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The Rhine Valley in Flames

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You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
20242025
8 days From £1,895 per person

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NEW Rail & Cruise

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

2024 Tour code: FRR24

About the tour

Sail along the enchanting River Rhine on a luxury river cruise which includes the spectacular Rhine in Flames celebration. While gazing at the beautiful passing scenery, uncover historic towns, unspoilt villages, and timeless traditions.

Drift through the enchanting Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site adorned with stunning castles, lush forests, and sprawling vineyards. Discover the sights of enchanting Strasbourg, the magical allure of the Black Forest, and the elegance of Heidelberg.

Every bend offers an inspiring experience on this holiday, as the Rhine reveals the wonderful treasures along its banks.

You can also extend this river cruise with two fantastic Swiss rail holidays - Glacier Express & the Rhine Valley in Flames and the Jungfrau Express & the Rhine Valley in Flames. Or, experience the Rhine in Flames aboard a ship that is a part of the display on our The Rhine in Flames cruise.

Unforgettable Experiences

Rhine in Flames
Rhine in Flames
Experience the incredible Rhine in Flames procession as 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
Discover 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.

During a delightful lunch on board, we begin sailing upstream through the Lower Rhine, 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 detail 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

Leaving Cologne this morning, we head to Königswinter where we 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'. 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 Königswinter after lunch, we soak up the enchanting Middle Rhine. As we sail through this captivating stretch of river towards Koblenz - 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 the spectacular Rhine in Flames

Waking up in Koblenz this morning, we head out to explore this historic city. On a guided tour, we see the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and the Deutsches Eck monument at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. From the viewing point, we enjoy breathtaking views in every direction including the two rivers and the Roman cityscape.

After lunch back on board, 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.

This evening, we dock in Oberwesel for 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.

We have a great vantage point 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 begin sailing overnight.

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

Sailing to charming Speyer in the afternoon, we step ashore and take in the sights of this historic German city and its cathedral. We then 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 historic Strasbourg

Today, we sail into the charming French 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 Imperial

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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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