Jungfrau Express & Treasures of the Rhine

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

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 the 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. En route, we admire the Romanesque townhouses and 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 begin sailing along the Rhine. 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, 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," and has inspired 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's time to explore this city that 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 echoing 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.

You might like to 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

A highlight awaits this morning as we sail through the romantic Rhine Gorge. This section of the Rhine is a UNESCO World Heritage site and renowned for its spectacular views: the best place to soak up these stunning surroundings 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 story of the legendary Lorelei Rock, which soars almost 500 feet out of the water.

After lunch, we dock in the wine town of Rüdesheim, where we travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train. In the center, 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 to discover Europe's largest collection of finely tuned mechanical instruments.

After dinner on the ship this evening, you can continue exploring the 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 with time to relax and enjoy the ship's facilities. You might choose to lounge on the sundeck, 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 UNESCO-listed 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. Arriving in Strasbourg late this afternoon there's time to unwind before dinner on our ship,

Later, you might like to experience the city's unique character at leisure. Sitting near the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg has changed hands multiple times during its history. Now, this attractive city perfectly represents the blending of French and German cultures. The UNESCO-listed 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 to enjoy a city tour of Strasbourg. During the tour, you'll discover its history and admire its grand architecture, visiting the towering cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district - a picture-perfect area of flower-lined canals and half-timbered houses.

Returning to our ship for lunch, 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. From here, your Tour & Cruise holiday continues as you make your way by rail to the picturesque town of Interlaken, set between two idyllic alpine lakes in Switzerland, lakes Thun and Brienz.

The hotel in Interlaken is well located, providing a prime location from which 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

A vacation highlight awaits today as we 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 mountains into impressive tunnels - including through the north face of the Eiger, where the train pauses to reveal sprawling vistas of alpine scenery from carved viewing windows.

When we reach Jungfraujoch, the vistas from the world-famous Sphinx viewing platform are awe-inspiring. We are close to the stunning Aletsch Glacier - a UNESCO World Heritage wonder, which stretches as far as the eye can see - and can savor 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

Throughout this vacation, the natural beauty of central Europe has charmed us. Cruising the Rhine, amazing views in Koblenz and Boppard led to fairytale scenes along the Rhine Gorge and the renowned architecture in Heidelberg, Speyer and Strasbourg. Continuing to Switzerland by rail, 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.

• Breakfast