Itinerary
Day 1: 21st April
DEPART MALTA AT 06:05HRS AND FLY TO EINDHOVEN
Today, you will be arriving in Eindhoven at 09:00hrs. Upon arrival, you will have a private transfer to take you to Cologne centre where you have 2 nights in a central 4* hotel. The transfer should take approx. 2 hours.
This afternoon, you will have free time to explore Cologne. Some suggested highlights to visit are Fish Market square, lined with the colourful houses, Cologne’s famous Gothic cathedral, Old Market SquareandtheChocolateMuseum(whichhousesaFerrisWheel).
Day 2: 22nd April
FREE DAY IN COLOGNE (B)
Thismorning,breakfastatthehotel.YouwillhaveafreedayinCologne whereyoucan:
Continue exploring the city (visiting museums, churches, brewpubs orwalkingacrossHohenzollernBridge),
TakeatraintoBonn(whichisapproximately40minutesaway)and visit the Beethoven Memorial Statue, Strentor gate dating back to the Middle Ages, the Old Townhouse, the Botanical Garden or the shopsinthecentreofthecity(Haribo,Primark,TKMaxxandmore).
Day 3: 23rd April
EMBARK ON NICKO RHEIN SYMPHONIE AND SET SAIL (B/D)
This morning, breakfast and check-out at leisure. You will have a transfer from your hotel to the port. Embarkation is normally at around15:00hrsandtheportisclosetothehotel.
Embark the Nicko Rhein Symphonie, a ship with a capacity of just 196 passengers, which explores the best parts of the Rhein and its surrounding towns / cities. Your time on the Nicko Symphonie is on full-boardbasis.Bookingsreceivedbeforethe11thFebruary,2025will includeacomplimentarybeveragepackage.
The Rhein Symphonie was modernised in 2023, allowing comfortable sailing in stylish surroundings. All cabins come with windows offering scenic views of the Rhine. You can opt for cabins that have nonopenable windows, cabins with openable windows (supplement) or cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows and a French balcony (supplement).Theshipalsooffers:
Spacioussundeckswitharelaxedatmosphere
Panorama Restaurant offering both international dishes,
aswellas,specialitiesoftheregion
Panorama-Salonwithabar
Alibrary
Diningonboardwillconsistof:
Comprehensivebreakfastbuffetwithcoffee/teaandjuices
Multi-courselunchanddinnerservedatthetable
Optionallight-lunchoptionatthePanorama-Salon
Coffee/teaafterlunchordinner
Coffeeandcakeormidnightsnackdependingondailyprogramme
Festivegaladinner
Welcomeandfarewellreceptionwiththecaptain
SailoutofCologneintheafternoon.Enjoydinneraboardtheship.
Day 4: 24th April ARRIVE IN ROTTERDAM AND TRANSFER TO THE CITY (B/L/D)
In the morning, you will be sailing into Rotterdam. Take it easy this morning and, after lunch, you will be picked up from the ship to be takentoRotterdamcentre.
With your coach, you will pass by the Cube Houses, go over the Erasmus Bridge and then be stopped near the Markthal (Rotterdam’s Market Hall). You will have free time here to enjoy the indoor market ortogotothenearbyshops,churchesandcityhall.
Youwillthenbetakenbacktotheshipfordinner.
EnjoyaneveningontheshipasyousailoutofRotterdam.
Day 5: 25th April
ARRIVE IN ENKHUIZEN
VISIT ZAANSE SCHANS AND ENKHUIZEN
(B/L/D)
Overnight,yourcruisewillbetakingyoufromRotterdamtoEnkhuizen, dockingintheDutchcitylateinthemorning.Here,youwillhavelunch onboardandyouwillbepickedupbyyourcoachafterthat.
The coach will firstly take you to Zaanse Schans (approx. 40 minutes away), a historic mill village, where you can witness the impressive windmills and timber houses. Should you wish, you can also enter a windmill (entrance fee to be paid locally) or visit the craft shops (e.g. clog-shoe makers) and cafes. At this time of year, the areas surroundingZaanseSchansshouldofferenhancedlandscapeswiththe floweringseasoninfullbloom.
Drive back to Enkhuizen, to be dropped off near the centre. Here, you will have some time (approx. 1 hour) to visit Snouck van Loosen Park, TheZuiderkerk(church),thetownhallandnearbybuildings.
Returnbacktotheshipfordinner.
EnjoyaneveningontheshipasyousailoutofEnkhuizenlateevening.
Day 6: 26th April ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM VISIT KEUKENHOF AND AMSTERDAM CITY (B/L/D)
YourshipwilldockinAmsterdamearlyinthemorning.Enjoybreakfast onboardandthenbereadyforyourcoachtransfer,pickingyouupand takingyoutoKeukenhofgarden.
Your admission ticket into the garden is already included and you will have a few hours to roam around the vast garden. Keukenhof houses a windmill of its own which you can visit. Additionally, the park is divided into various areas with a lake in the central part. Should you wish,optionalwhisperboatsareavailabletotakeyouacrossthefields on water (additional cost to be paid locally). As you walk through the park, admire the various sculptures and art pieces, in addition to the multitudeofflowerbulbs.
Once back on the coach, you will be taken to the ship for lunch. After lunch,youwillbetransportedtoAmsterdamCentre(DamrakandDam Squarearea)forsomefreetimetoexplorethemainstreetoftheDutch capital. Be sure to walk over the canal bridges and perhaps try a fresh Stroopwafel.
Return to the ship for dinner and another night on-board the Nicko Symphonie.
Day 7: 27th April
ARRIVE AT NIJMEGEN (B/L/D)
This morning, you will get to your next destination early in the morning. After breakfast, you will be transported to the centre of Nijmegen;oneoftheoldestcitiesintheNetherlands.
Once you reach the centre, you will have a few hours to go around the old town. In addition, you can explore Kronenburger Park, walk along the Waalkade or take the opportunity to go around a few shops, if you haven’tfoundthetimetoyet.
Ataroundnoon,returntotheshipforlunchandafreerestoftheday. EnjoyyourlastnightonboardtheRheinSymphonie.
Day 8: 28th April
ARRIVE IN COLOGNE
VISIT KOBLENZ AND COCHEM
DEPARTURE (B)
Thismorning,enjoyyourlastbreakfastonboardtheRheinSymphonie.
Disembark and aboard the coach which will take you to the riverside towns of Koblenz and Cochem. Your first stop will be in Koblenz (approx. 1.5 hours). In Koblenz, visit the Old Town and its squares; Am Plan,Jesuitenplatz,MünzplatzandGörresplatz,amongstothers.
Koblenz offers great architecture, from the Four Towers to the Stadtarchiv Castle. Be sure to wander around the streets of this German city as you enjoy views of the river. Time permitting, you can alsogototheDeutschesEck,wheretheRhineandMoselleriversmeet.
Your second stop of the day will be the smaller town of Cochem. With an impressive castle, the town offers history enthusiasts a great spot forapanoramicviewovertheriver.Thereisa15to20-minutewalkup to the castle. The lower areas of the town are still worth seeing – the market square, Gemstone Museum and cobble-stone streets are all partofthistown’scharm.
Another observation point is the Pinnerkreuz lookout over the Mosel valley.Oncebackonthecoach,youwillbetakentoCologneairportfor your flight back to Malta. The flight departs at 21:00hrs and arrives in Maltaat23:45hrs.
Hotel -Cologne-HotelMondialAmDomCologne(orsimilar) 2nights(21st-23rdApril)withbreakfastincluded.
Cruise -NickoRheinSymphonie-6-daycruise
Itinerary
Rotterdam,Netherlands
