Rhine Cruise with Glacier Express

Rhine Cruise with Glacier Express. Rail from St Pancras or fly from a number of UK airports to Amsterdam where, this afternoon, embark and unpack. Enjoy a Welcome Cocktail, followed by a specially-prepared Welcome Dinner and our special cultural show this evening as the ship overnights

Begin your exploration with a relaxing cruise through a myriad of landscapes along the Rhine river. For more active pursuits, spend the morning exploring the canal city of Amsterdam and the surrounding countryside, rejoining the vessel in the town of Hoorn. This afternoon, cruise on the Ijsselmeer, one of the largest inland freshwater lakes in Holland. This evening join your fellow travellers for dinner.

Optional Excursion:

City tour of Amsterdam with canal trip and North Holland excursion

After lunch, view our arrival into the beautiful city of Cologne. Every year visitors from all over the world are drawn to the historical city and its 2000-year history. Explore the historic Old Town, visit the famous twin-spired Cologne Cathedral, or perhaps sample some of the famous Kölsch beer brewed in Cologne. There are many medieval houses, bridges, and gates that will delight the historian in you, while the more modern skyscrapers that tower overhead are sure to impress. After an exciting day, we return to the vessel and make our way south.

Optional Excursion:

Cologne Walking Tour

Today our Amadeus vessel takes a special trip down the romantic Moselle river, the largest tributary of the Rhine, and anchors at the old town of Cochem. The scenery in the Moselle Valley has been dominated by vineyards for millennia. Cochem itself has narrow streets, twisting alleys and medieval town gates, churches and walls. Discover the beauty of Cochem and perhaps sample some of the Riesling wines produced in this region. This evening we set off towards Koblenz.

Optional Excursion:

Cochem walking tour with wine tasting

This morning arrive in Koblenz, ideally situated at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle rivers. The Romans, the Franks, the Holy Roman Empire, the French, and the Germans have all had a hand in this strategic city’s 2000 year history. St. Castor Basilica, the Church of our Beloved Lady, and the Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm’s memorial at the German Corner, are just a few of the sites which reflect the history of the area. This afternoon, spend time on deck as we cruise the most beautiful section of the river – the legendary Upper Middle Rhine Valley.  Late this afternoon, the vessel arrives in Rüdesheim, a winemaking town in the Rhine Gorge.  Discover the region’s rich history of winemaking  – perhaps visit the local museum -a great place to start. Back onboard your crew awaits with a delicious dinner.

Optional Excursions:

Koblenz walking tour Rüdesheim walking tour including music cabinet museum

After breakfast, explore the bustling metropolis of Mannheim. This unique city has many sights to see including the University of Mannheim, the National Theater Mannheim, and St. Sebastian’s Church. It is also home to Luisenpark, one of the most beautiful parks in all of Germany. Nearby Heidelberg is another old university city which is also a worthwhile visit. This afternoon’s call is at Speyer, a city known for its Cathedral where eight Roman Emperors and German Kings are interred. The Old Town Gate, Memorial Church, and Transportation Museum are all highlights of this beautiful city. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s Gala Dinner after your exciting day.

Optional Excursions:

Excursion to Heidelberg Speyer walking tour

This morning we arrive in the dynamic capital of Alsace. This beautiful city’s sights include the famous cathedral Strasbourg Münster and the Petite France quarter, a former mill and tanner district that still maintains its medieval charm. Half-timbered houses, the Ponts Couverts, the Palais de Rohan, the Council of Europe are among the wonders that Strasbourg holds in store for you. The Grand Island, the city center, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is connected to the rest of the city by 22 stone bridges. After lunch onboard, take in the sites of the romantic Rhine as we move towards Switzerland, our final destination.

Optional Excursion:

City tour of Strasbourg

This morning bid farewell to your new found friends aboard your 5-star Amadeus ship and take an included transfer to Basel train station where you take the train to the town of Chur. Settle into your surroundings here as you overnight for the evening.

On day 9 it’s all aboard the “slowest express train in the world” – the Glacier Express trundles at 24mph and at that pace there is plenty of time for you to take in the ever-changing scenery perfectly framed by the train’s large-scale windows. After our 4-hour journeys, we disembark at Zermatt for a 2-night stay.  

On day 10 you’ll have a full day to enjoy Zermatt, and we’ve included a return trip on the Gornergrat Railway from which you will enjoy the most outstanding views of the famous mountain at 3,089m above sea level.

Travel from Zermatt today towards home. If travelling by rail you’ll overnight in France en route to St Pancras and if travelling by air either fly home this afternoon or stay in Geneva ready for your flight home the following morning.

This afternoon, embark the vessel and get settled into your cabin. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Cocktail, followed by a specially prepared Welcome Dinner.

During the night, your ship left Switzerland and followed the Rhine into the Alsace region in the south of France. During breakfast, arrive in Strasbourg – a city known not only for its romantic old town, but also for the numerous important European institutions housed there. In the morning, explore the city independently, or as part of an organised tour. A detour to the countryside is highly recommended, particularly along the famous wine route, where the quaint wine-growing villages will delight wine-lovers and the general public alike. Late tonight, your ship departs for Germany.

Optional Excursions:

City tour of Strasbourg Alsace and wine excursion

Before breakfast, arrive in the Rhineland-Palatinate town of Speyer, which played an important role in the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages. Your ship remains here until lunchtime, offering time to explore this historic destination. Your trip continues for roughly 25 kilometers towards Mannheim, our next stop along the picturesque Rhine for the remainder of the day. This young city is best explored with an extended walk, or alternatively you can take a trip to the nearby city of Heidelberg, which boasts a beautiful Baroque old town. Late at night, your ship continues in the direction of Rüdesheim.

Optional Excursion:

Speyer walking tour Excursion to Heidelberg

Two charming stops await you today. In the morning, arrive in Rüdesheim, a town well known for its winemakng, especially Reisling wines. Nearby, Siegried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet with its historic automated musical instruments is a delight. Your AMADEUS ship will depart punctually at lunchtime, to cruise the most beautiful section of the river – the legendary Upper Middle Rhine Valley. The view from the sun deck, of the myth-enshrouded Lorelei, is sure to be a highlight of your cruise. Shortly thereafter, we arrive in Koblenz, one of Germany’s oldest and most beautiful towns, where you can end the day with a leisurely stroll through the city.

Optional Excursions:

Rüdesheim walking tour including music cabinet museum Koblenz walking tour

The vessel departs Koblenz in the early hours, and makes a detour along the Mosel River to the most  romantic part of the valley and the little town of Cochem. The magnificent Reichsburg castle is situated high above the town, dominating the landscape. Down below, the village with its narrow streets, half timbered houses, and numerous restaurants are an ideal setting to taste the wines of the region. Back on board dinner is served as the journey continues to Cologne.

Optional Excursion:

Cochem walking tour with wine tasting

The morning is dedicated to the fascinating city of Cologne, which has over a million inhabitants. You can expect a young, vibrant metropolis with a rich cultural history and many world-famous sights, in particular the famous Cologne Cathedral. A city tour here is a must for everyone with a cultural bent. After lunch, your floating hotel departs Cologne. The afternoon is spent on board and in the evening, the captain invites you to a festive Gala Dinner, full of wonderful regional dishes.

Optional Excursion:

Cologne walking tour

By lunchtime you will have crossed yet another country border to arrive in the Dutch town of Hoorn. This picturesque village is a jumping off point for the optional overland trip to the north of Holland and Amsterdam. For those remaining onboard, discover the beauty of the Dutch Waterways as the ship glides toward the capital city of the Netherlands, where it will remain docked for the evening.

Optional Excursion:

Excursion to North Holland and city tour of Amsterdam with canal trip

After breakfast we bid you farewell. We hope to welcome you again soon!