Sail the most scenic parts of the Rhine, enjoying free time in charming towns and cities, before travelling to Switzerland for a memorable journey on the Glacier Express

Your rail and cruise holiday begins today at London St. Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and group of fellow travellers. Together, we board the Eurostar in Plus Class, enjoying a light meal served at our seats. We switch trains in Brussels and continue to Cologne, where a coach transfer takes us to the waterfront.

Stepping aboard our luxurious Amadeus ship, there is time to settle into our home for the next seven nights. Our friendly crew greets us with a welcome cocktail as we get ready to immerse ourselves in the wonders of the Rhine.

This evening, we gather for our first dinner onboard while overlooking the skyline of the cultural city of Cologne.

After breakfast we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Cologne, where we admire the Romanesque townhouses and visit the city's impressive Gothic cathedral - 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 also enjoy a tasting of Cologne's chocolate and beer before returning to the ship for our first sailing experience.

Enjoy lunch onboard as we drift upstream past Bonn and begin to see the first signs of lush green hills as we arrive in the town of Königswinter. Here, we journey on the Drachenfelsbahn.

This cog railway rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels castle, whose name translates as "Dragon's Rock," inspiring many dragon-related legends still heard today. Wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany appear as we climb higher. After time at the summit to admire the scenery, we head back to our cruise ship for dinner onboard.

Docking in Koblenz this morning, you can spend time at leisure exploring this former Roman stronghold. You might like to stroll to Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, surrounded by inspiring vistas, including the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. We begin sailing again after lunch, arriving in the picturesque town of Boppard later this afternoon.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore this charming town at your own pace. As you wander the cobblestone streets, you can see how the town's Roman legacy echoes through its architecture. Admire the half-timbered houses, which lead to vineyards scattering the surrounding hills, and discover well-preserved Roman fortifications, including the historic town walls and the Roman tower.

Before returning to the ship for dinner, you could take the chairlift to the Vier Seen Blick (Four Lakes Viewpoint) for panoramic views of the Rhine Valley and the surrounding countryside (payable locally).

We spend the morning onboard, sailing through river landscapes, including a highlight of our cruising experience: 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 green vineyards, ancient castles and picturesque riverside towns. As we sail, we hear the fascinating story of the legendary Lorelei Rock, which soars almost 500 feet out of the water.

After lunch, we dock in Rüdesheim, where we travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train, arriving in the centre of this wine town. Here, you have a choice of excursions: a wine tasting, savouring the finest local varieties, or a visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet to discover Europe's largest collection of finely tuned mechanical instruments.

After dinner onboard this evening, you can return to Rüdesheim to explore the town's cobbled streets and see the half-timbered houses, quaint shops and wine bars in Drosselgasse alley.

After a morning of relaxed cruising and plenty of time to have breakfast and lunch onboard, we arrive in the city of Mannheim. Here, you have the choice of two excursions today.

You may choose to journey by coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour. This picturesque university town is known for its 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.

Alternatively, you could stay on the ship and continue along the Rhine to Speyer. As one of Germany's oldest cities, it offers an insight into the heart of the Holy Roman Empire and is home to the magnificent Speyer Cathedral. Those who chose to visit Heidelberg instead will rejoin the ship in Speyer in time for dinner this evening.

A day of magnificent riverside destinations and spellbinding views lies ahead during today's full-day cruise to the border city of Strasbourg. Relax onboard with plenty of time to enjoy breakfast and lunch as we pass diverse landscapes and witness the natural beauty that lies along the Rhine.

Because of its location, Strasbourg has changed hands many times throughout its history and has grown to represent the blending of French and German cultures perfectly.

After we dock and have dinner on the ship this evening, you might like to step ashore to experience its allures for yourself. The Old Town is well worth a visit, with its timber-framed houses, cobbled streets and iconic cathedral. These elements come together to create a fairytale ambiance.

After breakfast, you have a choice of two excursions from our mooring point in Strasbourg. The first is a trip into the Black Forest to experience the beauty of Germany's largest nature park, which is filled with rolling hills, picturesque villages, dense forests and meadows dotted with wildflowers. Learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region as you explore this storybook setting.

Alternatively, you could choose a city tour of Strasbourg to discover its history and admire its grand architecture, visiting the UNESCO-listed cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district.

Following your chosen excursion, we return to our ship for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free to discover more of Strasbourg, and you could join our coach into the Old Town. The picturesque capital of France's Alsace region offers an evening of history and culture, whether you wander the charming streets or relax with a beverage at one of the inviting cafés or wine bars. Dinner is served back onboard this evening.

We have our last breakfast onboard this morning before we disembark our ship for the final time in Strasbourg. Saying goodbye to our crew, we step ashore and begin the next leg of our holiday, setting off by rail towards Zermatt.

We begin with a rail journey from Strasbourg to Basel and continue by train to Zermatt via Visp. On arriving in Zermatt, we check in to our hotel for two nights in this stunning, car-free mountain resort. Sitting at the heart of the Swiss Alps, it has incredible views of the surrounding alpine peaks, including the mighty Matterhorn mountain.

With its picturesque streets, traditional wooden chalets and fresh mountain air, Zermatt is an idyllic alpine base. Get to know our new surroundings while strolling through the village and admiring the stunning scenery before we regroup for dinner at the hotel this evening.

A journey on the scenic cog railway awaits us today as we ascend the Gonrnergrat 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 enveloping mountains including the imposing Matterhorn.

After admiring the views of Gornergrat, we return to Zermatt and discover more of this 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. This evening, dine independently at one of Zermatt's many inviting restaurants.

Some of Switzerland's most dramatic scenery lies ahead as we walk to Zermatt's railway station this morning and step aboard the Glacier Express in First Class. In a panoramic carriage surrounded by windows, we weave through quintessential Swiss scenes of green meadows, dense evergreen forests and snow-capped mountains. Our journey takes us through the beautiful Rhine Valley, with plenty of time to soak up the scenery as we travel toward Chur on the 'slowest express train in the world'.

Sit in awe of the scenery as we spiral up mountains, cross vast viaducts and burrow through tunnels. There is always something new to see, and with a two-course lunch served at our seats, we never miss a moment.

As we arrive in Chur and check in to our hotel, you can explore the rich history, culture and sights of Switzerland's oldest town. Perhaps wander the Altstadt (Old Town) to discover the town's lovely atmosphere before returning to the hotel for our final dinner this evening.

From the treasures of Koblenz and Boppard to the enchanting Rhine Gorge and cultural cities, including Rüdesheim, Heidelberg and Strasbourg, each day of this rail and cruise holiday has provided a new way to immerse ourselves in Europe's rich atmosphere. The remarkable scenery continued in Switzerland, with two rail journeys and stays in striking destinations, such as the car-free resort of Zermatt.

After breakfast this morning, it is time to bid farewell to Chur and begin the journey home. We make our way to the railway station and head towards Paris, where we travel in Eurostar Plus to London St Pancras, enjoying a light meal on board. Arriving in London, we say goodbye to the Tour Manager and rest of the group before making your own way home.

The Drachenfels Cog Railway carries travellers from the bottom of Königswinger to the top of Drachenfels Mountain. On the way, it passes Schloss Drachenburg, a stunningly beautiful villa that said to have inspired the castle in Disney's 'Sleeping Beauty'. At the top of the mountain, passengers can see the ruins of Burg Drachenfels, a castle built in the 12th century and destroyed 500 years later. The Drachenfels line started running in 1883, using steam-powered trains, and changed to electric traction in 1953.

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

Undoubtedly Switzerland's best-known train, the Glacier Express winds its way through some of Europe's most dramatic and beautiful scenery. Called 'the slowest express train in the world', the panoramic carriages allow us to soak up the spectacular views as we traverse incredible mountain passes, picturesque villages and valleys between the popular alpine resorts of St Moritz and Zermatt. Enroute, the train clings to the mountainsides on the Albula Line, zigzags and spirals its way round mountains and over bridges, and delves into the Rhine Valley - also known as the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'.

The Gornergrat Mountain Railway runs for just less than six miles from the pretty town of Zermatt to the summit of the Gornergrat some 10,135ft above sea level. It is the highest railway in Europe to run and mostly in the open air (the Jungfrau Railway runs to a higher point but is predominantly in a tunnel).

The Amadeus Cara joined the Amadeus fleet in 2021. Offering impeccable cabin spaces with 73 deluxe cabins and 12 Amadeus suites, each room has a spacious en suite bathroom, a minibar, a flatscreen television and a walk-in wardrobe. Some rooms also offer panoramic windows, balconies, or a comfortable corner sofa. With four decks, the ship features amenities like the river terrace, restaurant, hair salon and fitness centre, where you can exercise or book a relaxing massage.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.