GROUP A: 2 – 11 JULY 2004

GROUP B: 27 AUGUST – 05 SEPTEMBER 2004

visiting amongst others DUSSELDORF, COLOGNE, BONN,

STRASBOURG & ZURICH

Since the 18th century, travelers, painters and poets have been discovering the beauty of the River Rhine and have always been fascinated by the medieval mood inspired by various myths and legends of the Rhine.  On this idyllic cruise you will see all that the romantic Rhine proposes:  impressive fortresses, overhanging rocks, steep vineyards and little villages straight out of a picture book.

Day 1- Fly Malta – Dusseldorf.  On arrival, transfer to the Hotel Radisson SAS, a 4-star hotel.  Afternoon sightseeing tour of Dusseldorf, accompanied by our English speaking guide.

Day 2 -         Departure from Hotel Radisson and transfer by coach to Warner Brothers Movie World for a fun day out at this entertaining theme park.  Coach transfer arriving in Cologne at 1700.  Embarkation on the Rhine Emerald for overnight stay on board, with dinner and entertainment.

Day 3 Morning free to explore Cologne, including its world famous Cathedral, as your boat leaves this magnificent city at 14:00, arriving at your first port of call, Bonn at 1730.  The former capital of the Federal Republic of Germany boasts numerous attractions.  Stroll through its main thoroughfares and admire important buildings like the ex-Houses of Parliament.  Bonn is also noted for its most famous son, Ludwig van Beethoven, whose house of birth has been a landmark of Bonn for ages, and whose monument dominates the Munsterplatz.

 Day 4 -        The following morning Emerald leaves Bonn at 0900 arriving in Konigswinter at 1030 for a brief stay.  Situated at the foot of the romantic Drachenfels crag, this old town is one of the most visited on the Rhine.  At 1300 your cruise continues on to Linz where you will get the chance to admire the charmingly painted, half-timbered buildings dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries which line the cobble streets and surround its market square.  Emerald wends its way on to Winningen at 16:30, arriving in this Gateway to the Wine Paradise of the Moselle at 2200 for an overnight stay.  Carouse the night away sampling fine German wines in this well-known wine growing village.  Winningen successfully combines ancient tradition and modern facilities and in recognition of this, it has been awarded both the Federal and State Gold Medals in the “Best Kept Village” competition.

Day 5 -         Early morning you leave Winningen to be in Cochem by 1000.  Cochem’s setting is probably the most famous in the Moselle Valley, vineyards rising in terraces to a splendid hilltop castle, the Reichsburg Cochem, built in 1029. Spend a delightful day exploring the winding streets, cobblestone courtyards and towers of this baroque town.  Mid-afternoon departure from Cochem to arrive in Koblenz at 2100 for an overnight stay.                                                          …/2

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Day 6 -         Spend the morning in Koblenz and visit the massive Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, the largest existing fort in Europe.  Walk through its many tunnels and pathways and feast your eyes on the gorgeous view at the top looking over the Rhein, Moselle & the city of Koblenz itself.  At 1500 you leave the medieval wonders of Koblenz to sail to Boppard arriving at 1700.  A lovely evening may be spent on the riverside promenade, the Rheinallee, which makes for a pleasant walk in this town, which lies in the largest loop of the Rhine.  Parts of its medieval enclosing walls, gates and towers still stand.

Day 7 -         Cruising out of Boppard at 0800, Rhine Emerald heads for the ancient little town of Rudesheim arriving at 1300, which means you’ll have most of the day to enjoy this gem in the heart of the Rheingau.  Rudesheim is renowned not only for outstanding Rieslings but for places to drink them; one narrow street, the Drosselgasse, is lined solidly with pubs and wine taverns…But don’t get carried away as your boat sails away at 0130!

Day 8 -         You arrive in Worms at 0800 from where you will board our coach for an excursion to the fairytale town of Heidelberg.  Heidelberg is the site of an old university celebrated in poetry and song, most notably Romberg’s operetta “The Student Prince”.  The magnificent ruins of a red sandstone castle built in the 16th century stand high above the city and the Neckar River.  Your coach will then take you to Speyer, to re-embark the Rhine Emerald  leaving at 1800.

Day 9 -         Your Rhine Cruise ends in Strasbourg, the capital of the French province of Alsace. After disembarking at 0900 your coach will take you on a sightseeing tour of this splendid city.  You will then be transferred to your hotel, the Strasbourg Hilton.  After a spot of lunch and freshening up, enjoy an afternoon excursion to Colmar and the vineyards of this area.

Day 10 -        After breakfast, departure by coach which will take the route through the Black Forest and Lake Titisee followed by a brief stop at the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen before reaching Zurich Airport in time for our flight to Malta at 1740.

                       On board your river cruise boat, all meals are included.  Every day starts with a generous buffet breakfast followed by a light lunch, tea /coffee and dinner. Entertainment includes live music, games, bingo, quiz, dancing and folk groups. The official languages on the ships are English and German.  The cabins are spacious with large panoramic windows, and private bathroom facilities. 

ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICE in Twin/Double Cabin per person:

Group A: Main Deck: LM 465.00; Upper Deck LM 490.00; Airport Taxes & S.C. LM 35.00

Supplement for Group B LM 15.00   

Meal Plan: All meals on board and buffet breakfast in hotels.