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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · River Cruise

Treasures of the Rhine

Eight-day Rhine river cruise from Cologne to Strasbourg with rail connections

Illustration of Treasures of the Rhine

Vacations By Rail operates this eight-day Rhine cruise that weaves rail travel, river sailing, and guided excursions together. You begin with Eurostar from London St. Pancras through Brussels, arriving in Cologne to board the five-star MS Amadeus Cara for seven nights. The itinerary sails the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge past the Lorelei Rock, stops at Königswinter for a cog-railway ascent to Drachenfels castle, and includes guided tours of Cologne's cathedral and Heidelberg's 13th-century ruins. Days mix scheduled excursions with free time in towns like Boppard, Rüdesheim, and Strasbourg. You choose between Heidelberg and Speyer on Day 5, and between a Black Forest excursion and a Strasbourg city tour on Day 7. All meals, drinks with dinner, and transport are included, and the tour is escorted by a manager and cruise director. The pace is unhurried, suited to travellers seeking comfort, good food, and minimal exertion.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 5 offers a choice between a guided coach excursion to Heidelberg or remaining onboard to Speyer; only one option per booking.
  • Day 7 is either a Black Forest excursion or a Strasbourg city tour; select one.
  • Cancellation and travel insurance are not included and must be arranged separately.
  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; Eurostar departure is from London St. Pancras.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Overnight ship (Cologne)

    To Cologne where we board our luxurious ship

    Meet the Tour Manager at London St. Pancras and board the Eurostar to Cologne via Brussels. Board the MS Amadeus Cara with a welcome cocktail and first dinner onboard.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Overnight ship

    Exploring Cologne

    Guided tour of Cologne's Gothic cathedral and a Kölsch beer-tasting. Sail upstream past Bonn to Königswinter for the Drachenfelsbahn cog railway to the summit past Drachenfels castle.

  3. Day 3overnight: Overnight ship

    Picturesque Koblenz and quaint Boppard

    Free time in Koblenz at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle (Deutsches Eck, Ehrenbreitstein Fortress), then sail to Boppard for free time among Roman fortifications; optional chairlift to the Vier Seen Blick viewpoint.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Overnight ship

    Through the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim

    Morning sailing through the Rhine Gorge, past the Lorelei Rock. Dock at Rüdesheim; land train through vineyards, with a choice of wine-tasting or Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. Evening free on Drosselgasse alley.

  5. Day 5overnight: Overnight ship

    Discovering Heidelberg and Speyer

    Arrive in Mannheim; choice of a coach excursion to Heidelberg (guided tour, castle ruins) or remaining onboard to Speyer (UNESCO cathedral, free time).

  6. Day 6overnight: Overnight ship

    A scenic sail to Strasbourg

    Full day cruising to Strasbourg, arriving in the afternoon; dinner onboard, free evening to explore Strasbourg's Old Town.

  7. Day 7overnight: Overnight ship

    The enchanting Black Forest or striking Strasbourg

    Choice of an excursion into the Black Forest or a Strasbourg city tour (cathedral, La Petite France district). Free afternoon in Strasbourg.

  8. Day 8rail

    Traveling home

    Disembark after breakfast; train to Paris, then Eurostar back to London where the vacation concludes.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Eurostar at London St. Pancras, travel via Brussels to Cologne, then embark on MS Amadeus Cara with a welcome cocktail and first dinner.
  • Day 2Guided tour of Cologne's Gothic cathedral, then ride the Drachenfels cog railway to the summit above Drachenfels castle and the Rhine Valley.
  • Day 4Morning sail through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge past the Lorelei Rock; afternoon in Rüdesheim with land train through vineyards and choice of wine-tasting or Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet.
  • Day 6Full day cruising to Strasbourg; explore the Old Town and half-timbered houses of La Petite France district.

Included

  • Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Cara
  • Five-Star service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • First and 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
  • Superb excursions included

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

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 all rail and transport included?
Yes. Eurostar rail from London to Cologne and return, seven nights onboard MS Amadeus Cara, all coach excursions, and the Drachenfels cog railway are included in the price.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager and Cruise Director throughout the eight days.
What meals and drinks are included?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included every day of the cruise, plus a drinks package with dinner every night. A gala dinner is featured.
Can I choose which excursions to join?
Many excursions are included, but Day 5 offers a choice between Heidelberg or Speyer, and Day 7 offers a choice between the Black Forest or Strasbourg city tour. Optional extras include Rüdesheim wine-tasting or Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet.
What is the activity level?
Mobility Rating 1: minimal walking beyond ships, stations, and coaches. Most optional excursions involve moderate walking on city tours or limited hiking; a chairlift is available at Boppard.
When does this trip run?
The pack does not list specific departure dates; contact Vacations By Rail to confirm availability.

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