2027 - Romantic Rhine - Rail & Sail

Itinerary

Romantic Rhine - Rail & Sail

Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to France. Then continue to the Rhine for a late evening arrival at your centrally located hotel in Boppard. Light snack, bed & breakfast

Day 2 - 4 - At leisure in Boppard with two included excursions and a circular Rhine cruise. DBB

A candlelit wine tasting of 5 local wines is included in the hotel's historic cellar one evening before dinner 

Boppard is a quintessential picturesque Rhine town peppered with half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, cafes and wine taverns. Take a stroll along the lovely riverfront promenade, lined with boat docks, hotels, cafes and restaurants. Just off Boppard's main street, the pedestrianised Oberstrasse, is the ancient Marktplatz, a favourite with locals and visitors alike. Your stay at the Bellevue includes the Boppard Guest Card which gives you free entrance to the town's Museum ('castle' of Boppard) (closed Mondays). You will also receive discounts on some attractions e.g. the Boppard Chairlift. Free use of selected local public transport is also included (please ask hotel for details). 

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Circular Panoramic Rhine Cruise to Sankt Goar 
No visit to the region would be complete without a boat trip on the Rhine and you have an included 2½ hour return panoramic cruise from Boppard to Sankt Goar with views of the famous Loreley Rock. This where where boatsmen were said to have been lured to their death by her haunting song and enchanting beauty. The scenery is simply spectacular, and a boat trip is certainly the very best (and most relaxing) way to enjoy the river. There is a commentary on board as well as the opportunity to purchase snacks and drinks. Return to Boppard for time at leisure 

Rüdesheim 
Head to popular Rüdesheim, right on the banks of the Rhine. See the famous 16th century Drosselgasse, packed with cosy traditional wine taverns and historic half-timbered houses. Take a riverside stroll, sample the local cuisine and maybe meet some locals. Not far is the Vinothek RheinWeinWelt, housed in the former Asbach Brandy distillery. Here you can sample many different wines from local wine growers in the cellars (some steps). You simply purchase tokens and then gently stroll with your tasting glass and select the wines you wish to sample

Vulkan Express & Andernach Geyser
Head to Brohl where you board the unique Vulkan Express. A ride on the privately owned, narrow gauge Vulkan Express is a very special experience. Although named 'express', it is actually a rather slow moving train (diesel service) which takes 90 minutes to travel 11 miles up the Brohl Valley to the volcanic Eifel mountains. So, there is time to relax and take in the beautiful scenery such as the volcanic Laach Lake formed millions of years ago. The line opened in 1902 and re-opened in 1953 after it was closed during WW2. Disembark in Engeln where your coach awaits to take you to Mendig for an included lunch in a local brewery. After lunch, continue to Andernach to visit the world's highest cold-water geyser, a spectacular natural phenomenon which erupts every 2 hours with an impressive water jet shooting 200ft into the air. Unlike hot-water geysers, which eject water through the steam pressure, this cold-water geyser is driven by carbonic acid. Your visit starts at the Geyser Museum which explains the science behind this geological sensation before a boat takes you to the Namedyer Werth nature reserve for the eruption. Your coach will take you back to Boppard this afternoon

Day 5 - Expect an early start today to travel back through France for the return to England

Tour Highlights

• Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast and dinner (3-course buffet - Ebertor //  3-course with main course choice - Bellevue)
• Light snack on Day 1 due to late arrival
• Welcome drink
• Boppard Guest Card
• Use of hotel's leisure facilities (Bellevue)
• Wine tasting in the hotel's historic cellar one evening
• Circular panoramic Loreley boat cruise from Boppard - Sankt Goar - Boppard
• One way journey on Vulkan Express (Brohl - Engeln)
• Entrance to Andernach Geyser with museum, boat trip & brewery lunch
• Excursion to Rüdesheim
• Free time in Boppard

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Accommodation

Your Rhine Hotels

3* Ebertor Hotel, Boppard (June only)
This modern 3* hotel is well located in the centre of Boppard with the Rhine promenade and old town within walking distance. Guestrooms are comfortable and practical with hairdryer, WiFi, TV and en-suite with walk-in showers. They are located in the adjacent side wing of the hotel. Singles are double / twins for sole use. Some smart dormitory/hostel style rooms are offered in a separate area. Wellness facilities include sauna (charges apply). There is a bright, light restaurant where breakfast and buffet dinners are enjoyed and there is also a brasserie restaurant and an historic vaulted cellar. The hotel has a 'Bavarian-style' beer garden with wonderful Rhine views. There is a lift 

























4* Bellevue Hotel, Boppard (September only)
This elegant and historic 4* hotel is ideally located on the main riverside promenade, very close to the town centre. The hotel is beautifully decorated in a 'Belle Epoque' style with gilded mirrors and artwork on the walls. Facilities include the Papillon Bar, the wood-panelled restaurant, an atmospheric wine cellar, a garden terrace as well as a swimming pool, sauna and steam room. Classic and elegant guestrooms feature WiFi, TV, hairdryer, sound proof windows and safe and face the town / leafy courtyard side (Rhine view rooms are on request only and incur a supplement). Lift available Back to top