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Great Rail Journeys · River cruise

Rhine Valley in Flames: St Goar

Seven-night Rhine river cruise from London to Paris with Rhine in Flames spectacle

Illustration of Rhine Valley in Flames: St Goar

Great Rail Journeys offers this eight-day escorted journey combining rail travel and a seven-night luxury cruise aboard the five-star MS Amadeus Cara. Departing from London via Eurostar and Brussels, travellers board the ship in Cologne and cruise the Rhine through four countries to Strasbourg, then return to London by train. The trip culminates at St Goar with a front-row view of the Rhine in Flames, an illuminated boat procession and fireworks display. Days include guided exploration of Cologne's Gothic cathedral and Old Town, a cog railway ascent to Drachenfels Castle, free time in the medieval towns of Koblenz and Boppard, and a choice of excursions to Heidelberg Castle, Speyer Cathedral, or the Black Forest. All meals, drinks, excursions and rail fares are included. This suits repeat rail travellers seeking luxury escorted comfort, couples, and history lovers drawn to Rhine Valley castles and cathedrals.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has fallen £500 since 4 Jul, to £2,799.

£3,299£2,7994 Jul12 Sep

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single-supplement price (GBP 4,499) is significantly higher than half the double-cabin price; confirm cabin sharing policies or expect premium surcharge.
  • Day 8 involves early departure from Strasbourg and full-day train travel back to London; confirm TGV and rail connections before booking.
  • Only one confirmed departure listed for September 2027; check Great Rail Journeys website for additional dates.

Day by day

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

    To Cologne, where we board our luxurious ship

    Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Brussels, switching trains to continue to Cologne. Coach transfer to the waterfront to board the ship, greeted with a cocktail, before the first dinner onboard.

  2. Day 2railovernight: MS Amadeus Cara (sailing overnight toward Koblenz)

    Cologne sightseeing and the Drachenfels Railway

    A guided sightseeing tour of Cologne's Old Town and Gothic cathedral, followed by a beer tasting. Lunch onboard while cruising toward Königswinter for the Drachenfels Cog Railway, passing Drachenfels Castle for views over the Rhine-Westphalia region. Dinner onboard, cruising overnight toward Koblenz.

  3. Day 3overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (St Goar)

    Picturesque Koblenz and the magical Rhine in Flames

    Free time to explore Koblenz, including the Deutsches Eck and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. After lunch, sail to Boppard for free time, then continue to St Goar for the Rhine in Flames - a procession of illuminated boats, fireworks and music, viewed from the decorated ship after dinner.

  4. Day 4railovernight: MS Amadeus Cara (Rüdesheim)

    Through the breathtaking Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim

    A leisurely morning cruising through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, passing vineyards, castles and the Lorelei Rock. Dock in Rüdesheim after lunch, travel by land train to the town centre, with free time along the Drosselgasse and a choice of wine tasting or Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet.

  5. Day 5overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Speyer)

    Discovering Heidelberg or the city of Speyer

    A leisurely morning cruising to Mannheim, then a choice of a guided tour of Heidelberg's Old Town and castle ruins, or remaining onboard to continue to Speyer to see its cathedral and old city. Those visiting Heidelberg rejoin the ship in Speyer for dinner.

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Strasbourg)

    A scenic day sailing to Strasbourg

    A day of leisurely cruising along the Rhine past vineyard-covered hillsides and riverside towns, arriving in Strasbourg in the afternoon. Dinner onboard, with time to step ashore and experience the city in the evening.

  7. Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Strasbourg)

    Exploring the enchanting Black Forest or Strasbourg

    A choice of excursions from Strasbourg: a guided tour of the Black Forest, or a city tour of Strasbourg including its UNESCO-listed cathedral and La Petite France district. Return to the ship for lunch, with the afternoon free before the special gala dinner.

  8. Day 8rail

    Traveling home

    Disembark in Strasbourg after breakfast and transfer by coach to the railway station, catching a train to Paris and continuing on to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Ride the Drachenfels Cog Railway from Königswinter through forests past Drachenfels Castle with views across the Rhine-Westphalia region.
  • Day 3Watch the Rhine in Flames illuminated boat procession and fireworks display from St Goar aboard the MS Amadeus Cara.
  • Day 4Cruise through the Rhine Gorge past vineyards, ancient castles and riverside towns; hear the legend of Lorelei Rock.
  • Day 5Choose between a guided tour of Heidelberg's Old Town and castle ruins or a visit to Speyer Cathedral in Germany's oldest city.
  • Day 7Choose a guided tour of the Black Forest's nature park or explore Strasbourg's UNESCO-listed cathedral and La Petite France district.

Included

  • Escorted throughout your tour by an experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara
  • Five-Star service onboard
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • First & Standard Class rail options available
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of your cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
  • Complimentary luggage service from your home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
  • Superb excursions included

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour

Also sold by

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

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?
From £2,799 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,781 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
What is the ship and what are the cabin arrangements?
The cruise operates aboard MS Amadeus Cara, a five-star river cruise ship. Cabins are included for seven nights. A complimentary luggage service transports one case per cabin from home to the ship and back.
What meals are included?
All breakfast, lunch and dinner are included each day of the cruise. A complimentary drinks package is included with dinner every night, and a spectacular gala dinner is served on the final evening.
Are the excursions guided or independent?
All excursions are included. Cologne receives a guided sightseeing tour and beer tasting. Day 5 offers a choice between guided tours of Heidelberg or Speyer. Day 7 offers a guided Black Forest tour or a guided Strasbourg city tour. Other stops allow free time to explore independently.
Who is the operator and is this escorted?
Great Rail Journeys operates this tour. It is escorted throughout by an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team.
When does this trip depart?
One departure is confirmed for September 2027. Optional London hotel stays before or after the tour are available, and flexible UK rail connections from local stations to join the tour can be arranged.

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