Glacier Express & the Majestic Rhine

Your European rail and cruise vacation begins as you land in Switzerland in Zürich. Make your way to the airport's train station and take your First Class seat for a scenic rail journey deep into the mountains. This beautiful route takes you past gleaming lakes into the Swiss Alps. The imposing peaks begin to surround you as the landscape becomes more dramatic on the approach to your destination, Chur.

As Switzerland's oldest town, Chur is full of rich history, culture and sights. Its charming Altstadt, or Old Town, has many boutiques, traditional restaurants and cozy bars that add to the town's welcoming atmosphere. There is also an array of interesting museums, from the Bündner contemporary art gallery and Cathedral Treasury Museum to the Rätisches Museum, which documents the region's history.

After checking into our hotel, take some time to get settled and soak up these majestic surroundings before meeting the Tour Manager and your travel group for dinner at the hotel. Overnight Chur.

• Dinner

A vacation highlight lies ahead today as we board the Glacier Express. One of the world's most famous train journeys, the "slowest express train in the world," travels through breathtaking alpine scenery at an average speed of 24 miles per hour.

From our panoramic carriages, we can admire undeniably Swiss scenes of wildflower meadows, dense forests and snow-capped peaks as the route delves into the "Swiss Grand Canyon" and spirals up the mountains. The astonishing landscapes continue to impress with snow-dusted summits and picture-perfect villages lining our ascent to Andermatt. Emerging from the nine-mile-long Furka Base Tunnel, we descend alongside a river before climbing the dramatic Matter Valley once again. Thundering waterfalls and rugged mountains guide the way, and we enjoy dinner at our seats, watching it all unfold, before arriving in Zermatt. 

In this car-free mountain village, we check into our hotel for two nights with the remainder of the evening free to relax and absorb the views. Overnight Zermatt.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Waking up in Zermatt, we enjoy breakfast before setting off on a delightful heritage train ride. More than 125 years old, the charming Gornergrat Mountain Railroad is Switzerland's original electric rack railroad and the second highest in Europe. Climbing over picturesque valleys and through lush alpine forests, the train carries us to an altitude of more than 10,000 feet above sea level.

The spectacular views from the top are jaw-dropping, and on a clear day, an astonishing 29 mountaintops are visible. We have plenty of time at leisure to soak up these spellbinding vistas, including the best view of the Matterhorn's pyramidal peak - an iconic symbol of Switzerland and the inspiration for the design of Toblerone.

Back amongst the low-pitched roofs of Zermatt's timbered chalets this afternoon, an expert guide reveals the history and stories of this charming alpine resort. After touring Zermatt, you are free to continue exploring ahead of dinner at the hotel tonight. Overnight Zermatt.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We leave the beautiful resort of Zermatt after breakfast, traveling back to Basel by rail. First, we wind down the gorgeous Matter Valley to Visp, admiring the stunning scenery on the way. Our journey continues past the glistening waters of Lake Thun and the quaint lakeside town of Spiez with its 10th-century castle before we arrive at our destination.

In Basel, close to the borders with Germany and France, a coach transfer takes us to the waterfront, where our luxurious cruise ship is moored on the Rhine. After being welcomed aboard by the crew, you have time to relax into our new home on the river and familiarize yourself with the ship's excellent facilities. 

This evening, we enjoy a welcome cocktail before dinner in the panoramic restaurant and set sail on an overnight cruise on the Rhine. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Sailing into the historic Alsace city of Strasbourg after breakfast, you have a choice of two excursions today. The first is a trip into the Black Forest to witness stunning views. Germany's largest nature park is filled with rolling hills, fairytale villages, dense forests and wildflower meadows. On an exploration of this idyllic setting, you can learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region.

Alternatively, you could enjoy a tour of Strasbourg, a city in Alsace that was once part of Germany but is now in France. Strasbourg's grand architecture reflects this blend of the two cultures. On the tour, we visit its striking cathedral and the quaint La Petite France District. Home to tanners, millers and fishermen in the Middle Ages, this pretty area is now a UNESCO World Heritage site of cobbled streets, flower-lined canals and beautiful half-timbered houses. 

Following your excursion, enjoy a free afternoon to explore Strasbourg independently before we return to our ship this evening and enjoy drinks with dinner. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Docking in charming Speyer this morning, you can choose to enjoy a guided tour of Heidelberg today. The picturesque university town is known for its Old Town and 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. 

Should you prefer to stay in Speyer, you can discover the city at your own pace. There is a beautiful Old Town, and among the city's highlights is the UNESCO World Heritage site cathedral. Returning to our ship for lunch, we enjoy a scenic afternoon cruise. Sailing downstream, we pass the famous Roman city of Mainz and spa town of Wiesbaden before arriving in Rüdesheim early this evening.

After dinner, you could enjoy the sounds and sights of the attractive town, famous for its delicious white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we travel through charming Rüdesheim aboard a land train, arriving in the center of the renowned wine town. Here, you have a choice of excursions: You could savor Rüdesheim's most famous produce with a tasting of the finest local varieties of wine or discover Europe's largest collection of mechanical instruments at Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. Afterward, you can continue exploring at your own pace.

We begin sailing this afternoon and enjoy a vacation highlight - gliding through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO-listed section renowned for its spectacular views. Winding around bends surrounded by miles of vineyards, hilltop castles and picturesque towns, we also hear the legend of the Lorelei Rock. Soaring almost 500 feet out of the water, this monument has been the inspiration for countless myths and legends, including the tale of a siren whose song has enchanted passing sailors.   

Arriving in the city of Koblenz, you have time to explore, perhaps visiting Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle before returning to the ship in time for dinner. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy a morning of relaxed sailing as we leave Koblenz and continue north along the Rhine. Shortly after Andernach, keep your eyes peeled for the highest cold-water geyser in the world that erupts up to heights of nearly 200 feet.

After lunch, we dock in Königswinter for a fantastic trip on the Drachenfels Cog Railway. Rising high into the forests, we pass the fairytale Drachenburg Castle - the name of which translates as "Dragon's Rock" and has inspired many of the dragon-related legends still heard today. We can admire views across the rolling hills of the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany as we travel to the summit. 

Back on board this afternoon, we continue our cruise through beautiful scenery toward Cologne. The city's bridges and imposing cathedral come into view on the approach, and on arrival, we gather for dinner and drinks as we stay overnight in this historic city. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stepping off the ship into Cologne this morning, we embark on a guided tour that introduces us to its squares and Romanesque townhouses. This German city sits beside the Rhine and was founded as a military camp by the Romans, who named it Colonia, from which the modern term "colony" is derived. 

The city's most iconic landmark is its impressive cathedral, the largest in northern Europe. Construction of this UNESCO-listed edifice began in 1248 to house relics of the Three Wise Men, and today, it rises more than 515 feet with spectacular twin spires. This Gothic masterpiece is the most visited attraction in Germany, and you have time here to stand in awe and marvel at its ornate carvings and stained-glass windows.

Returning to our ship, we enjoy lunch as we set sail toward the Netherlands, savoring dinner and drinks as we wind toward our fourth and final country on an overnight cruise. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We spend the early morning sailing through the Lower Rhine, with a change in scenery further downstream as we approach the Netherlands. Arriving in the capital early this afternoon, we take a canal sightseeing cruise of Amsterdam, a cultural city that's as modern as it is historic, soaking up stunning views of the picturesque canals and diverse architecture.

Alternatively, you can choose the optional excursion: a visit to Volendam and Edam to uncover their cheese heritage. As well as being famed for Dutch cheese, Volendam is a stunning old town with traditional houses lining serene canals and a small harbor. 

Back on board our ship this evening, we gather for a gala dinner accompanied by the songs of the Dutch sea shanty choir - the perfect end to our Rhine cruise. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Combining an iconic train journey with a relaxing cruise is the ideal way to get close to the stunning Swiss Alps and the beautiful Rhine. Riding the world-famous Glacier Express from Chur to tranquil Zermatt provided front-row seats to Switzerland's jaw-dropping scenery, and after, sailing from Basel to Amsterdam showcased the changing landscapes of the Rhine, from the Black Forest to the beautiful Rhine Gorge and the Netherlands' idyllic canals.

After breakfast, your vacation comes to a close. Say goodbye to our crew and disembark the ship for the final time before beginning your travels home independently.

• Breakfast