Glacier Express & the Majestic Rhine

Your European rail and cruise vacation begins as you land at Zürich Airport. Making your way independently by First Class rail, you enjoy a scenic journey deep into the mountains. This beautiful route takes you past gleaming lakes into the Swiss Alps. The imposing peaks begin to surround you as the landscape becomes more dramatic on the approach to your destination, Chur - Switzerland's oldest town.

Checking in to the hotel this afternoon, there is free time until dinner this evening - when you meet the Tour Manager and the rest of your traveling group. Wandering Chur's Old Town, you can discover the boutiques, traditional restaurants and cozy bars that add to the town's welcoming atmosphere. There is also an array of interesting museums, from the Bündner contemporary art gallery and Cathedral Treasury Museum to the Rätisches Museum documenting the region's history.

*On some departures, we will stay in Davos or Bad Ragaz instead of Chur.

• Dinner

A highlight of your vacation awaits after breakfast as we board the incredible Glacier Express. One of the world's most famous train journeys, the 'slowest express train in the world' travels at an average speed of 24mph through breathtaking alpine scenery.

From our panoramic carriages, we can admire undeniably Swiss scenes of wildflower meadows, dense forests and snow-capped mountains as the route delves into the 'Swiss Grand Canyon' and spirals up the mountains. The astonishing landscapes continue to impress with snow-dusted peaks and picture-perfect Swiss villages lining our ascent to Andermatt. Emerging from the nine-mile-long Furka Base Tunnel, we descend alongside a river before climbing once again up the dramatic Matter Valley. Thundering waterfalls and rugged mountains guide us into beautiful Zermatt.

In this car-free mountain village, we check in to our hotel for two nights. Sitting at the heart of the Swiss Alps, it has wonderful views of the surrounding alpine peaks including the mighty Matterhorn.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Waking up in Zermatt, we enjoy breakfast before setting off on a delightful heritage train ride. More than 125 years old, the charming Gornergrat Mountain Railroad is Switzerland's original electric rack railroad and the second highest in Europe. Climbing over picturesque valleys and through lush alpine forests, the train carries us to an altitude of more than 10,000ft above sea level.

The spectacular views from the top are utterly jaw-dropping, and on a clear day an astonishing 29 mountaintops are visible. We have time to soak in these spellbinding vistas, including the best view of the majestic Matterhorn's pyramidal peak. This famous mountain is an iconic symbol of Switzerland, and its striking shape also provided the inspiration for the design of Toblerone.

Back amongst the low-pitched roofs of Zermatt's timbered chalets, an expert guide reveals that this charming alpine resort has several surprising connections to the UK, including the intriguing story of English mountaineer Edward Whymper. We dine independently tonight, and you could opt for one of Zermatt's many cozy restaurants.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We leave beautiful Zermatt after breakfast, traveling back to Basel by rail. First, we wind down the gorgeous Matter Valley to Visp, admiring the stunning scenery on the way. Our journey continues past the glistening waters of Lake Thun and the quaint lakeside town of Spiez with its 10th-century castle.

In Basel, close to the borders with Germany and France, we're escorted to our luxurious cruise ship moored on the Rhine and welcomed aboard by our wonderful crew. There's time to relax into our new home on the river and familiarize yourself with the ship's excellent facilities.

This evening, we enjoy a welcome cocktail before dinner in the panoramic restaurant and set sail on an overnight cruise on the Rhine.

• Breakfast

Sailing into the historic Alsace city of Strasbourg after breakfast, there's a choice of two wonderful excursions. The first is a trip into the magical Black Forest to witness stunning views. Germany's largest nature park filled with rolling hills, fairytale villages, dense forests and wildflower meadows. On an exploration of this idyllic setting, you'll learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region.

Alternatively, you could enjoy a city tour of Strasbourg. Alsace is now in France but was once part of Germany. The grand architecture of its main city reflects this blend of the two cultures. On the tour, we visit its striking cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district. Home to tanners, millers and fishermen in the Middle Ages, this pretty area is now a UNESCO World Heritage site of cobbled streets, flower-lined canals and beautiful half-timbered houses.

Back on our ship this evening, we enjoy drinks with dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

During breakfast, we can admire views of the Upper Rhine as we glide northwards to Speyer.

There is a choice of excursions today, and you can opt to stay in Speyer to discover one of Germany's oldest cities at your own pace. There's a beautiful Old Town and among the highlights is the cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Alternatively, join a coach trip to charming Heidelberg for a guided tour. The university town is known for its pretty 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 and river.

Returning to our ship, we enjoy dinner ahead of a restful overnight sailing upstream.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we travel through charming Rüdesheim aboard a land train, arriving in the center of the renowned wine town. Here, there's a choice of excursions. You could savor Rüdesheim's most famous produce with a tasting of the finest local varieties of wine or discover Europe's largest collection of mechanical instruments at Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. Afterwards, there's time at leisure.

We begin sailing this afternoon and enjoy a highlight of the vacation - gliding through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO-listed section renowned for its spectacular views. Winding around bends surrounded by miles of vineyards, hilltop castles and picturesque towns, we also hear the legend of the Lorelei Rock. Soaring almost 500 feet out of the water, this monument has been the inspiration for countless myths and legends, including the tale of a siren whose song has enchanted passing sailors.

Arriving in the city of Koblenz, you have time to explore. We recommend visiting Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. Later, we make our way back to the ship, where dinner is served onboard.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Setting sail early this morning, our luxurious ship navigates the tranquil waters of the Moselle River. After a morning of relaxed cruising past the rolling hills of the Moselle Valley, we arrive in Cochem. This attractive town is a maze of slender alleys adorned with pastel-colored buildings and half-timbered houses, dominated by the 11th-century Reichsburg Castle.

After lunch onboard, we embark on a guided tour where we admire the fairytale Reichsburg. In Cochem's Old Town, we find well-preserved sections of the ancient walls and a former monastery that now houses a cultural center. Following the tour, there's time to explore the picturesque streets at leisure. The central square is surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and stores. It's a great place to soak in the local atmosphere.

We continue sailing after dinner on board as we journey back downstream towards Koblenz, where we leave the Moselle behind and rejoin the Rhine.

*Please note: On the departure sailing 06/10/2026, the excursion to Cochem will be by coach due to maintenance on the locks.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Docking in Königswinter this morning, we return to shore after breakfast for a fantastic trip on the Drachenfels Cog Railroad. Rising high into the forests, we pass the fairytale Drachenburg Castle - whose name translates as 'Dragon's Rock' and has inspired many of the dragon-related legends still heard today. Traveling to the summit, we can admire wonderful views across the rolling hills of the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany.

Back onboard this afternoon, we continue our cruise through beautiful scenery towards Cologne. During the approach, the city's bridges and imposing cathedral hone into view. On arrival, a guided tour introduces us to its lively squares and Romanesque townhouses before a visit the city's impressive twin-spired cathedral, the largest in northern Europe. Standing in awe of this Gothic masterpiece, we also view the stained-glass windows of this UNESCO-listed landmark.

Returning to our ship, we enjoy dinner and drinks before embarking on an overnight cruise towards the Netherlands.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We spend the early morning sailing through the Lower Rhine, with a change in scenery further downstream as we approach The Netherlands. Arriving in Amsterdam early this afternoon, we take a canal cruise sightseeing tour of Amsterdam, a cultural city that's as modern as it is historic, soaking up stunning views of the city's picturesque canals and architecture.

After the cruise, you could choose to stay in Amsterdam and continue exploring at leisure or take the optional excursion - a visit to Volendam and Edam to uncover their cheese heritage. As well as being famed for Dutch cheese, Volendam is a stunning old town, with traditional houses lining serene canals and a small harbour.

If you decide to stay in Amsterdam to look around independently, you could visit some of the city's most iconic landmarks, including the Rijksmuseum, Dam Square, or the famous Flower Market.

Back on board our ship this evening, we gather for a gala dinner accompanied by the songs of the Dutch Sea Shanty Choir - the perfect end to our Rhine cruise.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Combining an iconic train journey with a relaxing cruise is the ideal way to get close to the stunning Swiss Alps and beautiful Rhine. Riding the world-famous Glacier Express from Chur to tranquil Zermatt provided front-row seats to Switzerland's jaw-dropping scenery. Afterwards, sailing from Basel to Amsterdam showcased the changing landscapes of the Rhine, from the Black Forest to the beautiful Rhine Gorge and the Netherlands' tulip fields.

After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our crew. You are free to make your way to Amsterdam Schiphol airport, ready for your flight back home.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner