The Mont Blanc Express and Rhine Cruise

Today, meet your Tour Manager and the rest of your group at London St Pancras before travelling on the Eurostar service to Amsterdam, where you'll be escorted to the ship. This evening, we enjoy a welcome cocktail before dinner this evening.

• Dinner

After Breakfast this morning, we have a choice of two excursions, the first of which is a city tour of Amsterdam. One of the most popular of all the European cities, Amsterdam is as modern as it is historic, as young as it is old. From idyllic canals and large parks, to contemporary art galleries and futuristic architecture, this is a city that boasts something for everyone. The second option is an excursion to Hoorn where we board the splendid Medemblik Steam Train and enjoy a nostalgic trip through splendid Dutch scenery.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arriving into Cologne this morning, we venture forth into this vibrant German city on a walking tour. We visit the resplendent cathedral, a centuries-year-old building which survived 14 aerial hits during bombing across the Second World War. We also wander through the many bustling squares, labyrinthine streets and see Romanesque town-houses.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We depart from Cologne this morning and discover the marvellous Upper Rhine, a stretch of river characterised by lush green meadows and postcard villages. Our Cruise Director provides us with the history of this area, and highlights points of interest. In the afternoon, we dock in Koenigswinter, where we embark on a journey on the Drachensfelbahn railway. This rack railway rises into the mountains and high into the forests for wonderful views across the Rhine- Westphalia region of Germany. In the evening, we indulge with a traditional gourmet dinner which features Spargelzeit, a kind of white asparagus which is famous in this area. (Please note, Spargelzeit depends on seasonal availability).

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You have free time here this morning to explore Koblenz.

This afternoon includes one of the highlights of the tour as we pass through the glorious Rhine Gorge, one of the most beautiful sections of the river and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sheer river banks rise up, towering over the river below, covered in deep forests and miles of green vineyards, lending an almost ethereal feel to the waterway. We enjoy a commentary from our knowledgeable Cruise Director during this passage.

Our lunch today sees us tuck into a wonderful themed buffet with a suckling pig as the striking centrepiece, and several smaller dishes from this part of the world making up the rest of the offerings. Weather permitting we'll enjoy our lunch on the sun deck as we take in the majesty of the glorious Rhine Gorge. 

This evening we sail to the classic German town of Rüdesheim am Rhein, known for its formidable wine production especially of the dry Riesling variety.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We arrive into Speyer this morning, where you have free time to explore. This town is home to one of the largest privately owned collections of vehicles in the world, the Technik Museum Speyer. Featuring an entire jumbo jet, army vehicles, emergency vehicles, a submarine and much more, this museum is a treasure trove of vehicular delights and is well worth a visit. Later in the afternoon, we have an excursion to the delightful academic town of Heidelberg where we are treated to a guided tour. Heidelberg is famous for a magnificent ruined castle, proudly stood high above the town below, gazing down onto the river and the attractive town houses.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our vessel sails into the charming German town of Kehl today. Sat across the Rhine from Kehl is the beautiful city of Strasbourg, whose position on the German-French border has seen it change hands between the two nations frequently throughout history. Because of this, Strasbourg represents the best of both cultures, with colourful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets.

You have two choices here. Your first option is a city tour of Strasbourg, uncovering its charm and history. Your second choice sees you travel into the famous Black Forest, passing through stunning fairytale panoramas.

Tonight is an opportunity to dress up in our finest as we enjoy a Gala dinner with the captain and crew.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a buffet breakfast, we disembark the ship in Basel and transfer by rail to Montreux. On arrival in Montreux check into our hotel, the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace.

• Breakfast

Boarding the Mont Blanc Express, we ride the length of this spectacular line across the French border to Chamonix. The route meanders through rows of vineyards before entering France. Passing through the charming landscapes of the Rhône Valley, the train climbs high into the mountains. Using a rack-and pinion mechanism, the we ascend past snow-capped peaks and deep valleys before reaching the Trient Gorge. On our approach to the Chamonix Valley, we're welcomed by the breathtaking sight of glistening glaciers and majestic Mont Blanc itself. There's some free time in Chamonix before we make the return journey.

• Breakfast

We take the train to Cully, in the nearby Lavaux region, where terraced vineyards rise from the shores of Lake Geneva. We enjoy a tour of the surrounding wine estates from our seat aboard the charming Lavaux Express, a tractor-pulled road train that winds through the vineyards and surrounding villages. Admire panoramic views of the lush vines against the contrasting, turquoise waters of the lake before we arrive back in Cully for a visit to a local winery, where we enjoy a talk from the owner before a tasting of the excellent wines. We take the train back to Montreux where your evening is free. You could settle down outside a bistro for an al fresco meal and sample some iconic Swiss classics such as cheese fondue, raclette or crispy potato rosti.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we make our way by rail to Paris where we catch the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast