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Glacier Express and the Timeless Moselle & Rhine

 
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Duration
11 days
From per person
$4,495 $4,095
Tour code
GMR27
Mobility Rating 2
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Enjoy a 5-Star cruise on the Moselle and Rhine Rivers and a rail journey on the iconic Glacier Express, traversing the breathtaking Swiss Alps

Embark on a stunning autumnal journey, spending time in picturesque Switzerland, riding the iconic Glacier Express, and enjoying a magical seven-night cruise on the Rhine and Moselle Rivers.

Stay in picturesque Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn and enjoy two spectacular rail excursions into the snow-capped mountains. Board a luxurious ship for a cruise along the Rhine, sailing past immense castles, deep forests and the legendary Lorelei Rock in the stunning Rhine Gorge.

Discover ancient Trier and enchanting Cochem on the banks of the beautiful Moselle River.

Unforgettable Experiences

Experiencing the renowned Glacier Express
Experiencing 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.
Traveling on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway
Traveling 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.
Viewing the Matterhorn from Zermatt
Viewing 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.
Discovering fascinating history in Trier
Discovering 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.
Uncovering Rüdesheim’s highlights
Uncovering 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 Airport, make your way to the station and use your First Class open railway ticket to travel independently to Chur.

On arrival, make your way to our four-star hotel for an overnight. If time allows, you could relax or get to know Switzerland's oldest town. Backed by spectacular mountains, Chur is a lovely place to explore. The charming Old Town surrounds 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.

In the evening, return to the hotel to meet the Tour Manager and your travel group before we sit down for our first dinner together. Overnight Chur.

Includes
  • Dinner
DAY2The iconic Glacier Express to Zermatt 

One of the tour's highlights awaits after breakfast this morning: a journey on 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, 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. Here, we can enjoy incredible views over 29 mountains in the Alps, including the Matterhorn.

Back among 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
DAY4To 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. From here, we continue to 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.

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
DAY5Alsatian 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, you might like to 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
DAY6Through the Rhine Gorge to Koblenz 

This morning, we sail into Rüdesheim, a charming town 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 sloping 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 

We spend the morning 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 Reichsburg Castle.

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

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

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY8A 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
DAY9The 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
DAY10The 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
DAY11Traveling home

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.

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MS Amadeus Cara Cabin DS | Vacations by Rail
Deluxe Suites - Upper Deck

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.

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MS Amadeus Cara Cabin A1 | Vacations by Rail
Deluxe Stateroom - Upper Deck

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.

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MS Amadeus Cara Cabin B1 | Vacations by Rail
Deluxe Stateroom - Middle Deck

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.

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MS Amadeus Cara Cabin C1 | Vacations by Rail
Classic Stateroom - Lower Deck

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.

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