Great Rail Journeys
Christmas on the Rhine: Cologne & Strasbourg
7 daysfrom $2,670
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise Tour
Fairytale Bavaria & Three Rivers Cruise
Discover fairytale Bavaria, before exploring nine enchanting medieval cities on a luxurious river cruise along the lovely Rhine and Danube.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Stuttgart
Arrival in Stuttgart
Meeting the Tour Manager at London St Pancras, the holiday starts as we board the Eurostar to Paris. After a coach transfer to change trains, we continue by rail to the city of Stuttgart, where we spend our first night. The majestic spires of the historic Old Palace and the soaring TV Tower are two of the city's architectural landmarks while its nickname 'cradle of the automobile' comes from the famous car museums such as the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums. Arriving in the city this evening, we check in to our hotel before dinner.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Füssen
Traditional Füssen
This morning we journey to the traditional town of Füssen by rail, where we spend the next three nights. After checking into our hotel, you are free to explore this classic Bavarian town at leisure. Sitting on the banks of the glistening Lech River, characterful Füssen offers a snapshot of Bavarian life, with pretty squares and cobbled streets. Famed for its iconic Neuschwanstein Castle, the town is also known for its violin and lute-making industry which dates back to the 16th century. After taking time to get to know the town independently we regroup for dinner at our hotel this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3overnight: Füssen
The Fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle
One of Bavaria's finest castles awaits us after breakfast today. After a coach journey to Schwangau village we reach this magnificent castle where entrance is included and we can admire spectacular views across the valley. Commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, the castle is an architectural masterpiece built in a striking Romanesque Revival style, featuring soaring towers, turrets, and battlements set against a backdrop of rugged mountains and verdant forests. After free time to savour the views, we are at leisure in Schwangau village before returning by coach to our hotel for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4railovernight: Füssen
A Scenic Journey Aboard the Zugspitze Mountain Railway
Today's excursion starts with a transfer to Garmisch-Partenkirchen station where we board the iconic Zugspitze Railway to ascend the highest mountain in Germany, the Zugspitze. After a rail journey through beautiful landscapes we reach the Zugspitze Platt where we complete the final leg of our journey by cable car. Climbing high above the clouds to the summit, there is free time at the top to marvel at the breathtaking landscapes. On our descent, we stop at beautiful Lake Eibsee where there is time to soak up the views before driving back to our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Danube)
To Passau Where We Board Our Luxury Ship
After breakfast, our coach takes us to the spa town of Prien am Chiemsee, a tranquil location next to the vast Chiemsee lake, also known as 'the sea of Bavaria'. After free time in this peaceful town we continue by coach to the port of Passau where our luxurious ship, the Amadeus Cara, awaits. We are welcomed on board with a refreshing cocktail. After settling into our cabins, we set sail into the serene Danube before the first dinner of our cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Danube)
Regensburg and Captivating Weltenburg Abbey
Regensburg is our first port of call, which we discover on a guided city walk. We view the Dom St Peter cathedral, admired especially for its beautiful stained-glass windows. After lunch, we visit the lovely Weltenburg Abbey, the oldest Benedictine monastery in Bavaria, sitting on a scenic bend of the Danube Gorge. The Abbey is a magnificent example of Baroque architecture, with stunning frescoes, intricate stucco work, and a grand façade. Weltenburg is also famous for its brewery, which produces some of the finest beer in the world.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (en route to Bamberg)
Fascinating Nuremberg
After a morning of gentle cruising, our ship moors in the historic city of Nuremberg. After lunch on board, we disembark for a tour of this magnificent walled city which was once the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Travelling into the city by coach for an afternoon guided tour, we view the imperial Kaiserburg castle, impressively situated overlooking the enchanting Altstadt marketplace. We return to our ship with time to unwind before a relaxing dinner onboard. During our meal this evening we set sail for Bamberg, cruising overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (en route)
Historic Bamberg
Early this morning we arrive in the beautiful 9th-century Bamberg, a World Heritage site. After disembarking for an early morning walking tour, we explore this enchanting medieval town. Among the impressive buildings we are shown are the exquisite Bamberg Cathedral and the frescoed townhall built on a bridge over the Regnitz river. We also walk through the district of 'Little Venice', where quaint half-timbered houses line the picturesque riverside. After our walking tour we return to our ship for lunch before continuing to sail into the afternoon and through the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (en route)
Rothenburg and Wine-Tasting in Würzburg
Mooring in the port of Ochsenfurt this morning, we drive along Bavaria's beloved Romantic Road to the historic walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, often referred to as the 'Jewel of Germany'. During a sightseeing tour, we stroll along atmospheric cobbled lanes, past brightly painted houses and characterful squares. After our tour, we rejoin the ship in Würzburg for lunch before continuing to the Würzburg Residenz, a grand palace, where we indulge in a wine-tasting experience savouring the rich flavours of the region.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 10overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (en route to Mainz)
Discovering Wertheim and Miltenberg
This morning we arrive into the town of Wertheim where we start a guided walking tour taking in the town's ancient castle overlooking its medieval centre and marketplace, before visiting the Glass Museum. Next, we head by coach to Miltenberg, a town surrounded by dense green forests and gentle hills, with an impeccably preserved medieval centre. One of the most notable landmarks is the 12th-century hilltop castle which now serves as a museum. After a morning of exploration, we return to our ship for lunch and begin our overnight cruise towards Mainz.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 11overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Cologne)
Touring Historic Mainz
Mainz is set on the banks of the Rhine River in the heart of Germany's winelands. After an early breakfast we embark on a guided tour of the city, discovering its fascinating and complex history. We view the striking 1,000-year-old Romanesque cathedral, the Mainz Dom, and walk among the city's preserved half-timbered buildings and red-stone buildings of its Old Town. Returning to our ship for lunch, the afternoon is at leisure to continue exploring the city independently. We enjoy our last dinner onboard before our ship sails to Cologne where we moor overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 12rail
Homeward Bound
After breakfast onboard this morning, we disembark in Cologne, where we head to the station to board the Eurostar service to London St Pancras. On arrival late afternoon, our holiday comes to an end and you are free to continue your journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
- 4 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
- 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara
- Five-star service onboard
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
- Eurostar Standard class travel
- Standard class rail travel
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Breakfast and dinner each day
- 6 lunches
- Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
- Complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
- A superb choice of excursions
- Entrance to Neuschwanstein Castle
- Zugspitze Railway journey
- Wine-tasting at Würzburg Residenz
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
- Tips/gratuities (at guest's discretion)
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