River Cruises

Christmas Markets Cruise
2nd, 9th or 16th December 2007

These short break cruises offer a perfect opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of Germany’s Christmas markets whilst sailing the legendary river Rhine. Cruise past hilltop castles and through scenic landscapes. Visit Rüdesheim, famous for its wine tradition and its wine street, the Drosselgasse, or simply relax on board your deluxe ship.

Your package includes

• scheduled flights from London Heathrow to Düsseldorf
• 4 nights full board accommodation on board Viking Helvetia
• Double cabin CAT E
• All transfers as stated
• House wine, beer or soft drinks with lunch and dinner in the restaurant

Shore excursions as follows

• Visit to Siegfried’s mechanical Museum in Rüdesheim
• Walking tour of Cologne’s Old Town and Cathedral Visit
• Walking tour of Koblenz

*There is also a 3 night/4 day cruise that operates on December 6th and 13th. Details on request.

Prices start from £595 per person

Your Christmas Itinerary

Day 1: Depart from London Heathrow to Düsseldorf and transfer to the ship in Cologne. The ship sails at 18.00 hrs arriving in Königswinter at 22.30 hrs where it moors overnight.
Day 2: Early in the morning the ship departs and reaches Koblenz, situated in the picturesque landscape of the Rhine and Moselle, at 10.00 hrs. Enjoy a guided walk followed by free time to visit the Christmas market before the ship departs at 18.00 hrs Arrival in Boppard is at 20.00 hrs.
Day 3: At 09.00 hrs the ship departs arriving in Rüdesheim at 13.00 hrs. The afternoon offers free time to visit the Christmas market. After dinner there is a visit by mini train to ‘Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instruments Collection’.
Day 4: The ship leaves Rüdesheim and sails back towards Cologne where arrival is at 14.00 hrs. This afternoon there is a guided tour through the Old Town and a visit to the Cathedral followed by free time to visit the Christmas markets.
Day 5: Disembark the ship after breakfast and transfer back to Düsseldorf Airport for your return flight to London Heathrow.

Christmas on the Rhine
22nd – 27th December 2007

Savour the delights of this legendary river! With cities old and new, quaint riverside towns and villages and of course, the famous mythical Loreley Rock, this special Christmas Cruise allows you to sample the famous Christmas markets and enjoy the legendary hospitality of a Rhine Cruise. Enjoy this perfect venue for a festive celebration and the spectacular scenery of castle-dotted landscapes and story-book vistas.

Your package includes

• Flights from  London Heathrow to Düsseldorf
• 5 nights full board on board Viking Helvetia
• Double cabin CAT E
• All transfers as stated
• House wine, beer or soft drinks with lunch and dinner in the restaurant

Shore excursions as follows

• Visit to Siegfried’s mechanical Museum
• Walking tour of Koblenz, Mainz and Oberwesel
• City tour of Frankfurt.

Prices start from £695 per person

Your Christmas Itinerary

Day 1: Depart from London Heathrow to Düsseldorf and transfer to your ship in Cologne. The ship sails at 18.00 hrs.
Day 2: The ship arrives in Koblenz early this morning. After breakfast there will be a guided walk with free time for you to visit the Christmas market. At 13.00hrs the ship leaves Koblenz and sails to Rüdesheim where arrival is at 19.00 hrs. After dinner this evening there will be a visit by minitrain to ‘Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instruments Collection’.
Day 3: Early this morning the ship leaves Rüdesheim and arrives in Mainz at 09.30 hrs. There will be a guided walk through the town with time for shopping. The ship departs at 12.00 hrs and arrives in Frankfurt at 16.30 hrs. As is traditional in Europe, a special Christmas Dinner will be served this evening with festive music. There will also be an opportunity to visit a Christmas church service.
Day 4: The ship departs at 12.30 hrs and reaches Mainz at 17.00 hrs. Remains moored in Mainz overnight.
Day 5: At 09.00 hrs the ship leaves Mainz and sails to Oberwesel, a charming little wine-growing community, where arrival will be at lunchtime. Later, there will be a guided walk through the twisting streets of the Old City and a visit to the Church of our Lady with an organ recital of Christmas music. At 16.00 hrs the ship departs and arrives in Cologne at 23.00 hrs.
Day 6: Disembark the ship after breakfast and transfer back to the Airport for return flight to London Heathrow.

Please note other departure airports prices on request for this holiday.

New Year on the Rhine
27th December 2007 – 2nd January 2008

Enjoy New Year on board Viking Helvetia and experience a heady cocktail of scenic splendour, historical landmarks and storybook settings. This moving spectacular holiday starts in the Romantic city of Cologne, offers the best of the German Rhine and culminates in New Year Eve festivities in Strasbourg.

Your package includes

• Scheduled flights from London Heathrow to Düsseldorf
• 6 nights full board on board Viking Helvetia
• Double cabin CAT E
• All transfers as stated
• House wine, beer or soft drinks with lunch and dinner in the restaurant

Shore excursions as follows

• Walking tour of Cologne
• Wine tasting in Koblenz.
• Marksburg Castle visit
• Canal cruise in Strasbourg

Prices start from £795 per person

Your New Year Itinerary

Day 1: Depart from London Heathrow to Düsseldorf and transfer to your ship in Cologne. The ship remains moored here this evening.
Day 2: This morning there will be a walking tour of Cologne before the ship sails at midday. Enjoy the ever-changing passing scenery, arriving in Koblenz at 20.30 hrs. Enjoy a sparkling wine tasting excursion this evening. The ship remains moored in Koblenz overnight.
Day 3: Today there will be a visit to Marksburg Castle, the only hill castle on the Rhine which has never been destroyed. Marksburg Castle’s unusually slender keep towers above the surrounding courts and ramparts. The ship departs at 12.30 hrs and arrives in Mainz at 21.00 hrs.
Day 4: This morning there will be a walking tour of Mainz through the twisting streets of the Old City before the ship leaves at 12.30 hrs. Relax on board this afternoon as you sail the legendary Rhine to Speyer where arrival will be at 20.00 hrs.
Day 5: The ship sails early this morning to Kehl arriving at 14.00 hrs. This afternoon there will be a canal cruise in Strasbourg. This capital of Alsace region will cast a spell on visitors with its soaring spires and numerous pretty houses from the 16th and 17th centuries preserved in the character of the old Imperial town. Enjoy New Year festivities onboard this evening. The ship remains moored here overnight.
Day 6: Depart from Kehl this morning. Relax on board as you sail towards Rüdesheim, arrival at 19.00 hrs. The ship departs here at midnight.
Day 7: Viking Helvetia reaches Cologne at 09.00 hrs. Disembark after breakfast and transfer back to the Airport for the return flight to London.

Please note other departure airports prices on request for this holiday.

 

Call 0871 231 3422 to reserve your short break to visit the Christmas Markets now.

DERTOUR, based in London, is long established as one of the UK’s leading specialist tour operators for holidays to Germany.