Great Rail Journeys
First-Class Carcassonne, Châteaux & Vineyards
First Class rail escorted tour based in Carcassonne, France
7 daysfrom $2,269
29% rail
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise
Treasures of the Rhine
Discover the beautiful Rhine valley on our brand new carefully planned itinerary featuring daytime sailing and time at leisure for personal exploration.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: MS Amadeus Cara (Cologne)
To Cologne where we board our luxurious ship
Your holiday begins this morning as we meet at London St Pancras before boarding the Eurostar. In Cologne, we board our ship, the Amadeus Cara, and settle into our home on the river. Our friendly crew greet us with a welcome cocktail as we get ready to immerse ourselves in the wonders of the Rhine. We then gather for our first dinner onboard, savouring the beginning of our cruise experience.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: MS Amadeus Cara
Exploring Cologne
After breakfast, we enjoy a leisurely tour of Cologne. After admiring the Romanesque townhouses, we visit the city's impressive Gothic cathedral - the largest in northern Europe. Later this morning, we set off on our first sail. Drifting upstream past Bonn, we arrive in the town of Königswinter. Here, we journey on the Drachenfelsbahn railway, a cog railway that rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels castle. Wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany are revealed as we climb higher. We then head back to our cruise ship for dinner onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 3overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Boppard)
Picturesque Koblenz and quaint Boppard
There's time at leisure this morning to explore Koblenz, once a Roman stronghold. We recommend strolling to Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. We then begin sailing again after lunch, arriving in the picturesque town of Boppard later this afternoon. There's time at leisure for exploration before dinner. As you wander the cobblestone streets you'll find the town's Roman legacy echoes through its architecture. If you're up for adventure, take the chairlift up to the Vier Seen Blick (Four Lakes Viewpoint).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4railovernight: MS Amadeus Cara (Rüdesheim)
Through the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
The morning is spent leisurely onboard, sailing through the romantic Rhine Gorge - a UNESCO World Heritage site. The riverbanks plunge deeper here, and we wind around bends surrounded by endless miles of green vineyards, ancient castles, and picturesque riverside towns. We hear the fascinating story of the legendary Lorelei Rock. After lunch, we dock in Rüdesheim where we travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train. Here there's a choice of excursions: a wine tasting or a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. After dinner there's time to explore the town's cobbled streets and the Drosselgasse alley.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Speyer/Mannheim area)
Discovering Heidelberg and Speyer
After a morning of relaxed cruising and lunch onboard, we arrive in the city of Mannheim. From here we journey by coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour including a visit to the magnificent ruined red sandstone castle that towers over the city. Alternatively, you could stay on board and later take in the sights of the historic German city of Speyer and its famous cathedral at leisure before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Strasbourg)
Expert wine talk en route to Strasbourg
Today, we enjoy a full day cruise to the French city of Strasbourg. Relax onboard as we pass diverse landscapes and natural beauty along the Rhine. As we sail, we are joined by Master of Wine Conal Gregory, who delivers an informative talk about wines of the Alsace, Rhine and Moselle, followed by a tasting with food pairing advice. This evening, you can disembark to uncover Strasbourg's unique character at leisure, discovering timber-framed houses, cobbled streets and the iconic cathedral.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Cara (Strasbourg)
The enchanting Black Forest or striking Strasbourg
After breakfast, you have a choice of two excursions: a trip into the Black Forest to witness fairytale panoramas and learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region, or a city tour of Strasbourg visiting the UNESCO-listed cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district. Following your excursion, we return to our ship for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to discover more of Strasbourg.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew. We head to the railway station and catch our train to London where we say goodbye. As you make your way home, look back on the moments shared along the Rhine - amazing views in Koblenz and Boppard, the fairytale scenes along the Rhine Gorge, timeless culture in Rüdesheim, and renowned architecture in Heidelberg, Speyer and Strasbourg.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Escort throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
- 7-night cruise onboard 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)
- A superb choice of excursions
- Eurostar from London St Pancras
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
Also sold by
The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.
- Vacations By Railfrom $2,499
