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 Glacier Express & Autumn on the Moselle & Rhine

 
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Duration
11 days
From per person
$4,495 $4,095
Tour code
GMR26
Mobility Rating 2
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Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager
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Combine a five-star cruise on the Moselle and Rhine Rivers with a rail journey on the iconic Glacier Express, traversing the breathtaking Swiss Alps 

 A stunning adventure from beginning to end, this journey combines time in beautiful Switzerland, riding the iconic Glacier Express, with a magical seven-night cruise on the Rhine and Moselle Rivers.  

Stay in Zermatt, beneath the Matterhorn, and enjoy two spectacular rail excursions before sailing past the castles, forests and Lorelei Rock in the stunning Rhine Gorge. Then, ancient Roman ruins sprinkle the Moselle landscape as we calmly drift through its natural beauty and enjoy the peaceful pace of life on this meandering river, from ancient Trier to enchanting Cochem.

Unforgettable Experiences

Experience the renowned Glacier Express
Experience the renowned Glacier Express
 Embark on one of the world’s greatest rail experiences with a journey through snow-capped peaks and deep alpine valleys, sitting in panoramic carriages and enjoying lunch at our seats as we travel to Chur. 
Travel on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway
Travel on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway
 Journey to the summit of the Gornergrat on a six-mile journey aboard the second-highest railway in Europe, witnessing unparalleled vistas of the Matterhorn from the summit. 
View the Matterhorn from Zermatt
View the Matterhorn from Zermatt
 Stay in this luxurious resort town, waking to views of the Matterhorn and spending time discovering the town, with its wooden chalets, geranium-filled balconies and history of mountaineering. 
Discover fascinating history in Trier
Discover fascinating history in Trier
 Explore Trier, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where ancient Roman ruins occupy the same street corner as classic Baroque architecture and brightly colored townhouses. 
Uncover Rüdesheim’s highlights
Uncover Rüdesheim’s highlights
 Discover this wine town and its famous Drosselgasse Alley, lined with traditional pubs and wine cellars, and choose between a wine tasting or a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. 

What’s included on the tour?

Itinerary

DAY1 Arriving in Chur

 Your incredible rail and cruise vacation begins today in the Swiss city of Zürich. Arriving at Zürich's airport, make your way to its station and use your First Class open railway ticket to travel independently to Chur.

The journey takes less than two hours to complete, and as the train pulls into the station, walk to our four-star hotel, where we stay for the night. If time allows once you have checked in, you could relax or get to know Switzerland's oldest town. Chur is backed by mountains and has a colorful Old Town - a charming place to wander. The center of Old Town is the idyllic Martinsplatz, where you can find the Town Hall. Chur's 800-year-old cathedral and the terracotta-fronted Bishop's Palace overlook the historic center. 

Return to the hotel this evening to meet the Tour Manager and your travel group, and then we sit down to our first dinner together. Overnight Chur.

Includes
  • Dinner
DAY2 The iconic Glacier Express to Zermatt 

 A tour highlight awaits after breakfast this morning as we board the world-renowned Glacier Express. On this spectacular train, often called the "slowest express train in the world," you can savor the scenery as we experience unparalleled views of awe-inspiring mountain ranges.    

We spiral up the mountains, crossing vast viaducts, burrowing through tunnels and rising above the clouds. From our seats in First Class, we enjoy the incredible views through panoramic windows and do not miss a moment of the natural grandeur as lunch is served at our seats.  

  Our destination is the resort town of Zermatt, our idyllic base for two nights. This car-free village sits beneath the striking Matterhorn and is filled with traditional wooden chalets and alpine charm. After settling into our new surroundings, we have dinner at the hotel this evening. Overnight Zermatt. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY3Views of the Matterhorn from the Gornergrat Mountain Railway 

 Another amazing excursion awaits us after breakfast as we board the Gornergrat Mountain Railway. After crossing the Findelbach River, our train begins climbing steeply. Passing through short, curved tunnels to gain height amongst the imposing mountain landscape, we arrive at Riffelalp station, about halfway to the summit of Gornergrat. Here, we admire the stunning views over the valley.  

  Our railway journey then continues across a dramatic landscape as we approach the summit station of Gornergrat. Here, we can enjoy stunning views over 29 mountains in the Alps, including the Matterhorn.    

Back amongst the low-pitched roofs of Zermatt's timbered chalets, an expert guide reveals the history of this charming alpine resort. We dine independently tonight, and you could opt for one of Zermatt's many restaurants, giving you a chance to try Swiss favorites, such as fondue. Overnight Zermatt.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY4 To Strasbourg, where we board our ship 

 We bid farewell to Zermatt and the Alps this morning, walking to the train station after breakfast and joining the train to Visp. Continuing onward from here, we proceed to Visp and Basel and then follow the final leg of our rail route to Strasbourg, arriving in the early evening. Here, we transfer by coach to the harbor, where our luxurious ship awaits us.  

  As we step aboard our privately chartered ship, we are greeted by our friendly crew with a welcome cocktail. After settling in, we enjoy our first dinner onboard. With a drinks package included each night of your cruise, you can unwind over a delicious meal, eagerly anticipating the wonderful experiences ahead. We stay moored in Strasbourg overnight to take full advantage of daytime sailing and the autumnal riverside views later in our journey. Overnight ship.  

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY5 Alsatian charm in Colmar or Strasbourg 

 After breakfast onboard, you have a choice of two excursions. The first option is an excursion to Colmar, a picturesque Alsatian town with fairytale charm. Stroll through cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses and pretty flowers. Explore the historic Old Town's maze of narrow alleys, discover quaint cafes and local markets, and gaze at architectural landmarks like the Maison Pfister.   

Alternatively, stay in Strasbourg for a guided tour, taking in the blend of French and German culture amidst cobblestone streets and canals. Wandering through its medieval alleys, marvel at the architecture of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and explore the La Petite France district.  

  After your excursion, return to the ship for lunch, and then the afternoon is free to explore Strasbourg at your own pace. Back on board later this afternoon, we set sail on our first cruise toward Rüdesheim while enjoying dinner onboard. Overnight ship. 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY6 Through the Rhine Gorge to Koblenz 

 This morning, we sail into Rüdesheim, famous for its white wine. As you cruise through this section of the Rhine, the scenery is rich with colors that capture the season's essence. 

  Stepping ashore, we travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train to the city center, where you have a choice of excursions. You can savor the finest local varieties at a wine tasting or visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet and discover Europe's largest collection of finely tuned mechanical instruments. After your excursion, enjoy time at leisure to explore the town's cobbled streets and see the half-timbered houses and the wine bars in the Drosselgasse Alley.  

  Returning to the ship in time for lunch, we begin sailing through the Rhine Gorge, renowned for its spectacular views. We wind around bends surrounded by a mix of green and yellow vineyards, ancient castles and picturesque towns. As we sail, we hear the story of the legendary Lorelei Rock.

Arriving in Koblenz later this afternoon, we dock for the evening on the Moselle promenade, where there's time to explore before dinner. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY7 Cochem in the heart of the Moselle wine trade 

 Our morning is spent cruising along the Rhine. You could soak up the riverside views while having coffee or a drink on the Sun Deck, admiring the scenery as our ship nears Cochem. After lunch on the ship, we sail into the port of Cochem, where the Moselle Valley surrounds us with rolling hills, wooden houses and the majestic hilltop Cochem Castle - the Reichsburg.    

Here, we enjoy a guided tour of the charming town, where we discover the maze of slender alleys adorned with pastel-colored buildings. After, you have time to explore further at your own pace, perhaps discovering the quaint boutiques and wine cellars. In the old quarter, you might like to seek out well-preserved sections of the ancient town walls or the arts center housed in a former monastery.     

Return to the ship with time to relax before dinner this evening. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY8 A tour and wine tasting in Bernkastel-Kues 

 We enjoy the scenery of the Moselle Valley this morning as we continue our cruise toward the town of Bernkastel-Kues, where we moor after lunch. The valley's vineyards climb the hillsides, while half-timbered houses add to the enchanting atmosphere. A sightseeing tour introduces us to its splendors. 

  Setting out with our knowledgeable guide, we visit the old town, where the cobblestone streets are lined with traditional German buildings with half-timbered facades. We also experience the Market Square, a focal point of the town surrounded by colorful buildings. A highlight here is St. Michael's Fountain, a Renaissance-style fountain adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. We also enjoy an included wine tasting to sample the local Bernkasteler Doctor, a specialty wine.  

Following our afternoon of exploration, we return to the ship for dinner. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY9 The ancient city of Trier or Luxembourg 

 Waking to views of historic Trier, you have a choice between two excursions this morning. The first option is to explore Germany's oldest city with a local guide. The ancient streets are known for their Roman ruins, medieval buildings and Baroque churches, and we delve into this impressive history on our tour featuring several UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visit the immense Porta Nigra, which guards the entrance to the north of the city, and St. Peter's Cathedral, with its intricate stone carvings and stained glass windows. We also see the Church of Our Lady.  

Alternatively, you could board the coach to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Immerse yourself in the local history and attractions of one of the smallest countries in the world on a guided tour.  

Rejoining the ship in time for lunch, we begin cruising once more, this time bound for Königswinter. You can enjoy the changing scenery from the Sun Deck before having dinner onboard this evening. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY10 The Drachenfelsbahn and Cologne 

 After a morning of relaxed cruising and taking in the romantic views lining the Rhine, we arrive in Königswinter after lunch. Here, we get another perspective from 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. We experience wonderful vistas across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany as we climb higher.   

  Back onboard later this afternoon, we continue our cruise toward Cologne. As we approach the striking city, admire the bridges that span the river and the imposing dual spires of the UNESCO-listed Gothic cathedral. After dinner onboard this evening, you can wander into Old Town to soak up the city's atmosphere, admire the historical buildings and sample the famous Kolsch beer. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY11Tour conclusion

 During this vacation, we have been captivated by some of Europe's most breathtaking landscapes, from the spectacular views aboard the renowned Glacier Express to cruising along one of the continent's most serene waterways.    

From Strasbourg's history to Rüdesheim's fairytale charm, we immersed ourselves in fantastic culture. Cochem crowned the Moselle's beauty, while Bernkastel-Kues' quaint streets were a delight to discover. Exploring ancient Trier and the views aboard the Drachenfelsbahn were a true highlight of the trip.    

After breakfast, it is time to disembark for the final time and say goodbye to our crew. We make our way to the railway station, where we catch our train to Brussels. From here, we switch trains and continue to London St. Pancras, where your memorable vacation comes to an end.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Departure times vary based on selected rail vacation. This information will be provided in your final documents. For more information please speak with your rail specialist.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours, they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. Please reference our Mobility Ratings Information, and if you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-929-7245.

Train & Ship Information

See more details about this tour's trains and ships.

MS Amadeus Cara Cabin DS | Vacations by Rail

Travel the rivers in the utmost comfort and style when you choose to stay in one of our incredible Deluxe Suites. These cabins are larger than the others on board, at 26.4 square metres, and come with additional touches that adds just that extra touch of opulence.

MS Amadeus Cara Cabin A1 | Vacations by Rail

With your first steps into your Deluxe Stateroom, the impressive amount space is immediately apparent, with plenty of room for luggage, clothes and souvenirs included in your 17.5 square metres.

MS Amadeus Cara Cabin B1 | Vacations by Rail

With your first steps into your Deluxe Stateroom, the impressive amount space is immediately apparent, with plenty of room for luggage, clothes and souvenirs included in your 17.5 square metres.

MS Amadeus Cara Cabin C1 | Vacations by Rail

We take great pride in the quality, comfort and elegance that makes up the 16 square metres of our Classic Staterooms, which make up the majority of our on board accommodation. And we recognise the importance of having somewhere inviting to retire to after an engaging day of cruising or excursions.

Reviews

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Gary Hurst

4 stars

Submitted 10 Oct 2024

The views and places we visited were amazing. We found it difficult to have to carry our suitcases on and off many trains (4 in one day) and busses (2 in one day) when going to and from Switzerland as well as when we left the river cruise ship. We stayed one night in Davos, arriving late in the evening and leaving early in the morning. This was a beautiful hotel but we could not enjoy it. Our time in Switzerland was too short and we were exhausted. It was difficult to recover from this part of our journey. Our travel guide was quite nice and helpful but did not know aspects of this trip very well. Some changes were made and we were notified of them a short time before our trip. The river cruise was enjoyable and most excursions were worth taking. The meals on the river cruise were mostly tasty, although some lacked flavour. We enjoyed ourselves but would not take another trip like this one again because it was too exhausting. The company reserves the right to make changes in accommodations, hotels and schedules and some travel days are just too long. Receiving a clear itinerary with times would be helpful in deciding whether to take this trip or not.

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