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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Rhine Valley in Flames: Koblenz & the Moselle

Seven-night Rhine and Moselle cruise from Strasbourg to Cologne

Illustration of Rhine Valley in Flames: Koblenz & the Moselle

Vacations By Rail's Rhine Valley in Flames is an eight-day escorted river cruise from Strasbourg to Cologne that centers on one of Europe's most spectacular seasonal events. Traveling by Eurostar from London, you board the MS Amadeus Cara in Strasbourg for a seven-night journey downstream along the Rhine and Moselle. The tour reaches its climax on Day 3 when the ship participates in the Rhine in Flames festival in Koblenz, an evening of fireworks and illuminated boats on the river. Between festival and journey's end, you visit charming riverside towns including Rüdesheim, Cochem, and Bernkastel-Kues, each with a guided excursion and a Moselle wine tasting included. On Day 7 you ride the Drachenfelsbahn, a cog railway that climbs to the Drachenfels plateau overlooking the Rhine. All meals, drinks with dinner, and a Tour Manager team are included throughout. The pace is relaxed, with multiple nights in the same berth and two days offering a choice of guided options, making this tour suitable for couples and travelers seeking guided comfort with cultural and wine-focused experiences.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price does not include flights, airport transfers, or cancellation insurance; rail fares between London and Strasbourg are covered via Eurostar and connecting trains.
  • On Days 2 and 6, the guided excursions are choices (Strasbourg or Colmar; Trier or Luxembourg); unguided leisure time fills the remaining afternoon.
  • Accommodation is shipboard on the MS Amadeus Cara throughout; no hotel check-ins or variations.

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, Eurostar to Paris, train to Strasbourg, then board the MS Amadeus Cara with a welcome cocktail and first dinner onboard.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: aboard ship, Strasbourg

    Picturesque Strasbourg or charming Colmar

    Choice of a city tour of Strasbourg or an excursion to Colmar. Lunch onboard, afternoon at leisure in Strasbourg.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: aboard ship, Koblenz

    Rüdesheim and the magical Rhine in Flames

    Land train through vineyards into Rüdesheim, with a choice of wine-tasting or Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. Cruise to Koblenz, exploring Deutsches Eck and the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, then the Rhine in Flames fireworks and boat procession this evening in Koblenz.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: aboard ship, Cochem

    An enchanting day in Cochem

    Morning cruising toward Cochem, then a guided tour of the Old Town beneath Reichsburg Castle with a Moselle wine tasting.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: aboard ship, Bernkastel-Kues

    A tour and wine-tasting in Bernkastel-Kues

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

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: aboard ship, sailing along the Moselle

    The ancient city of Trier or Luxembourg

    Choice of a guided tour of Trier (Porta Nigra, St Peter's Cathedral, Church of Our Lady) or an excursion to Luxembourg's UNESCO-listed Old Town. Afternoon sailing downstream along the Moselle.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: aboard ship, Cologne

    A historic journey on the Drachenfelsbahn

    Arrive in Königswinter for the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway to the Drachenfels plateau, passing Schloss Drachenburg. Continue cruising to Cologne, with time to explore the Old Town after dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Traveling home

    Disembark after breakfast in Cologne, train to Brussels, then on to London St Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then train onward to Strasbourg, boarding the MS Amadeus Cara with a welcome cocktail.
  • Day 3The Rhine in Flames fireworks and boat procession in Koblenz, with the ship decorated as part of the festival.
  • Day 5Guided tour of Bernkastel-Kues Old Town and Market Square, followed by a Bernkasteler Doctor wine tasting.
  • Day 7The Drachenfelsbahn cog railway climbs to the Drachenfels plateau, passing Schloss Drachenburg.

Included

  • Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • First and Standard Class rail options available
  • 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
  • Superb excursions included

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

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 in the price?
Yes. Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, the train to Strasbourg, a land train through vineyards in Rüdesheim, the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway, and return rail to London are all included. First and Standard Class options are available.
Who runs this tour and what is included?
Vacations By Rail operates it as an escorted eight-day tour. The price covers a seven-night cruise on MS Amadeus Cara, all rail and coach travel, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, a drinks package with dinner each night, Wi-Fi onboard, and superb excursions. A Tour Manager and Cruise Director team guide you throughout.
What is the Rhine in Flames and when does it happen?
The Rhine in Flames is a spectacle of fireworks and a boat procession celebrated on the Rhine near Koblenz. This tour is scheduled so that you experience it on Day 3 as part of your cruise.
What excursions and wine tastings are included?
Included are guided tours with wine tastings in Bernkastel-Kues (Bernkasteler Doctor) and Cochem (Moselle wine), a choice between Strasbourg city tour or Colmar excursion on Day 2, a choice between Trier or Luxembourg on Day 6, and the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway on Day 7.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
The tour is rated Mobility Level 2, involving city walking tours, stairs, and luggage handling at transitions between coach and ship.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, and cancellation and travel insurance are not included. Insurance can be arranged through Vacations By Rail.

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