The Rhine Valley in Flames

Your cruise vacation begins this morning as you arrive at London St. Pancras and meet the Tour Manager and travel group, ready to board the Eurostar to Brussels. Arriving in the Belgian capital, we switch trains and continue our journey to Cologne.

The elegant spires of Cologne's UNESCO World Heritage-listed cathedral welcome us to this city on the Rhine. As our train arrives, a coach transfer takes us to the waterfront, where we board our luxurious Amadeus ship and settle into our home on the river. Our friendly crew warmly greet us with a welcome cocktail as we get ready to immerse ourselves in the wonders of the Rhine. Take some time to get acquainted with the ship, and then we gather for our first five-course dinner onboard, savoring the beginning of our cruise experience.

• Dinner

 After breakfast onboard, we join a leisurely tour of Cologne, wandering through its historic streets and squares. We admire the Romanesque townhouses before visiting the Gothic cathedral - the largest in Northern Europe. Our tour wraps up with a tasting of Cologne's chocolate and beer before we return to our ship.

Later this morning, we set off on our first sail. Drifting upstream past Bonn, we see the first signs of lush green hills during lunch. We arrive in the enchanting town of Königswinter this afternoon and journey on the Drachenfelsbahn.

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. We experience wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany as we climb higher.

Back onboard this evening, we enjoy dinner with a drinks package and an overnight sailing to Koenigswinter.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 A tour highlight lies ahead today: The incredible Rhine in Flames. This breathtaking display of colors, lights and sounds is a highly anticipated annual event, and we bear witness this evening.

Setting sail early this morning, we continue toward Koblenz, where we arrive after breakfast with some free time to explore. You could discover its Roman past or stroll to Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers to see inspiring vistas, including that of Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.

We begin sailing again after lunch, pausing in the picturesque town of Boppard with time to explore later this afternoon. From here, we continue cruising to Oberwesel, where we drop anchor and enjoy dinner before this evening's Rhine in Flames event.

Locals and visitors alike celebrate summer with illuminated boats, fireworks and music along the Rhine. We have a great vantage point from our ship, and we celebrate as the sky lights up and the river shimmers with colors. As the Rhine in Flames comes to an end, we return to Boppard, where we dock for the night.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Savor a leisurely start to the day with breakfast and lunch onboard and jaw-dropping scenery ahead as we sail through delightful river landscapes, including a highlight of our cruise, the romantic Rhine Gorge. This section of the Rhine is renowned for its spectacular views, and the best place to witness them is the top deck of our ship. As we sail, we hear the story of the legendary Lorelei Rock, which soars nearly 500 feet out of the water.

Later this afternoon, we dock in Rüdesheim, where we travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train, arriving in the town's center. Here, you have a choice of excursions. You could experience why this wine town is so famous with a winery tour and a fantastic wine-tasting experience. Alternatively, you could visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet and discover Europe's largest collection of finely tuned mechanical instruments.

After your chosen excursion, there is free time to explore the town's cobbled streets at your own pace before returning to the ship for dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 A relaxed morning spent sailing along the Rhine brings even more beautiful views and another chance to enjoy breakfast and lunch on the ship. Early this afternoon, we arrive in the city of Mannheim and continue 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. Our tour includes a visit to the ruined, red sandstone castle that towers over the city and provides amazing views of the surrounding forests, river and cityscape.

If you prefer, you can stay onboard and join the ship as it sails to Speyer, where those who visited Heidelberg will meet us later this afternoon after transferring by coach. In Speyer, you can take in the sights and ambiance of the historic city and its cathedral at leisure before dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Today, we enjoy a full day on the Rhine, cruising to the French city of Strasbourg. Relax onboard, perhaps in the lounge or at a table on the Sun Deck, as we pass the diverse landscapes, small riverside towns and deep natural beauty that frames the Rhine. Breakfast and lunch are served on the ship as our journey unfolds, and there is plenty of time to enjoy the ship's amenities.

We arrive in Strasbourg early this evening, and after dinner, you can experience the city's unique character at leisure. Sitting near the border and having changed hands numerous times throughout history, Strasbourg perfectly represents the blending of French and German cultures. The old town is well worth a visit in your free time, and its timber-framed houses, cobbled streets and iconic Cathedral create a fairytale atmosphere.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On the final day of our cruise, you have a choice of two excursions. The first is a trip into the Black Forest - Germany's largest nature park. Filled with rolling hills, picturesque villages, dense forests and meadows dotted with wildflowers, this is an undeniable fairytale setting. While touring, you will learn about the region's enchanting history and folklore.

Alternatively, you could join a city tour of Strasbourg, discovering its fascinating history, admiring its grand architecture and experiencing its unique character. Colorful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets guide our tour as we visit the UNESCO-listed cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district.

Following your excursion, lunch is served back on the ship. The rest of the afternoon is yours to discover more of the history and culture of Strasbourg at your own pace before tonight's special gala dinner onboard.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Having sailed to some of the Rhine's most impressive destinations and witnessed the spectacular Rhine in Flames event, our cruise draws to a close this morning with an early breakfast on the ship. Afterward, we say goodbye to our wonderful crew and disembark for the final time in Strasbourg.

A coach transfer takes us to Strasbourg's railway station, where we catch our train to Paris. Here, we switch trains, continuing to London, where our memorable Rhine vacation concludes.

• Breakfast