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Glacier Express & The Majestic Rhine

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You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
20242025
12 days From £3,795 per person
4.6 stars(39 reviews)
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Tour & Cruise

Discover the iconic Glacier Express and enjoy a sensational cruise on the magical Rhine

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Free cabin upgrade worth up to £600pp on July & August 2024 sailings, when you book by 2nd April 2024. This is a Call Only Offer, quote CABIN at time of booking.

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2024 Tour code: GER24

About the tour

Experience one of the world's finest rail adventures aboard the legendary Glacier Express before descending the valley for a luxury cruise on the spectacular Rhine. Sail into the picturesque Rhine Gorge, visiting medieval cities, charming riverside towns and much more.

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

Unforgettable experiences

Glacier Express
Glacier Express
Journey through stunning mountain scenery on the renowned Glacier Express.
Gornergrat Mountain Railway
Gornergrat Mountain Railway
Enjoy some of the most sensational views of the Matterhorn as you journey on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway.
Rhine Gorge
Rhine Gorge
Sail into the exquisite Rhine Gorge - a magical area of castles, forests and the mythical Lorelei Rock.
Zermatt
Zermatt
Stay in picture-perfect Strasbourg, and idyllic Zermatt, waking to views of the mighty Matterhorn mountain.
Heidelberg
Heidelberg
Explore the beautiful riverside city of Heidelberg on a guided tour, seeing wonderful medieval buildings and its fabulous ruined castle.
Amsterdam and Medmblik Steam Train
Amsterdam and Medmblik Steam Train
Explore the canals, parks and art galleries of Amsterdam on a city tour or ride the Medemblik Steam Train through charming Dutch scenery.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - To delightful Strasbourg

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.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Charming Chur

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.

 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - The iconic Glacier Express and wonderful Zermatt

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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - The beautiful Gornergrat Mountain Railway

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.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 - To Strasbourg where we board our luxurious ship

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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 – 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 7 –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 8 – 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 9 - 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 10 – 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 11 - 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 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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 - 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
The Glacier Express
Gornergrat Mountain Railway
TGV

Ships

MS Amadeus Imperial
MS Amadeus Star

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

London Hotels
UK rail connections

Reviews

4.6 stars4.6 / 5 · 39 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (25)
  2. 4 stars
    (11)
  3. 3 stars
    (3)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Marc Beacham

4 stars

Submitted 13 Oct 2023

Unmissable experience and adventure. The mighty Matterhorn and Zermatt were certainly highlights of the tour for us. Cologne Cathedral and Amsterdam were a close second. The Amadeus Cara Rhine river cruise was a 5star floating hotel with faultless quality service from the catering and room attendant staff. We had a wonderful time. We are not regular cruisers but thoroughly enjoyed our first train and river cruise experience. A great choice. Our luxury cabin was comfortable. Our only reason for not giving 5 stars was the choice of the dining area and location for the hotel in Davos. The hotel was good and so was the food. We would fully recommend this tour.

Collected by Trustpilot

Barbara Parsons

5 stars

Submitted 13 Oct 2023

Lovely holiday well looked after.

Collected by Trustpilot

susan

5 stars

Submitted 09 Oct 2023

Wonderful Holiday with excellent Tour Guide Steve Thomas

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Happy Customer

5 stars

Submitted 08 Oct 2023

Excellent well organised tour, featuring a memorable journey on the Glacier Express to Zermatt, to view the Matterhorn. The River Rhine cruise from Basel to Amsterdam was also brilliant with a mix of guided and self guided walks of historic German towns and tourist sites. The ride in cable cars in Rudesheim and Koblenz for views over the Rhine Valley was another highlight. All the meals on the Amadeus Imperial were excellent served by friendly staff.

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Kevin Thomas

5 stars

Submitted 08 Oct 2023

Amazing journey and experience

Collected by Trustpilot

M Cullen

5 stars

Submitted 08 Oct 2023

Excellent food and accomodation

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