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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise

The Rhine Valley in Flames

Eight-day river cruise from London to Paris via Rhine, Eurostar and TGV

Illustration of The Rhine Valley in Flames

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted river cruise, combining rail travel from London and Paris with a seven-night voyage on the luxury Amadeus Cara. You depart London St Pancras aboard Eurostar, cross through Brussels, and join your ship in Cologne, where the Gothic cathedral dominates the skyline. The voyage then carries you upstream along the Rhine, passing through Germany's wine country and medieval towns. On Day 3, you witness the Rhine in Flames, an annual fireworks spectacle illuminating the river near Oberwesel. Day 4 takes you through the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge, where you hear the legend of Lorelei Rock before docking in wine-producing Rüdesheim, where you can choose between a winery tour or a visit to a mechanical music museum. Day 5 offers a guided tour of Heidelberg's red sandstone castle or a sail to Speyer. Throughout, breakfast, lunch and dinner are served onboard, along with evening drinks. On your final excursion day, you can explore the Black Forest or tour Strasbourg's old town and cathedral. The journey concludes with a coach transfer to Strasbourg station and TGV rail back to Paris and London. All rail, coach, meals and excursions are included in the price.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplements are substantial: GBP 3,499 from a GBP 2,299 starting price, roughly 52% above half the double rate
  • Day 5 offers a choice between Heidelberg or Speyer; final hotel destination and excursion depend on your selection
  • Only one departure listed: September 2026; confirm availability and dates with the operator before committing

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne (onboard ship)

    To Cologne where we board our luxurious ship

    Your holiday begins this morning as you arrive at London St Pancras and meet the Tour Manager and travel group, ready to board the Eurostar towards Brussels. Arriving in the Belgian capital, we switch trains and continue our journey to Cologne. The elegant spires of Cologne's UNESCO World Heritage-listed cathedral welcome us to this city on the Rhine. A coach transfer takes us to the waterfront, where we board our luxurious Amadeus ship and settle into our home on the river. Our friendly crew warmly greet us with a welcome cocktail. We gather for our first five-course dinner onboard.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Königswinter (onboard ship)

    Exploring Cologne and riding the Drachenfelsbahn

    After breakfast onboard, we join a leisurely tour of Cologne, wandering through its historic streets and squares. We admire the Romanesque townhouses before visiting the Gothic cathedral. Our tour wraps up with a tasting of Cologne's local beer. Later this morning, we set sail upstream past Bonn. We arrive in the enchanting town of Königswinter this afternoon and journey on the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway, rising high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels castle. Back onboard this evening, we enjoy dinner with a drinks package and an overnight sailing to Königswinter.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Boppard (onboard ship)

    Historic Koblenz and the Rhine in Flames

    Setting sail early this morning, we continue towards Koblenz, where we arrive after breakfast with some free time to explore – discover its Roman past or stroll to Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. We begin sailing again after lunch, pausing in the picturesque town of Boppard. From here, we continue cruising to Oberwesel, where we drop anchor and enjoy dinner before this evening's Rhine in Flames event. Locals and visitors celebrate summer with illuminated boats, fireworks and music along the Rhine river. As the Rhine in Flames comes to an end, we return to Boppard, where we dock for the night.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Rüdesheim (onboard ship)

    The enchanting Rhine Gorge and the wine town of Rüdesheim

    A leisurely start with breakfast and lunch onboard as we sail through the romantic Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We hear the story of the legendary Lorelei Rock. Later this afternoon, we dock in Rüdesheim, where we travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train. Choice of excursions: a winery tour and wine-tasting experience, or a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. Free time to explore the town's cobbled streets before returning to the ship for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Speyer (onboard ship)

    Heidelberg and its red sandstone castle and the city of Speyer

    A relaxed morning sailing along the Rhine with breakfast and lunch on the ship. Early this afternoon, we arrive in Mannheim and continue by coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour including the ruined red sandstone castle. Alternatively, stay onboard and sail to Speyer. Those who visited Heidelberg transfer by coach to Speyer later this afternoon. In Speyer, take in the sights of the historic city and its cathedral at leisure before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Strasbourg (onboard ship)

    A scenic day sailing to Strasbourg

    A full day on the Rhine, cruising to the French city of Strasbourg. Relax onboard in the lounge or on the Sun Deck as we pass diverse landscapes, small riverside towns and deep natural beauty. Breakfast and lunch are served on the ship. We arrive in Strasbourg early this evening, and after dinner, you can experience the city's unique character at leisure – the old town with its timber-framed houses, cobbled streets and iconic Cathedral create a fairytale atmosphere.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Strasbourg (onboard ship)

    The enchanting Black Forest or touring Strasbourg

    On the final full day, you have a choice of two excursions: a trip into the Black Forest – Germany's largest nature park – filled with rolling hills, picturesque villages, dense forests and meadows; or a city tour of Strasbourg, visiting the UNESCO-listed cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district. Following your excursion, lunch is served back on the ship. The rest of the afternoon is yours to discover more of Strasbourg before tonight's special gala dinner onboard.

    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. We say goodbye to our wonderful crew and disembark in Strasbourg. A coach transfer takes us to Strasbourg's railway station, where we catch our train to Paris. Here, we switch trains, continuing to London, where our magnificent Rhine holiday concludes.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Ride the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway from Königswinter to the summit for panoramic views of the Rhine Valley
  • Day 3Witness the Rhine in Flames spectacle: fireworks and illuminated boats lighting the river at Oberwesel
  • Day 4Sail through the romantic Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with castles and vineyards, and hear the legend of Lorelei Rock
  • Day 5Choose between a guided tour of Heidelberg's red sandstone castle and historic Altstadt, or remain onboard for Speyer
  • Day 7Select a Black Forest excursion into rolling hills and picturesque villages, or explore Strasbourg's timber-framed old town and La Petite France

Included

  • Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 7-night cruise on board the Amadeus Cara
  • Five-star service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • First & Standard Class rail options available
  • Eurostar Plus on First Class departures
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise including a 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)
  • A superb choice of excursions

Not included

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

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?
Yes. The price includes Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, TGV from Strasbourg to Paris, and the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway. Rail and coach transfers throughout are also included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the eight days.
What is the ship like?
The Amadeus Cara is a five-star river cruise ship offering complimentary Wi-Fi, first and standard class rail options, all meals including a gala captain's dinner, and a drinks package with dinner each night.
What meals and drinks are included?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included every day of the cruise, plus a drinks package with dinner each night.
When does this tour run?
September 2026 is the only published departure date.
What excursions are available?
Great Rail Journeys includes a choice of wine-tasting or Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet in Rüdesheim, Heidelberg Castle or Speyer on Day 5, and Black Forest or Strasbourg city tour on Day 7. A Cologne city tour with beer tasting is also included.

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