Vacations By Rail
Glacier Express and The Romantic Rhine Cruise
11 daysfrom $4,495
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise & Rail Holiday
Glacier Express & the Romantic Rhine
Cruise the romantic Rhine, sailing through stunning scenery and exploring historic cities before experiencing the iconic Glacier Express, staying in the alpine resort of Zermatt
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (Amsterdam)
Boarding our luxury ship in Amsterdam
Holiday begins by meeting the Tour Manager at London St Pancras. Board the Eurostar and head by rail to Amsterdam. On arrival, greeted onboard the ship with a welcome cocktail and time to unwind. First dinner together in the panoramic restaurant accompanied by a traditional Dutch sea shanty choir performance.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing)
Amsterdam canal boat cruise and optional trip to Volendam
Breakfast onboard before a sightseeing canal boat cruise of Amsterdam. Optional excursion to Volendam and Edam to uncover their cheese heritage. Later, embark on the first relaxing cruise sailing through the Lower Rhine.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 3overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (Cologne)
Exploring the historic city of Cologne
Sail towards Cologne, arriving around lunchtime. After lunch onboard, embark on a guided tour of the city's squares and Romanesque townhouses. Visit the iconic UNESCO-listed Gothic cathedral, the largest in northern Europe, begun in 1248. Return to ship for dinner moored in Cologne.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing towards Koblenz)
Riding the scenic Drachenfelsbahn
Morning of relaxed sailing south along the Rhine, passing through Bonn. After lunch, dock in Königswinter for a trip on the Drachenfels Cog Railway, passing Drachenburg Castle to panoramic summit views. Depart Königswinter towards Koblenz, watching for the world's highest cold-water geyser near Andernach.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (Rüdesheim)
Through the magical Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
Free time in Koblenz, including a stroll to Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. After lunch, drift through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge past vineyards, hilltop castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Dock in Rüdesheim and travel to the centre by land train. Choice of wine tasting or visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. Free time to explore Drosselgasse.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing)
Along the Upper Rhine to Heidelberg and Speyer
Arrive in Mannheim after breakfast, then journey by coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour including the ruined red sandstone castle. Return onboard and sail to Speyer. Explore one of Germany's oldest cities at leisure, including the 11th-century UNESCO-listed cathedral. Dinner onboard ahead of overnight sailing upstream.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing towards Basel)
Reaching Strasbourg and optional Black Forest excursion
Sail into Strasbourg. Choice of excursions: a trip into the Black Forest or a city tour of Strasbourg including its cathedral and the UNESCO-listed La Petite France district. Return to ship for lunch and begin final cruise towards Switzerland.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8railovernight: Hotel in Zermatt
Arrival in Zermatt
Final breakfast onboard, then disembark in Basel. Continue by rail to the iconic alpine setting of Zermatt. Check in to hotel for two nights. First dinner together in the Swiss mountains.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 9railovernight: Hotel in Zermatt
Beautiful views on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway
Breakfast before a heritage train ride on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, Switzerland's original electric rack railway, climbing to over 10,000ft above sea level. Spectacular views of 29 mountaintops including the Matterhorn. Back in Zermatt, a guided tour reveals the resort's surprising connections to the UK. Dine independently this evening.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 10railovernight: Hotel in Chur
The iconic Glacier Express to Chur
Board the Glacier Express for a panoramic journey through snow-capped mountains, plunging valleys and dense forests. Pass through the nine-mile Furka Base Tunnel after Brig. Enjoy lunch onboard as the train descends towards the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'. Arrive in Chur and check in to hotel. Time to explore Switzerland's oldest town before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 11rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast, bid farewell to Chur. Travel to the railway station and head towards Paris to catch the Eurostar back to London St Pancras, where the holiday concludes.
Meals: Dinner
Included
- Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
- 3 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
- 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Amara
- Five-star service onboard
- Complimentary on-board Wi-Fi
- Eurostar Plus First Class rail travel
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Breakfast each day
- 1 lunch and 2 dinners on Glacier Express tour
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
- Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
- Complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
- Swiss Half Fare Card permitting 50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railway journeys
- Superb excursions included
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
- Tips/gratuities (at guest's discretion)
