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Reader Holidays - Romantic Rhine Cruise to Switzerland from Daily Echo

Discover Life on Board MS Olympia

The best of the mighty Rhine

On our Blue Riband voyage Olympia cruises from the Middle Rhine, through the Rhine Gorge and to the Swiss city of Basel, before turning north and cruising to Cologne. En route, you'll call at Rudesheim, visit ancient Speyer and have the chance to explore your surroundings on a series of optional excursions.

There's far more to life on board Olympia than we could possibly fit on one page. Click here to find out more about her fantastic facilities and welcoming atmosphere.

What The Price Includes

• Return coach travel from your chosen pick-up point
• Embark in Andernach, disembark in Cologne
• Nine nights' accommodation in a standard lower cabin (upgrade cabins available)
• Full-board arrangements while on board, including afternoon tea, coffee and cake, and late-night snacks
• Two cruises (north and south) through the Rhine Gorge
• A guided walking tour of Speyer
• Calls at Strasbourg, Mannheim and Mainz
• A visit to Breisach
• An overnight stop in Basel, Switzerland
• On-board English commentary
• On-board entertainment including a welcome cocktail party and a Captain's Farewell Dinner
• Luggage porterage
• The services of a friendly, professional crew
• The services of a Newmarket Cruise Manager

All prices are per person and based on two sharing. Single cabins are available for a supplement

Itinerary

Day One

Travel by coach from your chosen dearture point, and join Olympia in the ancient Rhine town of Andernach. After a first evening meal on board, retire to your comfortable cabin.

Day Two

Olympia heads upstream into the Middle Rhine - passing Koblenz and the Ehrenbreitstein castle - through a land of vineyards, castles and villages into the unsurpassable Rhine Gorge, beneath the fabled Lorelei. This afternoon we'll arrive in Rudesheim. Explore the famous Drosselgasse and join our optional excursion to Siegfried's Musikkabinett, travelling on the local 'Winzer Express' train.

Day Three

A morning cruise brings you to the ancient city of Speyer. Join our included walking tour of this, one of the most important cities in the Holy Roman Empire, with its UNESCO-listed cathedral and fascinating Altstadt, or old town.This evening, enjoy dinner and entertainment on board, as Olympia moors in Speyer for the night.

Day Four

Olympia arrives this afternoon in the beautiful Alsace capital of Strasbourg. Join a fascinating optional excursion by boat, through the city's winding canals, and discover its soaring Notre-Dame cathedral, one of France's great Gothic churches, and the buildings of the European Parliament and the Council of Europe.Olympia moors overnight close to the city.

Day Five

Leaving Strasbourg, Olympia cruises along the Upper Rhine to the quaint of Breisach, from where you can join the optional half-day excursion to the Black Forest to visit its stunning regional capital Freiburg, and breathtaking lake at Titisee.

Day Six

A leisurely cruise this morning brings you to Basel, Switzerland's only gateway to the sea. Explore the bustling Altstadt and Marktplatz, and perhaps take in the stupendous views from atop the magnificent Munster. This afternoon's excursion visits the spectacular Rhine Falls, with the option to take a boat ride (payable locally).Olympia overnights in Basel.

Day Seven

Today's wonderful full-day optional excursion takes you to the beautiful lakeside city of Lucerne, with its restored wooden 'Chapel Bridge', and then into the surrounding Swiss countryside. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Lucerne before rejoining Olympia in Breisach as she pauses on her journey to Kehl.

Day Eight

After a morning's scenic cruising, Olympia calls at Mannheim, from where you can join an optional excursion to beautiful Heidelberg on the wooded south bank of the Neckar. One of Germany's 'must-see' destinations, Heidelberg has inspired poets - and operetta composers - for centuries.You'll rejoin Olympia in Mainz, and have the opportunity to take a stroll through the town after dinner.

Day Nine

Cruise back along the most romantic stretch of the Rhine to Cologne. Here our final optional excursion introduces the city, with its twin-towered Gothic cathedral and surrounding Altstadt, before you join the Captain and fellow guests for a special Farewell Dinner and entertainment on board.

Day 10

Step ashore at the end of a wonderful voyage this morning, and begin your return journey to the UK.

*The exact discount available may vary depending on the cruise and departure date selected. All cabin prices shown when booking include their discount amount. Discounts apply to all cabin categories. Offer ends midnight 30th November 2012 and may not be used in conjunction with any other offer. The offer may be withdrawn at any time.

The following hotels are offered with this holiday (subject to availability and supplementary pricing)

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