Glacier Express & Treasures of the Rhine

Your rail and cruise vacation begins today at London St. Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travelers. Together, we board the Eurostar and begin the journey toward the River Rhine. We switch trains in Brussels and continue to Cologne, where a coach transfer takes us to the waterfront.

Stepping aboard our luxurious Amadeus ship, there is time to settle into our floating hotel for the next seven nights. Our friendly crew greets us with a welcome cocktail as we get ready to immerse ourselves in the wonders of the Rhine. We then gather for our first dinner onboard, savoring the beginning of our cruise experience while overlooking the skyline of the cultural city of Cologne. Overnight ship.

• Dinner

 After breakfast, we enjoy a tour of Cologne. After admiring the Romanesque townhouses, we visit 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. We also enjoy a tasting of Cologne's chocolate and beer before returning to the ship for our first sailing experience.

  Enjoy lunch onboard as we drift upstream past Bonn and begin to see the first signs of lush green hills as we arrive in the town of Königswinter. Here, we journey on the Drachenfelsbahn.   

This cog railway rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels castle, whose name translates as "Dragon's Rock," inspiring many 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. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Docking in Koblenz this morning, you can spend time at leisure exploring this former Roman stronghold. You might like to stroll to Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, surrounded by inspiring vistas, including the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. We begin sailing again after lunch, arriving in the picturesque town of Boppard later this afternoon.   

Enjoy time at leisure to explore before dinner this evening. As you wander the cobblestone streets, you can see how 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.   

Before returning to the ship for dinner, you could take the chairlift to the Vier Seen Blick (Four Lakes Viewpoint) for panoramic views of the Rhine Valley and the surrounding countryside. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 The morning is spent 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 center of this wine town. Here, you have a choice of excursions: a wine tasting, savoring the finest local varieties, or a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet to discover Europe's largest collection of finely tuned mechanical instruments.   

  After dinner onboard this evening, you can return to Rüdesheim to explore the town's cobbled streets and see the half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and wine bars in Drosselgasse alley. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 After a morning of relaxed cruising and plenty of time to have breakfast 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 the ship and continue along the Rhine to Speyer. On arrival, take in the sights of the historic German city of Speyer and its famous cathedral at leisure. Those who chose to visit Heidelberg instead will rejoin the ship in Speyer in time for dinner this evening. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 A day of magnificent riverside destinations and spellbinding views lies ahead during today's full-day cruise to the border city of Strasbourg. Relax onboard as we pass diverse landscapes and witness the natural beauty that lies along the Rhine. We arrive in Strasbourg later this afternoon, and after dinner, you can experience the city's unique character at leisure.    

Because of its location, Strasbourg has changed hands many times throughout its history and has grown to represent the blending of French and German cultures perfectly. After we dock and have dinner on the ship this evening, you might like to step ashore to experience its allures for yourself. The old town is well worth a visit, with its timber-framed houses, cobbled streets, and iconic cathedral. These elements come together to create a fairytale ambiance. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 After breakfast, you have a choice of two excursions from our mooring point in Strasbourg. The first is a trip into the Black Forest to experience the beauty of Germany's largest nature park, which is filled with rolling hills, picturesque villages, dense forests, and meadows dotted with wildflowers. Learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region as you explore this storybook setting.  

Alternatively, you could choose a city tour of Strasbourg to discover its history and admire its grand architecture, visiting the UNESCO-listed cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district. 

  Following your chosen excursion, we return to our ship for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to discover more of Strasbourg and 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 wander the charming streets or relax with a beverage at one of the inviting cafés or wine bars. Dinner is back onboard this evening. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 We have our last breakfast onboard this morning before we disembark our ship for the final time in Strasbourg. Saying goodbye to our crew, we step ashore and begin the next leg of our adventure, setting off by rail for Zermatt.

We begin with a rail journey from Strasbourg to Basel and continues by train to Zermatt via Visp. On arriving in Zermatt, 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 while strolling through the village and admiring the stunning scenery before we regroup for dinner at the hotel this evening. Overnight Zermatt.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 A journey on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway awaits us today after breakfast. This cog railway ascends the Gornergrat to its summit, trundling along the second-highest railway in Europe. As we reach the top, stunning views of glaciers, snow-capped peaks and valleys below are revealed. We enjoy magical views of the enveloping mountains, including a truly privileged perspective on the imposing Matterhorn.   

After free time to soak up the scenery from the Gornergrat, we return to Zermatt and discover more of this resort town on a guided tour. Strolling through the traditional streets, we view wooden chalets and shops selling traditional Swiss products as our guide shares the history of Zermatt, giving us a deeper understanding of our beautiful destination. The rest of the day is yours to relax amidst the scenery or explore further afield using your Swiss Half Fare Card. Overnight Zermatt.

• Breakfast

 Some of Switzlerland's most dramatic scenery lies ahead as we walk to Zermatt's railway station this morning and step aboard the Glacier Express in First Class. In a panoramic carriage surrounded by windows, we weave through undeniably Swiss scenes of green meadows, dense, evergreen forests and snow-capped mountains. Our journey takes us through the beautiful Rhine Valley, with plenty of time to soak up the scenery as we travel toward Chur on the "Slowest Express Train in the World."

Sit in awe of the scenery as we spiral up mountains, cross vast viaducts and burrow through tunnels. There is always something new to see, and with a two-course lunch served at our seats, we never miss a moment.

As we arrive in Chur and check into our hotel, you can explore the rich history, culture and sights of Switzerland's oldest village. Perhaps wander the Altstadt (Old Town) to discover the town's lovely atmosphere before returning to the hotel for our final dinner this evening. Overnight Chur.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 From the treasures of Koblenz and Boppard to the enchanting Rhine Gorge and cultural cities, including Rüdesheim, Heidelberg and Strasbourg, each day of this rail and cruise vacation has provided a new way to immerse ourselves in Europe's rich atmosphere. The remarkable scenery continued in Switzerland, with two rail journeys and stays in striking destinations, such as the car-free resort of Zermatt.

After breakfast this morning, it is time to bid farewell to Chur and begin the journey home. Walk to Chur's railway station, and board the train to Zürich for your independent transfer. As you arrive in the city center, continue onward to Zürich's airport, where you are free to return home.

• Breakfast