Great Rail Journeys
Biarritz & Bordeaux Cruise
Ten-day escorted French trip pairing rail travel with a Bordeaux river cruise
10 daysfrom $4,005
40% rail
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise
Waterways of Alsace & Lorraine
An all-inclusive barge cruise exploring the hidden gems of Alsace and Lorraine, sailing into scenic waterways where medieval towns and memorable moments await around every bend.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Strasbourg (onboard MS Jeanine)
Arrival in Strasbourg
Meet the Tour Manager and group at London St Pancras. Travel aboard the Eurostar to Paris, then continue by rail to Strasbourg. Coach transfer to the barge ship. Welcome cocktail and dinner onboard. Optional evening panoramic boat ride through Petite France, the Tanners' Quarter, covered bridges, Vauban Dam terrace, and Strasbourg's German Quarter (subject to availability). Barge moors in Strasbourg overnight.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2overnight: Waltenheim (onboard MS Jeanine)
Truchtersheim & beer tasting at Villa Meteor
Buffet breakfast then cruise to Waltenheim. Free morning to enjoy passing scenery from the deck. Lunch onboard. Afternoon guided coach tour to Truchtersheim and the Maison du Kochersberg museum. Continue to Hochfelden and Villa Meteor brewery for a tour and beer tasting. Return to barge for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 3overnight: Saverne (onboard MS Jeanine)
Haut-Barr Castle, the 'Eye of Alsace'
Sail towards Saverne, passing Schwindratzheim and Hochfelden. Option to stroll or cycle along paved canal trails during morning sailing. Arrive Saverne and take a guided walking tour of Haut-Barr Castle (470m above sea level), including the 'devil's bridge'. Brief stop at the Chappe Tower (restored 18th-century telegraph tower) on return to barge. Dinner onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 4overnight: Lutzelbourg (onboard MS Jeanine)
Historic Saverne
Guided sightseeing tour of Saverne after breakfast, including the main street with its unicorn fountain, the Katz house (half-timbered tavern dating to 1605), and the church of Notre Dame with its 12th-century porch tower. Return to barge for lunch. Continue cruising towards Lutzelbourg. Free time in Lutzelbourg; optional walk up to Lutzelbourg Castle. Dinner with drinks onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5overnight: Niderviller/Sarrebourg area (onboard MS Jeanine)
Touring the Crystal Glassworks & Sarrebourg
Continue barge cruise through Arzviller and Niderviller Tunnels to the Arzviller Inclined Plane. Visit the Crystal Glassworks at Arzviller for a guided tour and glass-blowing demonstration. Continue along the canal to Niderviller for lunch onboard. Coach to Sarrebourg for a guided tour including the 13th-century chapel of Cordeliers (Marc Chagall stained-glass window 'Peace'), Art Nouveau architecture, and the 18th-century Grand'rue. Return to ship for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: Lagarde (onboard MS Jeanine)
Scenic cruise to Lagarde
Final full day of the cruise spent relaxing onboard, sailing through the Lorraine Regional Natural Park to Lagarde. Pass peaceful lakes and wooden embankments. All meals onboard. Enjoy the air-conditioned lounge or deck. Final dinner of the barge cruise holiday onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7rail
Homeward bound
Disembark the barge ship. Transfer to Strasbourg railway station. Train to Paris and onward journey to London St Pancras.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team throughout
- 6-night cruise onboard MS Jeanine, operated by Croisi Europe
- Excellent service onboard
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
- Eurostar Standard Class travel
- Standard Class rail travel throughout
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day
- Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
- Complimentary luggage service from home to the barge and back (one case per cabin)
- A superb choice of excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
