Compare Premium Rhine Cruise 2017 by Great Rail Journeys vs Walking and E-biking in the Swiss Alps by Exodus Travels
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
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4 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 3,281 | $ 2,435 |
| Price Per Day | $ 410 | $ 304 |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included |
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 7 Dinners |
All meals are included throughout the trip, including picnic lunches. For dinner enjoy regional dishes and fine wines in Nico's restaurant. At the beginning of each set of notes we advise on the lunch situation and suggest good picnic spots. You can obtain supplies daily from the hotel's picnic buffet or you can return to the hotel for a light lunch. We suggest you to carry 1-5 litres water per person, there are often benches for resting and admiring the views. There are also mountain restaurants with sun-trap terraces. With such a mixture of language and tradition co-existing in such a small country, it is no wonder that there are so many regional dishes. In the Bernese Oberland, Austrian and German influences predominate; gastronomic local delicacies include geschnetzeltes Kalbsfleisch (veal in a rich cream sauce), Kandersteger Bratwurst au Mad re-Jus (roast sausage with a Madeira sauce), Lammbraten gefüllt mit Kraütern (herb roasted lamb) and smoked pork with sauerkraut, and a selection of colourful salads. Typical desserts include Caramel-Birne mit Rum-Sabayon (caramelised pear with a rum sabayon) and Aprikosen-Symphonie (apricot gateau). |
| Description |
Enjoy A Fantastic Cruise On The Mighty Rhine Join us on the wonderful MV A-Rosa Viva as we cruise our way through Germany along the romantic River Rhine. From Cologne, we explore charming medieval wine towns, admire the breathtaking scenery of the Rhine Gorge and the majestic Lorelei Rock, and cross the border into Switzerland for a visit to the beautiful city of Basel. |
Awe-inspiring and dramatic, the area epitomises the 'chocolate-box' Alps: lush green pastures and lowland slopes carpeted bright with wildflowers against a backdrop of rugged mountains - all topped off with sun-glistening glaciers. On this 7 night holiday you can explore the best the region has to offer on foot and by e-bike. This single centre holiday is totally flexible, we have suggested an itinerary for you but on this holiday you are free to pick and choose where you walk and cycle each day. A stay here uncovers the very best of the region: on foot the stunning Oeschinensee mountain lake enclosed by towering cliffs, the Sudrampe; high above the youthful river Rhone passing tradtional Swiss chalets along a fertile valley and superb railway engineering with impressive viaducts tunnels and bridges and an easy stroll to the beautiful Blausee Blue Lake. You can use the extra power that the e-bike has to offer to discover the hidden Gasterntal Valley with its glacial meltwaters thundering down a narrow gorge, the glorious Gemmi Pass crossing the swiss counties of Bern and Wallis before reaching the crystal clear waters of Lake Arven and Daubensee Lake and the spectacular views of the Bluemlisalp mountain range. Did we mention the spectacular views? One moment you will be spellbound by the glacial legacy, whilst in another it will be the cobalt blue of the Oeschinensee that will take your breath away. Woodlands, pine forest and open meadows are decorated with lady slippers, fire lilies and more than 25 varieties of scented orchid, where you walk to the the tuneful ringing of cowbells. With the company of the occasional swooping eagle, it is easy to feel on top of the world.In the heart of the Bernese Oberland lies the pretty village of Kandersteg, where the great arc of the Alps culminates in some of its highest and most spectacular peaks. |
Day 1: London to Cologne
Meals: Dinner
We meet at our exclusive departure office at St Pancras International, where we join the Eurostar to Brussels. We change trains in Brussels and continue into Germany on the high-speed train to Cologne, where our home for the next seven nights, the MV A-Rosa Viva, is moored. Over the next week, the pace of your holiday is set by you. Tonight we enjoy our first dinner together on board as we begin our cruise on the majestic River Rhine.
Day 2: Boppard and The Rhine Gorge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
We arrive into Boppard before breakfast this morning. Located in the scenic Rhine Gorge at a great bow in the river, Boppard is one of the region's most popular towns. Originally settled by the Romans in the 1st century BC, Boppard is surrounded by defensive walls, crowned with a castle built in the Middle Ages. Both of these are still present in the town today, along with the wonderful Rhine promenade.
You can see all of these on our included guided walking tour of Boppard. This afternoon we cruise through the stunning Rhine Gorge, an idyllic landscape. As we sail south we pass countless villages, towns and hilltop castles surrounded by rolling vineyards. We also navigate past the imposing Lorelei Rock, a legendary rocky outcrop that soars high above the water line
Guided walking tour of Boppard
Day 3: Kehl and Strasbourg
Meals: :Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We arrive at the town of Kehl this afternoon, where we moor for the night. From here we visit Strasbourg, the attractive capital of Alsace, on an included guided coach tour. Steeped in heritage, Strasbourg's city centre enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status and is a delight to explore. The city has changed hands several times and both German and French influences can be seen in abundance. Among the city's many highlights are the delightful Old Town, the spectacular Gothic Cathedral, with its famous astronomical clock, and the stunning Petite France quarter, an area of picturesque half timbered houses, dotted with mills and crisscrossed by canals.
Guided tour of Strasbourg with a local guide
Day 4: At Leisure In Strasbourg
Meals: :Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You are at leisure today until the early evening, and you may wish to spend your time discovering more of charming Strasbourg independently, or simply relaxing on board and enjoying the ship's facilities. We sail overnight for Basel in Switzerland.
Free time to visit Strasbourg independently or relax on board
Day 5: Basel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we arrive in Basel, a beautiful Swiss city that stands at the point where Switzerland, France and Germany meet, and provides Switzerland with its only navigable outlet to the sea. Here we can enjoy an optional guided walking tour, taking in Basel's abundance of romantic cobbled lanes, quaint markets and its beautiful red sandstone cathedral or spend our time at leisure. Basel is also home to many museums and art galleries. The historic Old Town contains lively shopping streets that connect the two main squares, while medieval town houses and churches line the steep lanes that lead up towards the majestic Münster, dominating the skyline from high above the Rhine.
Explore Basel at leisureTake an optional guided tour
Day 6: Breisach
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we arrive in Breisach, a small fortified hill town at the Rhine's edge in the heart of the Rhineland's 'winecellar'. Here we enjoy an included guided tour of Breisach city and visit to a vineyard, where we are given the chance to try three of the local sparkling wine with a specialist tasting.
Guided tour of BreisachVisit to a vineyard with tastings
Day 7: Mainz And Koblenz
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our cruise continues to Mainz this morning, a city established by the Romans at the confluence of the Rhine and Main rivers. Here you can enjoy an optional walking tour including the Gutenberg Museum, which tells the story of printing pioneer Johannes Gutenberg. His bible was the first major printed work, and was printed in the city in the 15th century. This afternoon we continue north, sailing back through the beautiful, rugged landscapes of the Middle Rhine Valley. Late afternoon we arrive in Koblenz, situated at the northern end of the scenic Rhine Gorge, and the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Here you can discover the sights of one of Germany's oldest cities at leisure or take an optional guided tour.
Day 8: Return To Cologne And Home
Meals: Breakfast
We arrive in Cologne this morning, disembark the ship and make the short transfer to the station to join the high-speed rail service to Brussels. On arrival in the Belgian capital we connect with the Eurostar service back to London.
Day 1 Arrive Kandersteg
Arrive at the 3-star Hotel Alfa Soleil, well known locally for its excellent cuisine and enjoy a welcome drink before dinner. Dinner is included all week along with picnics or light restaurant lunches. Below is a suggested itinerary for the week but you are free to pick and choose where you walk and cycle each day, just be sure to check the e-bike availability with the hotel as they have been reserved for your on the days specified in the itinerary.
Day 2 Sudrampe Walk
Today starts with a 25-minute train ride (payable locally) through the Lotschberg mountain rail tunnel (14km long) to Hohtenn. The walk takes you high above a youthful River Rhone, through a landscape of gorges and hidden side valleys - and small hillside villages boasting traditional wooden chalets built on the upper edges of this fertile, vineyard-adorned valley. You follow part of the Lotschberger-Sudrampe railway trail - superb railway engineering with impressive viaducts, tunnels and bridges - but you don't need to be a train buff to enjoy this great little hike. A shorter walk is also available.
Day 3 Gasterntal Valley by e-bike
Today it's a glorious bike ride into the unspoiled landscape of Gasterntal. With your e-bike follow the route along the river Kander taking the steep, unpaved road up to the Gasterntal, offering the most breath taking views. The road continues through the valley to Selden or you can carry on to Heimritz. The descent passes through dark tunnels as you head back to Kandersteg.
Day 4 Oeschinensee Walk
Widely regarded as the jewel in the crown of the Bernese Oberland, Oeschinensee is one of the most beautiful Alpine lakes in Switzerland. After a short ride up on the gondola lift (included), follow a marvellous mountain path up to the Heuberg Viewpoint and picnic spot. The cobalt blue water of the lake, surrounded by the snow-capped, razor-edged peaks of the Doldenhorn (3,638m) and the Bluemlisalphorn (3,663m) towering 2,000m above, will be a lasting memory. Call in at the mountain chalets at Obberbargli and Underbargli for refreshments and soak up this unforgettable scenery as bell-toting cows munch at the grass in the pastures below, while dainty waterfalls trickle down from the Frunden Glacier.
Day 5 Blausee Blue Lake Walk
A gentle hour's stroll takes you down to the Natural Park of Blausee - the Blue Lake (discounted entry with short boat ride). Here you can wander through verdant woodland around the little lake, visit the organic trout farm and enjoy a drink on the lake terrace before returning to the hotel.
Day 6 Gemmi Pass by e-bike
A glorious bike ride through the impressive Gemmi pass today. You'll soon discover the benefit of an e-bike as you cross the two Swiss counties of Bern and Wallis passing the crystal-clear Lake Arven, as well as the famous Schwarenbach hotel and the stunning Daubensee lake. Reaching the summit of the Gemmi pass take in the spectacular views of the eleven peaks above 4000m that make up the imposing Mischabel massif, an ample reward for your efforts.
Day 7 Ueschinental/Allmenalp by e-bike
Glorious views of the Bluemlisalp mountain range today. Climb uphill from Kandersteg with steep curves on the paved path to Usser Ueschinen where you head right in the direction of Ryharts - Allmenalp. Continue your ascent where you are rewarded for your efforts with more impressive views. Descend from the Allmenalp or if you fancy a rest, you and your bike can use the cable car and then enjoy the easy bike ride back to Kandersteg via Ryharts - Usser Ueschinen.
Day 8 Depart Kandersteg
The tour ends in Kandersteg.
