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£400PER PERSON CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR ON THE A festive cruise aboard the Amadeus Brilliant with Henry Blofeld & John Bly 22nd December 2016 to 4th January 2017 f you are looking for a seasonal break, our cruise along the •Cologne R beautiful Rhine over Christmas and New Year may be of h in • e Iinterest offering as it does a relaxing journey as we gently •• • wind our way from Cologne in Germany, to Strasbourg in •• • France and on to Basel in Switzerland. Ashore, you will see Oberwesel Mannheim lle • • e s Heidelberg

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M Speyer •

a wonderful mix of the historic and cultural diversity of this c k

a region, from Cologne’s magnificent cathedral to the r e in h half-timbered Medieval towns of Boppard and Bacharach, R Strasbourg• all with twinkling lights and festive decorations. All this is Obernai• achieved from the comfort of our floating hotel, the Amadeus FRANCE Brilliant, and you can take life at your own pace and relax on Basel• SWITZERLAND board whilst sailing past ever changing landscapes and enjoy the included guided excursions. This 13 night cruise promises a host of historical treasures as well as Midnight Mass at Speyer’s majestic cathedral, a traditional Christmas dinner on board and our New Year’s Eve celebrations in Basel with a special Gala Dinner and the city’s colourful display of fireworks at midnight. We are delighted that ‘Blowers and Bly’ will be joining us on board from Bonn to Cologne for this special cruise and our New Year celebrations.

Henry Blofeld Henry Blofeld is an English sports journalist whose rich, plummy tones are known and loved worldwide thanks to his extensive cricket commentary career on both television and radio. Since 1962, he has been a newspaper journalist and written for publications including The Guardian, The Observer, The Daily Mirror, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, and The Express. He tours theatres around the country with fellow cricket commentator Peter Baxter, and is regularly invited to events across the country as an after dinner and motivational speaker. John Bly John Bly is an antiques dealer in a family business founded in Cologne Cathedral and Christmas market 1891. From a background of sailors, horse traders, American Civil War soldiers, priests and architects he is one of the world’s leading authorities on English antiques. He is Past Chairman of the British Antique Dealers Association and a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. John Bly is also a jazz historian and drummer, and a mean cook.

Tour Highlights n Beautiful Namedy n The Carmelite Church in Boppard n Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at Speyer’s majestic cathedral n Sailing through the dramatic Rhine Gorge n The picturesque town of Obernai in Alsace n Oberwesel, a UNESCO City of Towers n New Year’s Eve celebrations in Basel

Bacharach The Knights Hall, Namedy Castle

Katz Castle in the Rhine Gorge Beethoven’s house, Bonn La Petite France at dusk,Strasbourg

The Itinerary Day 1 London to Cologne, Germany. Fly by scheduled flight and on arrival Day 6 Rhine Gorge & Cologne. Depart Mainz early this morning as we transfer to the Amadeus Brilliant. This evening meet your fellow travellers at cruise along the legendary Rhine. Enjoy the magnificent Rhine Gorge, the the Welcome Drink & Dinner. Sail in the late evening. striking hill top and the legendary Lorelei rock. Arrive into Cologne in the afternoon and depart on a tour to see the city’s famous cathedral. The Day 2 Koblenz & Burg Namedy. After breakfast today we depart for a cathedral is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe with a total area walking tour of this pretty commercial centre. Afterwards travel the short of almost 8000 square metres, room for more than 20,000 people and the distance by coach to Namedy Castle for an event of royal delights. This second tallest spire and largest facade in the world. magnificent royal residence was built by the Hausmann Knights of in the 14th century and Princess Heide von Hohenzollern has Day 7 Bonn. After breakfast depart by coach to nearby Bonn. On arrival opened the doors of her home exclusively for our guests. Enjoy some free we will have a tour of this picturesque city’s historic centre. We start at the time to wander around the castle’s interesting rooms, hidden nooks and Munsterplatz, where the landmark Munster Basilica was built on the graves gardens. We will have lunch in Namedy Castle’s ballroom and return to the of the two martyred Roman soldiers who were later promoted to be the ship this afternoon and cruise on towards Speyer. city’s patron saints. Its Gothic appearance dates back to the 13th century but the Romanesque origins survive beautifully in the ageing cloister. Also Day 3 Speyer. Arrive this morning in the handsome city of Speyer and visit Beethoven’s House, the city’s most famous citizen, born in 1770 at visit the mighty cathedral. This Romanesque basilica was founded by Bonngasse. After some free time here, return to the ship for lunch and spend Emperor Conrad II in 1030 and is one of the largest and most impressive the afternoon at leisure in Cologne. Sail in the early evening. edifices in Germany. Our tour will end with a concert by Stefann Balle and his Stuttgarter Symphonic Quartet at nearby Schwetzingen Castle (or Day 8 Boppard & Bacharach. Arrive this morning into Boppard, one of the similar). Return to the ship and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Speyer holds a prettiest towns along the Rhine. You will have the morning here to explore delightful Christmas Market in front of the “Old Mint” where you can explore at leisure the myriad of cobbled streets and visit the 14th century Carmelite and sample the huge variety of local and international wares. After dinner church. Return to the ship and sail. Arrive into Bacharach in the afternoon, a there will be the opportunity to attend midnight mass at the cathedral, with charming and friendly town with historic buildings and the majestic backdrop some warming mulled wine served upon your return to the ship. of Stahleck Castle. Since the , Bacharach, named after Bacchus, the ancient Roman God of wine, has been the most important wine village in Day 4 Strasbourg, France. Christmas Day. Enjoy a morning’s cruise as we the Valley. Enjoy a wine tasting ashore of the locally produced head towards Strasbourg, arriving in the early afternoon. After lunch on before returning to the ship to sail on towards Strasbourg. board we will depart for a tour to introduce us to the delights of this city, including the fascinating old quarter. Start with the Quai de la Petite France Day 9 Obernai, France. After a relaxing morning cruise, we arrive into Strasbourg where the River Ill splits into a number of canals, see the Ponts Couverts, a at around midday. After lunch on board we will depart for the charming little series of wooden bridges dating back to the 13th century, the Place Alsace town of Obernai, located at the foot of Mount St. Odile. The old town Gutenberg and the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the tallest Medieval building includes some beautiful examples of restored Medieval and Renaissance in Europe. This evening there will be a Gala Christmas Dinner on board. houses, many of them half-timbered. Obernai’s most famous monuments are the Renaissance Well of the Six Buckets, the Kappelturm Belfry (60 metres high), the Day 5 Mainz, Germany. This morning relax on board as we cruise towards Town Hall and the Corn Exchange Market dating back to 1554. On arrival here Mainz, the charming capital of the -Palatinate. After lunch on board enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace, or perhaps sample some of the depart on a walking tour which will include the Hoefchen (“Little Court”), region’s splendid Pinot Gris wine. Return to the ship and sail overnight to Basel. residence of the city’s archbishops until the 15th century, the Kirschgarten with its romantic half-timbered houses and Marian-Fountain. Your tour ends with a Day 10 Basel, Switzerland. After breakfast today depart for a guided visit to the Johann Gutenberg Museum, the highlight of the exhibition being a walking tour of Basel, Switzerland’s third most populous city and whose copy of the original, first ever set of printed Bibles. We moor overnight in Mainz. borders also meet with France and Germany’s. The Medieval appearance Speyer Christmas market

La Petite France at dusk,Strasbourg Half-timbered buildings, Obernai

of Basel’s historic quarter remains as impressive to the locals as it does similar) for an exclusive musical performance by a string quartet. Return to the tourists who come here each year and our tour shall pass by its to the ship for dinner and this evening we sail on towards Oberwesel. cathedral, the glorious guildhalls, Basel’s manor houses and will end with breathtaking views from the top of Munster hill. Return to the ship for Day 13 Oberwesel. Following breakfast, we depart for a morning’s lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure before we begin our New Year excursion of the UNESCO town of Oberwesel, the City of Towers. Here celebrations. Enjoy a Gala Dinner and see in the New Year on the vessel’s we shall enjoy a guided walking tour, including an exploration of the city Sun Deck with a fabulous view of Basel’s main fireworks display. walls and towers and also view the town’s beautiful gardens and former Franciscan Minorite Monastery before returning to our vessel for lunch. Day 11 Basel to Mannheim. Today we shall pass the time gently sailing Later this afternoon we sail for Cologne and this evening join your fellow to our next port of call. Relax on board with a late brunch and while away travellers for the Captain’s Farewell Gala Dinner. the time speaking to fellow guests and enjoying the facilities aboard our elegant vessel. Day 14 Cologne to London. Disembark after breakfast and return to London by scheduled flight. Day 12 Heidelberg. From our berth in Mannheim we set off after breakfast for an excursion to the university city of Heidelberg, with its -style old town and castle, immediately conjuring images CHRISTMAS OR NEW YEAR of romance and beauty. During our tour, which includes a visit to the If you would prefer to have a shorter festive cruise, it is possible to city’s castle and its castle gardens, we shall stroll through Heidelberg’s join the Amadeus Brilliant for a Christmas Cruise from Cologne to enchanting old town and see its Renaissance building, ‘Zum Ritter’, which Bonn (days 1 to 7 of the itinerary shown) or for a New Year cruise survived the fire of 1693. We will return to the vessel in Mannheim for from Bonn to Cologne (days 7 to 14 of the itinerary shown). lunch and later in the afternoon depart for nearby Mannheim Castle (or

PRICES PER PERSON Based on double occupancy

LAUNCH OFFER – SAVE UP TO £400 PER PERSON FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR CHRISTMAS OR NEW YEAR 22nd December 2016 to 4th January 2017 22nd to 28th December 2016 or 28th December 2016 to 4th January 2017 T CA CABIN DESCRIPTION BROCHURE PRICE SPECIAL OFFER PRICE BROCHURE PRICE SPECIAL OFFER PRICE D Haydn Deck twin £3395 £2995 £2095 £1895 C Strauss Deck twin £3695 £3295 £2195 £1995 B Mozart Deck twin £4195 £3795 £2395 £2195 A Mozart Deck suite £4795 £4395 £2595 £2395 D Haydn Deck twin for sole use £3395 £2995 £2095 £1895 C Strauss Deck twin for sole use £3695 £3295 £2195 £1995

Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, 13, 6 or 7 nights aboard the Amadeus Brilliant on full board basis, house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, shore excursions, Cruise Director, Tour Manager, Guest Speaker, Christmas Day Gala Dinner, New Year’s Eve Gala dinner, gratuities, transfers, port taxes, airport taxes. Not Included: Travel insurance.

www.noble-caledonia.co.uk +44 (0)20-7752 0000 AMADEUS BRILLIANT or our festive cruise along the Rhine we have chartered the Amadeus Brilliant, a modern and comfortable vessel that provides a home away from home with a friendly crew and an informal atmosphere on board. Built in 2011 toF the highest specifications, this four-star vessel carries up to 150 passengers.

Your Cabin/Suite glass doors with a French Balcony. Windows can giant chess board and shuffleboard. For the more The 68 cabins and 8 suites are located across be opened on the Mozart and Strauss Decks but active, there is a fitness room on board and also three of the vessel’s four decks and are all not on the Haydn Deck. complimentary bicycles to use ashore. outside facing. All cabins are well appointed with ample storage space and are either in Your Space Your Dining fixed twin or queen size bed configuration. The Spread over four decks, the ship’s public While the most beautiful river scenery passes cabins feature en suite facilities with shower, spaces include the Panorama restaurant, which by, enjoy the delicacies created by the onboard flat screen TV, comfortable bedding, hairdryer, accommodates all guests in one sitting. During team who take great pride in producing safe, telephone and individual climate control. your leisure time on board, you may wish to flavourful dishes. The ship’s Panorama Restaurant The suites also have a mini bar and bathrobes. mingle with your fellow travellers in the Panorama serves a variety of continental and local dishes, Standard cabins on the Strauss and Mozart Bar & Lounge or indulge yourself with a visit to accompanied by a selection of house wines, beer Decks measure 161.5 square feet and have the hair salon and massage room. The ship’s and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Breakfast floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass doors with a French Amadeus Club offers a small library and internet is buffet style, lunch is a delightful buffet with hot Balcony. Standard cabins on Haydn Deck station with complimentary Wi-Fi. The ship has served choices and dinner is a served, four course measure 161.5 square feet and have smaller an elevator which services the Haydn, Strauss affair with a varied selection of starters, main elevated windows (situated above eye level). and Mozart Decks. There is also a large Sun Deck dishes, cheese plates and desserts. Vegetarian The two suites on the Mozart Deck measure 237 with Lido-Bar, a delightful and pleasant space for dishes are of course available and special dietary square feet and have floor-to-ceiling sliding- fresh air and relaxation with its own lounge chairs, needs can be met with advance notice.

Suite Cabin Amadeus Club Restaurant

Reception Sun Deck Panorama Bar

Life On Board DECK PLAN The atmosphere on board is friendly and informal and within days you will have made new friends in the open seating restaurant, on AMADEUS CLUB MOZART DECK HAYDN DECK RECEPTION PANORAMA BAR the shore excursions or whilst relaxing in the STRAUSS DECK SUN DECK BRIDGE RIVER TERRACE SHOP/LIFT comfortable public areas. The friendly crew will BAR do their utmost to ensure your stay is enjoyable, informative and agreeable throughout. A daily briefing by the Cruise Director will give you information on the next day’s activities and expert, English-speaking local guides provide SUN DECK insider knowledge into the local culture, LIDO BAR architecture and history. SHUFFLEBOARD

CHESS BOARD

MOZART DECK AMADEUS CLUB PANORAMA BAR RIVER TERRACE

WC 332 330 328 326 324 322 320 318 316 314 312 310 308 306 304 302

BAR

333 331 329 327 325 323 321 319 317 315 311 309 307 305 303 301 LIFT WC

PROMENADE DECK

STRAUSS DECK RESTAURANT

236 234 232 230 228 226 224 222 220 218 216 214 212 210 208 206 204 202

231 229 227 225 223 221 219 217 215 211 209 207 205 203 201 SHOP LIFT

HAYDN DECK

FITNESS ROOM 110 108 106 104 102

109 107 105 103 101 LIFT HAIR SALON MASSAGE

CATEGORY A CATEGORY B CATEGORY C CATEGORY D Dinner in the Restaurant

2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE +44 (0)20 7752 0000 | [email protected] | www.noble-caledonia.co.uk

All special offers are subject to availability. Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request. Cover image: The Medieval Bridge and Castle in Heidelberg

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