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Planet Rail · Rail and river cruise holiday

A Southern Rhine Cruise - Germany to Switzerland

Nine-day rail and river cruise from London to Basel via Rhine Valley

Illustration of A Southern Rhine Cruise - Germany to Switzerland

Planet Rail's Southern Rhine Cruise pairs eight nights of travel and exploration with nine days of immersion in the Rhine Valley's history and landscapes. The journey begins with a First Class rail trip from London St Pancras, crossing the Channel on Eurostar and continuing into Germany for an overnight stay in Cologne. On day two you board the A-ROSA ALEA or CLEA, a Premium All-Inclusive river ship carrying just 140 passengers, for seven nights of sailing toward Basel in Switzerland. The itinerary visits Rüdesheim, Speyer, Breisach, Strasbourg, Mainz and the Lorelei Valley, with mornings and afternoons spent exploring UNESCO-protected medieval towns, wine regions and riverside cities. Each port offers free time to wander half-timbered streets and cathedrals, or you may choose optional excursions, such as a champagne cellar visit in Breisach or a walking tour in Strasbourg. All meals, drinks and on-board entertainment are included; evening performances, a spa with sauna and pool, and a guided Koblenz walking tour with farewell dinner round out the experience. The cruise runs April through June.

What to know before you look closer

  • The outbound and return rail segments use Eurostar Standard Premier Class, not First Class; First Class applies only to the Brussels-Cologne and Cologne-Brussels ICE trains
  • Hotel in Cologne is listed as 'or similar', so the exact property may vary
  • Optional excursions (Breisach walking tour with champagne cellar, Basel Switzerland exploration, Strasbourg excursion, Colmar excursion) carry additional charges
  • The itinerary describes optional activities in several ports, meaning some free time is unguided

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne

    London to Cologne

    Your holiday begins as you arrive at London St Pancras International. Admire the cathedral of steam before you join the Eurostar and travel to Brussels, enjoying the light meal and drinks served at your seat in Standard Premier Class as you reach speeds of up to 186 mph. In Brussels you change trains and continue into Germany, travelling to Cologne, where you check into the Hotel Mondial am Dom (4 star) or similar, located close to the station, for your overnight stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

  2. Day 2overnight: On board A-ROSA ALEA or CLEA

    Free-time in Cologne and join your cruise aboard A-ROSA ALEA or CLEA

    This morning after breakfast you have time to explore Cologne at your leisure, including if possible a visit to the impressive Gothic cathedral. In the afternoon, embark the A-ROSA ALEA or CLEA. Set sail and enjoy a welcome dinner on board tonight.

  3. Day 3overnight: On board A-ROSA ALEA or CLEA

    Rüdesheim

    After a morning sailing on the scenic Upper Middle Rhine we arrive at the town of Rüdesheim (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), for centuries renowned the world over for its outstanding wines. Take a walk through the charming little streets of the old town where you will find Drosselgasse, an alleyway with half-timbered facades known as The World's Longest Wine Bar.

  4. Day 4overnight: On board A-ROSA ALEA or CLEA

    Speyer

    Today we sail through the historical heart of Europe, enjoying some of the most picture-perfect sights of your Rhine river cruise, with terraced vineyards, expansive forests and high peaks. Spend the day in Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities and once the centre of the Holy Roman Empire, whose delightful old town has romantic lanes leading to the imposing Cathedral, a UNESCO protected World Heritage Site.

  5. Day 5overnight: On board A-ROSA ALEA or CLEA

    Breisach

    Have your cameras to hand to capture picturesque Breisach, perched on a steep cliff above the Rhine with its pastel-hued buildings set in beautiful rolling vineyards. Where the Black Forest spills into the Alsace region, this German town shares a love of good food and good wine with its French neighbours. Take an optional guided walking tour (supplements apply) including a visit to a local champagne cellar with tastings.

  6. Day 6overnight: On board A-ROSA ALEA or CLEA

    Basel

    Uniquely positioned where France, Germany and Switzerland meet, Basel retains a strong and proud identity, with a thriving arts scene and bilingual culture. Spend the day exploring its pretty old town, the awe-inspiring cathedral and dipping in and out of the excellent museums. Optional excursions enable you to explore more of Switzerland.

  7. Day 7overnight: On board A-ROSA ALEA or CLEA

    Strasbourg

    The capital of the Grand Est region, formerly known as Alsace, Strasbourg sits on the border with Germany, the river itself being the border. Your A-ROSA ship moors on the France side: it is a leisurely stroll across the bridge into Strasbourg, or take a local bus, taxi or optional excursion. Explore the old town with quaint colourful houses and twisting cobbled alleys, the canals of Petite France and magnificent Strasbourg Cathedral, for 227 years the tallest building in the world, with summit views stretching as far as the Black Forest. Strasbourg is also near Colmar, world-renowned for its Alsatian architecture, which you can visit on an optional excursion.

  8. Day 8overnight: On board A-ROSA ALEA or CLEA

    Mainz, the scenic Lorelei Valley & Koblenz

    Today we visit Mainz in the Rhineland's wine growing region, famed for its Riesling wines. Wander the cobbled old town among half-timbered buildings, visit the 1,000-year-old Mainzer Dome and the Gutenberg Museum celebrating the inventor of the printing press; the A-ROSA Destination Scout is on hand to help. We continue sailing through the scenic Lorelei Valley, one of the highlights of your cruise: steeply-terraced vineyards, picture-perfect villages, fairytale castles on hilltops, rugged cliffs and lush forests, with your cruise director bringing the legends to life, a glass of included sparkling wine in hand. Arrive in Koblenz at 18.30 for the final evening: enjoy an included walking tour of Koblenz and a speciality dinner on board.

  9. Day 9rail

    Cologne to London, homeward bound

    All too soon your cruise comes to an end. Enjoy your final breakfast on board before you travel back to Cologne's main railway station. You travel by German ICE train to Brussels and then on board Eurostar in Standard Premier Class back to London St. Pancras station and the final leg of your journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Embark the A-ROSA ALEA or CLEA in Cologne and settle into a Premium All-Inclusive river cruise with welcome dinner on board
  • Day 3Arrive at Rüdesheim, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and walk through Drosselgasse, the half-timbered alleyway known as the World's Longest Wine Bar
  • Day 4Spend the day in Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities and former centre of the Holy Roman Empire, exploring its cathedral and romantic old town
  • Day 8Sail through the scenic Lorelei Valley with cruise director narration of local legends, then reach Mainz to visit the Gutenberg Museum and 1,000-year-old Mainzer Dome

Included

  • Return First Class rail from London to Cologne (Standard Premier Class on Eurostar)
  • Overnight stay in Cologne in a 4 star hotel on your outbound journey on a bed and breakfast basis
  • 7-night cruise on a Premium All-Inclusive basis: S grade outside cabin with window and river views and private bathroom
  • Extensive gourmet buffet style breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Option to enjoy waiter service at dinner
  • Special welcome and farewell dinners
  • Regional specialities and afternoon tea
  • Tea, coffee and water available 24 hours
  • Extensive menu of cocktails, mocktails, spirits, wines, beers, soft drinks and speciality teas and coffees served 11am to midnight as per the A-ROSA bar menu
  • Included walking tour of Koblenz and speciality dinner on board ship in the evening
  • Up to 2 cultural performances during the week
  • Nightly entertainment in the lounge
  • Use of all on-board facilities including the A-ROSA SPA, sauna, swimming pool, relaxation and gym
  • 15% discount on spa treatments
  • FREE Wi-Fi
  • All port taxes

Not included

  • Optional excursions (supplements apply)
  • Spa treatments (15% discount applies)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Planet Rail includes return First Class rail from London St Pancras to Cologne via Eurostar (Standard Premier Class) and Brussels. The return journey reverses this route.
Which trains are used?
Eurostar between London St Pancras and Brussels, a First Class train from Brussels to Cologne, and the German ICE for the return journey from Cologne to Brussels.
What is the river ship?
The cruise is aboard A-ROSA ALEA or CLEA (the operator assigns which ship). Cabins are Premium All-Inclusive category S with window and river views, private bathroom, and all meals and drinks included.
What meals and drinks are included?
Gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, with waiter service at dinner available. All cocktails, mocktails, wines, beers, spirits, soft drinks, tea and coffee are included, served 11am to midnight. Afternoon tea and special welcome and farewell dinners are featured.
When does it run?
Departures run between April and June.
What is not included?
Optional excursions (such as the guided walk and champagne cellar visit in Breisach, or explorations from Basel into Switzerland) carry supplements. Spa treatments are not included but receive a 15% discount.

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