Great Rail Journeys
Glacier Express & the Majestic Rhine
12 daysfrom $5,074
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise & Rail Tour
Jungfrau Express & the Majestic Rhine
Experience the stunning Swiss Alps with a trip to the 'Top of Europe' on the Jungfrau Express before a seven-night cruise along the magical Rhine.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Basel
By rail to Basel for an overnight stay
Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Paris. Continue by rail to Basel, Switzerland's cultural capital on the Rhine, close to the borders with France and Germany. Check in to the overnight hotel and enjoy the first dinner of the tour.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Interlaken
To Interlaken by rail
After breakfast, travel by rail from Basel to Interlaken, set between lakes Thun and Brienz and surrounded by majestic peaks including the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Settle into the hotel for two nights; explore the town at leisure or relax before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3railovernight: Interlaken
Riding the Jungfrau Railway to the 'Top of Europe'
Board the iconic Jungfrau Express at Kleine Scheidegg for the journey through a tunnel in the Eiger to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest train station. Admire mountain peaks from the Sphinx Observatory, visit the Aletsch Glacier, Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven or the Alpine Sensation exhibition. Return to Interlaken via Grindelwald with time to stroll around before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing)
Boarding our luxurious ship in Basel
Free morning in Interlaken to explore the waterfronts or Höheweg shopping street. After lunch, travel by train to Basel and transfer by coach to board MS Amadeus Amara on the Rhine. Welcome drink, time to explore the ship, then first dinner in the panoramic restaurant. Overnight cruise toward Strasbourg.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing)
Strasbourg and optional excursion into the Black Forest
Sail into Strasbourg. Choice of excursions: a trip into the Black Forest (rolling hills, fairytale villages, dense forests and wildflower meadows) or a tour of Strasbourg including its striking cathedral and the quaint La Petite France UNESCO World Heritage district. Free afternoon to explore Strasbourg independently before returning to the ship for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (Rüdesheim)
Exploring Speyer or Heidelberg
Wake to views of Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities. Option of a guided tour of Heidelberg (picturesque university town with ruined red sandstone castle) or independent exploration of Speyer (beautiful Old Town and UNESCO-listed cathedral). Return to ship for lunch and scenic afternoon cruise past Mainz and Wiesbaden, arriving in Rüdesheim early evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (Koblenz)
From Rüdesheim into the magical Rhine Gorge
Travel through Rüdesheim on a land train. Choice of excursions: wine tasting of finest local varieties or visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet (Europe's largest collection of mechanical instruments). Afternoon sailing through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge with vineyards, hilltop castles and the legendary Lorelei Rock. Arrive in Koblenz with time to explore Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. Dinner onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8railovernight: MS Amadeus Amara (Cologne)
Riding the scenic Drachenfelsbahn and arrival in Cologne
Relaxed morning sailing north from Koblenz; look out for the world's highest cold-water geyser near Andernach. After lunch, dock in Königswinter for a trip on the Drachenfels Cog Railway, passing Drachenburg Castle to the summit with views across Rhine-Westphalia. Continue cruise to Cologne, arriving in the evening. Dinner and overnight in Cologne.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (sailing)
Exploring Cologne and onwards to the Netherlands
Guided tour of Cologne including its squares, Romanesque townhouses and the iconic Gothic cathedral (largest in northern Europe, UNESCO-listed, begun 1248). Time to admire the ornate carvings and stained-glass windows. Return to ship for lunch and set sail toward the Netherlands, enjoying dinner and drinks on an overnight cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 10overnight: MS Amadeus Amara (Amsterdam)
Exploring Amsterdam or Volendam
Sail through the Lower Rhine into the Netherlands. Arrive in Amsterdam early afternoon for a canal sightseeing cruise of the Dutch capital. Optional excursion to Volendam and Edam to discover their cheese heritage and traditional canal-side houses. Gala dinner onboard accompanied by the Dutch sea shanty choir.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 11rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast, disembark and say farewell to the crew. Transfer to the railway station and travel to Brussels to board the Eurostar to London St Pancras, arriving in London this evening.
Meals: Breakfast
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 onboard Wi-Fi
- Eurostar Standard class travel
- Standard class rail travel throughout
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Breakfast and dinner each day on the Jungfrau Express tour portion
- 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)
