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Leger Holidays · Escorted tour

Little Trains of the Romantic Rhine Valley

Seven-day Rhine Valley escorted tour from Osterspai on two heritage railways.

Illustration of Little Trains of the Romantic Rhine Valley

Leger Holidays' 'Little Trains of the Romantic Rhine Valley' is a seven-day fully escorted tour based in Osterspai, a Rhineland town on the Rhine River, with coach transport to and from Belgium bookends. The itinerary balances heritage railway excursions, river cruising, and cultural visits over a relaxed week. Day 3 takes you aboard the Hunsrückbahn, one of Germany's steepest railway lines opened in 1908, climbing 336 metres from Boppard to Emmelshausen before heading to the wine town of Cochem. Day 4 features the narrow-gauge Vulkan Express scaling 400 metres between the Rhine and the Eifel, followed by a guided brewery tour and abbey visit. Day 5 includes a Rhine river cruise from Boppard to St. Goar, passing wine villages and castles. The tour suits guided-comfort travellers, repeat rail enthusiasts, couples, and history lovers seeking a structured introduction to the Rhine Valley's scenic and architectural heritage, with four evening meals and hotel breakfast included.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 1 overnight is in the Brussels area with no hotel name given; confirm the exact location and journey time with Leger Holidays before booking.
  • The itinerary includes two coach segments: UK to Brussels and Brussels to the Rhine Valley base. Rail comprises two heritage excursions and one river cruise, not continuous train travel.
  • Only four evening meals are included; other dinners are not provided.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Brussels area (unnamed)

    Travel to the overnight hotel in the Brussels area.

  2. Day 2overnight: Osterspai, Germany

    Koblenz

    We continue into Germany and visit Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, with free time to stroll the old town.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Osterspai, Germany

    Hunsrück Railway & Cochem

    Included excursion on the Hunsrückbahn (opened 1908), one of the steepest railway lines in Germany, climbing 336 metres over 8.5 kilometres from Boppard to Emmelshausen, then on to the wine town of Cochem.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Osterspai, Germany

    Vulkan Express, Mendig Volcano Brewery & Maria Laach Abbey

    We pass Lake Laach to Mendig, where the narrow-gauge Vulkan Express climbs over 400 metres between the Rhine and the Eifel, followed by a guided brewery tour at Mendig and a visit to Maria Laach Abbey.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Osterspai, Germany

    Boppard, Rhine River Cruise & St. Goar

    We travel to Boppard, then take a cruise to St. Goar in the Loreley Valley, continuing past Oberwesel and Bacharach to Bingen.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Brussels area (unnamed)

    Cologne

    We visit Cologne, home to Cologne Cathedral, then continue to our overnight hotel in the Brussels area.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7

    Return home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: The Hunsrückbahn, one of Germany's steepest railway lines opened in 1908, climbs 336 metres over 8.5 kilometres from Boppard to Emmelshausen.
  • Day 4Day 4: The narrow-gauge Vulkan Express climbs over 400 metres between the Rhine and the Eifel, followed by a guided tour of Mendig Volcano Brewery.
  • Day 5Day 5: A Rhine river cruise departs Boppard for St. Goar in the Loreley Valley, passing the wine villages of Oberwesel and Bacharach.

Included

  • 6 nights hotel with continental breakfast
  • 4 evening meals
  • Convenient local joining points

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Leger Holidays includes two heritage railway excursions: the Hunsrückbahn from Boppard to Emmelshausen and the narrow-gauge Vulkan Express in the Eifel. A Rhine river cruise is also included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Fully escorted. Leger Holidays provides coach transport, a hotel base, guided visits, and included meals throughout.
What is included in the price?
Six nights hotel accommodation with continental breakfast, four evening meals, and included excursions on the Hunsrückbahn and Vulkan Express, a brewery tour at Mendig, a visit to Maria Laach Abbey, and a Rhine river cruise.
Which hotel will I stay in?
The itinerary specifies four nights at the Lindenhof Hotel in Osterspai, Germany, a three-star hotel. The first and sixth nights are in the Brussels area; Leger Holidays has not published the hotel name.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate. Days include strolling old towns in Koblenz and Cologne, a guided brewery tour, and visits to Maria Laach Abbey and Cologne Cathedral. The heritage railway excursions involve boarding and disembarking trains.
When does the tour run?
Leger Holidays has not published specific departure dates in the evidence provided; confirm availability and dates directly with the operator.

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