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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise

Treasures of the Rhine

Eight-day Rhine river cruise from London via Cologne to Strasbourg

Illustration of Treasures of the Rhine

Treasures of the Rhine is an eight-day escorted river cruise run by Great Rail Journeys, departing London St Pancras via Eurostar and traveling the Rhine from Cologne to Strasbourg. You spend seven nights aboard MS Amadeus Cara, a five-star river ship, with all meals, drinks, and most excursions included. The itinerary balances guided experiences and leisure time: you tour Cologne's Gothic cathedral and Heidelberg's ruined castle, ride the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway at Königswinter, and sail through the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge past vineyards and castles. A Master of Wine joins on Day 6 to discuss and taste wines of the Alsace and Rhine Valley. The pace is easy, with most days allowing unhurried exploration of historic towns. This cruise suits wine enthusiasts, couples seeking a relaxed getaway, and history lovers interested in German and French heritage.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is high: from GBP 3,099 versus GBP 1,899 per person (nearly double the per-person rate).
  • Day 5 offers a choice of excursions (Heidelberg or Speyer); your final experience depends on which you select.
  • Cancellation and Travel Insurance are not included and must be purchased separately.

Day by day

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Ride the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway from Königswinter upward through forests to panoramic Rhine Valley views.
  • Day 4Sail through the UNESCO World Heritage Rhine Gorge, passing endless vineyards, ancient castles, and the legendary Lorelei Rock.
  • Day 5Visit Heidelberg for a guided tour of the magnificent ruined red sandstone castle overlooking the city, or remain aboard to explore Speyer's cathedral at leisure.
  • Day 6Attend a wine talk and tasting by Master of Wine Conal Gregory as the ship sails to Strasbourg.
  • Day 7Choose between an excursion into the Black Forest or a guided tour of Strasbourg's UNESCO cathedral and La Petite France district.

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

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Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes Eurostar from London St Pancras to Cologne and all rail and coach travel throughout the tour, as well as the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway at Königswinter.
What is the ship and what are meals like?
You cruise aboard MS Amadeus Cara, a five-star river ship. All breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included each day of the cruise, plus a drinks package with dinner every evening and a spectacular gala dinner.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout. Most days offer time at leisure for personal exploration, and some excursions are optional choices.
How much walking is involved?
Guided tours in cities like Cologne, Heidelberg, and Strasbourg involve walking the streets. The Drachenfelsbahn is a cog railway you board and ride; no climbing is required. Most time is spent aboard the ship.
When does this tour run?
Great Rail Journeys operates four departures: September and October 2026, and August and September 2027.
What is not included?
Cancellation and Travel Insurance are not included. Optional pre or post-tour London hotel stays and UK rail connections are available as add-ons.

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