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Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise

Riviera Travel MS Geoffrey Chaucer
Date 18th Dec 24
Nights 4 Nights
1
Cologne, Germany
Fly from your chosen UK airport to Cologne and transfer to the port for your 4 night cruise.
2
Cruising Rhine Gorge > Rüdesheim, Germany
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and relax as a kaleidoscope of riverside views drifts by. Wrap up warm and take to the deck for an invigorating breath of frosty air as the ship passes through the Rhine Gorge with its vineyard-covered valleys and ruined castles atop rocky crags. After lunch aboard; you'll arrive in Rüdesheim for a guided tour. The quirky, crooked houses and tiny streets are the setting for its Christmas market; wander the myriad stalls, sample a slice of gingerbread or a Rüdesheim coffee with its shot of Asbach brandy and whipped cream, and pay a visit to the Christmas shop for all things seasonal - from tree decorations and music boxes to wooden nutcrackers and handcrafted figurines. As the evening light fades, amble back on board to enjoy a tasty dinner in the ship’s restaurant.
3
Koblenz, Germany
The ancient city of Koblenz is located in central Germany and is the gateway to the castles and vineyards of the Rhine Gorge. The statue of William the Great in the centre of the city marks the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Ride the cable car to the hilltop Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Visit Forum Confluences - home to Mittelrhein Museum and the interactive attraction Romanticum. Meander through the Rhine Gardens to admire the Electoral Palace, Pfaffendorf Bridge, the historic Weindorf, the Gardens of Empress Augusta, and the Father Rhine and Mother Mosel statue. On the outskirts of the city, explore Stolzenfels Castle and its surrounding gardens.
4
Bonn, Germany / Cologne, Germany
After breakfast; explore Bonn on this morning's guided tour of the old town, centred around its two spacious squares. See the soaring spire of the huge Romanesque minster and the pastel-pink Rococo old town hall. Bonn is also famous as birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven; the house where he was born and the house next door now house a museum dedicated to the great composer. Relish free time to wander the seasonal market in the old town; the town hall’s windows are transformed into a giant Advent calendar and there's a Christmas tree too. Enjoy classical music, the smells of gingerbread and baked apples, and sample a glass of Glühwein. Back on board for lunch, the ship returns to Cologne via ever-changing river scenery. As the towering spires of Cologne’s cathedral appear above the wintry skyline, MS Oscar Wilde drops anchor. You'll have free time to explore the city’s seven Yuletide markets - including the 160 festive stalls of the Cathedral Christmas market, set against the backdrop of the cathedral, complete with a Christmas tree illuminated with 50,000 LED lights and live entertainment. After browsing the market; return to the ship to enjoy a final dinner this evening.
5
Cologne, Germany
Today your cruise comes to an end. Disembark and be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Hays Extras
Hays Extras
  • FREE superior drinks package!
  • 4 Christmas market visits including Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Bonn and Cologne
Why Book
Why Book
  • Stroll along the Drosselgasse with its many shops, taverns and restaurants - no trip here would be complete without sampling one of Rudesheim's famous iced coffees!
  • Arrive in the historic city of Koblenz, at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Moselle, take in the vistas over lunch aboard
  • See the soaring spire of the huge Romanesque minster and the pastel-pink Rococo old town hall

Get in touch now to book this deal or make an enquiry

Background
MS Geoffrey Chaucer
Overview
After years of painstaking research to create the most perfect vessels afloat, a new era in river cruising dawns as we introduce our brand new, state of the art, ‘all suite’ ships. Swiss operated and truly world-class, we are absolutely delighted to present the five-star MS Geoffrey Chaucer. It is extremely difficult to convey just how extraordinary this outstanding ship really is and exactly what distinguishes it from similar vessels. It would be very easy to just say ‘luxurious’ but it’s much more than that; we have deliberately avoided the current trend for a minimalist style where you could be anywhere in the world, creating instead a unique yet exquisite blend of understated taste, style and elegance at the highest level. Immediately striking is just how exceptionally spacious this new vessel is as you enter a gleaming, richly coloured marble-floored lobby flooded with natural light from a stunning atrium above. Moving inside, exceptional creativity from Europe’s finest design studio has produced a superbly balanced masterpiece of onboard style, utilising sustainable rich hardwoods, gleaming brass and polished copper, sparkling glass and intricate wrought iron. The ship is beautifully illuminated throughout – including the exterior and imaginatively furnished with harmonious colour schemes, all designed to create the serene atmosphere reflective of the golden age of cruising which time after time you tell us you adore. The restaurant rivals the finest on shore establishments taking fine dining to another level complemented by delicate European porcelain, gleaming glassware and the intuitive service in which the Swiss excel. This superb vessel carries 44 in-house trained crew members serving just 169 guests (similar size vessels may carry well over 190 passengers) giving the ratio which our experience proves is concurrent with our first class service levels. Furthermore your suite will easily exceed your expectations for not only will you enjoy the most discerning décor, so too the ship’s dimensions afford the ultimate in space and comfort - a minimum 17 square metres (183 square feet), with upgrades available to ‘Superior’ and ‘Deluxe’ accommodation.
MS Geoffrey Chaucer
Food & Drink

The restaurant rivals the finest on shore establishments taking fine dining to another level complemented by delicate European porcelain, gleaming glassware and the intuitive service in which the Swiss excel. This superb vessel carries 44 in-house trained crew members serving just 167 guests (similar size vessels may carry well over 190 passengers) giving the ratio which our experience proves is concurrent with our first class service levels.

Entertainment

A daily programme is produced on board and delivered to your cabin each evening, detailing the following day’s activities.

Kids & Teens

Please note: There are no dedicated children's facilities on board.

Terms & Conditions
T&C's apply.
Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise
MS Geoffrey Chaucer
18th Dec 24
4 Nights
£759
From PP
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