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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · Escorted rail & river cruise

New Year on the Rhine: Mainz, Basel & Rüdesheim

Eight-day Rhine cruise from Cologne to Koblenz, New Year's Eve in Basel

Illustration of New Year on the Rhine: Mainz, Basel & Rüdesheim

Vacations By Rail's New Year on the Rhine combines Eurostar rail travel with a seven-night river cruise aboard MS Amadeus Amara, departing from London and ending in Koblenz. Over eight days, the escorted tour visits Cologne, Mainz, Strasbourg, Basel, Speyer, Heidelberg, and Rudesheim, with all travel, meals, and guided excursions included. Day 4 culminates in a New Year's Eve gala dinner and celebrations in Basel. The itinerary balances structured guided tours (Mainz's Gutenberg Museum and brewery, Strasbourg's cathedral, Basel's Old Town and Minster, Heidelberg Castle) with free time in wine-making Rudesheim and Speyer. Day 5 offers a full-day cruise through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge, where passengers view the Lorelei Rock. This package suits couples and history-lovers who prefer guided comfort and included meals over independent travel, with a Mobility Rating 2 reflecting city walking and stairs in historic centers.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of $2,299 USD does not include Eurostar rail tickets from London to Cologne and return; rail is booked separately
  • The tour is heavily river-cruise focused; rail segments (London to Cologne outbound, Cologne to London return) are a small portion of the journey

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Ship

    Travelling to Cologne where we board our luxurious ship

    Eurostar from London St Pancras via Brussels to Cologne to board the MS Amadeus Amara, with a welcome cocktail and first dinner onboard as the ship sets sail for Mainz.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Ship

    Guided tour of Mainz and afternoon brewery visit

    Walking tour of Mainz including the Gutenberg Museum, followed by a brewery tour and tasting.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Ship

    A day taking in the sights of Strasbourg

    Guided tour of Strasbourg's cathedral and Place Kleber, with free time to explore Petite France and Parc de l'Orangerie.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Ship

    Morning sightseeing and New Year celebrations in Basel

    Guided tour of Basel's Old Town, Town Hall and Basel Minster, followed by a New Year's Eve gala dinner and celebrations onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Ship

    New Year's cruise along the breathtaking Rhine

    A relaxing full day cruising the Rhine, with onboard festive activities including a gingerbread-making session and traditional afternoon tea.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship

    The historic cities of Speyer and Heidelberg

    Free time in Speyer, then a guided tour of Heidelberg including Heidelberg Castle and the Karl Theodor Bridge.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    Rudesheim and sailing the picturesque Rhine Gorge to Koblenz

    Free time in the wine-making town of Rudesheim, then sailing through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge past the Lorelei Rock to Koblenz.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    Disembark in Cologne, continue by rail to Brussels and Eurostar to London St Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board MS Amadeus Amara in Cologne and depart with a welcome cocktail and first dinner as the ship sails toward Mainz
  • Day 2Guided walking tour of Mainz including the Gutenberg Museum, followed by a brewery tour and tasting
  • Day 4Guided tour of Basel's Old Town, Town Hall, and Basel Minster, then celebrate New Year's Eve with a gala dinner and festivities onboard
  • Day 5Full day cruising the Rhine with onboard New Year activities including a gingerbread-making session and traditional afternoon tea
  • Day 7Sail through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge past the Lorelei Rock to Koblenz

Included

  • Escorted throughout by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Amara
  • Five-Star service onboard from our English-speaking crew
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • 1st & Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
  • A superb choice of excursions

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Eurostar from London St Pancras to Cologne and return, plus local rail between Cologne and London, are booked separately. All other transport (coach and cruise) is included.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the eight days.
What is included in the price?
The seven-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Amara, all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), drinks with dinner each night, guided excursions, onboard Wi-Fi, and all local rail and coach travel within the itinerary.
When does this tour run?
This is a New Year's Eve tour. The itinerary is tailored for late December departures, with the gala dinner and celebrations in Basel on Day 4.
What is the activity level?
Mobility Rating 2: guided city walking tours, some stairs in historic town centers, free time for self-exploration, and time spent onboard the cruise ship.
How many nights are spent onboard?
All seven nights are spent onboard the MS Amadeus Amara. Passengers disembark in Cologne on Day 8.

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