Jungfrau Express & Treasures of the Rhine

Your holiday begins this morning as we meet at London St Pancras before boarding the Eurostar to Cologne via Brussels. Arriving in Cologne late afternoon, the elegant MS Amadeus Cara awaits - our home for the duration of this enchanting cruise along the beautiful Rhine River.

Once on board, there's time to settle into your comfortable cabin and begin exploring the ship. After, we are greeted by the friendly crew with a welcome cocktail, the perfect way to begin the holiday.

Later this evening, we gather for our first dinner onboard. With a drinks package included each night of your cruise, you can unwind over a delicious meal as we begin our journey along one of Europe's most iconic waterways.

• Dinner

After breakfast, we enjoy a guided tour of Cologne. After admiring the Romanesque townhouses, we visit the city's impressive Gothic cathedral - 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.

Later this morning, we set off on our first sail. Drifting upstream past Bonn, we begin to see the first signs of lush green hills, hinting at the landscapes to come. We enjoy lunch onboard while taking in the views and by late afternoon, we arrive in the charming town of Königswinter, where we journey on the historic Drachenfels railway.

This cog railway rises high into the forests, passing the fairytale Drachenfels castle - whose name translates as 'Dragon's Rock', inspiring many of the dragon-related legends still heard today. Wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany are revealed as we climb higher. We then head back to our cruise ship for dinner onboard.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

There's time at leisure this morning to explore Koblenz, once a Roman stronghold. We recommend strolling to Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers where you'll be surrounded by inspiring vistas including the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. We then begin sailing again after lunch, arriving in the picturesque town of Boppard later this afternoon.

In Boppard, there's free time for exploration before dinner this evening. As you wander the cobblestone streets you'll find the town's Roman legacy echoes through its architecture. Admire the half-timbered houses which lead to vineyards scattering the surrounding hills and discover well-preserved Roman fortifications, including the historic town walls and the Roman tower.

If you're up for a bit of adventure, take the chairlift up to the Vier Seen Blick, which translates to Four Lakes Viewpoint (payable locally). From here, you'll be enveloped with panoramic views of the Rhine Valley and the surrounding countryside.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The morning is spent leisurely onboard, sailing through river landscapes including a highlight of our cruising experience - 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 green vineyards, ancient castles, and picturesque riverside towns. As we sail, we hear the fascinating story of the legendary Lorelei Rock which soars almost 500 feet out of the water.

After lunch, we dock in Rüdesheim where we travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train, arriving in the centre of this wine town. Here there's a choice of excursions. You may choose to savour the finest varieties at a local wine tasting, or alternatively, you could visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet and discover Europe's largest collection of finely tuned mechanical instruments.

After dinner this evening there's time to explore the town's cobbled streets at your own pace and see the half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and wine bars in the Drosselgasse alley.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning after breakfast, you can enjoy time to relax and make the most of the ship's facilities. You might choose to relax on the sun deck, taking in sweeping views as we make our way to the city of Mannheim. Alternatively, you can spend some time in the Amadeus Club, an area with a library, games and a bar, the ideal spot to unwind before an afternoon exploring. Arrivng in Mannheim, we journey by coach to Heidelberg for a guided tour. The picturesque university town is known for its 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.

Alternatively, you could stay on board and later, take in the sights of the historic German city of Speyer and its famous cathedral at leisure before dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we enjoy a full day cruise to the French city of Strasbourg. Relax onboard as we pass diverse landscapes and natural beauty along the Rhine. We arrive in Strasbourg later this afternoon and after dinner, you can experience the city's unique character at leisure.

Sitting near the border, Strasbourg perfectly represents the blending of French and German cultures. The old town is well worth a visit, and here you'll discover timber-framed houses, cobbled streets, and the iconic cathedral, all creating a fairytale ambience.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you have a choice of two excursions. The first is a trip into the Black Forest to witness fairytale panoramas. Experience the beauty of Germany's largest nature park filled with rolling hills, picturesque villages and dense forests. As you explore this fairytale setting, you'll learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region.

Alternatively, you could choose a city tour of Strasbourg. During the tour, you'll discover its history and admire its grand architecture, visiting the UNESCO-listed cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district. Following the excursion, we return to our ship for lunch.

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to discover more of Strasbourg and you could join our coach into the old town. The picturesque capital of France's Alsace region offers an evening of history and culture, whether you choose to wander the charming streets or relax with a beverage at one of the inviting cafés or wine bars. This evening, we gather for the gala dinner, our final dinner onboard the ship.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Optional Excursions

Strasbourg City Tour

On the tour, we visit its striking cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district. Home to tanners,... More

Black Forest

Explore the magical Black Forest to witness stunning views. Germany's largest nature park filled with... More

Disembarking our ship this morning, we say goodbye to our wonderful crew and make our way by rail to the picturesque town of Interlaken, set between two idyllic Alpine lakes in Switzerland.

Our hotel is well located, allowing for a leisurely stroll through the historic streets. When the skies are clear, the view of the valley is 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 the holiday today, a journey to Jungfraujoch - Europe's highest station. Boarding the sensational Jungfrau Express at Kleine Scheidegg, the train winds its way up the mountain through breathtaking views of the alpine landscape.

As we keep climbing, the views get more spectacular the higher we go. When we reach Jungfraujoch, the vistas from the Sphinx viewing platform are 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 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.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Throughout this holiday, the natural beauty along the Rhine has charmed us. From amazing views in Koblenz and Boppard to the fairytale scenes along the Rhine Gorge and renowned architecture in Heidelberg, Speyer and Strasbourg. We marvelled at the majestic alpine peaks in Interlaken, setting the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable journey aboard the Jungfrau Express.

After breakfast, it's time to bid farewell to incredible Interlaken. We head to the railway station and catch our train to London, where we say goodbye.