Jungfrau Express & Treasures of the Rhine

 Your vacation begins this morning at London St. Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and your travel group before boarding the Eurostar to Cologne via Brussels. Arriving in Cologne late this afternoon, our elegant cruise ship awaits - our home for the duration of this cruise along the beautiful Rhine River.    

Once on the ship, take some time to settle into your comfortable cabin and begin exploring the ship's amenities. We are then greeted by the crew with a welcome cocktail, offering the perfect start to our cruise.      

Later this evening, we gather for our first dinner onboard. With a drinks package included each night of your cruise, you can unwind while enjoying a delicious meal as we begin our journey along one of Europe's most iconic waterways. Overnight ship.

• Dinner

 After breakfast, we enjoy a guided tour of Cologne. After admiring the Romanesque townhouses, we visit the city's impressive Gothic cathedral, the largest in northern Europe. We marvel at its grand architecture, including the intricate spires and magnificent stained-glass windows of this UNESCO-listed landmark, and then enjoy a tasting of local beer before returning to the ship.  

Later this morning, we set off on our first sail. Drifting upstream past Bonn, we see the first signs of lush green hills, hinting at the landscapes to come. We enjoy lunch onboard while taking in the views, and by late afternoon, we arrive in Königswinter, where we journey on the historic Drachenfels Railway.     

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. The train reveals wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany as we climb higher. We then head back to our cruise ship for dinner onboard. Overnight ship. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Docking in Koblenz this morning, there is time to explore this town, which was once a Roman stronghold. You might like to stroll to Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, where the inspiring vistas include the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. We then begin sailing again after lunch, arriving in the picturesque town of Boppard later this afternoon.   

In Boppard, you have free time to explore before dinner on the ship this evening. As you wander the cobblestone streets, you can see the town's Roman legacy echoes through its architecture. Admire the half-timbered houses that lead to vineyards scattering the surrounding hills and discover well-preserved Roman fortifications, including the historic town walls and the Roman tower.     

For an adventure, take the chairlift up to the Vier Seen Blick, which translates to Four Lakes Viewpoint (payable locally). Here, panoramic views of the Rhine Valley and the surrounding countryside abound. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 The morning is spent onboard, sailing through a highlight of our cruising experience: the romantic Rhine Gorge. This section of the Rhine is renowned for its spectacular views, and the best place to witness them is from the top deck of our ship. The riverbanks plunge deeper here, and we wind around bends surrounded by endless miles of vineyards, ancient castles and picturesque riverside towns. As we sail, we hear the fascinating story of the legendary Lorelei Rock, which soars almost 500 feet out of the water.   

After lunch, we dock in Rüdesheim, where we travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train, arriving in the center of this wine town. Here, you have a choice of excursions. You may choose to savor the finest varieties at a local wine tasting or visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet and discover Europe's largest collection of finely tuned mechanical instruments.     

After dinner on the ship this evening, you can continue exploring the town's cobbled streets at your own pace and see the half-timbered houses, quaint shops and wine bars in the Drosselgasse Alley. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 As we sail this morning, you can have breakfast, time to relax and enjoy the ship's facilities. You might choose to lounge on the Sun Deck, taking in sweeping views as we make our way to the city of Mannheim. Alternatively, you can spend some time in the Amadeus Club, an area with a library, games and a bar - the ideal spot to unwind before an afternoon exploring. 

Arriving in Mannheim, we journey by coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour. The picturesque university town is known for its old town and stunning riverfront, which is perfect for a relaxing stroll. Before rejoining the ship in Speyer, the tour includes a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone Heidelberg Castle, which towers over the city and provides amazing views of the surrounding forests, river and cityscape.

  Alternatively, you could stay on board and later, take in the sights as it approaches the historic German city of Speyer with its famous cathedral. Dinner is served onboard this evening. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Remarkable riverside views lie ahead as we settle in for a full-day cruise to the French city of Strasbourg. Relax onboard as we pass diverse landscapes and admire the natural beauty found only along the Rhine. You could find a lounger and look out over the scenery with a drink in hand or take this opportunity to relax in your cozy cabin. We arrive in Strasbourg late this afternoon and after dinner on the ship, you can experience the city's unique character at leisure.  

  Sitting near the border and having changed hands multiple times during its history, Strasbourg perfectly represents the blending of French and German cultures. The old town is well worth a visit, with its timber-framed houses, cobbled streets and the iconic cathedral, all creating a fairytale ambiance. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 After breakfast this morning, you have a choice of two excursions. The first is a trip into the Black Forest to witness fairytale panoramas. Learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region as you experience the beauty of Germany's largest nature park, filled with rolling hills, picturesque villages and dense forests.  

Alternatively, you could choose a city tour of Strasbourg. During the tour, you'll discover its history and admire its grand architecture, visiting the UNESCO-listed cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district.  

Following your chosen excursion, you return to our ship for lunch, and then this afternoon, you could join our coach into the old town to discover more of Strasbourg at your own pace. The picturesque capital of France's Alsace region offers an evening of history and culture, whether you wander the charming streets or relax with a beverage at one of the inviting cafés or wine bars. This evening, we gather for the gala dinner, our final dinner onboard the ship. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Disembarking our ship this morning, we say goodbye to our wonderful crew and transfer by coach to Strasbourg's railway station. Here, we make our way by rail to the picturesque town of Interlaken, set between two idyllic alpine lakes in Switzerland, Lakes Thun and Brienz.  

Our hotel in Interlaken is well located, putting us in a prime position to explore its offerings or take a leisurely stroll through the historic streets. When the skies are clear, the view of the valley is incredible, and you can enjoy a panoramic vista of the stunning Bernese Oberland.   

As we settle into our hotel for the next two nights, you can explore the town at your leisure or relax and soak up our new incredible surroundings before dinner at the hotel this evening. Overnight Interlaken.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 We enjoy a highlight of the vacation today, a journey to Jungfraujoch - Europe's highest train station. Our day begins as we board the train from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen and then continue by rail to Kleine Scheidegg. Boarding the Jungfrau Express at Kleine Scheidegg, the train winds up the mountain through impressive tunnels, pausing to reveal sprawling views of the alpine scenery.

  When we reach Jungfraujoch, the vistas from the Sphinx viewing platform are awe-inspiring. We are close to the stunning Aletsch Glacier - a World Heritage wonder, which stretches as far as the eye can see - and have fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.   

We return to Interlaken via the scenic Swiss mountain village of Grindelwald, nestled in the green valley beneath the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau Mountains. You have time to stroll around and take in the village's traditional wooden chalets, incredible views and charming atmosphere before continuing back to Interlaken in time for dinner at our hotel this evening. Overnight Interlaken. >

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, it's time to bid farewell to incredible Interlaken. Make your way to Zurich independently with the open railway ticket provided to you. Your open ticket allows you to travel to Zürich at leisure, from which you can continue your journey on your own or transfer to the international airport to  Throughout this vacation, the natural beauty of central Europe has charmed us. Cruising the Rhine, amazing views in Koblenz and Boppard led to the fairytale scenes along the Rhine Gorge and the renowned architecture in Heidelberg, Speyer and Strasbourg. Back on land, we marveled at the majestic alpine peaks in Interlaken, setting the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable journey aboard the Jungfrau Express.   

After breakfast, it is time to bid farewell to the Alps and make your way to Interlaken's rail station. Here, board the train to Zürich, where you are free to make your way home or continue your travels independently. return home.

• Breakfast