A Rhine Valley Discovery - Inclusive

LeShuttle to Calais and on to our hotel in Belgium, where we stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

We continue our journey, stopping along the way in the Koblenz. Situated at the confluence of the Moselle and the Rhine Rivers and the Rhineland Valley, this historic city is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Highlights here include the Baroque town hall, colourful Old Town and the hilltop Ehrenbreitstein fortress. A trip over the Rhine via cable car is a must, too! Later, we check into the Rheinstein Hotel in Rüdesheim am Rhein, our base for the next five nights.

After breakfast, we start with a memorable Rhine cruise, which affords fantastic photo opportunities of the famous Loreley Rock on the opposite side of the river. We meander from Rudesheim, past terraced vineyards and charming villages to St Goar, home to the impressive Rheinfels Castle. We then re-join the coach and head to Boppard for free time, so you can stretch your legs amongst the pristine, fairytale-like buildings, before returning to the hotel with a scenic drive through the magnificent Rhine Valley. Dinner has not been included at the hotel this evening, giving you the opportunity to dine at your leisure in one of Rudesheim's many restaurants.

Take the chance to relax at the hotel, use the indoor pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi at our hotel's sister property (the Rheinhotel, locally-payable charge applies) or explore the local sights of Rüdesheim am Rhein. Celebrated for its winemaking, there's plenty to discover! Head to Drosselgasse, a famous alleyway lined with traditional taverns and restaurants, for a taste of local cuisine and music, take the cable car up to Niederwald Monument for breathtaking views of the Rhine Valley and be sure to sample some of the region's famous Rieslings.

Today we travel to Engeln for our railway journey on the Vulkan Express, a narrow-gauge railway that takes us up into the beautiful Eifel Mountains and on to Brohl-Lützing, offering some spectacular photo opportunities along the way.

We also spend time in charming Cochem. Surrounded by steep vineyards, this lovely town of half-timbered houses and winding streets also boasts a flower-bedecked promenade and a magnificent castle that rises dramatically above the town.

After breakfast, we head to the beautiful town of Heidelberg. Built on the banks of the River Neckar, the city is surrounded by lush green hills and boasts a castle and Baroque-style Old Town full of grand and beautifully-preserved buildings. Choose to spend the time exploring at your own pace, or you may wish to purchase the optional entrance to the mighty fortress, accompanied by a guide. Perched high above the city, there's plenty to see, such as the inner courtyard, pretty garden, residence ruins and the famous giant barrel. Your optional ticket also includes a trip on the Heidelberger Bergbahn, a historic funicular railway which connects the city to the fortress. Sit back and enjoy the panoramic vistas of the Neckar and beyond, before exploring more of Heidelberg at your leisure.

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and head to Calais for our journey home on LeShuttle.