Great Rail Journeys
Glacier Express & the Romantic Rhine
11 daysfrom $6,409
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise & Rail Tour
GoldenPass & the Romantic Rhine
Explore the GoldenPass Line and cruise the Romantic Rhine on a journey filled with alpine beauty and fairytale castles.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (Amsterdam)
Boarding our luxurious ship in Amsterdam
Meet at London St Pancras and board Eurostar bound for Amsterdam. On arrival, a coach transfer takes you to the waterfront where the Amadeus ship awaits. Enjoy a welcome cocktail and settle into your cabin. First dinner in the Panorama Restaurant accompanied by a traditional Dutch Sea Shanty choir performance.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (en route to Cologne)
Touring Amsterdam or uncovering Volendam
Choice of excursions: a canal boat cruise of Amsterdam with views of its picturesque waterways and architecture, or a visit to Volendam and Edam to uncover Dutch cheese heritage. Return to the ship for lunch, then begin sailing towards Cologne.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 3overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (Cologne)
Exploring the historic streets of Cologne
Enjoy the changing scenery from the sun deck before breakfast and lunch onboard. Dock in Cologne for a guided tour of its squares, Romanesque townhouses, and the iconic Gothic cathedral, the largest in northern Europe and most visited attraction in Germany. Enjoy a tasting of Cologne's local beer before free time. Dinner back on the ship.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (Koblenz)
Riding the scenic Drachenfelsbahn
Morning of relaxed sailing from Cologne. After lunch, dock in Königswinter for a trip on the Drachenfels Cog Railway, passing Drachenburg Castle and reaching the summit with panoramic views. Continue cruising through beautiful scenery towards Koblenz, passing the world's highest cold-water geyser near Andernach. Arrive in Koblenz late evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (Rüdesheim)
Through the magical Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
Morning at leisure in Koblenz, stroll to Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Then sail through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site with vineyards, ancient castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Dock in Rüdesheim; a land train takes you to the town centre for a choice of wine tasting or a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. Free time to explore cobbled streets after dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (en route to Strasbourg)
Discovering Heidelberg or Speyer
Dock in Mannheim and journey by coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour of the Old Town and the magnificent ruined red sandstone castle. Alternatively, cruise to Speyer to explore its beautiful Old Town and UNESCO-listed cathedral at your own pace. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight sailing upstream.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (en route to Basel)
Strasbourg's Black Forest or city tour
Sail into Strasbourg after breakfast. Choice of excursions: a trip into the Black Forest to experience Germany's largest nature park with rolling hills, picturesque villages and dense forests; or a city tour of Strasbourg visiting its cathedral and the La Petite France district. Return to the ship for lunch and begin the final cruise towards Switzerland.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8railovernight: 4-star hotel, Interlaken
Into the Bernese Oberland to Interlaken
Last breakfast onboard before disembarking in Basel. Coach transfer to the station, then a scenic rail route to Interlaken, spectacularly located between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun with Bernese Oberland peaks in view. Check in to the hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure to wander the lakeshores or town centre. Dinner with the group this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 9railovernight: Hotel, Montreux
The GoldenPass Express to Montreux
Board the GoldenPass Express in its royal blue and gold panoramic carriages for a three-hour journey from Interlaken. Pass Lake Thun at Spiez, wind up to Gstaad (the mountain resort favoured by Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor and Roger Moore), then travel through pine forests and the Pays-d'Enhaut Highlands to Montreux. Check in to the hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure on the shores of Lake Geneva. Perhaps explore the Old Town or visit Chillon Castle before the final dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 10rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast, make your way to the railway station. Travel to Lausanne, switch trains and continue to Paris, then board the Eurostar to London St Pancras where the holiday concludes.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team throughout
- 2 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
- 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Amara
- Five-star service onboard
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
- Standard Class rail travel throughout
- 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
- Eurostar travel (London St Pancras to Amsterdam and return via Paris)
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Vacations By Railfrom $3,195
