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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Glacier Express and the Timeless Moselle & Rhine

Glacier Express, Alpine Switzerland, and Rhine-Moselle river cruise from Zurich to London

Illustration of Glacier Express and the Timeless Moselle & Rhine

Vacations By Rail operates this 11-day escorted journey blending famous Swiss rail travel with a five-star river cruise across six countries. The trip departs Zurich, whisks you through the Alpine landscape aboard the Glacier Express in first class to car-free Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn, then transitions seamlessly to a seven-night cruise aboard the MS Amadeus Cara down the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. You will ride the Gornergrat Mountain Railway to views of 29 Alpine peaks, glide past the legendary Lorelei Rock through the Rhine Gorge, explore the Roman UNESCO site of Trier, and taste wine in Bernkastel-Kues. The pace is relaxed, with two full days in Zermatt and many excursions guided by the Tour Manager and Cruise Director team. This suits repeat rail travellers drawn to celebrated trains, luxury seekers preferring five-star accommodation and dining, and history lovers keen on guided visits to castles, cathedrals, and ancient ruins.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 1 requires independent travel by first-class rail from Zürich to Chur to join the group for dinner; confirm the train and timing with Vacations By Rail.
  • Dinners on days 1-3 in Switzerland include only one included dinner; day 3 in Zermatt is independent dining.
  • The final rail journey on day 11 travels via Brussels and the Eurostar to London St. Pancras; confirm this routing and whether Eurostar fares are included in the from-price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Chur

    Arriving in Chur

    Vacation begins in Zürich; travel independently by First Class rail to Chur. Meet the Tour Manager and travel group for the first dinner together.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Zermatt

    The iconic Glacier Express to Zermatt

    Journey on the Glacier Express in First Class with lunch served at the seats, arriving in car-free Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn for a two-night stay.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Zermatt

    Views of the Matterhorn from the Gornergrat Mountain Railway

    Board the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, climbing past Riffelalp station to the summit for views over 29 mountains including the Matterhorn. Dine independently tonight.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Ship (Strasbourg)

    To Strasbourg, where we board our ship

    Travel by rail via Visp and Basel to Strasbourg, transfer by coach to the harbor and board the ship with a welcome cocktail; moored overnight in Strasbourg.

  5. Day 5overnight: Ship

    Alsatian charm in Colmar or Strasbourg

    Choice of excursion to Colmar or a guided tour of Strasbourg; set sail toward Rüdesheim in the afternoon.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Ship (Koblenz)

    Through the Rhine Gorge to Koblenz

    Land-train excursion in Rüdesheim with choice of wine tasting or Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet; sail through the Rhine Gorge past the Lorelei Rock to Koblenz, docking on the Moselle promenade.

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    Cochem in the heart of the Moselle wine trade

    Cruise along the Rhine and Moselle to Cochem; guided tour of the town beneath the hilltop Reichsburg Castle.

  8. Day 8overnight: Ship

    A tour and wine tasting in Bernkastel-Kues

    Cruise the Moselle Valley to Bernkastel-Kues; guided tour of the Old Town, Market Square and St. Michael's Fountain, with a wine tasting of Bernkasteler Doctor.

  9. Day 9overnight: Ship

    The ancient city of Trier or Luxembourg

    Choice of guided tour of Roman/UNESCO Trier (Porta Nigra, St. Peter's Cathedral) or an excursion to Luxembourg; cruise on toward Königswinter.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Ship (Cologne)

    The Drachenfelsbahn and Cologne

    Ride the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway past Drachenfels castle at Königswinter; cruise onward to Cologne beneath the Gothic cathedral.

  11. Day 11rail

    Traveling home

    Disembark after breakfast, travel by rail via Brussels and the Eurostar to London St. Pancras, where the vacation concludes.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: ride the Glacier Express in first class from Chur to Zermatt with lunch served at your seat, entering car-free Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn.
  • Day 3Day 3: the Gornergrat Mountain Railway climbs past Riffelalp to the summit, revealing views over 29 peaks including the Matterhorn.
  • Day 6Day 6: the ship sails through the Rhine Gorge past the Lorelei Rock to Koblenz; a land-train excursion in Rüdesheim offers wine tasting or a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet.
  • Day 8Day 8: guided tour of Bernkastel-Kues includes the Old Town Market Square and St. Michael's Fountain, followed by a wine tasting of Bernkasteler Doctor.
  • Day 10Day 10: the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway ascends past Drachenfels castle at Königswinter; the ship then cruises to Cologne beneath its Gothic cathedral.

Included

  • Tour Manager/Cruise Director team escorted throughout
  • 3 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara, Five-Star service, complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • First Class rail travel; all rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch and 2 dinners during the Switzerland tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise including a gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • Swiss Half Fare Card (50% discounted fares on free days for rail, boat and most mountain railways)
  • Superb excursions included

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights and Airport transfers

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Vacations By Rail includes all first-class rail travel, the Glacier Express from Chur to Zermatt, the Gornergrat Mountain Railway, the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway, the Eurostar from Brussels to London, and all coach transfers.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. A Tour Manager and Cruise Director team escorts you throughout the 11 days. Some excursions are guided (Trier, Cochem, Bernkastel-Kues, Strasbourg); others are independent (Zermatt on day 3, choice of Colmar or Strasbourg on day 5, choice of Trier or Luxembourg on day 9).
What is included for meals?
Breakfast each day; on the Switzerland portion (days 1-3), one lunch and two dinners; on the seven-night cruise (days 4-10), all breakfast, lunch, and dinner including a gala dinner, plus a drinks package with dinner each night.
What accommodation is provided?
Three nights in four-star hotels (Chur and Zermatt for two nights); seven nights aboard the MS Amadeus Cara, a five-star river ship with complimentary onboard Wi-Fi.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, and travel insurance are not included but can be arranged separately.
What is the from-price and what does it cover?
The from-price is USD 4,195 per person and covers accommodation, rail travel, the cruise, most meals, excursions, and the Swiss Half Fare Card for discounted fares on free rail and mountain railway days.

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