Call to book01904 521 936
Tour Search
#Favourites

The Rhine in Flames

Save
You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
20242025
8 days From £1,995 per person
Gallery
Map
NEW Rail & Cruise

Discover the magical Rhine on a spectacular cruise featuring the Rhine in Flames celebration.

2024 Tour code: RFR24

About the tour

Soak up the renowned beauty of one of Europe's most celebrated rivers. On this unique cruise, we experience the Rhine in an unforgettable way as our ship is part of the spectacular Rhine in Flames procession. The rest of our holiday is spent drifting by forested valleys, discovering half-timbered towns, and exploring the Netherlands and Germany.

You can also extend this river cruise with two fantastic Swiss rail holidays - Glacier Express and the Rhine in Flames and the Jungfrau Express & the Rhine in Flames. Or, experience the Rhine in Flames as a spectator rather than part of the display with The Rhine Valley in Flames.

Unforgettable experiences

Rhine in Flames
Rhine in Flames
Experience the incredible Rhine in Flames procession, becoming a part of the spectacle, as our ship is decorated with brilliant lights, the sky lights up, and the river shimmers with reflections of vibrant colours.
Rhine Gorge
Rhine Gorge
Sail through the spectacular Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, aboard our luxurious ship.
Heidelberg
Heidelberg
Explore the picturesque town of Heidelberg on a guided tour enjoying stunning views from its renowned castle.
Drachenfels Railway
Drachenfels Railway
Climb to the summit of the Drachenfels aboard the Drachenselsbahn Railway, for wonderful views across the forested hills and meadows to the Rhine, which meanders as far as the eye can see.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Discovery the charming city of Strasbourg or journey into the enchanting Black Forest.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - To Amsterdam where we board our luxurious ship

Today we meet at London St Pancras. Our holiday begins as we board the Eurostar to Amsterdam, where our magnificent ship awaits us.

This evening, we enjoy a welcome cocktail before dinner, which is 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.

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

We journey on the Drachenfelsbahn railway today. 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'. The viewing platform at the top provides wonderful vistas, across the evergreen hills and meadows, to the meandering Rhine in the distance.

Drifting away from Koningswinter after lunch, we soak up the enchanting Middle Rhine. As we sail through this captivating stretch of river - characterised by lush green meadows and postcard villages - our Cruise Director narrates its intriguing history and highlights.

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

Waking to views of charming Speyer, we step ashore and take in the sights 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, we sail into the charming German city of Strasbourg, where you have a choice between two fantastic excursions.

Your first option is a city tour of beautiful Strasbourg, uncovering its charm and history. The striking city is positioned on the German-French border and has seen it change hands between the two nations frequently throughout history, resulting in a unique representation of both cultures, with colourful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets.

Your second choice is a journey into the fabulous Black Forest, passing through stunning fairytale panoramas. Deep valleys, dense woodlands, verdant meadows, and whimsical waterfalls lie along the magical trails here.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Homeward bound

After breakfast, we disembark our magnificent ship and our cruise comes to an end. We journey 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

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

Ship

MS Amadeus Star

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

London Hotels
UK rail connections
Related inspiration from our journey blog