ITINERARY

Day 1 : DUBLIN – LUXEMBOURG

Fly from Dublin direct to Luxembourg.

Depart Dublin 3.00pm. Arrive Luxembourg 5.45pm

Overnight at NH Hotel, Luxembourg Airport

Bed & breakfast basis

Evening meal not included.

Day 2: LUXEMBOURG

Today we have a free day in Luxembourg. After breakfast, check out of hotel and leave your bags at reception desk. We take the local bus into the city, which is just 20 minutes away. Join Alan and Ann for a stroll around this gorgeous city, before having some free time to explore and have some lunch.

Early afternoon, return to airport hotel and meet our transfer to Remich, where our ship awaits.

After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Join us for an evening of entertainment.



Day 3 : LUXEMBOURG - SAARBURG

This morning, join us for an optional visit to a winery, complete with a tasting. Seven pioneering men of the region recognized the magic of the huge calcareous rock downstream from Remich. They cultivated the first vineyards now infamous for its sparkling wines. In 1919, in the aftermath of World War I, they set up the Caves St Martin. You’ll discover the secrets to winemaking while strolling through the underground passages that seem to go on for miles. This afternoon, free to relax or join the ship’s tour for an optional guided visit of Luxembourg city. We’ll leave from Remich for Luxembourg by coach. Luxembourg is a real mix of styles and cultures. We’ll set out on a guided tour on foot to get a closer look at some of the sites, including the Place des Armes, Place de la Constitution, capital buildings, Corniche, old city, Grand Ducal Palace (exterior), and Place Guillaume II. After our tour, enjoy some free time before returning to the ship in Remich. Return on board in Wasserbillig.

Sailing towards Saarburg. Join us for an evening of entertainment.

Day 4 : SAARBURG - TRIER - BEILSTEIN

In the morning, join us for an optional guided tour of Trier. Discover the Roman vestiges and heritage in Trier, the splendid view the city offers of the Moselle, and its magnificent landscape. Trier is known for its well preserved Roman and medieval buildings, but it is also home to some impressive churches. We’ll have a look at the amphitheatre, the imperial baths, the Roman basilica, and the Porta Nigra, one of the best preserved Roman city gates.

During this time, the boat will sail to Trier, where you will rejoin it. Afternoon sailing to Beilstein, which we reach at the end of the day. Evening entertainment on board. Overnight stopover.

Day 5 : BEILSTEIN - COCHEM - KOBLENZ

Early morning sail to Cochem. Join us for an optional guided tour of Cochem Castle. You’ll be transferred to Cochem Castle on a mini-bus. The Imperial Castle sits on a mighty crag over the Moselle River. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of this magnificent building that dates back to 1000. After being destroyed by the French in the 17th century, it was rebuilt from scratch in a Neo-Gothic style by a local German businessman. Following our visit of the castle, enjoy some free time in the city. Take a stroll through the narrow, winding streets and enjoy the ambiance full of lovely half-timbered homes with slate roofs, the historic square near the town hall, and the early walls, gates, and churches. We’ll return on board on foot.

The afternoon will be spent cruising the Moselle River, one of the most beautiful tributaries of the Rhine, towards Koblenz. Enjoy the calm as we pass by charming villages, vineyards, and what seems like a castle on every peak. Once we arrive at the end of the afternoon, explore the city with Alan and Ann. The rest of the evening is yours to do as you please.

Day 6er  : KOBLENZ - RÜDESHEIM

This morning, we’ll pass through the beautiful and romantic Rhine Valley. Majestic castles, mysterious ruins, and famous vineyards dot the countryside known for its legendary German royalty and fabled Lorelei Rock. Our ship will arrive in Rüdesheim by late morning. In the afternoon, join Alan and Ann for an optional guided tour of Rüdesheim.

Alternatively, especially if your mobility is not great, join the ship’s tour. First, you'll enjoy a guided tour of the local vineyards on a tourist train. Then, participate in a wine tasting in the historic rooms of the Bassenheimer Hof. After, we’ll head to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet, located in a lovely, 15th-century building. This museum holds a collection of fascinating musical instruments ranging from tiny, delicate music boxes to an enormous orchestrion.

In the evening, the famous Drosselgasse with its numerous cafés, bars, and music awaits you. Our ship will begin to cruise towards Mannheim at the end of the evening.

Day 7 : RÜDESHEIM(- MANNHEIM – HEIDELBERG

We'll arrive in Mannheim early in the morning. This will be our starting point for the optional excursion to Heidelberg. Known as the most romantic city in Germany, it has inspired many the painter and poet by its beauty. We’ll visit the partially ruined, red sandstone castle that sits majestically above the city, overlooking the Neckar River. Up to the Thirty Years’ War, Heidelberg boasted one of the most notable ensembles of buildings in the Holy Roman Empire. While time has taken its toll, this castle’s fame lives on to this day. The giant wine barrel is one of the most popular attractions. Built in a cellar in 1591, it held about 34,342 gallons of wine collected from the Palatinate in payment of taxes. The facade of the Friedrich Building, displaying a perfect gallery of portraits from the royal line, is also a must-see. After our visit, we’ll go to the historical center of the city to take in the many sites.

Enjoy some free time in Heidelberg before returning on board in Mannheim. The afternoon will be spent cruising along the Neckar and Rhine Rivers towards Strasbourg. Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Day 78: STRASBOURG – HOME

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.

Transfer to Luxembourg by coach

Depart Luxembourg 1.10pm. Arrive Dublin 2.10pm

MS LEONARDO DA VINCI

Named after one of the most famous artists in history this standard ship sails on the Rhine, a river with cultural and natural richness.

Completely renovated in 2011, the MS Leonardo Da Vinci is an intimate-sized standard ship, measuring 105m long and 11.40m wide. It can accommodate 143 passengers, in 72 cabins spread over two decks. The cabins are comfortable and spacious, offer amenities and provide guests with all the comforts they need during their stay. The decoration, in beige and taupe tones enhanced with gold, is both discreet and elegant and pays tribute to the artist’s works. Located on the upper deck, the restaurant, where all meals are served during the cruise, offers delicate cuisine in a refined setting, where large windows allow guests to enjoy the panorama. Also on the upper deck is the lounge / bar with a dance floor. The sun deck is the ideal place to relax and admire the landscapes, offering comfortable sun loungers, as well as a large shaded area.

NOTES

1.           There are a range of excursions offered during this cruise, as detailed in the itinerary. You will have a £150 credit towards the excursions. All you have to pay is anything over the £150.

2.           Croisieurope offer a fixed three course menu for lunch and dinner, with a choice of main course options. The food is of the highest quality but sometimes a particular course may not appeal to you. The menu is on display from early morning and you may ask your waiter if he/she can arrange something else for you. You must do this at breakfast time, or an alternative may not be available.

3.           Unlimited drinks, alcoholic and otherwise, are available throughout your cruise. The offer includes beers, spirits, soft drinks, teas & coffees, bottled water and a selection of fine house wines but excludes those from the wine list.

4.          Gratuities are included aboard the ship but, if you feel you have received exceptional service, please feel free to put something into the unmarked envelope, which will be left in your cabin towards the end of the cruise. Gratuities for tour guides, etc. are not included and a small contribution would be appreciated.

5.           “Accessibility” Whilst the “MS Leonardo da Vinci” offers one fully-accessible cabin for those who require wheelchair access, our experience shows that this cruise is not ideal for those with limited mobility. Berthing is often via steep ramps, possibly steps, and we may also need to cross through another vessel, often involving steep steps. We would endeavour to ensure you get the maximum from a cruise but cannot guarantee you will be able to get off at each and every port. You must also have a carer with you, who is able to manage every aspect of operating and pushing the wheelchair, your luggage, etc. Neither our representatives nor the crew of the ship can be called upon to assist, as we are not insured for it.

Excursion details to follow