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Glacier Express, the Rhine & Moselle Cruise

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202320242025
10 days From $4,595 $4,195 per person
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Combine one of the most iconic rail journeys with scenic alpine destinations, historic cities, and five-star river cruise for an epic rail and cruise adventure.

Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager
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2024 Tour code: GMR24

About the tour

Soak up the grandeur that can only be found in the Swiss Alps, and drink in the romance of the Moselle wine region and the spectacular Rhine Valley on this memorable rail and cruise vacation. Find yourself engrossed in hundreds of years of history as you arrive in Switzerland's oldest city, Chur, via train. From Chur, sit in awe as a presentation of alpine marvels unfolds as we wind through tunnels, forests, and mountain towns aboard the Glacier Express, with the car-free village of Zermatt as our destination. An excursion on the Gornergrat Railway offers another vantage point from which to see the mighty Matterhorn and the surrounding landscape before we venture to Strasbourg and change modes of transportation. Your chariot for the second half of our adventure is an opulent Amadeus cruise ship - a five-star river vessel that brings all the amenities and inclusions one would expect from a high-end hotel to the water. Enjoy picture-perfect sights and incredible meals as the ship proceeds along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers between destinations like Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Bernkastel-Kues, Trier, Cochem, and Speyer. Delight in each port's unique characteristics and culture, presented through guided tours and time to explore independently. Complete stays in luxury hotels, including the amazing 360-year-old Romantik Hotel Stern, the dreamy appeal of this journey is endless.

Highlights

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What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London to Chur

As you arrive at London St. Pancras, venture to our dedicated Departure Office to meet your Tour Manager and fellow travelers. Together, board the Eurostar train bound for Paris. From here, we continue by rail to Chur where we spend the night. There's a little free time before dinner to soak up the atmosphere of Switzerland's oldest town. Overnight Chur.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - The Glacier Express to Zermatt

Today we transfer to Chur station where 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. We arrive in the pretty resort town of Zermatt - our idyllic base for two nights. Zermatt is a car-free village, with traditional wooden chalets, set beneath the striking Matterhorn. We dine together at our hotel. Overnight Zermatt.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - The Gornergrat Mountain Railway

We enjoy our first heritage rail journey today, aboard the Gornergrat Mountain Railway. Our journey begins as the electric train leaves Zermatt and begins its ascent. We cross the Findelbach River, before climbing steeply. Passing through a series of short, curved tunnels to gain height amongst the imposing mountain landscape, we arrive at Riffelalp station where there are wonderful vistas over the valley. Our train then winds 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 find out more about the town on an insightful guided tour. Overnight Zermatt

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Rail to Strasbourg

After breakfast this morning we take the train to Strasbourg, travelling via Visp and Basel, where we have a little free time to stretch our legs. On arrival in Strasbourg we transfer to board our ship and are welcomed with a cocktail before a 5-course dinner with drinks. As we dine, we begin an overnight cruise to Rüdesheim. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Rüdesheim & Koblenz

This morning we moor in Rüdesheim, a delightful town which we explore on a walking tour. We visit the Drösselgasse - a street lined with traditional pubs and wine cellars - and the market square, surrounded by noble courtyards and half-timbered buildings from the 16th century. We return to our boat for lunch onboard as we set sail into the breathtakingly beautiful Rhine Gorge to Koblenz. Along this scenic route we see the enchanting Lorelei Rock, a site of local myth and legend.

After this relaxing cruise we arrive in Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. Koblenz has ancient roots dating back to the Romans, who established a strategic settlement and military stronghold here in 8 BC. We take a walking tour here, wandering the charming streets between the St Castor Basilica and the Liebfrauenkirche (the Church of our Beloved Lady). We enjoy dinner back on board our cruise ship and sail to Bernkastel overnight. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Bernkastel-Kues and Luxembourg

At lunchtime we moor in Bernkastel-Kues, in the heart of the Moselle Valley. From here, we can choose two optional excursions. The first option is to get to know the attractive medieval town of Bernkastel-Kues on a guided tour. Moselle wine is naturally a speciality here and we enjoy a stroll through a nearby vineyard and a tasting of different vintages, including the world-famous Bernkasteler 'doctor wine'. The town motto translates as 'wine and health' and we learn about the restorative properties of this popular drink. Alternatively, you could discover one of the world's smallest countries, on a coach tour of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. In Luxembourg City, we enjoy a guided walking tour that introduces us to the local history and attractions. We return to our ship for dinner and continue cruising to Trier where we moor during the night. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Trier

After breakfast on board, we take a guided coach trip to Trier, Germany's oldest city. Dating back to the Roman period, there's plenty to see as we explore with our local guide. The immense Porta Nigra guards the entrance to the north of the city and is a World Heritage site, along with Trier's St Peter's Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady. We return to our ship for lunch onboard then continue sailing to Cochem overnight. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 - Cochem

This morning we moor in Cochem, nestled in the Moselle Valley and surrounded by lush vineyards. After breakfast we take a guided tour which includes a visit to the Old Town's Gothic castle, the Reichsburg. With a fantastic viewpoint from the castle's turrets, we can admire the topography of the Moselle Valley with its dreamy forests, wild meadows and sprawling vineyards. There's a preserved 19th century mustard mill, the only surviving example of its kind in Europe. In the old quarter of Cochem you'll find well-preserved sections of the ancient town walls and a fascinating arts centre in a former monastery. After lunch back onboard we set sail for an overnight cruise to Speyer.  Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 9 - Speyer

We enjoy a walking tour of lovely Speyer this afternoon, based in its beautiful Old Town. Among the highlights we see the city's cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, a basilica with four towers and two domes. Founded by Conrad II in 1030, then remodelled at the end of the 11th century, it is still one of the most important Romanesque monuments from the Holy Roman Empire. It has also been the burial site of German emperors for the last 300 years and its network of arcades, added in the 1200s, was a first in architectural history. We enjoy our final 5-course dinner onboard this evening as we cruise towards Strasbourg overnight. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 - Tour Conclusion

We disembark this morning to make the journey home, traveling by rail to Paris, where we join the Eurostar service to London St. Pancras.

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. If you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Romantik Hotel Stern, Chur

Romantik Hotel Stern, Chur

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Hotel National, Zermatt

Hotel National, Zermatt

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Trains

The Glacier Express
Gornergrat Mountain Railway

Ship

MS Amadeus Imperial

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