Top of Europe & The Majestic Rhine Cruise

Your rail and cruise vacation begins today as you arrive in Switzerland's financial center, Zürich. Make your own way to the airport's railway station and begin the journey toward Interlaken. The first leg sees you to Bern, where you switch trains and continue to this idyllic town nestled between two alpine lakes: Thun and Brienz.

Our hotel here is well located, allowing you to walk from the station to check in for the first of two nights. If time allows, you can begin to get acquainted with Interlaken while strolling through the historic streets. When the skies are clear, the view of the valley is incredible, offering a panoramic vista of the Bernese Oberland, including the "Swiss skyline," Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau Mountains.

Return to the hotel this evening to meet the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travelers, and together, sit down to dinner in the hotel's restaurant. Overnight Interlaken.

• Dinner

Today brings the first highlight of the vacation, a journey to Jungfraujoch - Europe's highest train station. Boarding the iconic Jungfrau Express at Kleine Scheidegg, this extraordinary route takes us through a tunnel dug into the face of Eiger Mountain before arriving at the summit.

Here, you are free to admire countless awe-inspiring mountain peaks from the Sphinx observatory, be wowed by the endless Aletsch Glacier, or maybe head to Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven to see how Swiss chocolate is made. You could also visit the Alpine Sensation exhibition, which uses projected images and music to pay tribute to the miners who built the railway more than 100 years ago.

After returning to Interlaken via the scenic Swiss mountain village of Grindelwald, where there is time to stroll around, we head back to our hotel before dinner this evening. Overnight Interlaken.

• Breakfast, Dinner

The morning is yours to continue to soak up the alpine beauty of Interlaken. After having breakfast at the hotel, you might like to wander around the waterfronts or stroll along the Höheweg, the main shopping street.

After lunch, we walk to the station to board the train to Basel. On arrival, a coach transfer takes us to the banks of the Rhine, where we board our luxury cruise ship. Our crew welcomes us aboard with a drink, and there is time to relax in our new home on the river and familiarize ourselves with the ship's excellent facilities. You can also use this time to admire the surrounding views.

This evening, we enjoy our first dinner in the ship's panoramic restaurant and set sail on an overnight cruise toward Strasbourg. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Sailing into the historic Alsace city of Strasbourg after breakfast, you have a choice of two excursions. The first is a trip into the Black Forest to witness stunning views. Germany's largest nature park is filled with rolling hills, fairytale villages, dense forests and wildflower meadows. On an exploration of this idyllic setting, learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region.

Alternatively, you could enjoy a tour of Strasbourg, a city in Alsace that was once part of Germany but is now in France, and Strasbourg's grand architecture reflects this blend of the two cultures. On the tour, we visit its striking cathedral and the quaint La Petite France District. Home to tanners, millers and fishermen in the Middle Ages, this pretty area is now a UNESCO World Heritage site of cobbled streets, flower-lined canals and beautiful half-timbered houses.

There is a free afternoon to explore Strasbourg independently before we return to our ship this evening and enjoy drinks with dinner. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking to views of Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities, today there is the option of a guided tour of Heidelberg or to explore Speyer independently. Heidelberg is a picturesque university town with a beautiful Old Town and stunning riverfront, ideal for a relaxing stroll. Our tour includes a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone castle above the city, which has wonderful views of the surrounding forests and river.

If you prefer to stay in Speyer, there is plenty to discover here too. Speyer has a beautiful Old Town, and among its highlights is the jaw-dropping cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Returning to our ship for lunch, we enjoy a scenic afternoon cruise. Sailing downstream, we pass the famous Roman city of Mainz and spa town of Wiesbaden before arriving in Rüdesheim early this evening.

After dinner, you could enjoy the sounds and sights of the attractive town, famous for its delicious white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we travel through charming Rüdesheim aboard a land train, arriving in the center of the renowned wine town. Here, you have a choice of excursions. You could savor Rüdesheim's most famous produce with a tasting of the finest local varieties of wine or discover Europe's largest collection of mechanical instruments at Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. Afterward, there is time at leisure.

We begin sailing this afternoon and enjoy a trip highlight: gliding through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO-listed section renowned for its spectacular views. Winding around bends surrounded by miles of vineyards, hilltop castles and picturesque towns, we also hear the legend of the Lorelei Rock. Soaring almost 500 feet out of the water, this monument has been the inspiration for countless myths and legends, including the tale of a siren whose song has enchanted passing sailors.

Arriving in the city of Koblenz, you have time to explore. We recommend visiting Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. Later, we make our way back to the ship, where dinner is served. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

During a morning of relaxed sailing, we leave Koblenz and continue north along the Rhine. Shortly after Andernach, look out for the highest cold-water geyser in the world that erupts up to heights of nearly 200 feet.

After lunch, we dock in Königswinter for a fantastic trip on the Drachenfels Cog Railway. Rising high into the forests, we pass the fairytale Drachenburg Castle - the name of which translates as "Dragon's Rock" and has inspired many of the dragon-related legends still heard today. Traveling to the summit, we admire wonderful views across the rolling hills of the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany.

Back on board this afternoon, we continue our cruise through beautiful scenery toward Cologne. During the approach, the city's bridges and imposing cathedral come into view. On arrival, we gather for dinner and drinks as we stay overnight in this historic city. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Awaking in Cologne, we embark on a guided tour that introduces us to its squares and Romanesque townhouses. This German city sits beside the Rhine and was founded as a military camp by the Romans, who named it Colonia, from which the modern term "colony" is derived.

The city's most iconic landmark is its impressive cathedral, the largest in northern Europe. Construction of this UNESCO-listed edifice began in 1248 to house relics of the Three Wise Men. Rising more than 515 feet with spectacular twin spires, this Gothic masterpiece is the most visited attraction in Germany. There is time here to stand in awe and marvel at its ornate carvings and stained-glass windows.

Returning to our ship after a beer tasting, we enjoy lunch as we set sail toward the Netherlands, savoring dinner and drinks as we wind toward our fourth and final country on an overnight cruise. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our ship sails through the Lower Rhine this morning, with a distinct change in scenery further downstream as we approach the Netherlands. Arriving in Amsterdam, we take a canal sightseeing cruise of the Dutch capital, a cultural city that is as modern as it is historic, soaking up stunning views of picturesque waterways and architecture as we glide along.

Alternatively, you can choose the optional excursion: a visit to Volendam and Edam to uncover their cheese heritage. Besides being famous for Dutch cheese, Volendam is a stunning old town, with traditional houses dotted beside serene canals and a small harbor.

Back on board our ship this evening, we gather for a gala dinner accompanied by the songs of the Dutch sea shanty choir - the perfect end to our Rhine cruise. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After three days exploring Switzerland, including a memorable trip on the Jungfrau Railway, sailing from the Swiss city of Basel to Amsterdam has showcased the diverse beauty of four countries. Gliding along the Rhine on our cruise and through spectacular Swiss Alps landscapes by rail allowed us to soak up breathtaking scenes from our front-row seats.

After breakfast, say goodbye to our crew and disembark the ship for the final time. Your vacation comes to close as you step ashore and begin your travels home independently.

• Breakfast