Glacier Express & The Magic of the Moselle and Rhine

Our holiday begins as we meet at London St Pancras ahead of our Eurostar journey to Paris. From here, we continue by rail to Chur where we spend the night. After checking into our hotel, explore the rich history, culture, and sights of Switzerland's oldest town at your own pace.

• Dinner

Today we board the world-renowned Glacier Express for a spectacular journey, experiencing unparalleled views of the most awe-inspiring mountain ranges in the world. We spiral up the mountains, crossing vast viaducts, burrowing through tunnels and rising above the clouds.

Arriving in the elegant resort town of Zermatt - our idyllic base for two nights. This car-free village is set beneath the striking Matterhorn and is filled with traditional wooden chalets and wonderful alpine charm.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We board the Gornergrat Mountain Railway today. After crossing the Findelbach River, our train begins climbing steeply. Passing through short, curved tunnels to gain height amongst the imposing mountain landscape, we arrive at Riffelalp station, around halfway to the summit of Gornergrat. Here, we admire the stunning views over the valley.

Our railway journey then continues across a dramatic landscape as we approach the summit station of Gornergrat. Here we can enjoy stunning views over 29 other mountains in the Alps, including the Matterhorn. We return to Zermatt and enjoy an insightful guided tour.

• Breakfast

After breakfast, we set off to Strasbourg. As we arrive, we're greeted with a refreshing cocktail and a warm welcome aboard our ship. During dinner this evening, we set sail bound for Rüdesheim.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We sail into the captivating town of Rüdesheim, famous for its delicious white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety. There's time to wander its cobbled streets and see the charming half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and enticing wine bars in the Drosselgasse alley. Next, 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.

After this relaxing cruise, we arrive in Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. From the Deutsches Eck, there are amazing views of surrounding beauty with the Rhine on one side and the Moselle on the other. On a guided tour we wander the charming streets where the air is filled with scents of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods as we pass by and admire lovely shop window displays. We see the St Castor Basilica and the Liebfrauenkirche, also known as the Church of Our Beloved Lady. As we enjoy dinner onboard, we set sail for Bernkastel-Kues.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We moor in the heart of the Moselle Valley for lunch as the charming town of Bernkastel-Kues unfolds. The picturesque vineyards of the Valley climb up the hillsides, while half-timbered houses with blooming flowers add to the enchanting atmosphere.

You then have two fantastic excursion options, firstly you could discover Bernkastel-Kues and its renowned Moselle wines as we stroll through a nearby vineyard, tasting different vintages, including the world-famous Bernkasteler 'doctor wine'.

Alternatively, you could enjoy a coach and walking tour of the charming Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, one of the smallest countries in the world, where we're introduced to the local history and attractions.

During dinner onboard this evening, we continue cruising to Trier where we moor for the night.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast onboard this morning, we explore Germany's oldest city, Trier, with a local guide. The ancient streets are known for their Roman ruins, medieval buildings, and Baroque churches and we delve into this impressive history on our tour.

We visit the immense Porta Nigra which guards the entrance to the north of the city, St Peter's Cathedral with its intricate stone carvings and stained glass windows, and the Church of Our Lady, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. After a relaxing afternoon at leisure, we set sail downstream as we enjoy dinner onboard.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

As our ship pulls into the port of Cochem, 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.

Our guided tour includes a visit to the Reichsburg in the Old Town. With a fantastic viewpoint from the castle's turrets, we admire the Moselle Valley's landscape of dreamy forests, wild meadows, and sprawling vineyards. 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.

After lunch onboard, we enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Moselle Valley this afternoon, as we continue our cruise past Winningen and towards Koblenz, where we rejoin the Rhine.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

As we step into the beautiful Old Town of Speyer this afternoon, we enjoy a guided tour. Among the highlights, we see the city's cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest Romanesque churches in the world. Its impressive four-roomed crypt serves as the final resting place for many Holy Roman emperors and German kings. This evening, we enjoy our final dinner onboard as we cruise towards Strasbourg overnight.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our cruise comes to an end today. After saying goodbye to our wonderful crew, we head to Strasbourg station for the train to Paris, where we join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras. Here, we bid farewell to new friends and fellow travellers.

• Breakfast