Europe is the world’s leading producer of wine, and when on holiday, there is nothing better than indulging in a cold glass of rose, a crisp white wine or a sparkling champagne, or a rich red. Where better to enjoy a glass than cruising along the waters of Europe with Great Rail Journeys this summer? Whether you’re a wine aficionado or just looking to sample some of the local good stuff, Great Rail Journeys have the perfectly curated tour for every traveller this year!
Discover the wines of the Moselle, on The Magic of the Moselle and Rhine cruise – where wine connoisseurs can enjoy grapes grown alongside the Moselle River, with a glass of Riesling. Everyone can experience a range of local offerings from very sweet to dry, and with a distinctive yellow tinge at different destinations along the Moselle.
For those more partial to the bubbles of Champagne, the sparkling lights of Paris and the gastronomic delights of France – France’s Waterways from Paris to Champagne by Barge is an all-inclusive gastronomic delight. On this tour, cultural thirsts will be quenched with a tour of Paris and taste buds will be tantalised with some of the region’s most luxurious delights, from Dom Perignon enjoyed in its birthplace and French cheese a-plenty.
Whilst France is renowned for its abundance of delicious and refreshing wines, Portugal is famous for its rich port wine. Travellers on Great Rail Journeys’ Portugal and Douro Valley cruise will have the opportunity to discover the delights of the country’s port vineyards at the Taylor’s Port Wine
Estate, where they can sample Portugal’s delicious local produce. Passengers will also enjoy Portugal’s ever-changing scenery and enjoy gastronomic delights before continuing to Moorish Lisbon’s charming streets and Fado music.
Example packages:
The Magic of the Moselle and Rhine – 7 days from £1,695 per person*.
Passengers will glide along one of Europe’s quieter waterways, on the custom-built ship perfect for cruising the Moselle, taking travellers past sights they wouldn’t see any other way. Holiday makers
will enjoy and taste the traditional Moselle wines, sampling the local speciality at different destinations along the Moselle. There will also be the opportunity to explore the small Duchy of Luxembourg, sail through the Rhine Gorge to explore charming villages along the river’s banks and discover Rudesheim on an evening tour.
PRICE: £1,695 per person. Includes return, escorted rail travel from London St Pancras and 6-night cruise aboard your Amadeus cruise ship. 5 star dining with breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of your cruise and dinner drinks each evening of your cruise. UK Tour Manager until embarkation and from disembarkation of your ship and the services of your on-board Cruise Manager and all tour excursions. Price based on departure on 12th Aug 2023
France’s Waterways from Paris to Champagne by Barge – 7 days from £2,295 per person*.
Travelers will cruise down the famous Champagne route of France on the elegant Raymonde hotel barge, with excursions to the birthplace of Dom Pérignon and Meaux, a tour full of gastronomic delight. They will also enjoy a grand tour of Paris during this all-inclusive journey, and enjoy all meals and drinks included throughout.
PRICE: £2,295 per person. Includes standard class rail, all-inclusive board basis, all excursions and 6-night cruise on board the MS Raymonde with transfer to ship. 17 meals including six breakfasts, five lunches and six dinners and all-inclusive selection of complimentary beers, wines and soft drinks. The services of a professional UK Tour Manager up to embarkation and from disembarkation of the MS Raymonde. Exclusive meeting point at dedicated Departure Office in St Pancras. Price based on departure on 4th August 2022.
Portugal and Douro Valley cruise – 14 days from £3,095 per person*.
Passengers will flow from northern Spain to the ocean in Porto, as the Douro River carves their route through a rolling landscape of vineyards. They will discover the ever-changing scenery and gastronomic delights before we continue to vibrant Lisbon, with its Moorish influences, Fado music and charming streets. There will also be the opportunity to enjoy local port at the Taylors Port Wine Estate and a private lunch cruise on the Douro River.
PRICE: £3,095 per person. Includes all rail and coach travel throughout your tour, 1st and standard class rail, Eurostar Standard Premier and Eurostar meals. 4* hotel accommodation: 1 outbound overnight stay in Biarritz; 2 nights at the 4-Star Hotel Catalonia Plaza Mayor in Salamanca, 2 nights at the 4-Star Hotel Régua Douro in Régua, 3 nights at the 4-Star Hotel PortoBay Teatro in Porto, 2 nights at the 4-Star Hotel PortoBay Marquês in Lisbon and 2 nights at the 4 star NH Collection Aranzazu in San Sebastián and 1 night on an overnight sleeper train from Lisbon to San Sebastián. Inclusive luggage transfers except where highlighted. UK tour manager from start to finish. 22 meals including 13 breakfasts, one lunch and nine dinners. Price based on departure on 10th October 2022 2022.