Jungfrau Express & Autumn on the Moselle & Rhine

Some of Europe's most impressive scenery lies ahead as your rail and cruise vacation begins today in Switzerland's financial hub, Zürich. As your plane arrives, make your way to the airport's railway station and use your included ticket to begin the journey toward Interlaken.

The first leg of the journey takes you to Bern, and after switching trains, your route becomes increasingly dramatic as you near our base in the Bernese Oberland. Interlaken is a traditional mountain resort set between two alpine lakes, Lakes Thun and Brienz, and overlooked by the jaw-dropping mountains of the Swiss Alps, including the Jungfrau region's "Big Three," Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

As the train pulls into the station in Interlaken, walk to the hotel and check in for the first of two nights in this remarkable destination. Once you have settled in, meet the Tour Manager and your travel group for dinner in the hotel's restaurant. Overnight Interlaken.

• Dinner

 A highlight of our trip awaits today: a journey to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station. After walking to Interlaken's railway station, we begin the journey by boarding the train Lauterbrunnen. From here, we continue to Kleine Scheidegg, where we join the Jungfrau Express for our journey up the mountain, first outdoors and then through a mountain tunnel that cuts through the Eiger.

Pausing at the halfway station, we soak up the breathtaking views of the alpine landscape. Our expert guide tells us about the geology around us and describes the history and construction of this remarkable railway line. On reaching Jungfraujoch, the vistas from the Sphinx viewing platform are truly awe-inspiring and include the stunning Aletsch Glacier - a World Heritage wonder that stretches as far as the eye can see. 

  After time to experience this amazing location, we return to Interlaken via the idyllic village of Grindelwald, nestled in a valley beneath the immense Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau Mountains. Enjoy some time to stroll around this character-filled village before returning to our hotel in time for dinner this evening. Overnight Interlaken.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Our day starts with breakfast at the hotel and a free morning to explore Interlaken at your own pace. You might like to visit local shops or enjoy the superb views while sipping a coffee at a café. Of course, you could also get closer to the scenery, enjoying glimpses of mountain peaks and stunning water views as you stroll along lakeside walking paths.

Around midday, we walk to the train station, where we travel by rail to Basel. Continuing by rail from here, we venture to Strasbourg, the capital of the historical region of the Alsace. A coach meets us at Strasbourg's station to take us to the waterfront, where our magnificent ship awaits.

Stepping aboard, we are greeted by the crew with a refreshing cocktail, which you can enjoy in the lounge or while soaking up the views from the Sun Deck. Take time to settle into your cabin and familiarize yourself with the ship's amenities before joining the group for our first dinner onboard. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Following breakfast onboard, there is a choice of excursions. The first is a sightseeing trip to the picturesque town of Colmar. Here, you can stroll the cobblestone streets of the historic old town, whose narrow alleys are lined with half-timbered houses adorned with pretty window boxes. Spend your morning here visiting a quaint café, browsing the local market or admiring architectural landmarks, such as the Maison Pfister.   

Alternatively, join a guide on a tour of Strasbourg, where you can discover its charming blend of French and German heritage. Walk among medieval alleys to the Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, and admire the picturesque canals of the La Petite France district.     

Whichever town you choose to tour, we regroup on the ship for lunch and then there is free time to explore Strasbourg independently this afternoon. We return to the ship late this afternoon and enjoy dinner as we set sail on our first cruise towards the Rhine-side German town of Rüdesheim. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 This morning, we sail into Rüdesheim, famous for its white Riesling wines. Stepping ashore, we travel through terraced vineyards aboard a land train to the town's center. Here, you have a choice of excursions, each promising an insight into the town's character. Your first option takes you to a local winery for a tasting of the finest local varieties. Alternatively, you could visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet, which houses Europe's largest collection of finely tuned mechanical instruments. After your excursion, there is time to explore the Old Town and its famous Drosselgasse Alley, home to historic wine taverns and artisan shops. This afternoon, we begin sailing toward the romantic Rhine Gorge.   

This section of the Rhine is beloved for its enchanting landscapes of lush vineyards, medieval castles and historic towns. As we sail, we hear about the legendary Lorelei Rock, which soars almost 500 feet out of the water. Arriving in Koblenz later this afternoon, we dock for the evening on the Moselle promenade. We recommend strolling the Deutsches Eck for amazing views before returning to the ship for dinner. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Our morning is spent on the water, cruising through beautiful river scenery. You may wish to relax on the deck to enjoy the passing views as our ship continues its journey to our next port of call. Breakfast and lunch are served onboard as we near our destination.

Sailing into the port of Cochem, the stunning Moselle Valley surrounds us with rolling hills, half-timbered houses and the majestic Reichsburg castle perched on top of a hill. The town itself is a maze of slender alleys adorned with pastel-colored buildings, quaint boutiques and wine cellars. 

  On a guided tour of Cochem's Old Town, we view preserved sections of the ancient walls and visit a former monastery, which now houses a cultural center. Your afternoon is then free to explore Cochem at your own pace before returning to the ship for dinner this evening. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Our journey into the serene Moselle Valley continues this morning. We moor in the charming town of Bernkastel-Kues after lunch and step ashore for a sightseeing tour. The vineyards of the valley climb up the hillsides around the town, while traditional half-timbered houses with flower boxes add to the enchanting atmosphere. 

  Setting out with our knowledgeable guide, we visit the Old Town, where the cobbled streets are lined with traditional buildings. In the colorful Market Square, a focal point of the town, we see the St. Michael's Fountain, a Renaissance-style fountain adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. We are then treated to a wine tasting to sample the famous Bernkasteler Doctor, a local specialty wine with a legendary reputation. Following an afternoon of exploration, we reboard our ship for dinner before starting an overnight cruise downstream. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Waking to views of historic Trier, there is a choice between two excursions this morning. The first option is to explore Germany's oldest city with a local guide. Trier's ancient streets are known for their Roman ruins, medieval buildings and Baroque churches, and our tour delves into the town's deep history. Our visit includes the immense Porta Nigra, which guards the entrance to the north of the city, St. Peter's Cathedral, with its intricate stone carvings and stained glass windows, and the Church of Our Lady, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. 

  Alternatively, you could board the coach to the charming Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. In one of the world's smallest countries, you can immerse yourself in the local history on a drive through green rolling hills, past historic fortresses and medieval castles. After our excursions, we spend the evening onboard enjoying dinner, sailing back downstream along the meandering Moselle. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 After a morning of relaxed cruising, we arrive in Königswinter after lunch. Here, the Drachenfelsbahn awaits. This cog railway rises high into the forests, passing the storybook Drachenfels Castle, whose name translates as "Dragon's Rock," inspiring many of the dragon-related legends still heard today. We experience wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany as we climb higher.   

Back on the ship later this afternoon, we continue our cruise through beautiful scenery toward Cologne. This is our final evening onboard, and after a Gala dinner, the ship approaches the striking city of Cologne, where we moor for the night. From the Sun Deck, you can admire the impressive cityscape of magnificent bridges spanning the river and see the city's distinctive twin-spired Cathedral - a UNESCO World Heritage site - illuminated in city lights. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Our tour of the stunning Jungfrau region and cruise into the scenic Moselle and Rhine began in Interlaken, where majestic alpine peaks formed the backdrop on our trip aboard the Jungfrau Express. Joining our cruise in the historic city of Strasbourg, we drift to Rüdesheim, where we explored a rich heritage and diverse culture. The town of Cochem crowned the Moselle's beauty, while the quaint streets of Bernkastel-Kues' were a delight to discover. We also explored ancient Trier and savored amazing views aboard the Drachenfelsbahn.  

  After breakfast onboard this morning, we disembark and transfer to the station, where we travel by train to Brussels. In the Belgian capital, we join the Eurostar service back to London St. Pancras, where your vacation ends and you can continue your journey home. 

• Breakfast