Great Rail Journeys
The Harz Mountains in Winter
7 daysfrom $2,269
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
GRJ All Inclusive Rhine Valley & Vulkan Express
Enjoy an all-inclusive holiday in one of Europe's great regions the UNESCO-listed Rhine Valley, taking a cruise boat into the picturesque Rhine Gorge.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Boppard
By rail to Boppard in the Rhine Gorge
Your Rhine Valley holiday begins at London St Pancras where you meet the Tour Manager and rest of the group. Boarding the Eurostar, you travel under the English Channel to Brussels. In the Belgian capital, you switch to a train to Cologne, where you catch your first sight of the Rhine. Arriving in Cologne, you travel by coach along the scenic Rhine Valley to the riverside town of Boppard. The hotel is opposite the train station and boasts a garden terrace overlooking the Rhine. After checking in, enjoy a welcome drink before the first dinner together. Every evening includes a three-course dinner with a drinks package (7pm–9pm) including soft drinks, house beer, wine, tea and coffee.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Boppard
Visiting Cochem for time at leisure
Using VRM Passes, travel by rail along the Moselle after breakfast to the picturesque town of Cochem. There is time at leisure to explore independently. Cochem is surrounded by vineyards and dominated by the late-Gothic Reichsburg castle. The old quarter features preserved town walls, three gates, a fascinating arts centre in a former monastery, cobbled streets with half-timbered architecture, the only surviving mustard mill in Europe, and a hidden Cold War-era bunker. Return to Boppard for a three-course dinner and drinks.
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
- Day 3railovernight: Boppard
Cruising through the Rhine Gorge
Set sail along the majestic Rhine through the most scenic part of the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge. Pass castles on clifftops veiled by verdant forests. On the approach to St Goar, pass the legendary Lorelei Rock. Arrive at Rüdesheim, a riverside town famed for its wine, with free time to explore Drosselgasse alley and Siegfried's Museum of Mechanical Music. Sample local Riesling wines or a Rüdesheim Coffee. Return by rail at leisure using your VRM Pass, changing at Koblenz. Note: on April and October departures, this day includes a return cruise to St Goar with a stopover.
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4railovernight: Boppard
Uncover the Rhine Valley at leisure
A full free day to explore Boppard and surrounding areas at your own pace. Options include the Sesselbahn chairlift to Gedeonseck (payable locally) for views of the largest U-shaped loop of the Rhine, or rail travel to riverside towns such as Bacharach or Bingen. Alternatively, take a scenic rail journey beside the Lahn River to Bad Ems and Limburg, or visit Schloss Drachenburg in Königswinter. The Boppard tourist office offers a guided tour of local vineyards. Dinner and drinks available at the hotel this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5railovernight: Boppard
A trip to historic Koblenz
Travel by rail after breakfast to Koblenz for a guided walking tour of the Old Town. Koblenz was established by the Romans at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Highlights include the Deutsches Eck headland, the 'Four Towers' Baroque houses at Münzplatz, and the 12th-century Basilica of St Castor. After the tour, there is free time and the option to take a cable car to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress (payable locally). Return to Boppard at leisure using your VRM Tourist Pass for dinner and drinks.
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6railovernight: Boppard
Journey into the hills on the Vulkan Express
After breakfast, walk into Boppard's historic centre to visit Boppard Castle and its museum, which showcases the town's history and exhibits about furniture maker Michael Thonet. After time to explore independently over lunch, travel by rail along the Rhine to Brohl. Board the historic narrow-gauge Vulkan Express for a scenic journey along the Brohl Valley, viewing picturesque volcanic landscapes on a line opened in 1902. Enjoy a short amount of free time at Engeln station before returning through narrow valleys and over timeless bridges to Brohl, then by train back to Boppard for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7rail
Homeward bound
After the final breakfast together, board the coach to Cologne, then continue to Brussels by rail. In Brussels, switch to the Eurostar for the final leg of the journey back to London St Pancras, arriving this evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 6 nights' 3-star hotel accommodation at Das Ebertor Hotel, Boppard
- Eurostar Standard Class rail travel
- All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
- Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner each day
- Drinks package of beer, wine and soft drinks included with dinner each day in Boppard (7pm–9pm)
- Complimentary VRM Tourist Pass providing entry to many sites and free rail travel within the region
- All guided tours and excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
- Sesselbahn chairlift to Gedeonseck (payable locally)
- Cable car to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress in Koblenz (payable locally)
- Eurostar Plus Class upgrade (available from £110pp each way)
