarding the route to the port you can contact our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 two weeks before you are due to travel.
With regard to the route taken by the main tour coach, this is determined by the driver.
When it comes to getting you to your destination, Leger Holidays make it easy, with a selection of travel options for you to choose from.
You can join your coach at your nearest joining point – we’ve hundreds to choose from throughout England, Scotland and Wales. To find your nearest pick up, search using your postcode below.
*Please note pickups are subject to availability.
Why not go the night before your tour for a relaxing start?
You can park for FREE for up to nine days at the Holiday Inn Ashford North and enjoy an overnight stay with English breakfast from just £39.50 per person (Based on 2 sharing a twin/double room on a B&B basis, subject to availability. Single supplements and terms and conditions apply.) We’ll then collect you from the hotel on the day of departure and return you there at the end of your holiday.
To book this package, please call the hotel on 01233 713333, quoting ‘Leger Holidays’ and your booking reference. If your holiday is longer than seven days you can pay for additional days’ parking. Ask one of our friendly reservations team for more details when you book your holiday
On most holidays if you’d prefer to join your tour coach at Stop 24 services, you can park your car in the car park which is accredited by the Park Mark safer parking scheme and is monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV. Payment for the parking is made on arrival using the self-service machines. Excludes holidays to Ireland and the U.K. and tours travelling via Brittany Ferries.
On Single Traveller holidays and coach holidays of 7 days’ duration or more, you don’t even have to think about getting to your local joining point. If you live within 20 miles of one of our free joining points we’ll pick you up from your home and take you to meet your transfer vehicle, then return you back home at the end of your holiday. The cost is from £35 per booking each way for up to four people per booking.
If you live a little further afield, you can also take advantage of this convenient option for an additional charge – please enquire at the time of booking.
Travelled on this tour? You can submit your review to: feedback@leger.co.uk
To book this tour, just give our friendly team a call on 01709 787 463 or book online at www.leger.co.uk
