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Leger Holidays · River cruise

Treasures along the Rhine & Moselle by Rail

Nine-day Rhine and Moselle river cruise from Amsterdam to Cologne, including rail

Illustration of Treasures along the Rhine & Moselle by Rail

Leger Holidays' nine-day Treasures along the Rhine and Moselle by Rail combines rail travel from London with river cruising through two of Europe's most scenic valleys. You depart London via Eurostar and connecting train, arriving in Amsterdam on Day 1 to board your ship for eight nights of full-board river travel. Each day the ship moves between historic German cities: Dusseldorf, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Traben-Trarbach, Trier, Cochem, and finally Cologne, with leisurely mornings to explore at your own pace and optional excursions to medieval castles, palaces, and the underground wine cellars of the Moselle. A Cruise Director and Manager accompany you on board, handling all logistics while you wake each morning in a new river port. The pace is relaxed, with two or more nights on the ship between major stops, making this suited to couples, history enthusiasts, and wine lovers who prefer to unpack once and let the river carry them. On Day 9 you return to London by train via Brussels.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 1 requires you to make your own way to London St. Pancras International; Eurostar and connecting trains are included, but the journey from your home to the station is not.
  • Excursions to Sayn Palace, Siegfried's Mechanical Museum, Traben-Trarbach underground, Trier walking tour, and Reichsburg Castle are optional and priced separately.
  • The itinerary includes leisure time in each port but no escorted guided tours of the cities themselves; sightseeing is at your own pace or via optional excursions.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Onboard ship

    Make your own way to London St. Pancras International and board the Eurostar to Amsterdam via Brussels. We then transfer by coach to the ship, where dinner is included this evening.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Onboard ship

    Amsterdam to Dusseldorf

    This morning, enjoy time to explore the quaint cobbled streets of Amsterdam at your own pace. Why not take in the sights and scenery with a guided boat tour around the famous canal network, or visit the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum or impressive Rijksmuseum, before setting sail for Dusseldorf at lunchtime.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Onboard ship

    Dusseldorf to Koblenz

    This morning, we arrive in Dusseldorf, the German city famous for its fashion industry and impressive art scene. Enjoy some time here at leisure or indulge in a spot of retail therapy in the popular shopping area of Konigsallee. Lunch is served onboard the ship and this afternoon we cast off for an overnight sailing to Koblenz.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Onboard ship

    Koblenz to Rudesheim

    We arrive into historic Koblenz, one of the oldest, prettiest and most diverse cities in Germany. This morning, you can join our optional excursion to explore the pristine Sayn Palace with its tranquil butterfly garden. We return to the ship for lunch and begin sailing towards the quaint town of Rudesheim, where we arrive later this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Onboard ship

    Rudesheim to Traben-Trarbach

    Spend the morning at leisure in Rudesheim. Alternatively, join our optional excursion and visit the unique Siegfried's Mechanical Museum, before soaking up the views of the breathtaking Rhine Valley with an exciting cable car ride. We return to the ship for lunch and sail overnight to Traben-Trarbach.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Onboard ship

    Traben-Trarbach to Trier/Schweich

    At the turn of the twentieth century, the town of Traben-Trarbach found itself at the heart of the world wine trade. On our optional excursion this morning, you can head below the streets for a subterranean experience and, of course, a glass of wine. We return to the ship for lunch and sail towards Trier/Schweich, arriving later this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Onboard ship

    Trier/Schweich to Cochem

    This morning, you'll have some free time exploring the ancient Roman city of Trier - one of the oldest cities in Germany. Our optional walking tour offers a fascinating insight into the history and culture of the city, taking in ancient Roman ruins as you go. Later today, we return to the ship for lunch and set sail for Cochem.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Onboard ship

    Cochem to Cologne

    This morning, we arrive in Cochem, an idyllic town set against the stunning backdrop of the Moselle Valley. Dominating the landscape is the 11th-century Reichsburg Castle. Why not join our optional guided tour of the castle and see its newly restored neo-Gothic architecture up close? After lunch, we set sail to Cologne.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9rail

    We bid farewell to our captain and crew this morning. You'll be transferred by coach to Cologne railway station for the journey to Brussels. From here, you'll take the Eurostar back to London St. Pancras International. After arriving in London, you will make your own way home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar from London St. Pancras International through to Amsterdam, then coach transfer to the ship for first dinner on board.
  • Day 2Morning at leisure in Amsterdam to explore the canal network by guided boat tour or visit the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, or Rijksmuseum before setting sail at lunchtime.
  • Day 4Arrive in Koblenz and take an optional excursion to Sayn Palace with its butterfly garden, then sail to Rudesheim.
  • Day 5Optional cable car ride through the Rhine Valley from Rudesheim, with views of fairytale castles and steep vineyard slopes.
  • Day 6Optional underground wine-tasting experience in Traben-Trarbach, sampling local Moselle wines from the historic wine trade centre.
  • Day 7Morning exploring ancient Roman Trier, one of Germany's oldest cities, with an optional guided walking tour through Roman ruins.
  • Day 8Visit Cochem and take an optional guided tour of the eleventh-century Reichsburg Castle overlooking the Moselle Valley.

Included

  • Return Eurostar from London to Brussels
  • Connecting trains outbound from Brussels to Amsterdam and inbound from Cologne to Brussels
  • 8 nights cruising with full board
  • Welcome drink and Captain's Gala Dinner
  • Services of a Cruise Director and Manager on board the ship
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and Wi-Fi on board the ship

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Return Eurostar from London to Brussels, connecting train from Brussels to Amsterdam outbound, and from Cologne to Brussels inbound are all included. The ship handles river transport for eight days.
Is this an escorted tour?
The river cruise is hosted by a Cruise Director and Manager on board the ship. However, you make your own way to London St. Pancras, and in each port city (Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Traben-Trarbach, Trier, Cochem) you have free time to explore at leisure; optional guided excursions are available separately.
What is included in the price?
Return Eurostar and connecting trains, eight nights' full board on the river ship (breakfast, lunch, dinner daily), welcome drink, Captain's Gala Dinner, complimentary tea and coffee on board, Wi-Fi on board, and services of the Cruise Director and Manager.
What type of accommodation?
Eight nights on board the river ship. 2026 sailings use MS Serenade 1; 2027 sailings use MS Swiss Crown, a four-star rated vessel with 141 passenger capacity.
How much walking is involved?
Activity level is listed as Moderate. Days include leisure time in port cities for self-guided exploration, and optional guided tours (castle visits, walking tours of Trier) are available.
When does this trip run?
The operator lists sailings for 2026 and 2027. No specific monthly departures are provided; contact Leger Holidays for current dates.

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