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Journey through the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland as you follow the winding course of the mighty Rhine. Travel between vastly different riverside settlements, exploring the tulip-growing town of Haarlem, Cologne's atmospheric old town and the roaring cascade of the Rhine Falls.
Depart London on your scheduled flight to Basel. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your ship. Take a moment to settle into your cabin and enjoy a welcome cocktail with the crew before dinner.
Spend a morning at leisure in Breisach, giving you the chance to visit the Romanesque St Stephansmunster Cathedral which overlooks the town. An afternoon tour carries you to Colmar where you'll soak in the pastel-coloured houses and winding canals of the neighbourhood of 'Little Venice'. Travel onward to the Unterlinden Museum for a tour of its vast collection of local and international artwork.
After a morning of cruising, you will arrive in Strasbourg to explore the medieval remnants of this French city. Walk through diverse districts, including the 'German Quarter' and European District which house the Palace of Europe and the European parliament building, providing a fascinating juxtaposition to the city's more historic sights. Take a guided tour of the cathedral before continuing on through the UNESCO-listed Petite France district, a romantic quarter of the city characterised by canals and timber-framed buildings. Later this evening, enjoy an evening of entertainment on board.
Today you will meander down the most scenic stretch of the Rhine. Spend your day absorbing the gorgeous natural scenery carved by the river and viewing the settlements on its banks. On arrival into Mainz, take a guided tour of the city and uncover its colourful history which dates to Roman times. Be captivated by the Romanesque Cathedral as you explore its grand interior, brimming with historic tombs and funerary monuments. Wander through the vibrant streets of the Old Town, stopping at the Guttenberg Museum which houses an extensive collection of printing equipment, materials, and books, including the oldest printed book in the world.
Journey onward to Cologne where you'll set out on a walking tour of this bustling commercial and industrial city. Travel into the heart of the city and marvel at the grand facade of the towering Cologne Cathedral. Although its construction began in 1247, this iconic building took five centuries to complete, and the area also boasts 12 additional Romanesque-style churches which circle the cathedral. Continue your tour into the old town with time at leisure to wander this network of historic streets. Later this evening, enjoy a gala dinner on board.
Disembark in Emmerich-am-Rhein to visit the open-air museum in nearby Arnhem. Located in a picturesque, wooded park, the area is home to 80 historic farms, windmills and public buildings which provide fascinating insight into everyday Dutch life, customs and traditions. Immerse yourself in this wonderful experience and appreciate the quaint architecture on show, which ranges from charming, green painted houses to traditional Gelderand farms. Return to your ship for an evening of entertainment.
This morning, take a coach journey to Haarlem, the 'City of Flowers' which is renowned as the country's vibrant tulip-growing centre. Discover the city's artistic heritage and its unique character and colourful landscape which have inspired generations of painters. Explore the architectural delights of the city gate of Amsterdamse Poort, the main square of Gote Markt and the immense Gothic structure of the Cathedral of St Bavo, with time at leisure to take in more of the city sights before returning to your vessel.
Disembark after breakfast for your airport transfer and return flight to the UK.
A visa is not required for British nationals travelling to Holland, France or Germany. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of bookin
If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of £250pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Your flight is to Basel Airport and returns from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol with British Airways (BA) departing from London Heathrow Terminal 5. Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage plus 1 item of hand luggage not exceeding in size and 1 personal item such as a handbag, briefcase or laptop case. Weight restrictions will be finalized on final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-In should be at least 2 hours before departure.
IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you.
If you wish to arrange Airport car parking, lounges or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extra Tel. 0871 360 2000, quoting HX313.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This river cruise is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves moderate days of walking on cobbled streets and getting on and off the cruise ship. This cruise is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The currency in Holland, Germany and France, as well as onboard, is the Euro (EUR). The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF). We recommend that you exchange currency before you leave the UK, however cash machines are available in most towns and cities to withdraw money in the local currency.
This cruise is All-Inclusive, so you will only need to take a little extra money with you to cover any premium drinks on board and souvenirs, drinks and snacks purchased when off the ship, as well as any optional excursions you wish to book. Tipping is at your discretion. There is an envelope in your cabin for this purpose that can be handed to the reception at the end of your cruise. Credit cards are accepted on board ship and throughout Holland.
| Depart UK | Arrive UK | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Dates | |||
| 22 Apr 2024 | 29 Apr 2024 | £1899 | |
| 06 May 2024 | 13 May 2024 | £2299 | |
| 02 Jun 2024 | 09 Jun 2024 | £2299 | |
| 29 Jun 2024 | 06 Jul 2024 | £2099 | |
| 13 Jul 2024 | 20 Jul 2024 | £2099 | |
| 27 Jul 2024 | 03 Aug 2024 | £2099 | |
| 10 Aug 2024 | 17 Aug 2024 | £2099 | |
| 24 Aug 2024 | 31 Aug 2024 | £2099 | |
| 07 Sep 2024 | 14 Sep 2024 | £2199 | |
| 21 Sep 2024 | 28 Sep 2024 | £2199 | |
| 18 Oct 2024 | 25 Oct 2024 | £2199 | |
Treat yourself to a better vista! Cabin and Deck upgrades are available for an additional supplement. For prices and availability please call our Reservations Consultants or Book Online.
If you're travelling alone single cabins are available for a small supplement. For prices and availability please call our Reservations Consultants or Book Online.
The Captain and Croisieurope reserve the right to alter/modify an itinerary at any time, should safety or external circumstances make this necessary, changes are also subject to tides. Some of the highlights may only be seen on optional excursions at an additional cost, or by exploring independently.
There is no official dress code on board, however, you'll be most comfortable during the day in smart casual clothing. You may wish to bring items that do not wrinkle easily as there is no iron provided on board ship. There are also no laundry facilities available. Bring a variety of clothing for the weather expected on your cruise, including light clothing and bathing suits for hot weather, a jumper or jacket for cooler weather and of course a raincoat and/or small umbrella.
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3 hours
1 °C / 9 °C
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7 nights
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