Glacier Express & Rhine River Cruise

Our holiday begins this morning as we meet at London St Pancras before travelling on the Eurostar service to Paris. From here, we continue by rail to the enchanting city of Strasbourg where we spend our first night.

After dinner, you can enjoy a leisurely evening roaming the town’s twisting alleys and crooked half-timbered houses. Or, cosy up in one of the delightful winstubs – traditional Alsatian taverns.

As we finish breakfast this morning, we make our way to the station and journey by rail to Chur. After we arrive and check into our hotel this afternoon, you can explore the rich history, culture, and sights of Switzerland’s oldest village, before dinner this evening. Wander the Altstadt – the Old Town – and discover the arty boutiques, authentic restaurants and relaxed bars that add to the town’s lovely atmosphere.

Today, we board the magnificent Glacier Express. Our panoramic journey takes us through undeniably Swiss scenes of green meadows, dense, evergreen forests and snow-capped mountains, ambling along the beautiful Rhine Valley aboard ‘The Slowest Express Train in the World’. We spiral up the mountains, crossing vast viaducts, burrowing through tunnels and rising above the clouds on our way to Zermatt.

Here, we check into our wonderful hotel for two nights in this stunning, car-free mountain village. Sitting at the heart of the Swiss Alps, it has wonderful views of the surrounding alpine peaks including the mighty, Matterhorn mountain.

Another mountain journey awaits us today, the Gornergrat Mountain Railway. This cog railway trip ascends the Gornergrat, to its summit – the second-highest railway in Europe. As we reach the top, stunning views of glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and valleys below are revealed. From here, we enjoy magical views of the surrounding mountains including the imposing Matterhorn.

After lunch surrounded by the views of Gornergrat, we return to Zermatt and discover more of this wonderful resort on a guided tour. Strolling through the traditional streets we’re surrounded by wooden chalets and shops selling traditional Swiss products as our guide shares the history of Zermatt giving us a deeper understanding of the beautiful resort. The rest of your day is at leisure to enjoy the scenery and tranquillity.

Waking up in our beautiful alpine surroundings, we enjoy breakfast before travelling by rail to Strasbourg. Here, we’re escorted to our luxury cruise ship where we’re greeted by our wonderful crew with a welcome cocktail before dinner.

Today, there’s a choice of two wonderful excursions. The first is a magical trip into the Black Forest, to witness stunning fairytale panoramas. Experience the beauty of Germany’s largest nature park filled with rolling hills, picturesque villages, dense forests, and meadows dotted with wildflowers. As you explore this fairytale setting, you’ll learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region.

Alternatively, you could enjoy a city tour of Strasbourg, where you’ll discover its fascinating history, admire its grand architecture and experience its unique character. The city sits on the French-German border and blends the best of the two cultures, with colourful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. On our tour, we visit the cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district.

Waking to views of charming Speyer, you can choose to enjoy a guided tour of Heidelberg today. The picturesque university town is known for its lovely Old Town and stunning riverfront which is perfect for a relaxing stroll. Our tour includes a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone castle that towers over the city, providing amazing views of the surrounding forests, river, and cityscape. If you’d prefer to stay in Speyer, you can discover the city at your own pace. There’s a beautiful Old Town and among the highlights is the city’s cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Returning to our ship for lunch, we enjoy a scenic afternoon cruise. Sailing downstream, we pass the famous Roman city of Mainz and spa town of Wiesbaden and arrive in Rüdesheim early this evening. After dinner, you could enjoy the sounds and sights of the captivating town, famous for its delicious white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety.

This morning, we have time at leisure to explore Rudesheim and wander its cobbled streets and see the charming half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and enticing wine bars in the Drosselgasse alley. Later we enjoy a highlight of our cruising experience – sailing through the romantic Rhine Gorge. This section of the Rhine is renowned for its spectacular views. The riverbanks plunge deeper here, and we wind around bends surrounded by endless miles of lush green vineyards, ancient castles, and picturesque riverside towns. It’s also one of the narrowest points of the river with one of the strongest currents.

As we sail, we hear the fascinating story of the legendary Lorelei Rock which soars almost 500 feet out of the water. This monument has been the inspiration for countless myths and legends, and we hear of them as we sail by.

Our journey through the Rhine Gorge comes to a close, and we moor in the town of Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. You have time to explore and we recommend strolling to Deutsches Eck where you’ll be surrounded by inspiring vistas including the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Later, we make our way back to the ship, where dinner is served onboard.

During breakfast this morning, we cruise the enchanting Middle Rhine, sailing by riverbanks lined with lush green meadows and pretty villages as our Cruise Director narrates the region’s history and highlights points of interest along the way.

In the afternoon, we dock in Königswinter, where we journey on the Drachenfelsbahn railway. This fabulous cog railway rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels castle – which is said to have been the inspiration for the castle in Disney’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’. We experience wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany as we climb higher.

Back onboard, we continue our cruise through delightful scenery toward Cologne. As we approach the striking city just before dinner, admire the fantastic cityscape of magnificent bridges that span the river and the imposing Cathedral.

Our views this morning are of vibrant Cologne where we enjoy a tour of the city after breakfast. As we explore its vibrant streets and lively squares, we admire the Romanesque townhouses before visiting the city’s impressive Gothic cathedral which is the largest in Northern Europe. The intricate spires and magnificent stained glass windows of this UNESCO-listed landmark are captivating as we marvel at the grand architecture.

We then head back to our cruise ship for a relaxed lunch before beginning our cruise through the Lower Rhine, with a change in scenery as we sail downstream towards Holland. As the ship glides along the river, we enjoy another evening of delicious food and drinks onboard.

We arrive in Amsterdam where we spend the full day and have the choice of two exciting excursions. The first is a city tour of Amsterdam, a vibrant city that’s as modern as it is historic. On the tour, you’ll wander the idyllic canals, sprawling parks, captivating art galleries, and diverse architecture.

Alternatively, you could journey through the enchanting Hoorn countryside aboard the Medemblik Steam Train. Admire the picturesque landscape of tulip fields, windmills, and charming villages – the epitome of Dutch culture.

We return to our ship for a final dinner accompanied by the delightful songs of the Dutch Sea Shanty Choir – the perfect end to our magnificent cruise.

After breakfast, it’s time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew. We make our way to the railway station and head towards Brussels where we catch the Eurostar to London St Pancras. Here, we say goodbye to new friends and fellow travellers.

Our holiday begins this morning as we meet at London St Pancras. Aboard the Eurostar we head to Amsterdam, where our magnificent ship awaits us.

After a welcome cocktail this evening, we enjoy dinner accompanied by a wonderful performance from a traditional Dutch Sea Shanty choir – the perfect start to our cruise.

This morning you have the choice of two exciting excursions. The first is a city tour of Amsterdam, a vibrant city that’s as modern as it is historic. On the tour, you’ll see some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Rijksmuseum and Dam Square. You’ll also get to explore the famous Flower Market and enjoy a canal boat cruise, soaking up stunning views of the city’s picturesque canals and architecture.

Alternatively, you could journey through the enchanting Hoorn countryside aboard the Medemblik Steam Train. Admire the picturesque landscape of tulip fields, windmills, and charming villages – the epitome of Dutch culture.

During a delightful lunch on board, we begin sailing to Cologne, embarking on our first relaxing cruise of the holiday.

As we approach Cologne this afternoon, we see the magnificent bridges that span the river and the imposing Cathedral. We enjoy a walking tour of the city and, as we explore its vibrant streets and lively squares, we admire the Romanesque townhouses before visiting the city’s impressive Gothic cathedral which is the largest in Northern Europe. The intricate spires and magnificent stained glass windows of this UNESCO-listed landmark are captivating as we marvel at the grand architecture.

We bid farewell to Cologne this morning, setting off on our journey upstream. After breakfast, we head to the top deck as we sail by the historic city of Bonn, once a proud Roman settlement and the illustrious birthplace of the legendary composer, Beethoven.

Continuing upstream, we begin to see the first signs of lush green hills as we arrive in the enchanting town of Königswinter. We enjoy lunch onboard before our journey on the Drachenfelsbahn railway.

This fabulous cog railway rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels castle – which is said to have been the inspiration for the castle in Disney’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’. We experience wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany as we climb higher. During lunch onboard our ship in the late afternoon, we set sail. Look out for the impressive Deutsches Eck monument as we approach Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. We moor within easy walking distance for you to explore the beautifully illuminated riverside at leisure before dinner.

There’s time at leisure this morning to explore Koblenz, once a Roman stronghold. We recommend strolling to Deutsches Eck where you’ll be surrounded by inspiring vistas including the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. After lunch, we commence a highlight of our cruising experience – sailing through the romantic Rhine Gorge.

This section of the Rhine is renowned for its spectacular views and the best place to witness them is from the top deck of our ship. The riverbanks plunge deeper here, and we wind around bends surrounded by endless miles of lush green vineyards, ancient castles, and picturesque riverside towns. It’s also one of the narrowest points of the river with one of the strongest currents. As we sail, we hear the fascinating story of the legendary Lorelei Rock which soars almost 500 feet out of the water. This monument has been the inspiration for countless myths and legends, and we hear of them as we sail by.

We then arrive into the captivating town of Rüdesheim, famous for its delicious white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety. Wander its cobbled streets at your own pace and see the charming half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and enticing wine bars in the Drosselgasse alley before dinner back onboard our ship.

After breakfast, we step ashore in Speyer this morning and take in the sight of this historic German city and its cathedral. In the afternoon, we journey to the picturesque university town of Heidelberg, known for its lovely Old Town and stunning riverfront which is perfect for a relaxing stroll.

Here, we enjoy a guided tour including a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone castle that towers over the city, providing amazing views of the surrounding forests, river, and cityscape. We return to our ship later for dinner and a restful overnight sailing.

Today, there’s a choice of two wonderful excursions. The first is a magical trip into the Black Forest, to witness stunning fairytale panoramas. Experience the beauty of Germany’s largest nature park filled with rolling hills, picturesque villages, dense forests, and meadows dotted with wildflowers. As you explore this fairytale setting, you’ll learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region.

Alternatively, you could enjoy a city tour of Strasbourg, where you’ll discover its fascinating history, admire its grand architecture and experience its unique character. The city sits on the French-German border and blends the best of the two cultures, with colourful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. On our tour, we visit the cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district.

We enjoy our last breakfast onboard this morning before we disembark in Strasbourg. From here, we journey the scenic rail route to Zermatt. Here, we check into our wonderful hotel for two nights in this stunning, car-free mountain village. Sitting at the heart of the Swiss Alps, it has wonderful views of the surrounding alpine peaks including the mighty, Matterhorn mountain.

A journey on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway awaits us today. This cog railway trip ascends the Gornergrat, to its summit – the second-highest railway in Europe. As we reach the top, stunning views of glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and valleys below are revealed. From here, we enjoy magical views of the surrounding mountains including the imposing Matterhorn.

After lunch surrounded by the views of Gornergrat, we return to Zermatt and discover more of this wonderful resort on a guided tour. Strolling through the traditional streets we’re surrounded by wooden chalets and shops selling traditional Swiss products as our guide shares the history of Zermatt giving us a deeper understanding of the beautiful resort. The rest of your day is at leisure to enjoy the scenery and tranquillity.

Today, we board the magnificent Glacier Express. Our panoramic journey takes us through undeniably Swiss scenes of green meadows, dense, evergreen forests and snow-capped mountains, ambling along the beautiful Rhine Valley aboard ‘The Slowest Express Train in the World’. We spiral up the mountains, crossing vast viaducts, burrowing through tunnels and rising above the clouds on our way to Chur.

As we arrive and check into our hotel, you can explore the rich history, culture, and sights of Switzerland’s oldest village , before dinner this evening. Wander the Altstadt – the Old Town – to discover the authentic restaurants and relaxed bars that add to the town’s lovely atmosphere.

After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to lovely Chur. We make our way to the railway station and head towards Paris where we catch Eurostar bound for London St Pancras. Here, we say goodbye to new friends and fellow travellers.

Our holiday begins as we meet at London St Pancras before boarding the Eurostar to Paris, this morning. From here, we continue by rail to Basel, Switzerland.

After dinner, you can enjoy a leisurely evening, strolling by the riverside, roaming the city’s picturesque Old Town, and admiring its modern architecture.

As we finish breakfast this morning, we make our way to the station and journey by rail to Chur. After we arrive and check into our hotel this afternoon, you can explore the rich history, culture, and sights of Switzerland’s oldest village, before dinner this evening. Wander the Altstadt – the Old Town – and discover the arty boutiques, authentic restaurants and relaxed bars that add to the town’s lovely atmosphere.

Today, we board the magnificent Glacier Express. Our panoramic journey takes us through undeniably Swiss scenes of green meadows, dense, evergreen forests and snow-capped mountains, ambling along the beautiful Rhine Valley aboard ‘The Slowest Express Train in the World’. We spiral up the mountains, crossing vast viaducts, burrowing through tunnels and rising above the clouds on our way to Zermatt.

Here, we check into our wonderful hotel for two nights in this stunning, car-free mountain village. Sitting at the heart of the Swiss Alps, it has wonderful views of the surrounding alpine peaks including the mighty, Matterhorn mountain.

Another mountain journey awaits us today, the Gornergrat Mountain Railway. This cog railway trip ascends the Gornergrat, to its summit – the second-highest railway in Europe. As we reach the top, stunning views of glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and valleys below are revealed. From here, we enjoy magical views of the surrounding mountains including the imposing Matterhorn.

After lunch surrounded by the views of Gornergrat, we return to Zermatt and discover more of this wonderful resort on a guided tour. Strolling through the traditional streets we’re surrounded by wooden chalets and shops selling traditional Swiss products as our guide shares the history of Zermatt giving us a deeper understanding of the beautiful resort.

The rest of your day is at leisure to enjoy the scenery and tranquillity.

Waking up in our beautiful alpine surroundings, we enjoy breakfast before returning by rail to Basel. Here, we’re escorted to our luxury cruise ship and as we settle into our home on the river, we’re greeted with a welcome cocktail before dinner and set sail on an overnight cruise.

Sailing into the enchanting city of Strasbourg after breakfast, there’s a choice of two wonderful excursions. The first is a magical trip into the Black Forest, to witness stunning fairytale panoramas. Experience the beauty of Germany’s largest nature park filled with rolling hills, picturesque villages, dense forests, and meadows dotted with wildflowers. As you explore this fairytale setting, you’ll learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region.

Alternatively, you could enjoy a city tour of Strasbourg, where you’ll discover its fascinating history, admire its grand architecture and experience its unique character. The city sits on the French-German border and blends the best of the two cultures, with colourful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. On our tour, we visit the cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district.

Waking to views of charming Speyer, you can choose to enjoy a guided tour of Heidelberg today. The picturesque university town is known for its lovely Old Town and stunning riverfront which is perfect for a relaxing stroll. Our tour includes a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone castle that towers over the city, providing amazing views of the surrounding forests, river, and cityscape. If you’d prefer to stay in Speyer, you can discover the city at your own pace. There’s a beautiful Old Town and among the highlights is the city’s cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Returning to our ship for lunch, we enjoy a scenic afternoon cruise. Sailing downstream, we pass the famous Roman city of Mainz and spa town of Wiesbaden and arrive in Rüdesheim early this evening. After dinner, you could enjoy the sounds and sights of the captivating town, famous for its delicious white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety.

This morning, we travel through Rüdesheim’s steeped vineyards aboard a land train, arriving in the centre of the renowned wine town. Here there’s a choice of excursions, each promising a delightful insight into the town. You could experience first-hand Rüdesheim’s most famous produce – wine, with a fantastic tasting, savouring the finest local varieties. Alternatively, you could visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet and discover Europe’s largest collection of finely tuned mechanical instruments, from antique music boxes to miniature pianos.

Afterwards, there’s some time to explore the town at leisure before we return to our ship. This afternoon we begin sailing and enjoy a highlight of our cruising experience – the romantic Rhine Gorge. This section of the Rhine is renowned for its spectacular views. The riverbanks plunge deeper here, and we wind around bends surrounded by endless miles of lush green vineyards, ancient castles, and picturesque riverside towns. It’s also one of the narrowest points of the river with one of the strongest currents.

As we sail, we hear the fascinating story of the legendary Lorelei Rock which soars almost 500 feet out of the water. This monument has been the inspiration for countless myths and legends, and we hear of them as we sail by.

Our journey through the Rhine Gorge comes to an end and we arrive later this afternoon in the town of Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. You have time to explore and we recommend strolling to Deutsches Eck where you’ll be surrounded by inspiring vistas including the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Later, we make our way back to the ship, where dinner is served onboard.

We set sail early, navigating the tranquil waters of the Moselle river. After a morning of relaxed cruising through delightful river scenery, our ship pulls into the port of Cochem where the stunning Moselle Valley surrounds us with rolling hills, half-timbered houses and the majestic castle (the Reichsburg) perched on top of a hill. The town itself is a maze of slender alleys adorned with pastel-coloured buildings, quaint boutiques and wine cellars.

After lunch onboard, we embark on our guided afternoon tour where we admire the Reichsburg dramatically located overlooking the Old Town. In the old quarter of Cochem, you’ll find well-preserved sections of the ancient town walls and a fascinating arts centre in a former monastery.

Following our tour, there’s time to explore the picturesque streets at leisure. The town’s central square is a hub of activity, surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and shops. It’s a great place to soak up the local atmosphere. Later this evening, we continue our cruise back downstream towards Koblenz, where we leave the Moselle behind and rejoin the Rhine.

(Please note, Spargelzeit depends on seasonal availability).

This morning we dock in Königswinter and after breakfast, the Drachenfelsbahn railway awaits. This fabulous cog railway rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels castle – whose name translates as ‘Dragon’s Rock’, inspiring many of the dragon-related legends still heard today. We experience wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany as we climb higher.

Back onboard this afternoon, we continue our cruise through beautiful scenery toward Cologne. As we approach the striking city, admire the fantastic cityscape of magnificent bridges that span the river and the imposing Cathedral. On arrival, a guided tour of the city introduces us to the joyful atmosphere of its streets and squares.

We admire the Romanesque townhouses before visiting the city’s impressive Gothic cathedral which is the largest in Northern Europe. The intricate spires and magnificent stained glass windows of this UNESCO-listed landmark are captivating as we marvel at the grand architecture. We then head back to our ship and begin an overnight cruise towards The Netherlands.

We spend the early morning sailing through the Lower Rhine, with a change in scenery further downstream as we approach The Netherlands. Arriving in Amsterdam early this afternoon, you have the choice of two exciting excursions. The first is a city tour of Amsterdam, a cultural city that’s as modern as it is historic. On the tour, you’ll see some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Rijksmuseum and Dam Square. You’ll also get to explore the famous Flower Market and enjoy a canal boat cruise, soaking up stunning views of the city’s picturesque canals and architecture.

Alternatively, you could journey through the enchanting Hoorn countryside aboard the Medemblik Steam Train. Admire the picturesque landscape of tulip fields, windmills, and charming villages and then get to know Hoorn on a guided tour.

We return to our ship for a final dinner accompanied by the delightful songs of the Dutch Sea Shanty Choir – the perfect end to our magnificent cruise.

After breakfast, it’s time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew. We make our way to the railway station and head towards Brussels where we catch the Eurostar to London St Pancras.

Here, we say goodbye to new friends and fellow travellers.

Our holiday begins this morning as we meet at London St Pancras. Aboard the Eurostar, we head to Amsterdam, where our magnificent ship awaits us. We’re greeted onboard by our friendly crew and sip on a welcome cocktail while taking in the waterside views. Later this evening, we enjoy dinner accompanied by a wonderful performance from a traditional Dutch Sea Shanty choir – the perfect start to our cruise.

After breakfast you have the choice of two exciting excursions. The first is a guided tour of Amsterdam, a cultural city that’s as modern as it is historic. On the tour, you’ll see some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Rijksmuseum and Dam Square. You’ll also get to explore the famous Flower Market and enjoy a canal boat cruise, soaking up stunning views of the city’s picturesque canals and architecture.

Alternatively, you could journey through the enchanting Hoorn countryside aboard the Medemblik Steam Train. Admire the picturesque landscape of tulip fields, windmills, and charming villages and then get to know Hoorn on a guided tour.

During a delightful lunch on board this afternoon, we begin sailing to Cologne, embarking on our first relaxing cruise of the holiday.

As we approach the striking city of Cologne this morning, admire the fantastic cityscape of magnificent bridges that span the river and the imposing Cathedral. After breakfast, a guided tour of the city introduces us to the joyful atmosphere of its streets and squares.

We admire the Romanesque townhouses before visiting the city’s impressive Gothic cathedral which is the largest in Northern Europe. The intricate spires and magnificent stained glass windows of this UNESCO-listed landmark are captivating as we marvel at the grand architecture. Following lunch, we head for Königswinter to experience the Drachenfels railway.

This fabulous cog railway rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels castle – whose name translates to ‘Dragon’s Rock’, inspiring many of the dragon-related legends still heard today. We experience wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany as we climb higher. After dinner we depart Königswinter and head for the serene waters of the Moselle river.

After an early morning of relaxed cruising through delightful river scenery, our ship pulls into the port of Cochem where the stunning Moselle Valley surrounds us with rolling hills, half-timbered houses and the majestic castle (the Reichsburg) perched on top of a hill. The town itself is a maze of slender alleys adorned with pastel-coloured buildings, quaint boutiques and wine cellars.

On our guided tour this morning we admire the Reichsburg dramatically located overlooking the Old Town. In the old quarter of Cochem, you’ll find well-preserved sections of the ancient town walls and a fascinating arts centre in a former monastery.

Following our tour, there’s time to explore the picturesque streets at leisure. The town’s central square is a hub of activity, surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and shops. It’s a great place to soak up the local atmosphere and taste some renowned Moselle wines. Later this evening, we continue our cruise downstream towards Koblenz, where we leave the Moselle behind and rejoin the Rhine.

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 where you’ll be surrounded by inspiring vistas including the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. We then begin sailing again and after lunch, enjoy a highlight of our cruising experience – drifting through the romantic Rhine gorge.

This section of the Rhine is renowned for its spectacular views and the best place to witness them is from the top deck of our ship. The riverbanks plunge deeper here, and we wind around bends surrounded by endless miles of lush green vineyards, ancient castles, and picturesque riverside towns. It’s also one of the narrowest points of the river with one of the strongest currents.

As we sail, we hear the fascinating story of the legendary Lorelei Rock which soars almost 500 feet out of the water. This monument has been the inspiration for countless myths and legends, and we hear of them as we sail by.

We then dock in captivating Rüdesheim where we travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train, arriving in the centre of the renowned wine town. Here there’s a choice of excursions, each promising a delightful insight into the town. You could experience for yourself why the town is famous with a fantastic wine tasting, savouring the finest local varieties.

Alternatively, you could visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet and discover Europe’s largest collection of finely tuned mechanical instruments, from antique music boxes to miniature pianos. After dinner this evening there’s time to explore the town’s cobbled streets at your own pace and see the charming half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and enticing wine bars in the Drosselgasse alley.

During breakfast we arrive in the city of Mannheim and from here we journey by coach to charming Heidelberg for a guided tour. The picturesque university town is known for its lovely Old Town and stunning riverfront which is perfect for a relaxing stroll. Our tour includes a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone castle that towers over the city, providing amazing views of the surrounding forests, river, and cityscape.

Back onboard, we begin sailing to Speyer after lunch. Arriving later this afternoon, you can discover the city at your own pace. There’s a beautiful Old Town and among the highlights is the city’s cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Returning to our ship, we enjoy dinner and a restful overnight sailing upstream.

Sailing into to the enchanting city of Strasbourg after breakfast, there’s a choice of two wonderful excursions. The first is a magical trip into the Black Forest, to witness stunning fairytale panoramas. Experience the beauty of Germany’s largest nature park filled with rolling hills, picturesque villages, dense forests, and meadows dotted with wildflowers. As you explore this fairytale setting, you’ll learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region.

Alternatively, you could enjoy a city tour of Strasbourg, where you’ll discover its fascinating history, admire its grand architecture and experience its unique character. The city sits on the French-German border and blends the best of the two cultures, with colourful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. On our tour, we visit the cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district.

Following your excursion this afternoon, we return to our ship for lunch and begin our final cruise towards Switzerland, enjoying the wonderful vistas enroute.

We enjoy our last breakfast onboard this morning before we disembark in Basel. From here, we journey the scenic rail route to Zermatt. Here, we check into our wonderful hotel for two nights in this stunning, car-free mountain village. Sitting at the heart of the Swiss Alps, it has wonderful views of the surrounding alpine peaks including the mighty, Matterhorn mountain.

A journey on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway awaits us today. This celebrated cog railway trip ascends the Gornergrat with constant and magnificent views of the Matterhorn, to its summit – the second-highest railway in Europe. As we reach the top, stunning views of glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and valleys below are revealed. From here, we enjoy magical views of the surrounding mountains including the imposing Matterhorn.

Today, we board the magnificent Glacier Express. Our panoramic journey takes us through undeniably Swiss scenes of green meadows, dense, evergreen forests and snow-capped mountains, ambling along the beautiful Rhine Valley aboard ‘The Slowest Express Train in the World’. We spiral up the mountains, crossing vast viaducts, burrowing through tunnels and rising above the clouds on our way to Chur.

As we arrive and check into our hotel, you can explore the rich history, culture, and sights of Switzerland’s oldest village, before dinner this evening. Wander the Altstadt – the Old Town – to discover the authentic restaurants and relaxed bars that add to the town’s lovely atmosphere.

After breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to lovely Chur. We make our way to the railway station and head towards Paris where we catch Eurostar bound for London St Pancras. Here, we say goodbye to new friends and fellow travellers.