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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Rhine in Flames & Moselle

Eight-day Rhine and Moselle river cruise from Strasbourg to Cologne with wine tastings.

Illustration of Rhine in Flames & Moselle

Vacations By Rail operates this eight-day escorted river cruise that departs London via Eurostar for Paris, then continues to Strasbourg to board the MS Amadeus Cara luxury cruise ship. Over seven nights, the ship sails the Rhine and Moselle rivers, ending in Cologne. The itinerary balances time aboard ship with guided walking tours in riverside towns. Day 2 offers a choice between a Colmar or Strasbourg guided excursion; Day 3 features participation in the Rhine in Flames fireworks spectacle watched from the decorated ship sailing past illuminated castles. Day 4 brings Cochem and its medieval old town beneath Reichsburg Castle; Day 5 includes a tasting of Bernkasteler Doctor wine in Bernkastel-Kues, known for vineyard-covered hillsides; Day 6 offers either a UNESCO-listed Trier tour or a Luxembourg excursion. The Drachenfels Railway cog train on Day 7 carries passengers to a summit overlooking the Rhine near Cologne. All three daily meals, drinks at dinner, Wi-Fi, and guided tours are included. This tour suits couples seeking wine and culture, luxury-focused travellers, and those who prefer structured escorted travel with both river scenery and historic towns.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price (£2,799 USD) does not include Eurostar rail from London St Pancras; rail travel is booked separately or through Vacations By Rail.
  • Day 2, Day 6, and excursion options (Colmar or Strasbourg; Trier or Luxembourg) mean some guided activities are choices rather than all guests doing the same thing.
  • The itinerary includes coach transfers and local train segments (Rüdesheim vineyard train, Drachenfels Railway) in addition to the main river cruise.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: aboard ship, Strasbourg

    To Strasbourg, where we board our luxurious ship

    Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras, board the Eurostar to Paris, switch trains to Strasbourg, then coach transfer to the ship (MS Amadeus Cara) with a welcome cocktail and first dinner onboard.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: aboard ship, sailing to Rüdesheim

    The charms of the Alsace region in Colmar and Strasbourg

    Choice of a guided excursion to Colmar or a guided tour of Strasbourg. Lunch onboard, afternoon at leisure in Strasbourg, then sail toward Rüdesheim.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: aboard ship, Koblenz

    Experiencing Rüdesheim and the Rhine in Flames

    Land train through vineyards into Rüdesheim, with a choice of wine-tasting or Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet, and free time to see the Drosselgasse Alley. Sail to St. Goar for the Rhine in Flames fireworks and boat procession, then dock overnight in Koblenz.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: aboard ship, Cochem

    To Cochem - the heart of the Moselle wine trade

    Morning cruising the Moselle River, arriving in Cochem for a guided tour of the Old Town beneath Reichsburg Castle.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: aboard ship, sailing toward Trier

    A taste of Bernkastel-Kues

    Cruise the Moselle Valley to Bernkastel-Kues for a guided sightseeing tour of the Old Town, Market Square and St. Michael's Fountain, with an included tasting of Bernkasteler Doctor wine.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: aboard ship, sailing to Koblenz

    The ancient city of Trier or fairytale Luxembourg

    Choice of a guided tour of Trier (Porta Nigra, St. Peter's Cathedral, Church of Our Lady) or an excursion to Luxembourg. Afternoon sailing along the Moselle toward Koblenz.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: aboard ship, Cologne

    The Drachenfels Railway and Cologne

    Arrive in Königswinter for the Drachenfels Railway cog railway to the summit, passing Drachenfels Castle. Cruise on to Cologne with a captain's Gala dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Tour conclusion

    Disembark after breakfast in Cologne, train to Brussels, then Eurostar to London.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Board the Rhine in Flames boat procession at St. Goar to watch fireworks illuminate the Rhine Valley and its hilltop castles from aboard the ship.
  • Day 5Visit Bernkastel-Kues for a guided tour of the Old Town Market Square and taste Bernkasteler Doctor wine, a local varietal grown on steep Moselle Valley vineyards.
  • Day 7Ride the Drachenfels Railway cog train to the summit above Königswinter, passing ruins of Drachenfels Castle, then cruise to Cologne for a captain's gala dinner.

Included

  • Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara
  • 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
  • Eurostar Plus
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of your cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
  • A superb choice of excursions

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included in the price?
The from-price covers the seven-night cruise, all meals, drinks at dinner, and guided excursions. Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris and onward rail to Strasbourg are either booked separately or arranged through Vacations By Rail; confirm with the operator whether rail is included in your final quote.
What trains are featured on this tour?
Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, a TGV leg to Strasbourg, a land train through vineyards in Rüdesheim, and the Drachenfels Railway cog railway to a castle summit above Königswinter.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is fully escorted. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager and Cruise Director throughout the eight days, and all major stops include guided excursions.
What meals and drinks are included?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day aboard the MS Amadeus Cara, plus a drinks package with dinner every night, including a captain's gala dinner on the final night.
When does the Rhine in Flames happen?
The tour does not specify exact dates. Rhine in Flames is an annual July and September riverside fireworks event in the Rhine Valley. Contact Vacations By Rail to confirm which departure dates align with the fireworks display.
How much walking is involved?
Days include guided walking tours through old town centres in Cochem, Bernkastel-Kues, and Trier, as well as a cog railway ascent at Drachenfels. Excursion choices in Colmar/Strasbourg and Trier/Luxembourg allow some flexibility in activity level.

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