Celebrate the festive season in style on a scenic Rhine cruise, exploring charming towns, historic cities and the spectacular landscapes of the Rhine Gorge

Your festive holiday begins at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and rest of the group before boarding the Eurostar to Brussels.

On arrival in the Belgian capital, we continue by train to Cologne, where we are greeted with a welcome cocktail as we board our luxurious cruise ship.

Brimming with Christmas cheer, our brand-new ship, the MS Amadeus Amara, offers a warm and welcoming retreat as we begin our festive journey. With seasonal touches adding to the atmosphere, we settle in and enjoy our first dinner onboard. Tonight, we set sail upstream along the lower Rhine, bound for the historic city of Koblenz.

After breakfast this morning, we arrive in Koblenz. Nestled at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, Koblenz offers a perfect blend of scenic beauty, history and relaxed charm.

Enjoy free time to soak up the seasonal atmosphere or admire landmarks such as the impressive Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, which watches over the city from across the river. Take in views of the Deutsches Eck, the striking headland where the two rivers meet or simply enjoy a warming drink as you explore this riverside town.

Later, we return to our ship for lunch onboard. This afternoon we begin our cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its steep valleys, vineyards and medieval castles perched high above the river. With stunning scenery unfolding at every bend, it's one of the most scenic stretches of the Rhine and a true highlight of the journey.

This morning, you have the choice between exploring two remarkable cities: Heidelberg or Speyer. Considered to be one of Germany's most beautiful cities, Heidelberg is famed for its romantic charm and rich history. Wander the picturesque streets, admire the striking Gothic architecture of Heidelberg Castle or explore the Old Town's market square and take in the stunning panoramic views from the iconic Karl Theodor Bridge, spanning the Neckar River. Alternatively, you can choose to discover Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities, where you can gain an insight into the heart of the Holy Roman Empire, visit the impressive Romanesque cathedral and stroll through atmospheric streets steeped in history.

As we continue sailing this afternoon, enjoy a selection of seasonal activities onboard. Savour a warming glass of mulled wine and get creative with a gingerbread-making session, a fun way to embrace the festive spirit as the breathtaking winter scenery of the Rhine drifts by.

This evening, there's time to relax and unwind before dinner is served onboard the ship.

After a relaxed Christmas morning onboard, enjoying a leisurely breakfast and lunch as we sail, we arrive in the enchanting city of Strasbourg this afternoon. A short coach transfer takes us into the heart of the city, where French and German influences blend seamlessly in the architecture, culture and cuisine.

As we explore, take time to admire the awe-inspiring Strasbourg Cathedral, with its soaring spire and intricate façade, stroll through the fairytale-like Petit France district and soak up the charm of the city's elegant squares and historic streets. The seasonal atmosphere adds a magical layer of beauty to this city, with colourful half-timbered houses, shops and cobbled streets all aglow with Christmas lights.

This evening, we enjoy another highlight of the holiday - a Christmas-themed gala dinner onboard. You can choose between two menus: one with traditional German food, including duck consommé, braised goose leg, and pear and marzipan strudel. The other menu is traditional British food, including roast turkey, pigs in blankets and, of course, Christmas pudding with brandy butter.

Boxing Day begins with a guided walking tour of Mainz, where you'll soak up the city's old-world charm and rich heritage, before visiting the Gutenberg Museum, celebrating the birthplace of the printing press. The local 'Mainz feeling' captures a warm, laid-back spirit and a love for celebration, perfect for embracing the festive season.

After returning to the ship for lunch, we sail onward to Rüdesheim, a charming town renowned for its white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety.

Here, you'll have free time to explore at your own pace. You might choose to wander through the town's shops, sample a traditional Rüdesheim coffee, made with local Asbach Uralt brandy and topped with whipped cream, or take a leisurely stroll along Drösselgasse. This picturesque street is lined with half-timbered houses, cosy wine bars and quaint shops, offering a perfect spot to soak up the local ambience.

After sailing back to Cologne overnight, we head out on a morning walking tour of the city after breakfast. Marvel at iconic sights such as the stunning Cologne Cathedral, the charming Old Town with its colourful houses and the historic Hohenzollern Bridge, known for its countless love locks.

Afterwards, indulge your sweet tooth in a chocolate tasting that showcases Cologne's rich confectionary heritage, sampling a variety of artisanal chocolates.

Lunch is served back onboard before you enjoy a free afternoon to explore Cologne at leisure. You may choose to wander the Belgian Quarter, known for its boutique shops, art galleries and cosy cafés, where you can sample Cologne's famous Kölsch beer. Alternatively, stroll along the Rhine promenade and soak up the atmosphere and scenic river views.

We've explored picture-perfect towns and fascinating cities along the Rhine, from the historic streets of Mainz and Heidelberg to the scenic beauty of Rüdesheim and Koblenz. While soaking up the region's seasonal atmosphere, we've cruised past romantic castles and rolling vineyards, admiring the picturesque landscapes that define this iconic river.

After breakfast this morning, your cruise comes to an end as we make our way to Cologne railway station. We continue by rail to Brussels and join the Eurostar to London St Pancras, where your festive holiday concludes and you are free to make your own way home.

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.

Joining the fleet in summer 2025, the MS Amadeus Amara is the latest addition to the award-winning Amadeus river cruise collection. Combining elegant design with modern luxury, the ship offers 12 spacious Amadeus suites and 70 cabins, all designed to provide a breathtaking experience on the water.

Across its 4 stylish decks, guests can enjoy a range of facilities including a panoramic bar and lounge, elegant restaurant, indoor pool and a wellness centre offering massage services and a fitness room. The sun deck features sweeping views of the riverbanks, the perfect place to relax with a drink and soak up the scenery.

Each cabin is equipped with a spacious ensuite bathroom, flatscreen TV, minibar, walk-in wardrobe and either a double or twin bed. Many cabins also feature floor-to-ceiling windows, letting you soak up the views from the comfort of your room.

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.