Top of Europe & The Majestic Rhine

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 the first night of our holiday.

• Dinner

We're bound for the stunning setting of Interlaken today. We make our way by rail to this picturesque town, set between two idyllic Alpine lakes, in Switzerland.

Our hotel is well located, allowing for a leisurely stroll through the charming historic streets. When the skies are clear, the view of the valley is simply incredible, offering a panoramic vista of the stunning Bernese Oberland.

As we settle into our hotel for the next two nights, you can explore the town at your leisure or simply relax and soak up our new incredible surroundings before dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We enjoy a highlight of our holiday today, a journey to Jungfraujoch - Europe's highest station. Boarding the sensational Jungfrau Express at Kleine Scheidegg, we're accompanied by an expert guide. As the train winds its way up the mountain, we soak up the breathtaking views of the surrounding alpine landscape and pause at the halfway station.

Our guide delights us with a fascinating talk about the mountains and geology around us, and describes the history and construction of this remarkable railway line as we keep climbing, the views getting more spectacular the higher we go. When we reach Jungfraujoch, the vistas from the Sphinx viewing platform are truly awe-inspiring. At the top, we're close to the stunning Aletsch Glacier - a World Heritage wonder - which stretches as far as the eye can see.

We return to Interlaken via the scenic Swiss mountain village of Grindelwald where you have time to stroll around before dinner back at our hotel this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Waking up in our beautiful alpine surroundings, we enjoy breakfast this morning before travelling the scenic rail route to Strasbourg. Here we're escorted to our luxury cruise ship where our friendly crew greets us with a welcome cocktail before dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

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 enchanting 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.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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. After a guided tour, 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.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our views this morning are of vibrant Cologne where we enjoy a tour of the city after breakfast. As we explore its bustling 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.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 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.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

• Breakfast