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The Majestic Rhine (Fly and Cruise)

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4.3 stars(7 reviews)
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Fly Option

Journey along the spectacular Rhine on a cruise which takes in its magnificent highlights

8 days From £1,995 per person
No Single Supplement

No Single Supplement subject to availability on selected departures. 

2023 Tour code: RLZ23

About the tour

From Switzerland to the Netherlands, this spectacular cruise reveals the majestic allure of the Rhine River, in all of its fairytale glory. We uncover beautiful valley gorges, splendid halftimbered towns and all the remarkable cities along the banks of this grand old river.

Over the course of four different countries, discover some of the finest experiences these nations have to offer including a German heritage rail journey, a French city tour and Dutch steam trains, along with daytime cruising on some of the finest stretches of the Rhine.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary: Basel - Amsterdam

Some departures run a reversed itinerary – View reversed Amsterdam - Basel itinerary (RHZ23)

Itinerary: Amsterdam - Basel

You are viewing the reversed itinerary – switch back to Basel - Amsterdam itinerary (RLZ23)

Day 1 - Basel

Fly* from your choice of airport to Basel where you'll be met by a Great Rail Journeys representative who will escort you to the ship. This evening, we enjoy a welcome cocktail before a delicious Swiss themed first meal.

*If you would like to travel by rail, view our Rail & Cruise option here.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Strasbourg

Our vessel sails into the charming German town of Kehl today. Sat across the Rhine from Kehl is the beautiful city of Strasbourg, whose position on the German-French border has seen it change hands between the two nations frequently throughout history. Because of this, Strasbourg represents the best of both cultures, with colourful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets.

You have two choices here. Your first option is a city tour of Strasbourg, uncovering its charm and history. Your second choice sees you travel into the famous Black Forest, passing through stunning fairytale panoramas.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Speyer and Heidelberg

We arrive in Speyer this morning, where there's free time to explore. This town is home to one of the largest privately-owned collections of vehicles in the world, the Technik Museum Speyer. Featuring an entire jumbo jet, army vehicles, emergency vehicles, a submarine and much more, this museum is a treasure trove of vehicular delights and is well worth a visit.

Later in the afternoon, we have an excursion to the delightful university town of Heidelberg where we are treated to a guided tour. Heidelberg is famous for a magnificent ruined castle that stands guard over the riverbanks, proudly looking over the town below.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Rüdesheim and the Rhine Gorge

We sail into the classic German town of Rüdesheim am Rhein, known for its formidable wine production, especially of the dry Riesling variety. Perhaps walk along the river during your free time here this morning, before our ship departs for Koblenz.

This afternoon includes one of the highlights of the tour as we pass through the glorious Rhine Gorge, one of the most beautiful sections of the river and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sheer banks rise up, towering over the river below, covered in deep forests and miles of green vineyards, lending an almost ethereal feel to the waterway.

Our lunch today sees us tuck into a wonderful themed buffet with a suckling pig as the striking centrepiece, and several smaller dishes from this part of the world. We sail this evening into the enchanting city of Koblenz; you may wish to visit one of the famous wine taverns here.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - The Lower Rhine and the Drachenfelsbahn

After an evening in Koblenz, we depart and discover the marvellous Lower Rhine, a stretch of river characterised by lush green meadows and postcard villages.

Our Cruise Director provides us with the history of this area, and highlights points of interest. In the afternoon, we dock in Koenigswinter, where we embark on a journey on the Drachensfelbahn railway. This rack railway rises into the mountains and high into the forests for wonderful views across the Rhine- Westphalia region of Germany.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Cologne

Arriving in Cologne this morning, we venture forth into this vibrant German city on a walking tour. We see the resplendent cathedral, a centuries-old building which survived 14 aerial hits during World War Two. We also wander through the many bustling squares and labyrinthine streets, seeing Romanesque town-houses. Tonight we enjoy a gala dinner with the captain.

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

We arrive in Amsterdam this morning where we have a choice of two excursions, the first is a city tour of Amsterdam. One of the most popular of all the European cities, Amsterdam is as modern as it is historic, as young as it is old. From idyllic canals and large parks to contemporary art galleries and futuristic architecture, this is a city that boasts something for everyone. The second option is an excursion to Hoorn where we board the splendid Medemblik Steam Train and enjoy a nostalgic trip through enchanting Dutch scenery.

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

After a buffet breakfast, we transfer you to Amsterdam airport for your flight home.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 1 - Amsterdam

Fly* from your choice of airport to Amsterdam where you'll be met by a Great Rail Journeys representative who will escort you to the ship. This evening, we enjoy a welcome cocktail before dinner this evening.

*If you would like to travel by rail, view our Rail & Cruise option here.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Amsterdam and the Medemblik Steam Train

After Breakfast this morning, we have a choice of two excursions, the first of which is a city tour of Amsterdam. One of the most popular of all the European cities, Amsterdam is as modern as it is historic, as young as it is old. From idyllic canals and large parks, to contemporary art galleries and futuristic architecture, this is a city that boasts something for everyone. The second option is an excursion to Hoorn where we board the splendid Medemblik Steam Train and enjoy a nostalgic trip through splendid Dutch scenery.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Cologne

Arriving into Cologne this morning, we venture forth into this vibrant German city on a walking tour. We visit the resplendent cathedral, a centuries-year-old building which survived 14 aerial hits during bombing across the Second World War. We also wander through the many bustling squares, labyrinthine streets and see Romanesque town-houses.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - The Upper Rhine and the Drachenfelsbahn

We depart from Koblenz this morning and discover the marvellous Upper Rhine, a stretch of river characterised by lush green meadows and postcard villages. Our Cruise Director provides us with the history of this area, and highlights points of interest. In the afternoon, we dock in Koenigswinter, where we embark on a journey on the Drachensfelbahn railway. This rack railway rises into the mountains and high into the forests for wonderful views across the Rhine- Westphalia region of Germany. In the evening, we indulge with a traditional gourmet dinner which features Spargelzeit, a kind of white asparagus which is famous in this area. (Please note, Spargelzeit depends on seasonal availability).

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Rüdesheim and the Rhine Gorge

We sail into the classic German town of Rüdesheim am Rhein, known for its formidable wine production especially of the dry Riesling variety. Perhaps walk along the river during your free time here this morning, before our ship departs for Koblenz.

This afternoon includes one of the highlights of the tour as we pass through the glorious Rhine Gorge, one of the most beautiful sections of the river and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Sheer river banks rise up, towering over the river below, covered in deep forests and miles of green vineyards, lending an almost ethereal feel to the waterway. We enjoy a commentary from our knowledgeable Cruise Director during this passage.

Our lunch today sees us tuck into a wonderful themed buffet with a suckling pig as the striking centrepiece, and several smaller dishes from this part of the world making up the rest of the offerings. Weather permitting we'll enjoy our lunch on the sun deck as we take in the majesty of the glorious Rhine Gorge. We sail this evening into the enchanting city of Koblenz, you may wish to visit one of the famous wine taverns here.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Speyer and Heidelberg

We arrive into Speyer this morning, where you have free time to explore. This town is home to one of the largest privately owned collections of vehicles in the world, the Technik Museum Speyer. Featuring an entire jumbo jet, army vehicles, emergency vehicles, a submarine and much more, this museum is a treasure trove of vehicular delights and is well worth a visit. Later in the afternoon, we have an excursion to the delightful academic town of Heidelberg where we are treated to a guided tour. Heidelberg is famous for a magnificent ruined castle, proudly stood high above the town below, gazing down onto the river and the attractive town houses.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Strasbourg

Our vessel sails into the charming German town of Kehl today. Sat across the Rhine from Kehl is the beautiful city of Strasbourg, whose position on the German-French border has seen it change hands between the two nations frequently throughout history. Because of this, Strasbourg represents the best of both cultures, with colourful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets.

You have two choices here. Your first option is a city tour of Strasbourg, uncovering its charm and history. Your second choice sees you travel into the famous Black Forest, passing through stunning fairytale panoramas.

Tonight is an opportunity to dress up in our finest as we enjoy a Gala dinner with the captain and crew.

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

After a buffet breakfast, we transfer you to Basel airport for your flight home.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

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.

Train

Drachenfels Railway

Ships

MS Amadeus Queen
MS Amadeus Imperial
MS Amadeus Cara

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

London Hotels
UK rail connections

Reviews

4.3 stars4.3 / 5 · 7 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (3)
  2. 4 stars
    (3)
  3. 3 stars
    (1)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

James McNeil

4 stars

Submitted 13 Oct 2022

We had a little bit of an issue with BA cancelling our outward flight at short notice but the GRJ managed to get things sorted out. From boarding the boat to us flying back from Amsterdam, the service was great from both the GRJ team and boat crew. God's balance of cruising and choices of excursions.

Collected by Trustpilot

Carmen

5 stars

Submitted 06 Oct 2022

Fantastic in all respects

Collected by Trustpilot

Andrew Vickery

4 stars

Submitted 23 Sep 2022

The quality of the ship, food and service was excellent. In the main the excursions were very good although I would have preferred more free time.

Collected by Trustpilot

K Ellis

5 stars

Submitted 16 Sep 2022

Excellent ship facilities, great service, wonderful food. The staff couldn’t do enough for you. The place visited were interesting and going past all the castles was very special. Very impressed with this holiday.

Collected by Trustpilot

alan coltman

5 stars

Submitted 15 Sep 2022

Excellent relaxing trip up the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel

Collected by Trustpilot

Lesley Henderson

4 stars

Submitted 29 Jun 2022

Great trip, shame we didn’t get first 2 excursions.

Collected by Trustpilot

Show all 7 reviews
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