Jungfrau Express & The Magic of the Moselle and Rhine

You're bound for the stunning setting of Interlaken today. After you arrive at Zurich airport, make your way independently to Interlaken with the included rail ticket provided to you. Upon arrival in Interlaken, transfer to your hotel, which may require a taxi from the station.

Interlaken is a picturesque town, set between two idyllic Alpine lakes, in Switzerland. Our hotel is well located, allowing for a leisurely stroll through the charming historic streets. When the skies are clear, the view of the valley is simply incredible, offering a panoramic vista of the stunning Bernese Oberland.

You can explore the town at your leisure or simply relax and soak up our new incredible surroundings before dinner this evening

• Dinner

We enjoy a highlight of our vacation today, a journey to Jungfraujoch - Europe's highest station. Boarding the sensational Jungfrau Express at Kleine Scheidegg, we're accompanied by an expert guide. As the train winds its way up the mountain, we soak up the breathtaking views of the surrounding alpine landscape and pause at the halfway station.

Our guide delights us with a fascinating talk about the mountains and geology around us and describes the history and construction of this remarkable railway line as we keep climbing, the views getting more spectacular the higher we go. When we reach Jungfraujoch, the vistas from the Sphinx viewing platform are truly awe-inspiring. At the top, we're close to the stunning Aletsch Glacier - a World Heritage wonder - which stretches as far as the eye can see.

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

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a leisurely morning in Interlaken, we set off to Strasbourg. As we step aboard our magnificent ship here, we're greeted by our wonderful crew with a refreshing cocktail. We then sit down to dinner, looking forward to the experiences that lie ahead.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast onboard, there's a choice of excursions. First, you can opt for an excursion to Colmar to spend an idyllic morning in this picturesque Alsatian town, with its fairytale charm. Stroll through cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses and pretty flowers. Explore the historic Old Town's maze of narrow alleys, discover quaint cafes and local markets, and gaze at architectural landmarks like the Maison Pfister.

Alternatively, embark on a guided tour of Strasbourg, taking in the blend of French and German culture amidst picturesque cobblestone streets and enchanting canals. Wandering through its medieval alleys, marvel at the awe-inspiring architecture of the iconic Cathedral Notre Dame and explore the charming La Petite France district.

There's free time in Strasbourg this afternoon, before we set sail this evening on our first cruise toward the enchanting town of Rüdesheim.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we sail into Rüdesheim, famous for its delicious white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety. Stepping ashore, we travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train, arriving in the center of the renowned wine town. Here there's a choice of excursions, each promising a delightful insight into the town.

You could experience for yourself why the town is famous with a fantastic wine tasting, savoring the finest local varieties. Alternatively, you could visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet and discover Europe's largest collection of finely tuned mechanical instruments.

After your excursion, there's some time at leisure to explore the town's cobbled streets at your own pace and see the charming half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and enticing wine bars in the Drosselgasse alley. This afternoon, we begin sailing toward the romantic Rhine Gorge.

This section of the Rhine is renowned for its spectacular views. We wind around bends surrounded by lush green vineyards, ancient castles, and picturesque towns. As we sail, we hear the fascinating story of 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. There's time to explore before dinner and we recommend strolling the Deutsches Eck for amazing views of the surrounding beauty.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our morning is spent cruising through river scenery. You could enjoy a drink as you step out onto the deck to witness the passing views as our ship continues its journey along the river. Sailing into the port of Cochem, we have a guided tour. The Moselle Valley surrounds us with rolling hills, wooden houses and the majestic castle (the Reichsburg) perched on top of a hill. The town itself is a maze of slender alleys adorned with pastel-coloured buildings, quaint boutiques and wine cellars.

After lunch onboard, you can explore Cochem at your own pace before dinner this evening. In the old quarter, you'll find well-preserved sections of the ancient town walls and an arts centre in a former monastery.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Moselle Valley this morning as we continue our cruise. The charming town of Bernkastel-Kues unfolds as we moor here after lunch. The picturesque vineyards of the Valley climb up the hillsides, while half-timbered houses with blooming flowers add to the enchanting atmosphere. A sightseeing tour awaits us here.

Setting out with our knowledgeable guide, we visit the Old Town where the cobblestone streets are lined with traditional German buildings with half-timbered facades. We also experience the Market Square, a focal point of the town surrounded by colorful buildings. A highlight here is the St. Michael's Fountain, a Renaissance-style fountain adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. We also enjoy an included wine tasting to sample the local Bernkasteler Doctor specialty.

Following our afternoon of exploration, we reboard our ship for dinner and begin an overnight cruise downstream.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Waking to views of historic Trier, you have a choice between two excursions this morning. The first option is to explore Germany's oldest city with a local guide. The ancient streets are known for their Roman ruins, medieval buildings, and Baroque churches and we delve into this impressive history on our tour. Visit 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. One of the smallest countries in the world, immerse yourself in the local history and attractions. We spend our evening onboard enjoying dinner, sailing back downstream along the meandering Moselle.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After a morning of relaxed cruising, we arrive in Königswinter where the Drachenfelsbahn railway awaits. This fabulous cog railway rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale 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 onboard later this afternoon, we continue our cruise through beautiful scenery toward Cologne. As we approach the striking city after our Gala dinner, admire the fantastic cityscape of magnificent bridges that span the river and the imposing Cathedral.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our lovely crew. We make our way to the railway station where we catch our train to London. Here, we say goodbye to new friends and fellow travelers before you make your way home with delightful memories of our vacation. Relive our time in Interlaken with majestic alpine peaks setting the backdrop for memories that will last a lifetime aboard the Jungfrau Express. From Strasbourg's history to Rüdesheim's fairytale charm we immersed ourselves in fantastic culture. Cochem crowned the Moselle's beauty, while Bernkastel-Kues' quaint streets we a delight to discover. Exploring ancient Trier and the views aboard the Drachenfelsbahn will stay with us forever.

• Breakfast