Delights of the Rhine to the Danube

Taking in the spectacular scenery and incredible sights of three rivers – the Rhine, Main, and famous ‘Blue Danube’ – join us as we journey through the heart of Europe on the ultimate river cruising experience. From the remarkable architecture of Cologne to the beauty of the Wachau Valley, the traditional town of Melk to the very best of Bavaria, expect picturesque landscapes, medieval Old Towns, and rich history at every turn. When you're not exploring ancient cities, the crew onboard the MS Serenade 1 will ensure your every need is catered to, so you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey.

Save up to £150 per person on your river cruise

14 days from £2,149pp

Single Room Supplement from £129pp

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Your Tour Includes

  • 11 nights cruising on a full-board basis
  • 2 nights hotel with continental breakfast
  • Welcome drink and Captain's Gala Dinner
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and Wi-Fi
  • Services of a Cruise Manager and Director
  • Local joining points

Itinerary

Overview

Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then to Cologne where we join our ship.

Includes Dinner

Overview

Relax on board our ship as we cruise along the Rhine, which leads us through the Rhine Gorge and past the legendary Lorelai. This afternoon, we arrive at the quaint wine town of Rüdesheim. Here, you can enjoy the town’s many highlights on our optional excursion, including a cable car ride offering panoramic views across the Rhine Valley.

This evening we sail overnight to Frankfurt.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Rüdesheim

Optional Excursions

Guided Tour

The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.

Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments only).

Overview

We arrive in Frankfurt this morning, where there’s the opportunity to join our optional city tour in the company of a local guide. Located on the River Main, Frankfurt boasts a long, rich history and a vibrant city centre. Along with its lively centre, fantastic museums and shops, the city also retains some of its pre-war centre; Römerberg is the area that escaped most of the bombing during the war, giving the city a wonderful contrast.

We return to the ship for lunch on board and onward sailing to Freudenberg.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Frankfurt

Optional Excursions

Guided Tour

The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.

Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments only).

Overview

We arrive in Freudenberg this morning. Freudenberg is a quaint medieval town known for its unique black-and-white half-timbered houses, which are lined up close together and form an impressive backdrop. The most beautiful vantage point of Freudenberg and the half-timbered houses is from Kurpark, and you’ll have free time this morning to explore at leisure.

This afternoon, we set sail for Würzburg.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Freudenberg

Overview

This morning we arrive in the city of Würzburg, which served as the home of powerful prince-bishops for centuries. Join our optional excursion to visit Würzburg Palace – one of the finest pieces of Baroque art in the world – and its 8th-century church, and the Fortress Marienberg.

This evening, enjoy a relaxing evening on board as we set sail for Schweinfurt.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Würzburg

Optional Excursions

Würzburg Palace and Fortress Marienberg

The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.

Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments only).

Overview

We arrive in Schweinfurt at lunchtime. Schweinfurt is a city with a 1,200-year-old history, and during your free time you’ll have the chance to take in historic buildings that used to be the homes of some of the most innovative people of their times. You can also explore the heritage of famous poets such as Friedrich Rückert, one of Germany’s best-known authors of the 19th century. With a mixture of historic buildings and bold, modern architecture, there’s no shortage of things to see and do!

Later this evening, we set sail for Bamberg.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Schweinfurt

Overview

We arrive in the beautiful Bavarian town of Bamberg, which is located at the start of the Main-Danube canal. Surrounded by seven hills, it boasts the most intact centre in Germany with the Old Town listed as a world heritage site because of its authentic medieval appearance. Join our optional tour of the city to take in the main sights including the cathedral, Altenburg Castle, the Old Town Hall, and the former Benedictine Monastery.

This evening we enjoy dinner on board and set sail for Nuremberg.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Bamberg

Optional Excursions

Guided Tour

The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.

Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments only).

Overview

This morning we arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second largest city after Munich. Most of the city walls still stand, and inside the city you can explore the fascinating juxtaposition of medieval and modern life in an area filled with Gothic churches, aristocratic houses, fountains, memorials and romantic corners, all dominated by the Kaiser Castle. Why not join our optional guided sightseeing tour and make the most of your visit?

This afternoon, we cruise towards Regensburg.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Nuremberg

Optional Excursions

Guided Tour

The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.

Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments only).

Overview

We arrive in Regensburg at lunchtime. Regensburg is located at the northernmost point of the Danube and at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers. You’ll have the opportunity to join our optional city tour this afternoon – the perfect way to take in one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval centres, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This evening, relax on board as we sail overnight towards Linz.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Regensburg

Optional Excursions

Guided Tour

The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.

Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments only).

Overview

On arrival in Linz, you will have free time to explore at your own pace.

Alternatively, you can join our optional excursion to Salzburg, Mozart’s famed birthplace and the ‘Sound of Music’ city. The centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and our guided tour takes in some of the highlights of this historic city with its Baroque architecture, stunning scenery, and atmospheric squares where you can relax with a typical Austrian coffee and cake.

We rejoin our ship in Linz and set sail for Melk this evening.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Linz

Optional Excursions

Salzburg with Guided Tour

The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.

Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments only).

Overview

This morning’s discovery is of charming Melk, an Austrian town which is filled with cobbled streets and attractive buildings. It is also overlooked by one of the most splendid monastic houses in Austria – the Benedictine Abbey – which you can visit on our optional excursion.

We return to the ship for lunch before we set sail towards Passau.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Includes Dinner

Included Highlights

Melk

Optional Excursions

Melk Abbey

The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.

Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments only).

Overview

We bid farewell to our captain and crew this morning and continue by coach to Austria for an overnight stay.

Includes Breakfast

Overview

We depart Austria and continue to Belgium for an overnight stay.

Includes Breakfast

Overview

Return home.

Includes Breakfast

Accommodation

Single Room Supplements

Single Room Supplement from £129

You will stay for eleven nights on a full-board basis aboard the MS Serenade 1.

Overnight stays in Germany and Belgium will be in city-style hotels. 


MS Serenade I

MS Serenade I

Offering the perfect synergy of luxury and intimacy, the MS Serenade 1 is guaranteed to surpass all your river cruising expectations. Boasting modern furnishings, stylish décor and beautiful artwork, this impressive vessel features four cabin types, each with outside views, climate control, and an en-suite bathroom with a separate shower and bathtub. The contemporary restaurant provides delicious cuisine in a sociable setting, whilst the spacious sun deck is the perfect spot to soak up the passing scenery. With a warm, friendly and attentive crew who are always on hand, a fantastic experience is promised aboard the MS Serenade 1.

Location:

Ship Facilities

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General
  • 4 Star
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Lift
Room
  • TV
  • Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
  • Hairdryer
  • Safe Box
  • Fridge
  • Shower and Bath
  • Free Wifi
Food & Drink
  • Vegetarian Meals
Service
  • Gym
Hotel
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Lift
  • WiFi Available

Our customer service reviews

Rated 4.5 / 5

Based on 3316 reviews

1 hour ago

Having been on 5/6 trips with Sheerings in the past we booked , a trip to Paris for a four night break, the majority of the trip was enjoyable except , we all booked an .advertised trip paid the coach driver our money 56.00E. for a meal in Paris and a night tour round Paris.. The meal was very mediocre, but as we had a good group atmosphere all was going good. however when we all were back on the coach . the driver informed the tour coach 168 that he had decided that he was not doing the night tour round Paris, as it was too light still 8.00 at night, and that anyone that has any complaints should email shearings when they got back. his attitude appeared to have a menacing tone . after a little while , another passenger with slight autism stood up and asked why he wasn't going on the night trip, the answer he gave was there are 28 people on the coach and 27 are too tired to go out at night . he then proceeded to stand over the seated vulnerable adult with his arms outstretched and blocking the view of his family in what appeared to be intimidating telling this person not to spoil it for everyone. HE HAD ONLY ASKED WHAT OTHERS WERE THINKING. On return his mother rang the customer service line to be told that the drivers were out of time , had the driver said this it would have been more acceptable , but its a lot to advertise and charge people for and then intimidate them when they respond . well done sheerings ledger . never again will i stand by and allow you to ick on a vulnerable adult. we don't want financial recompense , just to let people know that if your expecting a night seeing the lights in Paris you may well be disappointed

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I booked a holiday online today, the first time with Shearings. The process was easy & straightforward, a great start.

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Your member of staff Hope listened to our concerns and explained our options and booked the holiday that we wanted

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NOTHING COULD BE BETTER easy website and booking, everything quick, swift and done in mins now looking forward to the break

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