Experience the delights of France by river

Great Rail Journeys, the UK’s market leader for escorted holidays by rail has released a brand new French river cruise for 2008 - further enhancing its burgeoning ‘Cruising Holidays by Rail’ programme.

The eight-day ‘Seine Cruise’ itinerary, which has been introduced due to the increasing demand for cruising by rail holidays, departs on Sunday 21st September by First Class rail from St Pancras International for Paris. On arrival in the French capital, passengers will board MS Viking Seine for a relaxing seven-night cruise along one of Europe’s most beautiful waterways.

On-board, guests can enjoy beautiful cuisine in the MS Viking Seine’s lovely restaurant and admire the beautiful French scenery in comfort within the spacious panorama bar and lounge.

Winding its way from Paris to Le Havre, a beautiful resort town on the Northern France coastline, the Seine Cruise will visit Conflans, Vernon, Les Andelys, Rouen and Caudebec.

Highlights include a scenic evening cruise through Paris, a guided tour of Conflans with its labyrinth of narrow alleys, shady terraces and marvellous views across the Seine, a visit to the ruins of the Château Gaillard and a tour of the beautiful town of Caudebec.

Additional sightseeing options include a visit to the Louvre to see one of the world’s finest art collections, an excursion to the historic Versailles Palace and Gardens, a coach tour of Giverny where you can visit to the home of the famous Impressionist painter Claude Monet, a city tour of Le Havre and an excursion to Honfleur, one of the prettiest ports on the Normandy coast.

Providing the perfect choice for people who like to travel in a relaxing, comfortable environment with plenty of sightseeing opportunities, the cost of the ‘Seine Cruise’ is from £1,250 per person, based on two sharing, inclusive of First Class return rail travel from St Pancras International, 7 nights’ accommodation on-board the MS Viking Seine, most meals, transfers, plus the services of a Tour Manager throughout.

Due to high demand, Great Rail Journey’s has also added an additional departure date for its ‘Danube Cruise’ tour. The 10-day holiday which departs on Friday 3rd October sails through the beautiful countryside of Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, visiting the magnificent cities of the Austro-Hungarian empire.

Highlights include a one-of-a-kind experience - a night at the elegant Hotel im Wasserturm in Cologne. An international luxury hotel in what used to be Europe’s largest water tower, it is one of the most unusual hotels in Germany.

Travelling on-board MS Viking Primadonna we visit the town of Melk, situated in Austria’s winegrowing region before continuing our cruise to Budapest. After bidding farewell to the Hungarian capital, our voyage sails back up the Danube stopping in Bratislava, Vienna, Dürnstein and Passau.

The cost is from £1,625 per person, based on two sharing, inclusive of First Class return rail travel from St Pancras International, 7 nights’ accommodation on-board the MS Viking Primadonna including all meals, 2 nights’ hotel accommodation with dinner and breakfast each day, a guided walking tour of Nuremberg, transfers, plus the services of a Tour Manager throughout.

For reservation and more information, visit GreatRail.com.