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The Majestic Rhine

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You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
20232024
8 days From £1,995 £1,845 per person
4.3 stars(110 reviews)
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River Cruise

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the majestic Rhine on a luxurious cruise.

Save up to £300pp

Save up to £300pp on selected River Cruise 2024 holidays when you book by 31st October 2023.

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2024 Tour code: RLR24

About the tour

Experience the spectacular scenery of the Rhine river, including the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site adorned with stunning castles, lush forests, and sprawling vineyards. Sail by forested valleys and charming riverside towns while exploring remarkable cities and medieval towns in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Discover the sights of enchanting Strasbourg, the magical allure of the Black Forest, and the timeless elegance of Heidelberg.

Interested in this tour but haven't found a date that works for you?
You might also like our similar tour The Romantic Rhine!

Unforgettable experiences

Rhine Gorge
Rhine Gorge
Journey through the enchanting, Romantic Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site with spellbinding castles, verdant forests, vineyard-clad slopes, and the dramatic Lorelei Rock.
Rüdesheim
Rüdesheim
Explore Rüdesheim and the famous Drosselgasse, a quaint narrow alleyway lined with traditional pubs and wine cellars.
Drachenfelsbahn cog railway
Drachenfelsbahn cog railway
Reach the summit of the majestic Drachenfels on the exhilarating Drachenfelsbahn cog railway to enjoy the splendid views.
Amsterdam and Medemblik Steam Train
Amsterdam and Medemblik Steam Train
Immerse yourself in Amsterdam, a melting pot of cultures or ride the Medemblik Steam Train through the Dutch countryside.
Heidelberg
Heidelberg
Visit the ‘Jewel of Germany’, Heidelberg on a guided tour, delving into the highlights of this picturesque riverside city.
Cologne
Cologne
Discover the lively streets of Cologne and its Gothic cathedral, a timeless masterpiece.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – To Strasbourg where we board our luxurious ship

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 the enchanting city of Strasbourg, where our magnificent ship awaits us.

As we settle into our home on the river, we're warmly greeted with a welcome cocktail before dinner.

 

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 – The enchanting Black Forest or striking Strasbourg

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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 –Traditional Heidelberg and Lovely Speyer

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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Charming Rüdesheim, the magical Rhine Gorge, and picturesque Koblenz

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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - The magical Middle Rhine and the wonderful Drachenfelsbahn

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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Lively Cologne

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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Vibrant Amsterdam and the Medemblik Steam Train

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 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.

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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Homeward bound

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.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Info - Travel Options

We offer a Standard Class and First Class rail options for departures on this tour. You can find out which class each departure is by clicking on the information button in the pricing grid. (Look for S - Standard Class and F - First Class)

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Trains

Drachenfels Railway
Eurostar
Medemblik Steam Train
Thalys

Ships

MS Amadeus Imperial
MS Amadeus Star

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

London Hotels
UK rail connections

Reviews

4.3 stars4.3 / 5 · 110 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (55)
  2. 4 stars
    (42)
  3. 3 stars
    (7)
  4. 2 stars
    (3)
  5. 1 star
    (3)

Paul

5 stars

Submitted 24/Sep

We had thought of this holiday for a number of years but the reality far exceeded our thoughts and hopes. Outstanding from start to finish and in all aspects. Well done the team and crew it was a delight to experience the trip of our life.

Collected by Trustpilot

Susan Brydon

5 stars

Submitted 23/Sep

Very enjoyable trip . Staff extremely welcoming friendly and helpful. The boat was immaculately clean and the cabins were very comfortable and well appointed .

Collected by Trustpilot

R Keen

5 stars

Submitted 18/Sep

On the boat the food & service was excellent.

Collected by Trustpilot

Derek cranage

4 stars

Submitted 18/Sep

Boat, crew, food and tour guides, excellent. Before the trip I received several lots of conflicting and wrong information from the head office for example 2 lots of Eurostar tickets with different seating and no explanation why or which ones to use. Had one set been sent to me in error?

Collected by Trustpilot

aki demissie

5 stars

Submitted 18/Sep

Excellent all round

Collected by Trustpilot

Mr phillip fairclough

4 stars

Submitted 18/Sep

waiter staff attentive .dinner good .buffet poor. cleaning standards in cabin excellent.too much emphasis on tipping and pressure to do so.trip guides good would liked to have spent more time in places visited often too short a time especially in black forest to do much.cabin suffered from ceiling noise not from people above. so something in ceiling .last few days too rushed. on board entertaintment mediocre. abba night good but too short . rail guides good.

Collected by Trustpilot

Show 6 more reviews
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Cruise in Europe 2024

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