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A Rhine cruise had been on the agenda for some years, and
in 1986 it came to fruition, being combined with a one week
holiday at Lugano, in Southern Switzerland.
The cruise itinerary, 22nd to 26th
July 1986, was: Day 1: Flight from
Birmingham to Amsterdam; coach onwards to Nijmegan, in
eastern Holland. Short visit to town, join boat S.S.Austria
at 5.30pm, sail at 7.00pm for overnight cruise to Cologne..
After evening meal, Captains welcome reception.
Day
2: Arrive Cologne (Koln) at 9.00am for 3 hour visit, then
on past Bonn and Koblenz, visiting Marksburg Castle, and
arriving at Braubach at 9.30pm
Day 3: Depart Braubach 6.30am for
cruise past the castles, the vineyards, the historic
towns, and the Loreley rock. Called at Garnsheim (for
Heidelberg excursion) and on to Speyer, where we docked
for the night.
Day 4: An early departure
from Speyer, onwards with the French border on the right
and the Black Forest on the left. Arrived Strasbourg 3.00pm,
for visit to city and cathedral.
Day
5: Early morning start from Strasbourg for the final leg
to Basle, where we arrived at 3.00pm. Then on by train to Lugano for the
second stage of our holiday.
So was the Rhine Cruise
on SS Austria a success?.
Definitely, although it has to be said that the first and
last days were of little scenic interest: but days 2 to 4
more than made up, with the visits to Cologne and
Strasbourg most enjoyable. And the "Romantic Rhine",
from Cologne southwards past the castles and vineyards,
was a delight. |
