News
14 February 2017, 00:00
SIX OF THE BEST
Sail along the Saar, Moselle, Rhine, Main, Altmuhl and Danube on Saga’s Six River Discovery cruise
… and fly out from a choice of six UK airports
Anyone wanting to sail along the best of Europe’s rivers will find six of the best on Saga’s Six River Discovery sailing on October 12, 2017.
The 12-night cruise on Regina Rheni II is exclusively chartered for Saga guests and includes sailing along the rivers Saar, Moselle, Rhine, Main, Altmuhl and Danube.
Regina Rheni II departs from Merzig, in Germany, and after an overnight cruise guests visit Trier, before continuing to Schweich-Issel and Berkastel on the Middle Moselle.
The 154-passenger ship stays overnight at Cochem for Koblenz. Here the Rhine and Moselle converge and this point is known as 'Deutsches Eck' or German Corner, which features a landmark statue of Kaiser Wilhelm l. The wine making town of Rüdesheim, is next on the itinerary and guests can stroll from the ship to the Drosselgasse, a medieval street full of restaurants, wine houses and garden taverns.
The scenic cruise continues to Miltenberg, a historic city with pretty timber-framed houses. Here an optional beer-tasting tour is available before Regina Rheni II cruises overnight to Wurzburg on the River Main. Next is Bamberg, with an included walking tour of the Bavarian city, followed by a brief call to Kelheim, plus an optional excursion to nearby Weltenburg Abbey.
The ship sails on to Regensburg for independent exploring or an optional city walking tour of the medieval UNESCO-listed city, once centre of the Holy Roman Empire. Next, in Passau, guests can admire baroque architecture, leafy squares or visit St Steven's Cathedral to see the world's largest cathedral organ.
Regina Rheni II sails on to Melk, with an option to visit the Benedictine Melk Abbey, before setting sail to Durnstein, one of the most picturesque towns on the Danube, set beneath the ruins of Kuenringer Castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned.
The cruise ends in Vienna and guests can opt for a two-night extension at the Mercure Grand Hotel Biedermeier (4Q), to discover the timeless allure of this graceful city.
River cruise expert Andrew Iwasyszyn, who is Saga’s Head of Specialist Product and Innovation, says the Six River Discovery cruise is the ‘perfect way to enjoy sailing on so many of Europe’s rivers’.
He added: “Another special feature of the cruise is being able to observe the different colours of the rivers as they converge. Passau, at the confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube, is known as the 'city on three rivers' and it is possible to see three colours of water.
“In Koblenz, where the Moselle and Rhine meet, my tip is to travel up to the impressive Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and look down on the rivers from above. The views are amazing!”
ENDS
For details call free on 0800 300 400 or visit saga.co.uk/rivercruises
12 nights from £1,849 departing on October 12, 2017 from Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Heathrow, Manchester and Norwich airports. Price includes UK travel package, return flights and transfers, all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, welcome cocktail party, three included excursions, entertainment and activities on the ship, Saga cruise director, Saga cruise escort on board, porterage, optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights or a discount if passenger has own insurance.
The two-night extension in Vienna starts from £199pp and a single supplement will apply.
Editors: Contact Press Officer Jess Myers email jessica.myers@saga.co.uk or call 01303 772499