RCL Excursion Booklet 2018 aw

FROM 

ONLY £9 

PER PERSON 

EXCURSION 

BOOKLET 

2018 

www.rivercruiseline.co.uk

Enhance your holiday experience with a range 

of optional and included excursions that allow 

you to discover the history of our ports of 

call, experience the tradition of local regions 

and explore further afield. They’re the perfect 

complement to your cruise itinerary, but they 

are subject to availability so we recommend 

you book early!

Our Superb Range of Excursions 

MPS Lady Anne 

For ease of reference, all our excursions - whether they are included or optional - are listed below 

in alphabetical order. Plus, at the back of this booklet we have listed each cruise together with the 

excursions and their prices. 

Ahr Valley 

Amsterdam 

Cologne 

Delft 

Rüdesheim 

Ahr valley evening wine 

tasting 

Join our coach as we venture 

into the most northerly 

winemaking region in Germany 

to enjoy an evening of wine 

tasting. The grapes that 

grow here on steep, terraced 

vineyards make glowing, velvety 

red wines which are among the 

best of their kind. It’s a tradition 

established by the Romans and 

one that continues to this day. 

Amsterdam city tour 

Our city tour is aboard a tourist 

bus with a fully transparent roof 

(which opens in good weather), 

offering panoramic views of the 

city, canals, squares and main 

attractions. 

Antwerp 

The age-old affair between man 

and diamond is evident around 

the world, but nowhere is it 

more palpable than in the city 

of Antwerp. With the help of 

our guide, we are shown around 

the diamond district, the 17th 

century Ruben house and central 

square in the old town. 

Appeltern Gardens 

A walk through this 23-hectare 

park is an experience for all the 

senses. There is a free audio tour 

if you are interested in the story 

behind Appeltern and want an 

extra explanation about the 

gardens, or you can simply enjoy 

the quiet, the space and the 

nature. Whichever you choose, 

you’re almost certain to come 

away with some fantastic ideas 

for your own garden. 

Castle Arcen & gardens 

Visit the most beautiful 

gardens of the Netherlands and 

experience ancient times on a 

guided tour of the castle which 

dates from the 17th century. 

The huge 42-hectare garden is 

a delight to explore with areas 

that resemble Japan, Italy and 

Thailand, along with woodland 

and tropical gardens. 

Colmar & the alluring 

Alsace 

The Alsace region of France is 

unquestionably beautiful, with a 

special combination of history, 

culture, scenery and gastronomy. 

Our excursion visits the wine 

capital of Colmar and the 

medieval village of Riquewihr, 

which nestle in the Vosges 

mountains and are filled with 

pretty timber-framed buildings. 

We also visit the famous Dopff & 

Irion winery in Riquewihr, where 

you can visit the cellars and 

sample delicious wines. 

Cologne guided tour 

The Cathedral of Cologne is one 

of Germany’s most important 

architectural monuments, a 

gothic masterpiece which boasts 

the highest church spires ever 

built, we admire the cathedral 

before we explore into the old 

town for an insight into the city’s 

2,000 year history. 

Cologne highlights 

With our Cruise Manager we 

walk to see the highlights of 

Cologne, a city dominated by 

the magnificent gothic cathedral, 

believed to be Germany’s most 

impressive building which took 

600 years to complete. You can 

For excursion price please see pages 16 

3Our Superb Range of Excursions – MPS Lady Anne

4Our Superb Range of Excursions – MPS Lady Anne 

Cologne 

Drachenfels 

Heidelberg 

Castle Arcen 

Rhine Falls 

To book simply call 01858 438 315 

also enjoy free time to browse 

the famous shopping centres. In 

the run up to the festive season 

the city hosts its own Christmas 

market, which creates a magical 

atmosphere and offers a glorious 

array of original gifts. 

Dragon Rock Railway 

The Drachenfels is the landmark 

of the Siebengebirge and home 

to one of Germany’s most 

famous legends, for it was here 

that Siegfried is believed to have 

killed the dragon that lived in 

a cave. We take the mountain 

railway to the top, passing the 

castle along the way, and are 

rewarded with magnificent views 

of the Rhine which stretch from 

Cologne in the north to Koblenz 

in the south. 

Heidelberg highlights 

Heidelberg is one of the most 

popular destinations in Germany, 

situated on the edge of the 

Denwald Forest where the 

Neckar river reaches the Rhine 

Plain. The main attractions are 

its castle, the Church of the Holy 

Ghost, and its university – the 

oldest in Germany. A 15-minute 

climb or funicular ride leads you 

to view the restored areas of the 

castle which are used for public 

events. The castle’s terrace in 

particular offers fine views of the 

city, while at the castle down in 

the adjacent cellar we encounter 

the Heidelberg Tun, one of the 

largest wine vats in the world. 

Koblenz cable car 

& Ehrenbreitstein Fortress 

Enjoy an exhilarating ride 

across the Rhine to visit the 

mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, 

Europe’s second largest surviving 

fortress where you can immerse 

yourself in a world of Celts, 

Romans and knights. The 

Koblenz Cable Car was built for 

the 2011 BUGA Flower Show and 

is one of the largest cable cars in 

Europe outside the Alps, which 

offers amazing views of Koblenz 

and the confluence of the Rhine 

and Moselle rivers. 

Lucerne 

With its colourful pitched-roof 

buildings that perch on the edge 

of a blue lake, and a magnificent 

mountain range backdrop, 

Lucerne is a picture postcard 

scene of a Swiss resort. Our 

excursion stops on the lake’s 

northwest shore where you can 

relax at leisure and may be enjoy 

a steamer ride on the lake or, 

time permitting, take a train ride 

up nearby Mount Pilatus. Today 

is a full day tour therefore a 

packed lunch is provided. 

Mainz guided tour 

Roman Mainz, the cathedral, the 

old quarter and the modern city 

centre. This is a tour of Mainz’s 

history, from its beginnings to 

the present day. We also take a 

tour of the Gutenberg Museum, 

which is dedicated to Johannes 

Gutenberg and his inventions. 

Here we experience the history 

of printing, writing and books, 

plus we enjoy a demonstration 

of the printing press. 

Mainz walking tour & 

Gutenberg Museum 

Roman Mainz, the cathedral, the 

old quarter and the modern city 

centre. This is a tour of Mainz’s 

history, from its beginnings to 

the present day. We also take a 

tour of the Gutenberg Museum, 

which is dedicated to Johannes 

Gutenberg and his inventions. 

Here we experience the history 

of printing, writing and books, 

plus we enjoy a demonstration 

of the printing press. 

Medieval Den Bosch 

Den Bosch is a great city to 

visit while in the Netherlands. 

We enjoy a boat trip along the 

Binnendieze river, taking us 

along the small waterways to 

admire the finest areas from 

above and below this historical 

city. Our skipper will point out

areas of interest as we cruise to 

Singelgracht, before continuing 

the tour within the city walls. 

Rotterdam skyline 

Paris has the Eiffel Tower, 

Brussels has the Atomium and 

Rotterdam has the Euromast! 

Take the superfast lift up to the 

viewing platform and enjoy the 

view – you can see as far as The 

Hague and Antwerp on a clear 

day. We also visit the curious 

cube houses, an architectural 

wonder in the heart of the 

city, one of which we have the 

chance to look around. 

Rüdesheim delights 

The quaint town of Rüdesheim 

holds a particular charm during 

the winter months, with the wine 

bars, streets and narrow alleys 

bustling with seasonal festive 

fayre and sales of its regional 

Rheingau wines and beers. In 

Rüdesheim’s most captivating 

, inclined street called the 

Drosselgasse, you can seek out 

a souvenir bottle or two along 

with some local Asbach brandy. 

A highlight of our excursion is a 

visit to the marvellous Siegfried’s 

Mechanical Music Museum, 

where fascinating examples of 

early 1900 mechanical music 

making systems can be viewed. 

Topping off our visit will be the 

offer of a complimentary mug of 

Glühwein, with the invitation to 

keep our mug as a souvenir. Prost! 

Rüdesheim by night 

Visit a traditional wine cellar 

to sample some of the region’s 

best wines, before exploring the 

captivating Drosselgasse, which 

is filled with little taverns and 

courtyards and is the cultural 

heart of the town. 

Rüdesheim highlights 

A road train ride transports you 

to view fascinating examples 

of early 1900 mechanical music 

making systems at Siegfried’s 

Mechanical Music Museum. We 

also include a cable car ride that 

rises 37 metres up the hillside 

to reach the iconic Niederwald 

monument. This is a unique 

experience, taking you over the 

sloping vineyards for an amazing 

panoramic view of the romantic 

Rhine valley. 

Sayn Palace 

& Butterfly Garden 

Let us take you on a journey into 

a little tropical paradise, to palm 

and banana trees, to trickling 

waterfalls and the colourful 

flourish of exotic butterflies 

from South America, Africa and 

Asia. After walking through the 

Butterfly Garden you can visit 

the caterpillar house to see the 

caterpillars and the expertly 

camouflaged cocoons, along 

with turtles and iguana. There’s 

also a small insectarium which is 

home to tarantulas, snakes and 

other exotic animals. Afterwards, 

you are free to explore Sayn 

Palace which is filled with 

precious paintings, furniture and 

artefacts. 

Speyer walking tour 

Our walking tour takes you to 

Speyer’s main town square. 

The magnificent 11th century 

Romanesque cathedral, a 

UNESCO World Heritage Site, is 

one of the Holy Roman Empire’s 

most exquisite monuments 

with the most beautiful crypt in 

Germany. Nearby we can relax 

with a drink in one of the many 

bars and restaurants in the main 

shopping area. 

Strasbourg canal cruise 

Strasbourg is well known for 

its historical and cultural sights, 

which are best seen from the 

unique canal system surrounding 

the city. Our excursion is aboard 

a small glass-topped canal 

cruiser. Having seen some of 

the sights from the water, you 

can disembark in the heart of 

Strasbourg, close to the old 

pedestrianised walled city and 

the cathedral. 

The Black Forest & 

Rhine Falls 

Rising above the lush Rhine Plain 

are the cooler mountain slopes 

of the Black Forest region, which 

offers much more than cuckoo 

clocks and black forest gateau as 

we learn on our unforgettable 

scenic drive to the picturesque 

Lake Titisee. We also visit the 

Rhine Falls, the mightiest falls in 

central Europe that surge over 

a ledge of Jurassic limestone. 

Today is a full day tour therefore 

a packed lunch is provided. 

Trier guided tour 

Trier is believed to be the oldest 

city in Germany and was the 

former residence of Roman 

emperors. It is home to many 

stunning Roman remains along 

with architectural styles from 

various other periods, including 

gothic, renaissance and rococo. 

This makes it a great place to 

explore on foot and our guided 

tour ensures you miss none of 

the highlights. 

For excursion price please see pages 16 

5Our Superb Range of Excursions – MPS Lady Anne

6Our Superb Range of Excursions – MS Serenity 

MS Serenity 

Aalsmeer flower auction 

Bucharest 

Budapest 

Danube 

Floralia 


Aalsmeer flower auction 

Aalsmeer is the largest trading 

centre for plants and flowers in 

the world with trading taking 

place with over 10 countries. This 

is the only place in the world 

where you can watch the trading 

take place. 

Ahr Valley wine tasting 

Join our coach as we venture 

into the most northerly 

winemaking region in Germany 

to enjoy some wine tasting. 

The grapes that grow here on 

steep, terraced vineyards make 

glowing, velvety red wines which 

are among the best of their kind. 

It’s a tradition established by the 

Romans and one that continues 

to this day. 

Amsterdam canal cruise 

with cheese & wine 

The city of Amsterdam is best 

appreciated with a cruise along 

its world famous canals; indeed 

no visit is complete without 

having this experience. Enjoy a 

selection of wonderful cheeses 

washed down with a refreshing 

glass of wine as our chartered 

cruiser, accompanied by English 

commentary, highlights the 

sights and places of interest 

passing by. 

Amsterdam city tour 

Our city tour is aboard a tourist 

bus with a fully transparent roof 

(which opens in good weather), 

offering panoramic views of the 

city, canals, squares and main 

attractions. 

Antwerp during the 

Great War 

This guided walking tour looks 

at the Siege of Antwerp and 

explores the lives of locals 

including artists and writers 

during the First World War. 

Antwerp guided tour 

The age-old affair between man 

and diamond is evident around 

the world, but nowhere is it 

more palpable than in the city 

of Antwerp. With the help of 

our guide, we are shown around 

the diamond district, the 17th 

century Ruben house and central 

square in the old town. 

Appeltern Gardens 

A walk through this 23-hectare 

park is an experience for all the 

senses. There is a free audio tour 

if you are interested in the story 

behind Appeltern and want an 

extra explanation about the 

gardens, or you can simply enjoy 

the quiet, the space and the 

nature. Whichever you choose, 

you’re almost certain to come 

away with some fantastic ideas 

for your own garden. 

Bamberg city tour 

Bamberg’s brewing industry goes 

back almost 900 years to the 

days when monasteries were the 

first breweries. This guided tour 

takes you around the old town 

so you can see the highlights 

of the old town with buildings 

from the 11th to 19th centuries 

including the town hall and the 

Bamberg Cathedral. 

Belgrade city tour 

Explore the Serbian capital on 

our optional city tour, which is a 

great way to see the main sights 

including the beautiful Church 

of St Sava and the huge Belgrade 

Fortress, which stands on top of 

a ridge overlooking the Sava and 

Danube rivers. 

Botanic Garden of Belgium 

(Meise) & the Plant Palace 

This is one of the largest 

botanic gardens in the world, 

with endless promenades that 

lead you through beautiful 

collections of medicinal and

Bratislava 

Heidelburg 

Cologne 

Kalocsa 

Ivanovo 

herbaceous plants, shrubs, 

trees and conifers. There’s also 

the Plant Palace, an enormous 

glasshouse with more than 

10,000 plant species from around 

the world. 

Bratislava city tour 

Explore the charming squares, 

courtyards and narrow lanes of 

this Slovakian capital with the 

help of our guide. The old town 

is filled with all the must-see 

sites and is a pedestrian zone 

which makes exploring on foot 

a safe and relaxing activity. Our 

walking tour lasts around 2½ 

hours and features interior visits 

to one of the city’s landmarks 

and its largest church, St Martin’s 

Cathedral, and Primate’s Palace 

which is often referred to as 

the most beautiful sight in all of 

Bratislava. 

Bucharest city tour 

Visit the Romanian capital of 

Bucharest, where there’s plenty 

of time to explore the wide treelined 

boulevards and admire 

many landmarks including the 

Arch of Triumph, the beautiful 

Romanian Atheneum and 

Parliament Palace – the second 

largest building in the world 

after the US Pentagon. 

Budapest by night 

See this beautiful city when it 

lights up against the night sky. 

First of all you can experience 

an authentic piece of Hungarian 

culture at a folklore show and 

enjoy famous gypsy music and 

dancing with a glass of schnapps. 

We then take a tour to admire 

the night-time views around 

Budapest. 

Budapest city tour 

Budapest is an architectural 

gem filled with baroque, 

neoclassical, eclectic and art 

nouveau buildings. Accompanied 

by a local guide, our coach city 

tour takes in some of the most 

beautiful areas including Gellért 

Hill, Heroes Square – the city’s 

most impressive square which 

is home to the iconic statue 

complex of the Millennium 

Memorial, and Castle Hill where 

we find Matthias Church at the 

heart and the splendid terrace of 

Fisherman’s Bastion which offers 

a grand panorama of almost the 

entire city. 

Cologne guided tour 

& cathedral 

The Cathedral of Cologne is one 

of Germany’s most important 

architectural monuments, a 

gothic masterpiece which boasts 

the highest church spires ever 

built. We have a visit here before 

we venture into the old town for 

an insight into the city’s 2,000 

year history. 

Cologne highlights 

With our cruise manager we 

walk to see the highlights of 

Cologne, a city dominated by 

the magnificent gothic cathedral, 

believed to be Germany’s most 

impressive building which took 

600 years to complete. You can 

also enjoy free time to browse 

the famous shopping centres. In 

the run up to the festive season 

the city hosts its own Christmas 

market, which creates a magical 

atmosphere and offers a glorious 

array of original gifts. 

Danube gorge cruise & 

Weltenburg Abbey 

This excursion continues by 

coach to Kelheim where you 

board a boat and cruise through 

Donaudurchbruch – the Danube 

Gorge. We stop at Weltenburg 

Abbey, the oldest monastery 

in Bavaria, where you can step 

ashore to explore this historic 

site which is also the oldest 

beer-producing monastery in 

the world. 

For excursion prices please see page 17 

7Our Superb Range of Excursions – MS Serenity

8Our Superb Range of Excursions – MS Serenity 

Speyer 

Floralia 

Melk Abbey 

Lucerne 

Novi Sad 

Lucerne 


Delft & the Royal Delft 

Pottery 

Join our coach to visit the pretty 

city of Delft where we enjoy 

free time along with a visit to 

the Royal Dutch Delftware 

Manufactory. Royal Delftware 

is still painted entirely by hand 

according to centuries-old 

tradition, and during our visit 

you can watch a master painter 

at work and admire many 

antique pieces along with a 

comprehensive collection in the 

showroom. 

Deventer 

Our city tour of Deventer 

explores the east bank of the 

river Ijssel and also the west 

bank. Discover some of the city’s 

rich history and sights including 

the city hall with its special 

architecture. 

Floralia Spring Flower Show 

This spectacular show is held 

in the grounds of Château de 

Grand-Bigard, where well over a 

million bulbs have been planted 

by the castle’s gardeners. Tulips, 

hyacinths and daffodils are 

among the 400 varieties on 

show, along with extremely rare 

types. There are also displays in 

the greenhouses and beautiful 

arrangements in the chapel and 

the tower, plus bulbs can be 

purchased at the entrance to 

the castle. 

Heidelberg highlights 

Heidelberg is one of the most 

popular destinations in Germany, 

situated on the edge of the 

Denwald Forest where the 

Neckar river reaches the Rhine 

Plain. The main attractions are 

its castle, the Church of the Holy 

Ghost, and its university – the 

oldest in Germany. A 15-minute 

climb or funicular ride leads you 

to view the restored areas of the 

castle which are used for public 

events. The castle’s terrace 

in particular offers fine views 

of the city, while at the castle 

down in the adjacent cellar we 

encounter the Heidelberg Tun, 

one of the largest wine vats in 

the world. 

Ivanovo guided tour 

Venture into the valley of the 

Rusenski Lom river in Bulgaria 

on this exciting excursion which 

visits the rock-hewn Churches 

of Ivanovo. Around 20 small 

churches and chapels are 

found hidden away in a steep 

cliff side, along with over 300 

rooms which were occupied by 

monks in medieval times. They 

are beautifully preserved with 

unique murals that depict the 

story of Christ. We climb the 

steep, but well maintained, path 

to admire the views and visit one 

of the chapels. 

Kalocsa – paprika town 

Kalocsa is found in the great 

plains of Hungary. Much of the 

country’s paprika comes from 

the pepper fields surrounding 

this small town – there’s even 

the Paprika Museum and 

Paprika Street in the centre. It 

is also known for its beautiful 

handmade embroidery. 

Keukenhof Gardens 

Keukenhof is spring at its most 

beautiful, where all the best 

floral features of the season 

are brought together to form 

stunning displays which are 

reflected in the still waters of 

the surrounding lakes. This is 

the perfect place to pause and 

saturate your senses with the 

sights, smells and sounds of a 

Dutch spring. 

Lucerne 

With its colourful pitched-roof 

buildings that perch on the edge 

of a blue lake, and a magnificent 

mountain range backdrop, 

Lucerne is a picture postcard 

scene of a Swiss resort. Our 

excursion stops on the lake’s 

northwest shore where you can

Pecs 

Regensburg 

Rotterdam Skyline 

Rudesheim 

Schonbrunn 

relax at leisure and may be enjoy 

a steamer ride on the lake or, 

time permitting, take a train ride 

up nearby Mount Pilatus. Today 

is a full day tour therefore a 

packed lunch is provided. 

Melk Abbey 

Discover one of the world’s 

most famous monastic 

sites. Today, Melk Abbey is a 

prestigious school with more 

than 800 students, yet blackrobed 

Benedictine monks 

still stroll among the marble 

structures and frescoed walls. 

Our guided tour shows you 

the magnificent Marble Hall, 

Emperor’s Gallery, Abbey Church 

and the terrace where you can 

enjoy fine views of the Danube 

river and the town. There is also 

free time to explore the grounds 

and the gardens. 

Mons & St Symphorien 

Visit the town of Mons, which 

is especially symbolic for Britain 

as it was where our first and last 

soldiers died in the First World 

War: Private John Parr on 21 

August 1914 and Private George 

Ellison on 11 November 1918. 

Entrance is included to the Mons 

Memorial Museum and we also 

visit St Symphorien Cemetery 

on the outskirts of the town. 

The cemetery is unique for 

having German graves and 

Commonwealth graves, including 

those of John Parr and George 

Ellison. 

Novi Sad city tour 

Novi Sad is the second largest 

city in Serbia after Belgrade 

and our optional guided tour 

takes in the many highlights. The 

most recognised landmark is 

the Petrovaradin Fortress, which 

dominates the city from its 

position on the right bank of the 

Danube. There’s also the historic 

neighbourhood of Stari Grad. 

Nuremberg city tour 

Our coach takes you through 

this medieval city, which was 

beautifully restored with original 

stone after being destroyed 

in the Second World War. The 

old town is almost completely 

surrounded by the 15th- and 

16th-century city walls, and is 

filled with half-timbered houses, 

cobblestone squares and the 

mighty Kaiserberg Castle. You 

can also enjoy some free time 

exploring the city on foot, 

before returning to our ship. 

Pécs city tour 

Home to the world famous 

Zsolnay ceramics and the largest 

Turkish ruins in Hungary, Pécs 

is a city of art and history. See 

the Gazi Kasim Mosque in the 

middle of the main square, the 

barbican and the cathedral, and 

wander along Király and Káptalan 

Street. Pécs is also a city of love, 

with couples from around the 

world visiting Janus Pannonius 

Street, where they place a 

padlock on the street railings to 

symbolise their lasting love for 

each other. 

Puszta horse show 

Join us as we travel through the 

sweeping plains of Hungary to 

the town of Lajosmizse, where 

we visit a traditional stud farm. 

We take a tour of the grounds in 

a horse-drawn carriage, before 

watching human skill and horse 

power come together in a 

spectacular live show performed 

in an open air arena. 

Regensburg city tour 

This excursion shows you the 

highlights of Regensburg, a 

fascinating city with over 1,500 

listed buildings. Many of these 

make up the old town which 

became a Unesco world heritage 

site in 2006. 



Our Superb Range of Excursions – MS Serenity 

Salzburg 

Melk Abbey 

Rudesheim 

Vienna 

Strasbourg 

Rotterdam skyline 

Paris has the Eiffel Tower, 

Brussels has the Atomium and 

Rotterdam has the Euromast! 

Take the superfast lift up to the 

viewing platform and enjoy the 

view – you can see as far as The 

Hague and Antwerp on a clear 

day. We also visit the curious 

cube houses, an architectural 

wonder in the heart of the 

city, one of which we have the 

chance to look around. 

Rüdesheim by night 

Visit a traditional wine cellar 

to sample some of the region’s 

best wines, before exploring the 

captivating Drosselgasse, which 

is filled with little taverns and 

courtyards and is the cultural 

heart of the town. 

Rüdesheim delights 

The quaint town of Rüdesheim 

holds a particular charm during 

the winter months, with the 

wine bars, streets and narrow 

alleys bustling with seasonal 

festive fayre and sales of its 

regional Rheingau wines and 

beers. In Rüdesheim’s most 

captivating , inclined street 

called the Drosselgasse, you 

can seek out a souvenir bottle 

or two along with some local 

Asbach brandy. A highlight 

of our excursion is a visit to 

the marvellous Siegfried’s 

Mechanical Music Museum, 

where fascinating examples of 

early 1900 mechanical music 

making systems can be viewed. 

Topping off our visit will be the 

offer of a complimentary mug of 

Glühwein, with the invitation to 

keep our mug as a souvenir. 

Rüdesheim highlights 

A road train ride transports you 

to view fascinating examples 

of early 1900 mechanical music 

making systems at Siegfried’s 

Mechanical Music Museum. We 

also include a cable car ride that 

rises 37 metres up the hillside 

to reach the iconic Niederwald 

monument. This is a unique 

experience, taking you over the 

sloping vineyards for an amazing 

panoramic view of the romantic 

Rhine valley. 

Salzburg 

Salzburg is the birthplace of 

Mozart and home to ‘The 

Sound of Music’, this enchanting 

city is set on the banks of the 

River Salzach, framed by the 

Kapuzinerberg and Mönchsberg 

mountain range. We have a 

guided tour of the famous sights 

in Salzburg. 

Schönbrunn Palace 

This is a wonderful opportunity 

to see inside the luxurious 

interiors of Schönbrunn Palace 

and explore some of the 

1,441 rooms which are filled 

with magnificent chandeliers, 

beautiful ceiling frescoes and 

lashings of gold decoration. 

Highlights include the Great 

Gallery, the Chinese Cabinets 

and Emperor Franz Joseph’s 

private suite. 

Please note: for The Danube 

to the Black Sea itinerary, 

Schönbrunn Palace is combined 

with the Vienna city tour to 

create a full day excursion. 

Strasbourg canal cruise 

Strasbourg is well known for 

its historical and cultural sights, 

which are best seen from the 

unique canal system surrounding 

the city. Our excursion is aboard 

a small glass-topped canal 

cruiser which offers a great 

vantage point. Having seen some 

of the sights from the water, 

you can disembark in the heart 

of Strasbourg, close to the old 

pedestrianised walled city and 

the cathedral. 

Vienna city tour 

This is the perfect introduction 

to Vienna, the city of music. 

Our tour focuses on the 

historic centre and its rich 

architecture, where we learn 

10 

To book simply call 01858 438 315

Puszta horse trials 

about the baroque castles and 

gardens, and the 19th-century 

Ringstrasse which is lined with 

grand buildings, monuments and 

parks – all of which are inscribed 

on the Unesco world heritage 

list (entrances to attractions not 

included). 

Please note: for The Danube to the 

Black Sea itinerary, the Vienna city 

tour is combined with Schönbrunn 

Palace to create a full day excursion. 

the Plugstreet 14-18 Experience 

which details what happened 

in the area during the war. A 

packed lunch is included for this 

excursion. 

Kinderdijk 

Nuremberg 

Wurzburg 

Ploegstreet 

Windmills of Kinderdijk 

No trip to the Netherlands is 

complete without visiting these 

beautiful wooden windmills, 

which date back to the 1500s 

and symbolise the way in which 

the Dutch have managed water. 

We visit the Museum Windmill 

Nederwaard, where we meet the 

miller and discover all about mill 

life, and the Museum Windmill 

Blokweer to learn about the 

impressive mechanism of a mill 

and Kinderdijk’s heritage. 

Wurzburg Palace 

The residence of the former 

prince bishops is one of the 

most important baroque castles 

in Europe and an absolute mustsee 

for visitors to Würzburg. 

Our guided tour starts in the 

opulent Garden Hall and takes 

you to the grand staircase, 

through the White Hall, to the 

Imperial Hall – one of the most 

magnificent in the history of 

palace architecture. From there 

we are shown the stunning 

imperial rooms. 

Ypres & Ploegsteert 

The city of Ypres was at the 

heart of the salient during 

the First World War. Here we 

visit the Menin Gate, where 

the names of 54,896 missing 

soldiers are engraved in its walls. 

Entrance is also included to 

the In Flanders Fields Museum. 

Next we visit the Plugstreet 

(Ploegsteert) Memorial to the 

Missing and Hyde Park Corner 

Cemetery before heading to 



Our Superb Range of Excursions – Extended Fleet 

Extended Fleet 

Ardeche Gorges 

Avignon Bridge 

Beaune 

Chalon 

Chalon sur Saone 

MS Amadeus Provence 

Ardèche gorges 

Over millions of years, the 

Ardèche river has carved 

through a high plateau to form a 

magnificent 30 kilometre canyon, 

hailed as the Grand Canyon of 

Europe. The triumphal entrance 

to this geological piece of 

perfection is a magnificent natural 

arch, the Vallon Pont d’Arc, which 

stands around 66 metres tall. 

Each year this protected region 

serves as a magnet to walkers and 

canoeists who come to enjoy 

the spectacular views and rich 

wildlife. 

Arles city tour 

Arles is a beautiful place to 

explore on foot. It was an 

important city during the Roman 

Empire and there are a number 

of preserved sites in and around 

the town, including a huge 

amphitheatre that is still used 

for entertainment and can hold 

12,000 people. Vincent van Gogh 

produced some of his most 

famous paintings while living 

here, including Cafe Terrace at 

Night which depicts the warmth 

of a café in Arles. 

Avignon city tour 

From our ship you have a 

nice view of the fortress wall 

surrounding Avignon and the 

world famous Pont d’Avignon. 

We take a walk from here to the 

Place de Horloge, in the centre 

of town and just a few steps 

from the Palais des Papes. This 

imposing fortress is built on a 

cliff above the Rhône and shows 

how much power on earth the 

supreme servants of Christianity 

had for almost 70 years. 

Beaujolais wine route 

scenic tour 

The Beaujolais region is known as 

le pays des pierres dorées (land of 

the golden stones) because of its 

beautifully coloured sandstone 

which glows in the sun. It gives 

the villages a Tuscan flair and is a 

delightful place to pass through. 

Beaune 

Known as the capital of burgundy 

wines and a city of art, Beaune 

is a charming town with an 

exceptional heritage. Within its 

ramparts are historical mansions, 

medieval half-timbered houses 

and flower filled squares. Beneath 

the cobbled streets you can 

discover the cellars of local wine 

growers and merchants, where 

you can purchase that extra 

special bottle, before we take 

a scenic tour of the celebrated 

burgundy wine route. 

Chalon sur Saône 

walking tour 

This lively town nestles on the 

banks of the Saône, from which 

it takes its name, and was where 

Joseph Nicéphore Niépce (who 

invented the first photograph) 

was born in 1765. It was once a 

distribution point for local wines 

which were sent up and down 

the river; today it is an interesting 

place to explore with a beautiful 

cathedral and a bustling square. 

Cluny Abbey 

The Abbey of Cluny was founded 

by Benedictine monks in AD910. 

The height of its influence was 

in the 12th century when itz 

was one of the greatest powers 

in Europe, with around 10,000 

monks, the largest church 

in the world and the most 

important library in Europe. 

The war of religions and the 

12 


Lyon 

Camargue 

Macon 

French Revolution destroyed 

most of the Abbey in 1798 

but the remains still suggest 

its size and glory and the site 

offers prestigious heritage, with 

pleasant gardens and a museum. 

Lyon city tour 

The city of Lyon is shaped by 

two great rivers, the Saône and 

the Rhône, and watched over 

by the Fourvière – the hill that 

prays. Between these two rivers 

we discover the heart of the 

city, celebrated as the French 

capital of gastronomy, with an 

exhaustive list of sights to see 

and some beautifully preserved 

historic areas recognised by 

Unesco world heritage. 

Mâcon walking tour 

With its canal tile rooftops 

and pastel coloured buildings, 

the town of Mâcon, the most 

southerly town in Burgundy, 

has a distinct Mediterranean air 

about it. Once home to the poet 

Lamartine, it’s a pleasant place to 

pass some time and our walking 

tour will show you the best views 

and the main sights. 

The Camargue 

This coach trip winds through 

the romantic wetlands of 

the Camargue, which extend 

between the Grand and the 

Petit Rhône. One of the last 

quiet oases in France, it is famed 

throughout the world for the 

stunning white horses, black bulls 

and pink flamingos. 

Tournus walking tour 

Tucked away in the southeast 

corner of Burgundy, this 

delightful town is filled with 

alleyways and ancient buildings 

that are great for exploring. 

Highlights include a superb abbey 

which dates back to the 10th 

century, and Hôtel Dieu, the old 

hospital and apothecary. 

Vienne walking tour 

The town of Vienne made its 

mark in Roman times when it 

became an important city; it is 

still home to some beautifully 

preserved remains, including an 

obelisk and an amphitheatre, 

which you can see on our walking 

tour, along with a number of 

medieval buildings and important 

religious monuments. 


Lamego 

Castelo Rodrigo 

MS Douro Spirit 


Castelo Rodrigo is among the 12 

historic villages in Portugal and 

has landmark status. From its 

elevated position we can enjoy 

panoramic views as we walk 

around the village, taking in the 

medieval walls, the church, the 

cistern and the palace ruins. 

City tour of Lamego 

This elegant city is filled with 

Renaissance and baroque 

mansions, and tucked away in 

an 18th century palace is one 

of Portugal’s best regional 

museums which we see during 

our visit. It includes huge 16th 

century Flemish tapestries 

depicting mythological scenes 

and works by the great 16th 

century Portuguese artist Grão 

Vasco showing the Creation, 

Annunciation, Visitation, and 

Circumcision. 

Guimarães 

This well preserved town is often 

referred to as the birthplace of 

Portugal. With the consistent 

use of traditional building 

materials and techniques, 

it exemplifies Portuguese 

architecture from the 15th to the 

19th century, and is a beautiful 

place to explore on foot. 


13


Palace Mateus 

Salamanca 

Wine tasting 

Palace Mateus & Vila Real 

Vila Real is a historic city is of a 

rural tranquillity. Palace Mateus 

was the holiday home of the 

Portuguese royal family in the 

sixteenth and seventeenth 

centuries. We visit the palace 

as well as the promenade in the 

park. 

Port & wine tasting at 

Quinta do Seixo 

Sandeman’s Quinta do Seixo 

wine centre offers breathtaking 

views across its vineyards and 

the Douro river. During our 

visit we take a guided tour of 

the cellar and enjoy a glass of 

delicious Porto wine. 

Porto city tour with port 

wine tasting 

This excursion leads you 

from Ribeira square, the 

historical heart of Porto, to the 

waterfront, taking in numerous 

highlights along the way. We 

then visit one of the port wine 

houses for a tour and tasting. 

Salamanca with lunch and 

a flamenco show 

Enjoy a full day in the famous 

Spanish university city 

Salamanca. During a sightseeing 

walk you will see the Plaza 

Mayor (the oldest university in 

Spain), the Casa de las Conchas, 

the baroque church La Clereria, 

the cathedral and the Roman 

bridge. The excursion 

also includes lunch and a 

flamenco show. 

Wine tasting in the 

Quinta Avessada 

We are taken to the little village 

of Favaios in the heart of the 

Douro region to visit the Quinta 

Avessada wine cellar and enjoy 

a tasting of different kinds of 

port wine, as well as dinner and 

live entertainment. Traditions 

here are still very much at the 

heart of winemaking, but the 

winery has also developed an 

interactive technological system 

which uses robots – a project 

that’s totally unique in Europe. 

MV Infinity 

Dubrovnik 

Korcula 

Dubrovnik guided tour 

We fly to Dubrovnik and transfer 

to Gruž harbour where we settle 

aboard our ship. Dubrovnik is 

widely regarded as the pearl of 

the Adriatic and was described 

by George Bernard Shaw as 

“heaven on earth”, so it’s the 

perfect place to start our cruise. 

You can spend the evening 

exploring at leisure or join an 

included guided tour to get the 

most from our visit. There’s also 

the chance to get to know your 

fellow passengers as we enjoy 

dinner onboard. 

Korcula guided walking 

tour 

This morning we cruise towards 

Korcˇula, another striking island 

which was also the birthplace 

of the explorer Marco Polo. 

Enjoy a leisurely lunch onboard 

with views of Lumbarda bay 

before stepping ashore to visit 

the historic town. Surrounded 

by ancient walls and fortified 

bastions, Korcula is very well 

preserved with its layout and 

structure dating back to 13th 

century. You can join an optional 

guided walking tour or explore 

at your own pace. We stay here 

overnight. 

Mljet National Park 

This is the most forested island 

in the Adriatic and much of it 

is a national park with two salt 

lakes. You can visit the old abbey 

and church in the middle of one 

of the lakes or hire a small boat 

to roam around the national 

park. Bicycles can also be hired 

to cycle around the paths that 

surround the lakes. 

14 


Spilt 

Trstenik 

Dubrovnik 

Peljesac 

Split guided tour 

Split is a fascinating city in a 

unique setting between the 

turquoise Adriatic waters 

and dramatic mountains. It is 

renowned for its 1,700-year-old 

Diocletian’s palace and historical 

richness, along with its thriving 

restaurants and shops. This 

can all be appreciated during 

a guided tour as we walk past 

medieval buildings and look out 

for the Roman influence. We 

stay here overnight. 

Trstenik village party 

dinner 

Early this morning we begin 

cruising towards the little village 

of Trstenik on the Pelješac 

peninsula. Lunch is served 

onboard. The coastline along 

the town and the neighbouring 

islets is covered by pine groves, 

offering fine views for an 

afternoon swim. This is also 

one of the most famous areas 

for vineyards and wineries 

in Croatia, and is where the 

Californian winemaker Grgich 

was born. You can join an 

optional village party dinner 

excursion. We stay in Trstenik 

overnight. 


Mljet Salt Lake 


15

Excursion Prices – MPS Lady Anne 

Excursion Prices 

MPS Lady Anne cruises 

Rhine Discovery 

Rüdesheim highlights.............................£26 

Rüdesheim by night£27 

Sayn Palace & Butterfly Garden........ £23 

Dragon Rock Railway.............................. £25 

Pre-book package price....................£81 

Saving per person.............................£20 

Best of the Rhine & Moselle 


Mainz guided tour................................... £21 


& Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.................... £21 

Trier guided tour...................................... £15 


Cologne highlights.................................... £9 

Sayn Palace & Butterfly Garden........ £23 

Pre-book package price................. £120 


Captain’s Choice 

Appeltern Gardens.................................£24 

Castle Arcen & Gardens........................ £27 

Medieval Den Bosch..............................£20 

Rotterdam Skyline................................... £21 

Pre-book package price...................£70 

Saving per person............................. £22 

Cruise the Rhine to Switzerland 


Speyer walking tour................................ £12 

Strasbourg canal cruise......................... £27 

Colmar & the alluring Alsace...............£19 

The Black Forest & Rhine Falls.............£19 

Heidelberg highlights..............................£19 

Koblenz cable car & 

Ehrebreitstein Fortress........................... £21 

Pre-book package price..................£120 


Rhine in Flames 


& Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.................... £21 


Rüdesheim by night............................... £27 

Mainz walking tour & 

Gutenberg Museum................................ £21 

Ahr valley wine tasting.......................... £22 


Cologne highlights.................................... £9 

Pre-book package price..................£130 

Saving per person..............................£21 

Christmas Rhine to Belgium 

& Dutch Waterways cruise 

Cologne guided tour.............................. £21 

Antwerp....................................................... £21 

Rotterdam skyline.................................... £21 

Pre-book package price................... £53 


New Year Celebration Cruise 

in Holland 

Amsterdam city tour.............................. £21 

Rotterdam skyline.................................... £21 

Pre-book package price................... £32 


MPS Lady Anne 

16 To book simply call 01858 438 315


MS Serenity cruises 

The Delights of Amsterdam & the 

Dutch Bulbfields 

Amsterdam canal cruise 

with cheese & wine.................................£39 

Battlefields & Stories of the 

Great War 

Windmills of Kinderdijk..........................£17 

Delft & the Royal Delft Pottery.........£24 

Antwerp guided tour...............................£21 

Rotterdam skyline.....................................£21 

Special pre-book package price.... £65 


Springtime in the Gardens of 

Holland & Belgium 

Aalsmeer Flower Auction.....................£29 

Amsterdam Canal Cruise.......................£39 

Windmills of Kinderdijk..........................£17 

Special pre-book package price.....£75 


Romantic Rhine & Swiss Delights 

Amsterdam city tour..............................£25 

Cologne guided tour & cathedral.......£21 

Rüdesheim highlights..............................£26 

Rüdesheim by night................................£27 

Heidelberg highlights...............................£19 

Strasbourg canal cruise..........................£29 

Special pre-book package price... £125 


Bavaria & the Romantic Rhine 






Würzburg Palace.......................................£26 

Bamberg city tour.....................................£21 

Nuremberg city tour...............................£25 

Special pre-book package price...£145 


Delights of the Danube 

Danube gorge cruise 

& Weltenburg Abbey..............................£26 

Salzburg........................................................£34 

Melk Abbey.................................................£21 

Vienna city tour........................................£25 

Bratislava city tour...................................£24 

Budapest city tour....................................£21 



Danube Discovery Cruise & Stay 


Puszta horse show...................................£36 



Schönbrunn Palace..................................£35 

Melk Abbey.................................................£21 

Special pre-book package price... £139 


Cruise the Danube to Vienna 

& Budapest 

Melk Abbey.................................................£21 




Budapest by night....................................£35 





Up the Rhine & Down the Danube 






Würzburg Palace.......................................£26 

Bamberg city tour.....................................£21 

Nuremberg city tour...............................£25 

Regensburg city tour..............................£26 

Salzburg........................................................£32 

Melk Abbey.................................................£21 




Special pre-book package price.. £270 


The Danube to the Black Sea 



Kalocsa – paprika town......................... £20 

Belgrade city tour......................................£21 

Ivanovo guided tour.................................£21 

Bucharest city tour..................................£35 

Novi Sad city tour.....................................£21 

Pécs city tour.............................................£25 




Melk Abbey.................................................£21 

Special pre-book package price..£249 


German Christmas Markets 

Rüdesheim delights..................................£15 

Christmas Rhine Cruise 


Ahr valley wine...........................................£19 

Cologne highlights.....................................£9 

Special pre-book package price.... £28 


New Year Celebration Rhine Cruise 


Cologne highlights.....................................£9 

Special pre-book package price..... £14 


Excursion Prices – MS Serenity 

MS Serenity 


17

Excursion Prices – Extended Fleet 


Extended Fleet cruises 

African Queen 

Thames Cruise 

All excursions included 


River Douro Cruise 

City tour of Lamego 


Port & wine tasting at Quinta do 

Seixo 

Full day trip to Pinhão with lunch and 

wine tasting in the Quinta Avessada 

Salamanca with lunch and a 

flamenco show 

Porto city tour with port wine 

tasting 

Palace Mateus & Vila Real 

Guimaraes 

All excursions included 

African Queen 


Rhône & Saône Cruise through 

Burgundy & Provence 

Cluny Abbey 

Mâcon walking tour 

Beaujolais wine route scenic tour 

Chalon sur Saône walking tour 

Beaune 

Tournus walking tour 

Lyon city tour 

Vienne walking tour 

Avignon city tour 

The Camargue 

Arles city tour 

Ardèche gorges 

Pre-book package price...............£349 

Available on advance bookings only 

Individual excursions bookable once 

onboard MS Amadeus Provence subject to 

availability 

MV Infinity 

Croatia – Dalmatian Coastal Cruise 

Mljet national park......................Included 

Split guided tour...........................Included 

Dubrovnik guided tour..............Included 

Korčula guided walking tour.............. £20 

Trstenik village party dinner................£32 


MV Infinity 


Optional and included excursions will operate subject to weather conditions and minimum numbers for each excursion. Changes to the 

advertised excursion programme are rare, but we do reserve the right to amend the programme at any time. The order in which excursions 

operate may vary according to local circumstances. Please note: On occasions due to timings you will be provided with a packed lunch 

instead of lunch onboard the ship. Details and prices are correct at the time of going to print – September 2017. 

18 To book simply call 01858 438 315

RCL Excursion Booklet 2018 aw

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