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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise

Rhine Valley in Flames: Oberwesel & the Moselle

Eight-day Rhine and Moselle river cruise from London to Brussels with Rhine in Flames

Illustration of Rhine Valley in Flames: Oberwesel & the Moselle

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted cruise combining rail travel and river cruising from London to Brussels. You depart London by Eurostar, cross France by TGV to Strasbourg, then board the five-star MS Amadeus Cara for a seven-night sailing through the Rhine Gorge and Moselle Valley. The itinerary is timed to showcase the Rhine in Flames, an annual fireworks and illuminations spectacle at Oberwesel on the evening of Day 3. Along the way you explore Alsatian towns by choice excursion, ride the Winzerexpress land train through Rüdesheim vineyards, enjoy a wine tasting in Bernkastel-Kues, visit medieval Cochem and Germany's oldest city Trier (or Luxembourg), and ascend the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway near Cologne. All meals, wine at dinner, guided tours, and rail fares are included. The tour suits luxury-focused couples and groups interested in river scenery, wine, history, and guided comfort without luggage hassle.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is GBP 1,200 (USD 1,600), which is 36 percent above half the double-occupancy price
  • Only one departure is listed: September 2027
  • Strasbourg and Colmar excursions on Day 2, and Trier and Luxembourg excursions on Day 6, are choices; not all destinations are visited

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: MS Amadeus Cara (Strasbourg)

    To Strasbourg, where we board our luxurious ship

    Your cruise holiday begins this morning as you arrive at London St Pancras and meet the Tour Manager, ready to board the Eurostar to Paris. Reaching the French capital, we switch trains and continue our journey to Strasbourg. As our train arrives, a coach transfer takes us to the waterfront, where we board our luxurious ship and settle into our new home on the river. Our friendly crew greets us with a welcome cocktail as we get ready to immerse ourselves in the wonders of the Rhine. Take time to get acquainted with the ship before we gather for our first five-course dinner onboard, savouring the beginning of our cruise.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (en route to Rüdesheim)

    Alsatian charm in Colmar and Strasbourg

    After breakfast onboard, you have a choice of two excursions. You can take a trip to Colmar, a picturesque Alsatian town with fairytale charm. Stroll through cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses and pretty flowers. Explore the historic Old Town's maze of narrow alleys, discover quaint cafes and local markets, and gaze at architectural landmarks like the Maison Pfister. Alternatively, you might like to stay in Strasbourg for a guided tour, taking in the blend of French and German culture amongst the cobblestone streets and canals. Wandering the city's medieval alleys, marvel at the architecture of the iconic Notre Dame cathedral and explore the charming district of La Petite France. After your excursion, we enjoy lunch on the ship, and the afternoon is free to explore Strasbourg at your own pace. In the evening, we set sail on our first cruise towards the town of Rüdesheim.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: MS Amadeus Cara (Koblenz)

    Exploring Rüdesheim & Rhine in Flames event at Oberwesel

    Today brings one of the tour's highlights: the incredible Rhine in Flames. This breathtaking display of colours, lights and sounds is a highly anticipated annual event, and we bear witness this evening. In the meantime, we enjoy breakfast on our ship before boarding the Winzerexpress, a charming land train that takes us through steeped vineyards to the centre of Rüdesheim. In this picturesque German wine town, you have a choice of excursions: a winery tour and wine-tasting experience, or a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet to see Europe's largest collection of finely tuned mechanical instruments. We return to the ship for lunch and enjoy a free afternoon to explore Rüdesheim. In the evening, we gather for dinner onboard as we cruise towards Oberwesel, where we drop anchor for the Rhine in Flames event. Locals and visitors alike celebrate summer with illuminated boats, fireworks and music along the Rhine. As the Rhine in Flames comes to an end, we continue to Koblenz, where we dock for the night.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Cochem)

    Sailing along the Moselle and exploring Cochem

    We spend the morning cruising through river scenery. You could enjoy a drink as you step out onto the deck to witness the passing views as our ship continues its journey along the river. Sailing into the port of Cochem, we enjoy lunch before heading into the city on a guided tour. The Moselle Valley surrounds us with rolling hills, wooden houses and the majestic Reichsburg castle perched on top of a hill. The town itself is a maze of slender alleys adorned with pastel-coloured buildings, quaint boutiques and wine cellars. In the Old Town, you'll find well-preserved sections of the ancient town walls and an arts centre in a former monastery. After the tour, we return to our ship for dinner and drinks.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Bernkastel-Kues)

    A tour and wine tasting in Bernkastel-Kues

    Enjoy the scenery of the Moselle Valley this morning as we continue our cruise. The town of Bernkastel-Kues unfolds as we moor here after lunch. The vineyards of the valley climb up the hillsides, while half-timbered houses with blooming flowers add to the enchanting atmosphere. Setting out with our knowledgeable guide, we visit the Old Town, where the cobblestone streets are lined with traditional German buildings with half-timbered facades. We also experience the Market Square, a focal point of the town surrounded by colourful buildings. A highlight here is St Michael's Fountain, a Renaissance-style fountain adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. We also enjoy an included wine tasting to sample the local Bernkasteler Doctor speciality. After our day of exploration, we return to the ship for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (en route to Koblenz)

    The ancient city of Trier or fairytale Luxembourg

    Waking to views of historic Trier, you have a choice between two excursions this morning. The first option is to explore Germany's oldest city with a local guide. The ancient streets are known for their Roman ruins, medieval buildings and Baroque churches. Visit the immense Porta Nigra which guards the entrance to the north of the city, St Peter's Cathedral with its intricate stone carvings and stained glass windows, and the Church of Our Lady, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Alternatively, you could board the coach to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. One of the smallest countries in the world, Luxembourg is easy to explore, and you can immerse yourself in the local history and attractions. We spend our evening onboard enjoying a spectacular gala dinner, before we set sail downstream along the meandering Moselle towards Koblenz.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: MS Amadeus Cara (Cologne)

    The Drachenfelsbahn and cultural Cologne

    After a morning of relaxed cruising, we arrive in Königswinter on the Rhine, and the Drachenfelsbahn awaits. This cog railway rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels castle - whose name translates as 'Dragon's Rock', inspiring many of the dragon-related legends still told today. We experience wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany as we climb higher. Back onboard later this afternoon, we continue our cruise towards Cologne. As we approach the striking city, admire the bridges that span the river and the imposing Cathedral. You could visit the Old Town after dinner to sample the local hospitality and the famous Kolsch beer. After our day of exploration, we return to the ship for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound

    Having sailed to some of the Rhine's most impressive destinations and witnessed the spectacular Rhine in Flames event, our cruise draws to a close this morning with an early breakfast on the ship. Afterwards, we say goodbye to our wonderful crew and disembark for the final time in Cologne. A coach transfer takes us to Cologne's railway station, where we catch our train to Brussels. Here, we switch trains, continuing to London, where our memorable Rhine holiday concludes.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: Watch the Rhine in Flames, the annual fireworks and illuminations event at Oberwesel, from the ship
  • Day 3Day 3: Ride the Winzerexpress land train through Rüdesheim vineyards to the town centre
  • Day 4Day 4: Guided tour of Cochem with views of Reichsburg castle overlooking the Moselle Valley
  • Day 7Day 7: Ascend the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway from Königswinter, passing Drachenfels castle and offering views across the Rhine-Westphalia region

Included

  • Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara
  • Five-star service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • First & Standard Class rail options available
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise
  • 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)
  • All excursions included
  • Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris
  • TGV from Paris to Strasbourg
  • Winzerexpress land train in Rüdesheim
  • Drachenfelsbahn cog railway experience
  • Welcome cocktail on boarding

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Tips/gratuities (at guest's discretion)

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Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, TGV from Paris to Strasbourg, the Winzerexpress land train in Rüdesheim, the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway, and Intercity Rail from Cologne to Brussels. First and Standard Class rail options are available.
Is this trip escorted?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the eight days.
What is included in the price?
The package includes seven nights aboard the five-star MS Amadeus Cara, breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day, wine with dinner every night, all guided excursions, the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway, the Winzerexpress land train, Wi-Fi, a welcome cocktail, and complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back.
Which hotel does the tour use?
The cruise is aboard MS Amadeus Cara, the five-star river ship. There are no hotels; you sleep on the ship each night.
What is the main event on this tour?
The Rhine in Flames, an annual fireworks and illuminations event, takes place on the evening of Day 3 at Oberwesel. Great Rail Journeys times the cruise to coincide with this celebration.
How much walking is involved?
Days include guided walking tours in Cochem, Bernkastel-Kues, Trier, and Cologne. Most days involve morning or afternoon excursions from the ship; some days are relaxed cruising with optional onboard activities. The cog railway ascent on Day 7 involves riding rather than walking.

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