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Treasures of the Rhine

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You are viewing the 2025 itinerary. Select your departure year
20252026
8 days From £2,199 £1,899 per person
4.8 stars(16 reviews)
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Rail & Cruise

Cruise along the most scenic parts of the Rhine with a carefully planned itinerary with no overnight sailing and free time for personal exploration

Save £300pp

Save £300pp on River Cruise 2025 and selected 2026 holidays, when you book by 31st January 2025.

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2025 Tour code: RCR25

About the tour

This beautifully scenic, easy-paced cruise takes us to the amazing towns and cities of the River Rhine. Sailing by the most enchanting landscapes, discover historic Heidelberg and medieval Strasbourg along with the sensational vistas of the glorious Rhine Gorge.

From Cologne, we sail south to explore the charming town of Koblenz, enjoy a guided tour of stunning Heidelberg, and wander Strasbourg's winding alleys lined with half-timbered houses. Along the way, we stop in lovely Rüdesheim to see the famous Drosselgasse alley and soak up amazing scenery as we leisurely cruise.

Join us as we embrace the wonders of the River Rhine and experience its enchanting towns and landscapes.

Unforgettable Experiences

Explore Cologne
Explore Cologne
Immerse yourself in the city’s cheerful streets, where history blends with modern life. Wander through cobblestone pathways to the famous Gothic cathedral, a timeless masterpiece with intricate details, soaring arches, and stunningly designed windows.
Romantic Rhine Gorge
Romantic Rhine Gorge
Sail through this enchanting UNESCO World Heritage site where spellbinding castles emerge, verdant forests stretch as far as the eye can see, and vineyard-clad slopes cascade down to the water's edge. We also drift by the dramatic Lorelei Rock, steeped in myth and legend.
Drachenfels Cog  Railway
Drachenfels Cog Railway
Reach the summit of the majestic Drachenfels on the exhilarating Drachenfelsbahn cog railway. A journey of unparalleled beauty, we wind gracefully up the rolling slopes as the majestic panorama of the Rhine Valley gradually unfolds.
Historic Heidelberg
Historic Heidelberg
Visit the ‘Jewel of Germany’ on a guided tour, delving into the highlights of this picturesque riverside city as we stroll through the historic Altstadt and visit the imposing Heidelberg Castle, perched majestically atop the verdant hills overlooking the city.
Discover Rüdesheim
Discover Rüdesheim
Explore this charming town and the famous Drosselgasse, a quaint narrow alleyway lined with traditional pubs and wine cellars. While here, choose between a fabulous wine tasting or visit the marvellous Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet.
Enchanting Strasbourg
Enchanting Strasbourg
Venture into the Black Forest, an ancient woodland where towering trees shrouded in mist create an otherworldly atmosphere and discover Strasbourg’s grand architecture, cobblestone streets, and meandering canals.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - To Cologne where we board our luxurious ship

Our holiday begins this morning as we meet at London St Pancras before boarding the Eurostar. In the city of Cologne, we board our magnificent ship, the luxurious Amadeus Imperial, and settle into our home on the river. Our friendly crew warmly greet us with a welcome cocktail as we get ready to immerse ourselves in the wonders of the Rhine. We then gather for our first dinner onboard, savouring the beginning of our cruise experience.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Exploring Cologne

After breakfast, we enjoy a leisurely tour of Cologne and wander through its cheerful streets and 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.

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 as we arrive in the enchanting town of Königswinter. Here, we journey on the Drachenfelsbahn railway.

This fabulous 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. We experience wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany as we climb higher. We then head back to our cruise ship for dinner onboard.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Picturesque Koblenz and quaint Boppard

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.

There's time at leisure 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 delightful 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 (Four Lakes Viewpoint). From here, you'll be enveloped with panoramic views of the Rhine Valley and the surrounding countryside.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - The enchanting Rhine Gorge and charming Rüdesheim

Our morning is spent leisurely onboard, sailing through delightful 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 lush 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 captivating Rüdesheim where we travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train, arriving in the centre of the renowned wine town. Here there's a choice of excursions, each promising a delightful insight into the town. You could experience why the town is famous with a fantastic wine tasting, savouring the finest local varieties. 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 charming half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and enticing wine bars in the Drosselgasse alley.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Traditional Heidelberg and lovely Speyer

After a morning of relaxed cruising and lunch onboard, we arrive in the city of Mannheim. From here we journey by coach to charming Heidelberg for a guided tour. The picturesque university town is known for its lovely 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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - A scenic sail to Strasbourg

Today we enjoy a full day cruise to the French city of Strasbourg. Relax onboard as we pass diverse landscapes and fantastic 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 enchanting 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.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - The enchanting Black Forest or striking Strasbourg

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

Alternatively, you could enjoy a city tour of Strasbourg, where you'll discover its fascinating history, admire its grand architecture and experience its unique character. The city sits on the French-German border and blends the best of the two cultures, with colourful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. On our tour, we visit the UNESCO-listed cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district.

Following your 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 a captivating 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.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 8 - Homeward bound

After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew. We head to the railway station and catch our train to London. Here, we say goodbye to new friends and fellow travellers. As you make your way home, look back on the beautiful moments we shared along the Rhine - amazing views in Koblenz and Boppard, the fairytale scenes along the Rhine Gorge, timeless culture in Rüdesheim, and renowned architecture in Heidelberg, Speyer and Strasbourg.

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

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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Upgrades

London Hotels
UK rail connections

Reviews

4.8 stars4.8 / 5 · 16 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (13)
  2. 4 stars
    (2)
  3. 3 stars
    (1)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Pooler

5 stars

Submitted 2/Jun

It was first class. I have already submitted a very detailed review to Great Rail Journeys

Collected by Trustpilot

Mr Peter Dodd

5 stars

Submitted 2/Jun

Have already left review!,

Collected by Trustpilot

J W Smail

5 stars

Submitted 2/Jun

Very well organised river cruise, interesting excursions, nicely appointed cabins, excellent meals and lovely crew. Ticked all the boxes.

Collected by Trustpilot

Jo

3 stars

Submitted 2/Jun

Sadly not quite as exciting as The Majestic Rhine. Need to spend more time on certain excursions.

Collected by Trustpilot

Isabel

5 stars

Submitted 2/Jun

Very relaxing holiday, everything taken care of

Collected by Trustpilot

Mra. Harrison

5 stars

Submitted 29/May

Excellent room, excellent staff… fabulous food ( except for the cheese board…nice cheese but only Tuc biscuits !!!!!! ) very well organised daily tours. Despite the mostly dull and wet weather best holiday in years and will definitely repeat the experience.

Collected by Trustpilot

Show 6 more reviews
River Cruise Holidays 2025

River Cruise Holidays 2025

Experience the magic of cruising along some of Europe’s most picturesque waterways. Glide serenely along the romantic Rhine, explore the blue Danube or meander through the enchanting Douro Valley. With our river cruises, you’ll drift through beautiful landscapes and historic towns.

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