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Glacier Express and The Majestic Rhine Cruise

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You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
202320242025
11 days From $4,995 $4,495 per person
4.6 stars(13 reviews)
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Discover the iconic Glacier Express and enjoy a sensational cruise on the magical Rhine River

Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager
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2024 Tour code: GER24

About the tour

Watch as the ever-changing scenery of Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands unfolds on this remarkable European voyage. Combining the romance of railways and river cruising, our tour puts grand cities where centuries of history culminate and delightful villages at your fingertips. Travel through the dramatic Swiss Alps on some of the world's most scenic railways, then take to the River Rhine to venture through breathtaking landscapes and to cornerstones of European culture. Each port of call - and the guided tours, optional excursions, and independent sightseeing time within it - provides a better understanding of what makes the Rhine region so remarkable.

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Unforgettable Experiences

Glacier Express
Glacier Express
Journey through stunning mountain scenery on the renowned Glacier Express and enjoy some of the most sensational views of the Matterhorn on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway.
Rhine Gorge
Rhine Gorge
Sail into the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge - a magical area of castles, forests and the mythical Lorelei Rock.
Zermatt
Zermatt
Stay in idyllic Zermatt, waking to views of the mighty Matterhorn mountain.
Heidelberg
Heidelberg
Explore the beautiful riverside city of Heidelberg on a guided tour, seeing wonderful medieval buildings and its fabulous ruined castle.
Rüdesheim
Rüdesheim
Wander Rüdesheim’s cobbled streets, admire its half-timbered buildings, and experience the famous Drosselgasse alley bursting with life, cosy pubs and inviting wine cellars.
Drachenfels Railway
Drachenfels Railway
Climb to the top of the Drachenfels on the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway, with wonderful views across the shimmering river and beyond.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Explore the canals, parks and art galleries of Amsterdam on a city tour or ride the Medemblik Steam Train through charming Dutch scenery.
Cologne
Cologne
Tour the vibrant streets of bustling Cologne and visit its impressive Gothic cathedral.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Zürich to Chur

See two sides of Switzerland as you arrive today in its gleaming financial capital, Zürich, and make your way to Chur by rail. You are welcome to spend a bit of time exploring Zürich, as your open rail ticket allows you to select the departure time that best aligns with your arrival and sightseeing goals. After two hours of train travel to Chur, meet your fellow travelers and Tour Manager, and enjoy your first night surrounded by the timeless enchantments of Switzerland's oldest city over a welcome drink and dinner. Overnight Chur.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - The Glacier Express and Zermatt

Today, we board the magnificent Glacier Express for a spectacular journey offering unparalleled views of the most awe-inspiring mountain ranges in the world. We spiral up the mountains, crossing enormous viaducts, burrowing through tunnels, and rising above the clouds on our way to Zermatt under the Matterhorn. Overnight Zermatt.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Gornergrat Mountain Railroad

Enjoy another mountain railroad journey as we climb over 4,800 feet by cogwheel railway on the Gornergrat Mountain Railroad. As the train arrives at the Gornergrat's summit, magical views of the surrounding mountains and the imposing, indomitable Matterhorn dominate the skyline. We return later to Zermatt for a guided city tour. Overnight Zermatt.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - Cruise Embarkation

Today, we travel from Zermatt to Basel by rail, and on arrival, a company representative meets us and escorts us to our luxurious Amadeus cruise ship. We enjoy a welcome cocktail this evening before a delicious Swiss-themed first meal. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Strasbourg

Our vessel sails into the charming French city of Strasbourg today. Strasbourg's position on the German-French border has seen it change hands between the two nations frequently throughout history. Because of this, Strasbourg represents the best of both cultures, with colorful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. You have two choices here.

Your first option is a city tour of Strasbourg, uncovering its charm and history. Your second choice sees into the famous Black Forest aboard the Schwarzwaldhochstraße with fairytale panoramas framing its scenic route. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Speyer and Heidelberg

We begin our day upon arrival in Speyer, with free time to explore its unique offerings. This town is home to one of the world's largest privately owned collections of vehicles, the Technik Museum Speyer. Featuring an entire jumbo jet, army vehicles, emergency vehicles, a submarine, and much more, this museum is a treasure trove of vehicular delights and is well worth a visit.

Later in the afternoon, we have an excursion to the delightful university town of Heidelberg, where we are treated to a guided tour. Heidelberg is famous for a magnificent ruined castle that stands guard over the riverbanks, proudly looking over the town below. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Rüdesheim and the Rhine Gorge

We sail into the classic German town of Rüdesheim am Rhein, known for its formidable wine production, especially of the dry Riesling variety. Perhaps walk along the river during your free time here this morning before our ship departs for Koblenz. This afternoon includes one of the tour's highlights as we pass through the glorious Rhine Gorge, one of the most beautiful river sections and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sheer banks tower over the river below, covered in deep forests and miles of green vineyards, lending an almost ethereal feel to the waterway. As we cruise, delight in a wonderful themed buffet lunch with a suckling pig as the striking centerpiece. Several smaller dishes from this part of the world are also featured. We sail this evening into the enchanting city of Koblenz, and as we dock, you may wish to visit one of the famous wine taverns. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - The Lower Rhine and the Drachenfelsbahn

After an evening in Koblenz, we depart and discover the marvelous Lower Rhine, a stretch of river characterized by lush green meadows and postcard villages. Our Cruise Director provides us with the history of this area and highlights points of interest. In the afternoon, we dock in Koenigswinter, where we embark on a journey on the Drachenfelsbahn. This rack railroad weaves through the mountains and high into the forests for incredible views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 - Cologne

Mooring in Cologne, we venture into this vibrant German city on a walking tour. We see the resplendent cathedral, a centuries-old building that survived 14 aerial hits during World War Two. We also wander through the many bustling squares and labyrinthine streets framed by Romanesque townhouses. Tonight is an opportunity to dress in our finest for a memorable gala dinner with the captain. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Amsterdam and the Medemblik Steam Train

We arrive in Amsterdam this morning with a choice of two excursions. Your first choice is a city tour of Amsterdam, one of the most popular European cities and a destination that is as modern as it is historic, as young as it is old. From idyllic canals and large parks to contemporary art galleries and futuristic architecture, this city boasts something for everyone. The second option is an excursion to Hoorn, where we board the splendid Medemblik Steam Train and enjoy a nostalgic trip through enchanting Dutch scenery. Overnight ship.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 - Tour Conclusion

After a buffet breakfast, we disembark the ship, and your rail and cruise journey concludes. You are welcome to make your way to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol or Amsterdam's rail station to begin your journey home or continue onto your next adventure on your own.

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.

Trains

The Glacier Express
Gornergrat Mountain Railway
TGV

Ship

MS Amadeus Star

Reviews

4.6 stars4.6 / 5 · 13 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (8)
  2. 4 stars
    (5)
  3. 3 stars
    (0)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

SLOAN, MICHAEL LEE

5 stars

Submitted 3/Sep

Wonderful trip. Our tour guide, Yvonne Duffield, was spectacular. It was awesome to see so many different countries in Europe and experience a river cruise down the Rhine. It was a trip of a lifetime which we'll remember forever. I didn't realize that we were going to be responsible for hauling around our own luggage throughout the trip, otherwise, I would have packed much lighter!

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CASAGRANDE, DEBORAH

5 stars

Submitted 28/Aug

Fantastic trip! Simon, our guide, was super. During the rail portion pack light. You will be lifting and carrying your suitcase and any bags on your own.

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CASAGRANDE, DEBORAH
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Jon Horton

4 stars

Submitted 14/Aug

The scenery was breathtaking! The weather was cooperating, for the most part, which helped, especially at the Matterhorn. However, the hotels we stayed in for the train part of the trip, did not have air conditioning. The logistics of the train travel from city to city was hectic and felt disorganized. Too much rushing to ensure everyone got on the train. Hard on some of the slower moving people. Once on the trains, it was fantastic! And then the riverboat cruise down the Rhine was relaxing and beautiful. Food was pretty good on the boat although breakfast was the same everyday. All in all, it was a great trip, made even better by the fact that our group of 24 people bonded exceptionally well and our Tour Guide, Richard, was the best!

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MATTIACE, WANDA

5 stars

Submitted 24/Jul

The only BAD thing on this trip, was the Pursier only would take EUROS and could exchange US for EUROS.

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Ruth

5 stars

Submitted 23/Jun

My favorite part was the river cruise because of the incredible service that staff provided in a warm friendly environment

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RICHESON, GREGORY LEE

4 stars

Submitted 30/May

The Amadeus Cara was an excellent longship. The room, food, and staff was excellent. The rail portion of the trip was stressful due to most travelers not following baggage guidelines. You don't have to bring your entire closet because it is difficult to transport for you and your fellow travelers.

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