Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Glacier Express & the Majestic Rhine

Glacier Express & the Majestic Rhine, a rail journey with Vacations By Rail

Experience an unforgettable journey through Switzerland on the iconic Glacier Express before embarking on a luxury Rhine cruise through Germany's romantic Rhine Gorge.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Chur

    A beautiful alpine arrival

    Arrive in Zürich and take a First Class rail journey to Chur, Switzerland's oldest town; check into hotel and meet the Tour Manager and group for dinner.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Zermatt

    The iconic Glacier Express to Zermatt

    Board the Glacier Express, the 'slowest express train in the world', through the 'Swiss Grand Canyon', the Furka Base Tunnel and the Matter Valley, dining at the seats, to car-free Zermatt.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zermatt

    Matterhorn views from the Gornergrat Mountain Railroad

    Ride the heritage Gornergrat Mountain Railroad, Switzerland's original electric rack railroad, to over 10,000 feet for views of 29 mountaintops including the Matterhorn.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Ship

    Boarding our luxurious ship in Basel

    Rail back via Visp, Lake Thun and Spiez to Basel; coach transfer to the waterfront to board the cruise ship, welcome cocktail and dinner, setting sail overnight on the Rhine.

  5. Day 5overnight: Ship

    Arrival in Strasbourg with optional Black Forest excursion

    Choice of excursion into the Black Forest or a tour of Strasbourg's cathedral and La Petite France district; free afternoon before returning to the ship.

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship (Rüdesheim)

    Exploring Speyer or Heidelberg

    Choice of guided tour of Heidelberg (castle ruins) or independent time in Speyer; afternoon cruise past Mainz and Wiesbaden to Rüdesheim.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Ship (Koblenz)

    Through the Rhine Gorge from Rüdesheim

    Land-train into Rüdesheim with a choice of wine tasting or Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet; sail through the Rhine Gorge past the Lorelei Rock to Koblenz.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Ship (Cologne)

    Riding the scenic Drachenfelsbahn

    Cruise north along the Rhine, pass the world's highest cold-water geyser near Andernach, dock at Königswinter for the Drachenfels Cog Railway, then continue to Cologne.

  9. Day 9overnight: Ship

    Exploring Cologne and onward to the Netherlands

    Guided tour of Cologne and its UNESCO-listed cathedral; sail toward the Netherlands overnight.

  10. Day 10overnight: Ship

    Uncovering Amsterdam or Volendam

    Canal sightseeing cruise of Amsterdam, or an optional excursion to Volendam and Edam; farewell gala dinner onboard with a Dutch sea shanty choir.

  11. Day 11

    Traveling home

    Disembark after breakfast and begin the journey home independently.

Included

  • Tour Manager/Cruise Director team escorted throughout
  • 3 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Amara, Five-Star service, complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • First and Standard Class rail options available; all rail and coach travel throughout
  • Breakfast each day, 7 lunches, 10 dinners (6 lunches for Standard Class departures)
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • Superb excursions included

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)

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