Vacations By Rail
Fairytale Bavaria & Delights of the Danube
12 daysfrom $3,695
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise & Rail Tour
Glacier Express, Austrian Alps & Danube Cruise
On this tour you combine the legendary Glacier Express with a magical cruise along the Danube river. Enjoy guided tours, and independent exploring.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Vevey
A stunning start in Lake Geneva
Meeting at London St Pancras, the holiday begins as guests board the Eurostar to Paris. From Paris, travel continues by rail to Lake Geneva. On arrival, transfer to the hotel in the picturesque town of Vevey for a two-night stay. First dinner together this evening.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Vevey
The Lavaux wine region
A local train to Cully in the Lavaux region, a UNESCO World Heritage site with terraced vineyards rising from the shores of Lake Geneva. Journey through the landscape on a local land train before visiting a nearby winery for a talk from the owner and a wine tasting with nibbles. Lavaux produces exceptional wines, mainly Chasselas.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3railovernight: Chur
The iconic Glacier Express to Chur
Board the magnificent Glacier Express for a panoramic journey through Swiss scenes of green meadows, evergreen forests and snow-capped mountains along the Rhine Valley. Spiral up mountains, cross vast viaducts, burrow through tunnels and rise above the clouds on the way to Chur. Explore Switzerland's oldest village and its Altstadt before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4railovernight: Innsbruck
Arrival in Innsbruck
Leave Switzerland and cross into Austria by rail to Innsbruck. Located in the Inn Valley against the dramatic backdrop of the Alps, Innsbruck is known for its imperial buildings and quaint Old Town with Renaissance and Baroque buildings and traditional Tyrolean architecture. After checking in, the evening is free to explore or relax. Note: on the 8th August departure there will be a short coach replacement from Buchs to Feldkirch. On the 27th June departure, guests travel by coach from Bad Ragaz to Feldkirch before continuing by rail.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5railovernight: Innsbruck
The Zillertalbahn Railway to Mayrhofen
A journey on the Zillertalbahn railway through Austria's Tyrol region, passing Tyrolean towns, lush meadows, and majestic peaks to the ski resort of Mayrhofen. Explore at leisure in the afternoon. Note: on the 3rd and 26th September departures, today features a journey on the Achensee Railway from Jenbach to Seespitz instead.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 6railovernight: Budapest (onboard)
Boarding our luxurious ship in Budapest
Travel by rail to Budapest where the ship awaits. Welcome cocktails in the lounge, then first dinner on board accompanied by a performance from a traditional Hungarian folklore troupe. Evening night-time cruise along the Danube taking in the illuminated sights of Budapest including the neo-Gothic Parliament building, Buda's Baroque castle, and the Chain Bridge. Note: for departures on 3rd September the ship will be MS Amadeus Nova; for 26th September departures the ship will be MS Amadeus Star.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: Danube (onboard, cruising)
Exploring Budapest, the 'Pearl of the Danube'
Sightseeing tour of Budapest exploring Heroes Square, the State Opera House, St Stephen's Basilica, Matthias Church, and Fisherman's Bastion. Free time after lunch on board. Sailing upstream through the evening, navigate the scenic Danube Bend passing Visegrad and Esztergom.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8overnight: Danube (onboard, cruising)
Uncovering the old-world charm of Bratislava
Arrive in Bratislava, Slovakia's capital. Guided tour admiring attractive squares, idyllic streets, grand palaces, historic churches, and quirky statues. Views from the hilltop castle across the Old Town and the SNP Bridge. Free time after lunch to explore the Old Town or discover Soviet-era architecture. Set sail again after dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9overnight: Vienna (onboard)
Embracing the imperial majesty of Vienna
Guided tour of Vienna uncovering Austria's imperial heritage along the Ringstrasse boulevard, seeing the Opera House and Parliament. Free time to explore St Stephen's Cathedral, museums, Schönbrunn Palace, or enjoy Sachertorte at a coffeehouse. Evening entertainment from four former members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 10overnight: Danube (onboard, cruising)
Melk Abbey and the scenic Wachau Valley
Arrive in Dürnstein for free time to wander the charming streets and admire the powder blue Baroque church tower and hilltop castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. Lunch on board while sailing through the picturesque Wachau Valley. Dock in Emmersdorf for a guided visit to Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Benedictine Abbey atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 11overnight: Danube (onboard, cruising into Germany)
Salzburg and the Austrian Lake District or Český Krumlov
Wake in Linz with a choice of two excursions. Option 1: Day trip to Salzburg with a stop in the Austrian Lake District, then a guided sightseeing tour of Salzburg's UNESCO-listed Old Town including Getreidegasse where Mozart was born. Option 2: Excursion to Český Krumlov in Czechia, exploring the palatial castle and UNESCO-listed Old Town. Return to ship for dinner and overnight cruise into Germany.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 12overnight: Passau (onboard)
Crossing the German border to Passau
Conclude the Danube cruise drifting through beautiful scenery into Germany. After lunch, arrive in Passau for a guided tour of the 'Three Rivers City' at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. Explore the Baroque Old Town including St Stephen's Cathedral and the Veste Oberhaus fortress. Farewell gala dinner on board this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 13railovernight: Cologne (or Mainz on selected departures)
From the Danube to the Rhine-side city of Cologne
Disembark after breakfast and travel by coach to Munich, then by train through Germany to Cologne. The city is dominated by its Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest church in northern Europe. Check in to the hotel for an overnight stop with free time to explore before the final dinner together. Note: on the 3rd & 26th September departures, travel is to Mainz for an overnight stay instead.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 14rail
Homeward bound
Leave Cologne by rail after breakfast, travel to Brussels, then board the Eurostar to London St Pancras where the holiday concludes.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
- 6 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
- 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara (or MS Amadeus Nova / MS Amadeus Star on selected departures)
- Five-star service onboard
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
- Eurostar Standard Class travel
- Standard Class rail travel throughout (First Class option available on selected departures)
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Breakfast each day
- 3 dinners on the Glacier Express & Austrian Alps portion of the 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 railways
- A superb choice of excursions
- Hungarian traditional folklore troupe performance
- Onboard entertainment from former members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
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