Kirbys Coaches (Rayleigh) Ltd | Tel: 01268 777777

Festive Cheer & Xmas Markets Rhine River Cruise

Fully Escorted by Karen Kirby!

Join Karen and spend time discovering the fantastic Christmas Markets that Germany has to offer while you cruise along the Rhine. The ship will be seasonally decorated, there will be plenty of food and enchanting music in the evenings. Opportunity to purchase a Gluhwein along the way!

Day 1

UK to Cologne, Germany
We depart home are and travel to Folkestone for our Eurotunnel crossing then continue through France, Belgium and into Germany, making suitable comfort stops, arriving in Cologne late afternoon. We board our ship and have time to freshen up in our cabins before our welcome reception with a glass of sparkling wine followed by our evening meal.

Day 2

Cologne to Rudesheim
Today we cruise along the Rhine and marvel en-route at some of the Rhine Valley's most famous landmarks including the 130m high Lorelei Rock, named after the Rhine waters siren, the legend who is as old as time itself. In Rüdesheim we visit the Mechanical Music Museum of Siegfried. It started with clocks. It was the 1960's and the German collector Siegfried Wendel had amassed a collection of well over 100 grandfather and wall clocks. Then one fateful day, a young couple in a beaten-up Volkswagen appeared on Wendel's doorstep to see if he might just be interested in what they had on their backseat. It wasn't a time piece, but a gorgeous walnut-veneered, wood inlaid Polyphon. Wendel was smitten, and a love affair (or obsession) with mechanical musical instruments was born. There are approximately 350 exhibits of mechanical instruments dating from the 18th to the 20th century to look at whilst you enjoy a mug of glühwein. Visit the Christmas market with over 100 wooden chalets selling local delicacies, ornaments, and Christmas gifts situated along the Rhine. Tonight, after dinner we have a wine tasting. Opportunity to purchase some wine (which will be delivered back to your ship). Afterwards join Karen at one of the local bars for a drink and maybe a bit of dancing!

B, L, D

Day 3

Rudesheim to Koblenz
This morning we sail to Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Here we have free time to visit the Koblenz Christmas Market, with over 130 festively decorated wooden stalls offering a range of handmade gifts and Christmas decorations. Enjoy a glass or red or white glühwein whilst listening to festive music playing. Alternatively, you can explore the city's quaint lanes and atmospheric squares filled with beautiful old buildings.

B, L, D

Day 4

Koblenz to Cologne
After breakfast we cruise up the Rhine to discover the beautiful city of Cologne. The hive of festive activity takes place around the cathedral and the old town, where you will find a maze of pretty stalls also offering outstanding arts and crafts. There are also several smaller markets to enjoy, including the Harbour Christmas Markets held on the Rhine, with snowy white pagoda tents reminiscent of a ship's sails.

B, L, D

Day 5

Cologne to UK
After breakfast we depart for home area, making suitable comfort stops.

B=Breakfast Included, L=Lunch Included, D=Dinner Included

MS ARENA ****

This fabulous 4-star ship has 96 cabins split over 2 decks. All the cabins on board the MS Arena feature outward-facing floor to ceiling panoramic windows with French balconies, allowing you to take in the wonderful views of the river and surroundings from the comfort of your own cabin. The spacious cabins feature en suite bathrooms with a shower and toilet. There’s plenty of space and storage for your belongings, plus air conditioning, TV, telephone, hairdryer and a safe all come as standard. You can choose from accommodation on the Upper Deck or Main Deck; all with contemporary furnishings, providing the ideal home from home on your cruise. Dine on exceptionally fresh and delicious dishes in the Panorama Restaurant, then head up for a drink at the Ambassador’s Lounge Bar. When you’re not at port, the fitness suite, library or sun deck are just a few of the places where you can spend time indulging in the things you love. There’s also the onboard shop for stocking up on souvenirs and essentials, and for your convenience there is complimentary WiFi onboard.

AT A GLANCE

Return Eurotunnel crossing
4 nights full board accommodation
Welcome Reception (including a glass of sparkling wine)
Evening entertainment each night
5 course farewell dinner
Free WiFi in lounge and bar on board the ship
Tea/coffee after dinner
In house activities on some nights such as a quiz
Coach excursions as described
Fully escorted by Karen Kirby

(Please Note: Lunch is not included on Day 1 and 5)

Passports are required.

Cruise itineraries & couriers are subject to change. Single Room Supplements are subject to change. A deposit of £250 per person applies. This cruise is promoted by Success Tours and cannot be booked via a Travel Agent.

TRAVEL OPTIONS

Upgrade your room (subject to availability). Supplements apply, call 01268 777 777, option 1

GROUP BOOKINGS

If you book 20 places all together on a day excursion, short break or holiday ONE GOES FREE

Please find below our pick up points (not all pick up points will be available on all departure dates). View the pick-up point you require, then you’ll see a list of dates which are/aren’t available from your pick up point.

Name	Address	Times
Barking	Station Parade, IG11 8TU	Failed View
Barkingside	Fullwell Cross, Bus Stop A - IG6 2EA	Failed View
Basildon	Cherrydown East Bus Stop, Basildon	Failed View
Brentwood	Brentwood, Outside The Dairyman	Failed View
Chalkwell Park	Chalkwell Park Bus Stop, London Road	Failed View
Chelmsford Victoria Road	Victoria Road CM1 1JR	Failed View
Collier Row	White Hart Lane - Bus Stop out Tythe Court RM7 8LZ	Failed View
Corringham Town Centre	Gordon Road, Bus Stop opposite Colbourne Close	Failed View
Cranham	Front Lane/Moor Lane Junction Bus Stop RM14 1XJ Outside Restaurant Opp. Car Park	Failed View
Dagenham	Church Elm Lane, Bus Stop L - RM10 9QS	Failed View
Depot	Depot, Princess Road, Rayleigh	Failed View
Hadleigh Church	Hadleigh Church, Bus Layby	Failed View
Harold Wood	Bus Stop A, Gubbins Lane, RM3 0DR	Failed View
Hockley Spa	Hockley Spa, Bus Stop outside the Library	Failed View
Holiday Inn, Brentwood	Holiday Inn Brentwood	Failed View
Hornchurch.	Hornchurch Town Centre, outside Sutton Arms	Failed View
Hutton	Hutton, Bus Stop just past the Chequers Pub	Failed View
Ilford	Ilford, Bus Stop outside 6 Clements Road, IG1 1BA	Failed View
Kavanaghs Rd	Kavanaghs Road/London Road, Brentwood	Failed View
Palace Theatre	Palace Theatre Bus Stop	Failed View
Pitsea	Outside Gala Bingo Hall, Pitsea	Failed View
Queensway	Queensway Bus Stop (Behind the Odeon Cinema)	Failed View
Rayleigh Stn	Rayleigh Railway Station	Failed View
Romford	St Edwards Way - Bus Stop H - RM1 3DQ Out: Romford Shopping Hall	Failed View
Sadlers Farm	Bus Stop on A13, just before Sadlers Farm roundabout, nr Romsey Road	Failed View
Shenfield Stn	Shenfield Station, outside Barclays Bank	Failed View
Shepherd & Dog Crays Hill	Shepherd & Dog, Crays Hill	Failed View
Shotgate	Shotgate Post Office	Failed View
South Green	Grange Parade Bus Stop, South Green, Billericay	Failed View
Stanford Rookery Corner	Rookery Corner Stanford	Failed View
Sun Corner	Sun Corner London Road - Billericay	Failed View
Thames Drive	Thames Drive Bus Stop	Failed View
The Elms	Bus Stop outside Elms Public House, Leigh on Sea	Failed View
The Oak Grays	The Oak Public House, Lodge Lane, Grays	Failed View
Thorpe Bay Stn	Thorpe Bay Station, Acacia Drive (opp Station)	Failed View
Thurrock Services,	Thurrock Services Coach Park, RM16 3BG	Failed View
Upminster	Bus Stop M, St Mary's Lane- Upminster Outside St.Laurence Church RM14 2QJ	Failed View
Vic Hse Cnr, Rayleigh Rd	Vic House Corner, (Rayleigh Road)	Failed View
Websters Way	Websters Way, Rayleigh	Failed View
White Horse	White Horse,Southchurch Road, Southend	Failed View
Whittinghams Grg	Whittinghams Garage, opp Rochford Railway Station	Failed View
Wickford	Halls Corner, opposite Police Station, Wickford	Failed View
Woodford Green	Snakes Lane East, Bus Stop R - IG8 7HU	Failed View