Oberammergau, Floriade & Rhine Cruise

Our holiday begins at London St Pancras, where we board the Eurostar to Paris. Continuing to Stuttgart for the night, we check into our hotel on arrival.

We travel by train into Germany, arriving in the small Bavarian town of Oberammergau for two nights. On Day 3, we enjoy a highlight of our holiday as we take our seats for the most famous Passion Play in the world. Soon the curtain will rise on over 2,000 local volunteers who help bring the story of Jesus of Nazareth to life over the course of a fivehour performance on a state-of-the-art open-air stage. The play covers the period of time from Jesus entering Jerusalem up until to his death on the cross and subsequent resurrection and includes a lengthy interval during which we enjoy a traditional Bavarian dinner.

Departing Bavaria, we travel by rail to the Swiss city of Basel, where we board our 5-Star ship. This evening, we enjoy a welcome cocktail before a delicious Swiss themed dinner to celebrate the start of our cruise.

We cruise into the French city of Strasbourg today, nestled on the German-French border. The city's position means it has changed hands between the two nations frequently throughout history, and today it truly represents the best of both cultures, with colourful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. You have two choices of excursions. Your first option is a city tour of Strasbourg. The tour takes you around the city's most famous spots, including the Cathedral, showcasing the best of its charm and history. Your second option is to travel by road deep into the Black Forest, a journey that takes in the fairytale panoramas of one of Germany's most iconic regions.

We arrive in Speyer this morning, where there's 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 we have an excursion to the university town of Heidelberg, which we discover on a guided tour. Heidelberg has a history as a city loved by poets, writers, and artists, and is famous for the ruined castle that stands guard over the riverbanks, looking over the town below.

We sail into the classic German town of Rüdesheim am Rhein, known for its wine-making, with its delicious Riesling wines particularly renowned. Enjoy free time here; perhaps take a stroll by the river, or visit the famous Drösselgasse, lined with traditional pubs and wine cellars. This afternoon we enjoy a highlight of our cruise as we travel through the Rhine Gorge. A UNESCO-listed World Heritage site, as we sail along, we're immersed in a fairytale world of riverside castles, sloping vineyards, and ancient forests. For lunch, we tuck into a themed buffet. A sucking pig serves as the striking centrepiece accompanied by several other local dishes - the perfect way to get an authentic taste of local culture. This evening, we arrive in the enchanting city of Koblenz. With some time to explore at your own pace, you may like to visit one of the famous wine taverns.

Leaving Koblenz this morning, we sail onwards through the Lower Rhine, admiring views across its lush green meadows and postcard villages. On the way, we learn about the fascinating history of the area as our Cruise Director highlights points of interest throughout the journey. We arrive in Koenigswinter, where we embark on a trip on the Drachensfelbahn railway. This rack railway climbs steeply up the side of a mountain close to the banks of the river, revealing wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region.

We arrive in Cologne, a vibrant German city which we discover on a walking tour. We see the centuries-old cathedral, a structure which survived 14 aerial hits during World War II. We also wander through the bustling squares and streets lined with Romanesque townhouses. Tonight, enjoy an opportunity to dress in your finest as we sit down to a gala dinner with the captain.

We sail into Amsterdam this morning. 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 its iconic canals and large parks to its contemporary art galleries and futuristic architecture, Amsterdam boasts something for everyone.

You have a choice of three exciting excursions. You could choose to explore the city on an immersive guided tour or travel to Hoorn to board the Medemblik Steam Train for a nostalgic trip through enchanting Dutch scenery. Your third option is to visit the Floriade flower show, a horticultural event that takes place once every decade.

Taking place in the Dutch town of Almere, floriade is not only the world's ultimate flower show - spread over five themed zones across an enormous 66 hectares - it is also a celebration of plants, vegetables, fruit and produce. Gardeners from all over the world offer you the opportunity to enjoy the most exquisite and exceptional examples of horticulture found anywhere on Earth.

We leave the ship after breakfast and make our way to the station to board our train back to London St Pancras.