Combine a cruise on one of Europe's more serene waterways with
a sensational rail journey on the iconic Glacier Express
Join us on a stunning rail adventure in beautiful Switzerland -
with a trip aboard the iconic Glacier Express - and a 7-night
cruise on the magical Rhine and Moselle rivers.
Stay in picturesque Zermatt, beneath the Matterhorn, then sail
past the castles, forests and mythical Lorelei rock of the stunning
Rhine Gorge. Next, 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.
On the magnificent Amadeus Imperial, we indulge in luxury and
embark on expert-guided explorations along the picturesque banks.
From the beautiful Rhine Gorge to the storied lanes of Trier and
the enchanting charm of Cochem, each experience unveils a treasure
trove of culture and heritage.
Unforgettable Experiences
The renowned Glacier Express
Embark on one of the world’s greatest rail experiences with a journey through astonishing snow-capped peaks and alpine valleys as we travel in panoramic carriages to Chur.
The Gornergrat Mountain Railway
Journey to the summit of Gornergrat enjoying sensational views of surrounding mountains including the mighty Matterhorn.
Views of the Matterhorn from Zermatt
Stay in this luxurious resort amongst alpine beauty, waking to mighty views of the Matterhorn. Spend time exploring this beautiful town with its wooden chalets, geranium-filled balconies and history of mountaineering.
Savor famous Moselle wines
Sample the celebrated wines of the Moselle, including the popular Riesling, at different destinations along the river.
Fascinating history in Trier
Discover Trier - a UNESCO World Heritage site, with ancient Roman ruins occupying the same street corner as classic Baroque architecture and brightly colored townhouses.
Fairytale Rüdesheim
Explore this charming town and the famous Drosselgasse, a quaint narrow alleyway lined with traditional pubs and wine cellars. While here, choose between a wine tasting or visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet.
What’s included on the tour?
Transportation
First Class rail travel on local rail networks
Accommodation
3 nights’ 4-Star hotel accommodation
Luggage
Complimentary luggage service from your home to the ship and back
Cruise
7 night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Imperial
Five-star service onboard
Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
Excursions & Entertainment
Services of a professional tour escort and knowledgeable local guides for touring
A superb choice of excursions
Food & Drink
Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of your cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
Not Included
Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
Flights and Airport transfers
Itinerary
To charming Chur
Your European rail and cruise vacation begins as you land at
Zürich Airport. Making your way independently to Chur with the
included rail ticket provided to you. Upon arrival in Chur,
transfer to your hotel, which may require a taxi from the
station.
Once you arrive, check into our hotel in this city surrounded by
beautiful mountain scenery and beside the crystal-clear
Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne).
Includes
Dinner
The iconic Glacier Express to wonderful Zermatt
Today we board the world-renowned Glacier Express for a
spectacular journey, experiencing unparalleled views of the most
awe-inspiring mountain ranges in the world. We spiral up the
mountains, crossing vast viaducts, burrowing through tunnels and
rising above the clouds.
Arriving in the elegant resort town of Zermatt - our idyllic
base for two nights. This car-free village is set beneath the
striking Matterhorn and is filled with traditional wooden chalets
and wonderful alpine charm.
Includes
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The beautiful Gornergrat Mountain Railway
We board the Gornergrat Mountain Railway today. 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, around 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 other mountains in the Alps, including the
Matterhorn. We return to Zermatt and enjoy an insightful guided
tour.
Includes
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
To Strasbourg where we board our luxurious ship
After breakfast, we set off to Strasbourg. As we arrive, we're
greeted with a refreshing cocktail and a warm welcome aboard our
ship. We then sit down to dinner, looking forward to the
experiences that lie ahead.
Includes
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Alsatian charm in Colmar and Strasbourg
After breakfast onboard, there's a choice of excursions. First,
you can opt for an excursion to Colmar to spend an idyllic morning
in this picturesque Alsatian town, with its 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, embark on a guided tour of Strasbourg, taking in
the blend of French and German culture amidst picturesque
cobblestone streets and enchanting canals. Wandering through its
medieval alleys, marvel at the awe-inspiring architecture of the
iconic Cathedral Notre Dame and explore the charming La Petite
France district.
There's free time in Strasbourg this afternoon, before we set
sail this evening on our first cruise toward the enchanting town of
Rüdesheim.
Includes
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Charming Rüdesheim and the magical Rhine Gorge
This morning, we sail into Rüdesheim, famous for its delicious
white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety. Stepping ashore,
we travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train, arriving
in the center of the renowned wine town. Here there's a choice of
excursions, each promising a delightful insight into the town.
You could experience for yourself why the town is famous with a
fantastic wine tasting, savoring the finest local varieties.
Alternatively, you could visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet
and discover Europe's largest collection of finely tuned mechanical
instruments.
After your excursion, there's some time at leisure to explore
the town's cobbled streets at your own pace and see the charming
half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and enticing wine bars in the
Drosselgasse alley. This afternoon, we begin sailing toward the
romantic Rhine Gorge.
This section of the Rhine is renowned for its spectacular views.
We wind around bends surrounded by lush green vineyards, ancient
castles, and picturesque towns. As we sail, we hear the fascinating
story of the legendary Lorelei Rock which soars almost 500 feet out
of the water. Arriving in Koblenz later this afternoon, we dock for
the evening on the Moselle promenade. There's time to explore
before dinner and we recommend strolling the Deutsches Eck for
amazing views of the surrounding beauty.
Includes
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lovely Cochem – the heart of the Moselle wine trade
Our morning is spent cruising through river scenery. You could
enjoy a drink as you step out onto the deck to witness the passing
views as our ship continues its journey along the river. Sailing
into the port of Cochem, we have a guided tour. The Moselle Valley
surrounds us with rolling hills, wooden houses and the majestic
castle (the Reichsburg) perched on top of a hill. The town itself
is a maze of slender alleys adorned with pastel-coloured buildings,
quaint boutiques and wine cellars.
After lunch onboard, you can explore Cochem at your own pace
before dinner this evening. In the old quarter, you'll find
well-preserved sections of the ancient town walls and an arts
centre in a former monastery.
Includes
Breakfast, Dinner
Colorful Bernkastel-Kues
We enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Moselle Valley this
morning as we continue our cruise. The charming town of
Bernkastel-Kues unfolds as we moor here after lunch. The
picturesque vineyards of the Valley climb up the hillsides, while
half-timbered houses with blooming flowers add to the enchanting
atmosphere. A sightseeing tour awaits us here.
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 the 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 specialty.
Following our afternoon of exploration, we reboard our ship for
dinner and begin an overnight cruise downstream.
Includes
Breakfast
The ancient city of Trier or fairytale 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. Visit the immense
Porta Nigra which guards the entrance to the north of the city, St
Peter's Cathedral with its intricate stone carvings and
stained-glass windows, and the Church of Our Lady, all of which are
UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Alternatively, you could board the coach to the charming Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg. One of the smallest countries in the world,
immerse yourself in the local history and attractions. We spend our
evening onboard enjoying dinner, sailing back downstream along the
meandering Moselle.
Includes
Breakfast, Dinner
The wonderful Drachenfelsbahn and cultural Cologne
After a morning of relaxed cruising, we arrive in Königswinter
where the Drachenfelsbahn railway awaits. This fabulous cog railway
rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels
castle - whose name translates as 'Dragon's Rock', inspiring many
of the dragon-related legends still heard today. We experience
wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany as we
climb higher.
Back onboard later this afternoon, we continue our cruise
through beautiful scenery toward Cologne. As we approach the
striking city after our Gala dinner, admire the fantastic cityscape
of magnificent bridges that span the river and the imposing
Cathedral.
Includes
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Homeward bound
After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our
lovely crew. We make our way to the railway station where we catch
our train to London. Here, we say goodbye to new friends and fellow
travelers before you make your way home with delightful memories of
our vacation including our incredible journey aboard the Glacier
Express. 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 we a
delight to discover. Exploring ancient Trier and the views aboard
the Drachenfelsbahn will stay with us forever.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Starting in the riverside town of Königswinter, the Drachenfels
Cog Railroad carries passengers more than 700 feet to up to the top
of Drachenfels mountain. First operating in 1883, the line
originally used steam-powered trains before changing in 1953 to the
electric trains that continue to run today. This picturesque route
passes Drachenburg Castle, a palatial 19th-century villa boasting
romantic turrets and great views. On arrival at the top of the
mountain, you will see the ruins of Drachenfels Castle, a
12th-century fortress that was destroyed 500 years later.
Undoubtedly Switzerland's best-known train, the Glacier Express
winds its way through some of Europe's most dramatic and beautiful
scenery. Called 'the slowest express train in the world', the
panoramic carriages allow us to soak in the spectacular views as we
traverse incredible mountain passes, picturesque villages and
valleys between the popular alpine resorts of St Moritz and
Zermatt. Enroute, the train clings to the mountainsides on the
Albula Line, zigzags and spirals its way round mountains and over
bridges, and delves into the Rhine Valley - also known as the
'Swiss Grand Canyon'.
Running for less than six miles, the Gornergrat Mountain
Railway transports passengers from the pretty town of Zermatt to
the summit of the Gornergrat, some 10,135ft above sea level, where
on a clear day you can see 29 peaks, including unparalleled views
of the Matterhorn. First opened in 1898, this is the highest
railway in Europe to run mostly in the open air (the Jungfrau
Railway runs to a higher point but mostly in tunnels).
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.