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This scenic cruise along the River Rhine is a picturesque journey through captivating towns and cities. Glide past enchanting landscapes and explore the historical wonders of Heidelberg, the medieval charm of Strasbourg, and the breathtaking vistas of the Rhine Gorge.
Starting from Cologne, our journey upstream leads us to the town of Koblenz before we delve into Heidelberg with a guided tour and meander through the winding alleys of Strasbourg. Along the way, we pause in Rüdesheim to stroll through the famous Drosselgasse alley and savour the stunning scenery as we cruise at a leisurely pace.
This experience continues in Switzerland with a journey aboard the legendary Glacier Express, one of the world's finest rail experiences, and we spend three nights in the alpine towns of Zermatt and Chur, immersing ourselves in the beauty of the Swiss mountains.
What’s included
Your holiday begins this morning as we meet at London St Pancras before boarding the Eurostar. In Plus class travelling to Cologne via Brussels, you enjoy a light meal served at your seats.
On arrival in Cologne, we board the five-star ship, the Amadeus Cara, our elegant home for the duration of this cruise along the majestic Rhine. After settling in, we are greeted by the friendly crew with a welcome cocktail, the perfect way to begin the holiday.
This evening, we gather for our first dinner onboard, savouring the beginning of our cruise experience.
After breakfast, we enjoy a leisurely tour of Cologne. After admiring the Romanesque townhouses, we take in the city's impressive Gothic cathedral - the largest in northern Europe. The intricate spires and magnificent stained-glass windows of this UNESCO-listed landmark are captivating as we marvel at the grand architecture.
Later this morning, we set off on our first sail. Drifting upstream past Bonn, we begin to see the first signs of lush green hills as we arrive in the town of Königswinter. Here, we journey on the Drachenfelsbahn railway.
This cog railway rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels castle - whose name translates as 'Dragon's Rock', inspiring many of the dragon-related legends still heard today. Wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany are revealed as we climb higher. We then head back to our cruise ship for dinner onboard.
There's time at leisure this morning to explore Koblenz, once a Roman stronghold. We recommend strolling to Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers where you'll be surrounded by inspiring vistas including the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. We then begin sailing again after lunch, arriving in the picturesque town of Boppard later this afternoon.
There's time at leisure for exploration before dinner this evening. As you wander the cobblestone streets you'll find the town's Roman legacy echoes through its architecture. Admire the half-timbered houses which lead to vineyards scattering the surrounding hills and discover well-preserved Roman fortifications, including the historic town walls and the Roman tower.
If you're up for a bit of adventure, take the chairlift up to the Vier Seen Blick (Four Lakes Viewpoint). From here, you'll be enveloped with panoramic views of the Rhine Valley and the surrounding countryside.
Please note: the chairlift fare is payable locally.
The morning is spent leisurely onboard, sailing through river landscapes including a highlight of our cruising experience - the romantic Rhine gorge. This section of the Rhine is renowned for its spectacular views and the best place to witness them is from the top deck of our ship.
The riverbanks plunge deeper here, and we wind around bends surrounded by endless miles of green vineyards, ancient castles, and picturesque riverside towns. As we sail, we hear the fascinating story of the legendary Lorelei Rock which soars almost 500 feet out of the water.
After lunch, we dock in Rüdesheim where we travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train, arriving in the centre of this wine town. Here there's a choice of excursions. You could experience why the town is famous with a wine tasting, savouring the finest local varieties. Alternatively, you could visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet and discover Europe's largest collection of finely tuned mechanical instruments.
After dinner this evening there's time to explore the town's cobbled streets at your own pace and see the half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and wine bars in the Drosselgasse alley.
After a morning of relaxed cruising and lunch onboard, we arrive in the city of Mannheim. From here we journey by coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour. The picturesque university town is known for its Old Town and stunning riverfront which is perfect for a relaxing stroll. Our tour includes a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone castle that towers over the city, providing amazing views of the surrounding forests, river, and cityscape.
Alternatively, you could stay on board and later, take in the sights of the historic German city of Speyer and its famous cathedral at leisure before dinner this evening.
Today we enjoy a full day cruise to the French city of Strasbourg. Relax onboard as we pass diverse landscapes and natural beauty along the Rhine. We arrive in Strasbourg later this afternoon and after dinner, you can experience the city's unique character at leisure.
Sitting near the border, Strasbourg perfectly represents the blending of French and German cultures. The old town is well worth a visit, and here you'll discover timber-framed houses, cobbled streets, and the iconic cathedral, all creating a fairytale ambience.
After breakfast, you have a choice of two excursions. The first is a trip into the Black Forest to witness fairytale panoramas. Experience the beauty of Germany's largest nature park filled with rolling hills, picturesque villages, dense forests, and meadows dotted with wildflowers. As you explore this fairytale setting, you'll learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region.
Alternatively, you could choose a city tour of Strasbourg. During the tour, you'll discover its history and admire its grand architecture, visiting the UNESCO-listed cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district.
Following your excursion, we return to our ship for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to discover more of Strasbourg where you could join our coach into the old town. The picturesque capital of France's Alsace region offers an evening of history and culture, whether you choose to wander the charming streets or relax with a beverage at one of the inviting cafés or wine bars.
We enjoy our last breakfast onboard this morning before we disembark in Strasbourg. Saying goodbye to our fantastic crew, we journey the scenic rail route via Basel to Zermatt where we check into our hotel for two nights in this stunning, car-free mountain resort. Sitting at the heart of the Swiss Alps, it has incredible views of the surrounding alpine peaks including the mighty Matterhorn mountain.
With its picturesque streets, traditional wooden chalets, and fresh mountain air, Zermatt is an idyllic alpine base. Get to know our new surroundings by strolling through the village, admiring the stunning scenery, or simply relaxing in our four-Star hotel, before dinner this evening.
A journey on the scenic cog railway awaits us today as we ascend the Gonrnergrat to its summit - the second-highest railway in Europe. As we reach the top, stunning views of glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and valleys below are revealed. From here, we enjoy magical views of the enveloping mountains including the imposing Matterhorn.
After admiring the views of Gornergrat, we return to Zermatt and discover more of this resort on a guided tour. Strolling through the traditional streets we're surrounded by wooden chalets and shops selling traditional Swiss products as our guide shares the history of Zermatt giving us a deeper understanding of the beautiful resort. The rest of your day is at leisure to enjoy the scenery and tranquillity. This evening, dine independently at one of Zermatt's many inviting restaurants.
A highlight of the trip awaits after breakfast this morning. Boarding the magnificent Glacier Express, our panoramic journey takes us through undeniably Swiss scenes of green meadows, dense, evergreen forests and snow-capped mountains, ambling along the beautiful Rhine Valley aboard 'The Slowest Express Train in the World'. Enjoying lunch onboard, we spiral up the mountains, crossing vast viaducts, burrowing through tunnels and rising above the clouds on our way to Chur.
As we arrive and check into our hotel, you can explore the rich history, culture, and sights of Switzerland's oldest village, before dinner this evening. Wander the Altstadt - the Old Town - to discover the authentic restaurants and relaxed bars that add to the town's lovely atmosphere.
After breakfast, it's time to bid farewell to Chur. We make our way to the railway station and head towards Paris where we travel in Eurostar Plus to London St Pancras. Along the way, we enjoy a light meal on board and can begin to look back over the incredible highlights of this experience.
The treasures of Koblenz and Boppard were followed by the enchanting Rhine Gorge while stops in Rüdesheim, Heidelberg, and Strasbourg offered cultural delights. Zermatt welcomed us to the Swiss Alps with its alpine charm and the Glacier Express carried us on its legendary journey through striking vistas.
Arriving in London, you say goodbye to the Tour Manager and rest of the group before making your own way home.
| 24 September 2026 | From £4,299 |
All prices are per person and assume full occupancy of the room.
Please always refer to the website for up-to-date prices and availability.
The Drachenfels Cog Railway carries travellers from the bottom of Königswinger to the top of Drachenfels Mountain. On the way, it passes Schloss Drachenburg, a stunningly beautiful villa that said to have inspired the castle in Disney's 'Sleeping Beauty'. At the top of the mountain, passengers can see the ruins of Burg Drachenfels, a castle built in the 12th century and destroyed 500 years later. The Drachenfels line started running in 1883, using steam-powered trains, and changed to electric traction in 1953.
Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!
The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.
For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.
Undoubtedly Switzerland's best-known train, the Glacier Express winds its way through some of Europe's most dramatic and beautiful scenery. Called 'the slowest express train in the world', the panoramic carriages allow us to soak up the spectacular views as we traverse incredible mountain passes, picturesque villages and valleys between the popular alpine resorts of St Moritz and Zermatt. Enroute, the train clings to the mountainsides on the Albula Line, zigzags and spirals its way round mountains and over bridges, and delves into the Rhine Valley - also known as the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'.
The Amadeus Cara joined the Amadeus fleet in 2021. Offering impeccable cabin spaces with 73 deluxe cabins and 12 Amadeus suites, each room has a spacious en suite bathroom, a minibar, a flatscreen television and a walk-in wardrobe. Some rooms also offer panoramic windows, balconies, or a comfortable corner sofa. With four decks, the ship features amenities like the river terrace, restaurant, hair salon and fitness centre, where you can exercise or book a relaxing massage.
We offer a selection of upgrades and 'add-ons' designed to help you make the most of your holiday - and make it even easier!
Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.
We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.
Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.
We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.
For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.