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Top of Europe & The Romantic Rhine

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10 days Sold out
3.3 stars(9 reviews)
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Tour & Cruise

Experience the magic of a seven-night Rhine cruise including the enchanting Rhine Gorge followed by breathtaking views at the ‘Top of Europe’ on the Jungfrau Express.

2024 Tour code: EMR24

About the tour

An amazing cruise and rail holiday, which combines the 'Top of Europe' and a stay in beautiful Interlaken with seven nights on a luxurious Rhine Cruise.

A highlight of this holiday is the beautiful Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site adorned with stunning castles, lush forests, and sprawling vineyards. We sail through this romantic scenery on the way to uncover the stunning ruins of Heidelberg castle and fascinating Strasbourg.

The perfect ending to a wonderful getaway is a two-night stay in alpine Interlaken and a journey to the 'Top of Europe' on the sensational Jungfrau Express.

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

Unforgettable experiences

Interlaken
Interlaken
Stay in beautiful Interlaken, surrounded by Swiss mountains and Alpine meadows.
Ice Palace, Jungfraujoch
Ice Palace, Jungfraujoch
Travel on the spectacular Jungfrau Express to Jungfraujoch, the ‘Top of Europe’, enjoying jaw-dropping 360 views of snow-capped peaks before entering the magical Ice Palace.
Cities of the Rhine
Cities of the Rhine
See the highlights of the glorious Rhine from our luxurious cruise ship, visiting Heidelberg and Speyer, Rüdesheim, Koblenz and Cologne.
The Rhine Gorge
The Rhine Gorge
Sail through the lush scenery of the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site defined by fairytale castles, green forests and the legendary Lorelei Rock.
Drachenfels Railway
Drachenfels Railway
Enjoy a fabulous rail excursion on the Drachenfels Railway to the summit of the Drachenfels mountain with wonderful views across the shimmering river and beyond.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - To Amsterdam where we board our luxurious ship

Our holiday begins this morning as we meet at London St Pancras. Aboard the Eurostar we head to Amsterdam, where our magnificent ship awaits us.

After a welcome cocktail this evening, we enjoy dinner accompanied by a wonderful performance from a traditional Dutch Sea Shanty choir - the perfect start to our cruise.

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

This morning you 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.

During a delightful lunch on board, we begin sailing to Cologne, embarking on our first relaxing cruise of the holiday.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Lively Cologne

As we approach Cologne this afternoon, we see the magnificent bridges that span the river and the imposing Cathedral. We enjoy a walking tour of the city and, 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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - The magical Middle Rhine and the wonderful Drachenfelsbahn

We bid farewell to Cologne this morning, setting off on our journey upstream. After breakfast, we head to the top deck as we sail by the historic city of Bonn, once a proud Roman settlement and the illustrious birthplace of the legendary composer, Beethoven.

Continuing upstream, we begin to see the first signs of lush green hills as we arrive in the enchanting town of Königswinter. We enjoy lunch onboard before our 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. During lunch onboard our ship in the late afternoon, we set sail. Look out for the impressive Deutsches Eck monument as we approach Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. We moor within easy walking distance for you to explore the beautifully illuminated riverside at leisure before dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Picturesque Koblenz, the enchanting Rhine Gorge, and charming Rüdesheim

There's time at leisure this morning to explore Koblenz, once a Roman stronghold. We recommend strolling to Deutsches Eck where you'll be surrounded by inspiring vistas including the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. After lunch, we commence a highlight of our cruising experience - sailing through the romantic Rhine Gorge.

This section of the Rhine is renowned for its spectacular views and the best place to witness them is from the top deck of our ship. 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.

We then arrive into the captivating town of Rüdesheim, famous for its delicious white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety. Wander its cobbled streets at your own pace and see the charming half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and enticing wine bars in the Drosselgasse alley before dinner back onboard our ship.

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

After breakfast, we step ashore in Speyer this morning and take in the sight of this historic German city and its cathedral. In the afternoon, we journey to the picturesque university town of Heidelberg, known for its lovely Old Town and stunning riverfront which is perfect for a relaxing stroll.

Here, we enjoy a guided tour including a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone castle that towers over the city, providing amazing views of the surrounding forests, river, and cityscape. We return to our ship later for dinner and a restful overnight sailing.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - The enchanting Black Forest or phenomenal 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 8 - To stunning Interlaken

We're bound for the stunning setting of Interlaken today. Disembarking our ship, 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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 - An unforgettable trip to the "Top of Europe " on the sensational Jungfrau Express

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, nestled in the green valley beneath the immense Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains. You have time to stroll around and take in the traditional wooden chalets, incredible views and charming atmosphere of the village before dinner at our hotel this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 - Homeward bound

After breakfast, it's time to bid farewell to incredible Interlaken. We make our way to the railway station and head towards Paris where we catch the Eurostar to London St Pancras. Here, we say goodbye to new friends and fellow travellers.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

The Rhine in Flames

The Rhine in Flames is a magnificent procession that takes place every year on the majestic Rhine River in Germany. The river is set ablaze with an incredible display of fireworks and flares, illuminating the entire area with vibrant colours. Crowds line the riverbanks for the spectacle, gasping and cheering. But we have the best seat in the house on our luxury boat which is part of the wonderful display!

Book in May to join the spectacular celebrations - click here to view The Rhine in Flames

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.

Hotel

Hotel Metropole Interlaken, Interlaken

Hotel Metropole Interlaken, Interlaken

View hotel

Trains

Drachenfels Railway
Eurostar
Jungfrau Railway
TGV

Ships

MS Amadeus Imperial
MS Amadeus Star

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

London Hotels
UK rail connections

Reviews

3.3 stars3.3 / 5 · 9 reviews

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

Wendy Diamond

4 stars

Submitted 18/Jul

Great holiday, except return journey very long with three trains. Would have been better if that could have been split with an overnight stay somewhere.

Collected by Trustpilot

Ellen Shopes

2 stars

Submitted 4/Jul

No support from the VBR company. Little things like where the boat is docked and when one can board. Ship and cruise staff great. VBR signed us up for excursions, we don't think we requested. Swiss half pass, what the heck is that and where/how to use it. We traveled independently but still needed SOME info! Multiple attempts to contact before trip unsuccessful.

from Great Rail Journeys
Thank you for your feedback. We apologize for the lack of support you experienced and for any confusion regarding the boat docking and excursions. It’s concerning to hear that our communication did not meet your expectations and that you had difficulty reaching us before your trip. We aim to provide clear and helpful information, and we regret that we fell short in this instance. We will review our processes to ensure better support and clearer communication for our guests in the future.
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

Keith Attwood

5 stars

Submitted 4/Jul

I found the whole experience of booking the holiday easy and professional. The company was easy to talk to and accommodating when I enquired about extending the holiday. The accommodation on board was excellent. As regards the food, I did have, on one occasion to complain about the food ie: the venison was fatty and tough. The staff both crew and tour managers were respectful, courteous and highly professional. I would highly recommend this company.

Collected by Trustpilot

Teresa Fulton

4 stars

Submitted 4/Jul

Would like to have received final itinerary sooner. Needed map to locate where ship was docked DIRECTIONS AND ADDRESS would be helpful as well as what time boarding was. Top of Europe guide could of been more informative of what to do and what to have available for those who are unfamiliar with train boarding etc. Guide often took off walking without telling us to follow. When guide on cruise asked all or part of passengers to meet she would basically talk softly to those near her others could not hear her. Hotel management and crew were excellent especially housekeeping. Food and staff wee excellent. The pig roast buffet was a fiasco. Would of been better if tables were released 1 at a time. We sat near buffet and couldn't move. Guide in Cologne needed to use his microphone better and should of been aware of how to move around the crowds that were there that day(soccer game). I feel we missed a lot of the scheduled tour. In all we had a great time not knowing what to expect and are aware of what we want on our next trip if we decide to do this type again.

Collected by Trustpilot

William Lovegrove

1 stars

Submitted 2/Jul

The company are not interested after they get their money!!! Will not answer emails.

Collected by Trustpilot

David Codner

5 stars

Submitted 29/Jun

Wonderful trip! Everyone was working hard to make it memorable and they succeeded.

Collected by Trustpilot

Show all 9 reviews
River Cruise Holidays 2025

River Cruise Holidays 2025

Experience the magic of cruising along some of Europe’s most picturesque waterways. Glide serenely along the romantic Rhine, explore the blue Danube or meander through the enchanting Douro Valley. With our river cruises, you’ll drift through beautiful landscapes and historic towns.

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