Jungfrau Express & Luxury Rhine Cruise

With this amazing tour and cruise you will climb to the highest railway station in Europe and then experience the stunning River Rhine.

Before you set sail on the magical waters of the Rhine, venture to the top of Europe on the Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch, the continent’s highest railway station. Experience the majesty of the Swiss Alps by rail, as the mountains serenade you with spectacular views across the peaks below.

Itinerary

Day 1: To Interlaken
Meet your Tour Manager at London St Pancras to board the Eurostar service to Paris. From here, you continue to Interlaken by rail.  Check into your hotel, the 4-Star Hotel Metropole where you enjoy dinner tonight.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Journey on the Jungfrau Express
You travel on the Jungfrau Railway to the Jungfraujoch – Europe’s highest railway station. Begin on the Bernese Oberland Railway, trundling through the foothills of the Alps from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, through flower-filled pastures and past pretty villages. You then join the Wengeralp Railway, continuing your ascent through ever changing scenery to Kleine Scheidegg, where you join the Jungfrau Railway. Climbing further from Kleine Scheidegg, the train arrives at Jungfraujoch, the ‘Top of Europe’, located 3454m above sea level. With free time at the summit station, you will have plenty of time at the summit to explore the Ice Palace and its many ice sculptures as well as visit the café here.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3: Boarding your ship
You depart Interlaken today, travelling to Basel by rail, where you’ll be met by a local guide who will escort you to the ship, the Amadeus Silver II or III. This evening, you enjoy a welcome cocktail before a delicious Swiss themed meal.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4: Strasbourg
Your 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 alternative sees you travel along the Schwarzwaldhochstraße into the famous Black Forest of Germany, passing through stunning fairytale panoramas and enjoying free time in the charming spa town of Baden Baden.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Speyer and Heildeberg
You 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, you 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.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Rudesheim and Rhine Gorge
You sail into the classic German town of Rüdesheim am Rhein, known for its formidable wine production especially of the dry Riesling variety. Perhaps walk along the river during your free time here this morning, before your ship departs for Koblenz. This afternoon includes one of the highlights of the tour as you 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. You will enjoy a commentary from the knowledgeable Cruise Director during this passage. Your lunch today is 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 you can enjoy your lunch on the sun deck as you take in the majesty of the glorious Rhine Gorge. You sail this evening into the enchanting city of Koblenz, you may wish to visit one of the famous wine taverns here.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Upper Rhine & Drachensfelbahn
You will depart from Koblenz this morning and discover the marvellous Upper Rhine, a stretch of river characterised by lush green meadows and postcard villages. Your Cruise Director is able to provide the history of this area, and highlights points of interest. In the afternoon, you dock in Koenigswinter, where you 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, you 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).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Cologne
Arriving into Cologne this morning, you venture forth into this vibrant German city on a walking tour. Visit the resplendent cathedral, a centuries-year-old building which survived 14 aerial hits during bombing across the Second World War. Then wander through the many bustling squares, labyrinthine streets and see Romanesque town-houses. Tonight is an opportunity to dress up in your finest and enjoy a Gala dinner with the captain and crew.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Amsterdam and Medemblik Steam Railway
You arrive into Amsterdam this morning where you 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.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: To London
After a buffet breakfast, you disembark the ship and here your cruise concludes. Make your way back to the railway station with your Tour Manager to board your train back to London St Pancras.

Accommodation Options 

MS Amadeus Silver II
Designed with the express purpose of navigating Europe’s finest waterways, the MS Amadeus Silver II offers a superb cruising experience. In many ways a floating hotel, the Amadeus Silver II truly makes the most of the rivers it sails upon, combining comfortable and tasteful interiors, with the tranquil beauty of the scenery outside. Run by a friendly crew who place your requirements above all else, your time aboard this special vessel should be as carefree and relaxed as possible.

This ship is made up of 4 decks, and features a number of facilities including an international restaurant, a panoramic bar, a quiet lounge area, a fitness suite and a salon. On the Sun Deck, there are loungers and deck chairs, perfect for sitting and socialising with fellow passengers. Each well- appointed cabin features a television, a walk-in wardrobe, an en-suite toilet, a hairdryer and a minibar.

MS Amadeus Sliver III
The MS Amadeus Silver III is an enchanting vessel and excellent floating hotel, cruising along the rivers of northern Europe. Charming interiors, impeccable service and 5-star catering make this ship one of the finest ways to experience the natural and human beauty of the European rivers as you relax, sleep and dine against spectacular backdrops and wonderful scenery. Enjoy the serene tranquillity that only river cruising can bring on board the MS Amadeus Silver III.

Amenities on board include a restaurant serving international and domestic food, a panoramic bar with specially designed windows, a fitness suite and a hair salon. On top of the ship is the Sun Deck with deck games, loungers and deck chairs. Each cabin has a television, an en-suite bathroom, a walk in wardrobe and a minibar.

Hotel Metropole – Interlaken
The 4-Star Hotel Metropole is ideally located in the centre of Interlaken, on the main street, lined with chic boutiques. The hotel offers very spacious public areas, and from the higher floors magnificent views of the Jungfrau.

The hotel has two restaurants, the Bellini on the 4th floor, a traditional Swiss speciality restaurant, which will impress you with first class service and exquisite cuisine; and the Top O’Met on the top floor, the highest restaurant in the area, and affording unrivalled views, where you can take coffee or cake in the daytime whilst enjoying the panorama. Leisure facilities in the hotel include a sun deck and a sauna.

Rooms are attractively furnished and feature a telephone, television, minibar and a safe. All rooms offer wonderful views of Interlaken and the surrounding mountains, and many feature a balcony.

Trains

Drachenfels Cog Railway
Travel on the Drachenfels Cog Railway, that starts at the bottom of Königswinger and takes us up 722 feet to the top of Drachenfels Mountain, and past Schloss Drachenburg – a stunningly beautiful villa that is said to have inspired the castle in Disney’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’. On arrival at the top of the mountain, you will see the ruins of Burg Drachenfels, a castle that was built in the 12th century, and destroyed 500 years later. The line started running in 1883, using steam powered trains, changing to electric traction in 1953, and continues to run today.

Jungfrau Railway
The wonderful train journey up to Jungfraujoch is the highlight to this tour. Providing visibility is good, passengers not only enjoy spectacular views from Jungfraujoch, but also throughout the journey itself.

Contact us for dates & prices