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Jungfrau Express and Rhine in Flames

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Experience the magical Rhine on a spectacular cruise featuring the Rhine in Flames celebration followed by breathtaking views at the ‘Top of Europe’ on the Jungfrau Express.

2024 Tour code: MFR24

About the tour

An amazing holiday that blends the luxury of a Rhine in Flames river cruise with a breathtaking rail journey to the 'Top of Europe'.

Soak up the renowned beauty of the Rhine and the splendour of the Bernese Oberland. This unique cruise begins in style as our ship joins the magnificent Rhine in Flames procession. The colourful display sets the tone for the stunning sights that lie ahead as we continue through romantic Rhine scenery.

Drifting along the enchanting river, we sail the beautiful UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge, visit the stunning ruins of Heidelberg castle, and explore fascinating Strasbourg. The perfect ending to a getaway full of beauty is a two-night stay in alpine Interlaken and a journey to the 'Top of Europe' for sensational views at the summit of the Jungfrau mountain.

Highlights

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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 – Discover vibrant Amsterdam

We head into Amsterdam for a guided tour this morning. From idyllic canals and large parks to contemporary art galleries and futuristic architecture, this is a lively 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.

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

 

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Lively Cologne and The Rhine in Flames

This morning we arrive in Cologne for a walking tour of the city. 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.

This evening is a highlight of our cruise - the spectacular Rhine in Flames procession. This event is a stunning procession of illuminated boats, fireworks and music along the Rhine River. It's a breathtaking display of colours, lights and sounds that brings together locals and visitors alike to celebrate summer nights with a sense of magic, romance and community.

As we're a part of the spectacle, our boat is decorated with brilliant lights in preparation. We have the best seat in the house, from our ship, and we celebrate as the sky lights up, the city is illuminated, and the river shimmers with vibrant colours. At the end of the procession, we sail towards Königswinter where we moor.

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

Waking in enchanting Königswinter, you're at leisure this morning to explore the picturesque wine town. After lunch onboard, we set off for 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 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

Disembarking our ship in Strasbourg, we're bound for the stunning setting of Interlaken today. After saying goodbye to our wonderful crew, 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, Lunch, 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, Lunch, 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, Lunch, Dinner

Additional information

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
Jungfrau Railway

Ship

MS Amadeus Star

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Cruise in Europe 2024

Cruise in Europe 2024

A fantastic collection of our exclusive river cruise holidays to some magnificent European locations in 2024.

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