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Sailing only in daylight hours means that you won't miss a single moment of the breathtaking scenery, as we drift gracefully alongside the riverbanks, discovering the picturesque towns nestled on both sides, each filled with their own unique atmosphere and culture.
Marvel at the legendary Rhine Gorge, gazing in awe at the majestic castles, vineyard covered hills, and lush forests of this a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy the varied wonders of beautiful Strasbourg, the landscapes of the Black Forest, the castle ruins of Heidelberg, and the quaint alleys of Rudesheim. Unwind and explore on a luxury adventure that promises relaxation, discovery, and a front-row seat to Europe's most spectacular landscapes.
What’s included
Our holiday begins as we meet at London St Pancras before boarding the Eurostar to Paris, this morning. From here, we continue by rail to the enchanting city of Strasbourg, where our magnificent ship awaits us.
As we settle into our home on the river, we're warmly greeted with a welcome cocktail before dinner.
Today, 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. 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 cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district.
Later this afternoon, you're at leisure in Strasbourg until dinner this evening. Discover the city's fascinating history, admire its grand architecture and experience its unique character at your own pace.
Early this morning, we set off on our first relaxing sail toward charming Speyer. Arriving in the afternoon, we disembark and join our coach for an excursion the picturesque university town of Heidelberg, known for its lovely Old Town and stunning riverfront which is perfect for a relaxing stroll.
We enjoy a guided tour including a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone castle that towers over the city. From here, we take in the amazing views of the surrounding forests, river, and cityscape. Returning to Speyer, we board our ship again in time for dinner.
We spend our morning sailing past the old Roman city of Mainz and spa town of Wiesbaden, to the captivating town of Rüdesheim, famous for its delicious white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety. This afternoon, we get to know the history and stories of the renowned wine town during a guided tour through the vineyards aboard a land train and a visit to the Niederwalddenkmal for outstanding views over the Rhine.
After our tour, there's time to wander its cobbled streets at leisure. Meander the charming half-timbered houses and quaint shops. You could even drop in at one of the enticing wine bars in the Drosselgasse alley for a glass or two before dinner this evening.
After breakfast, we depart Rüdesheim and enjoy a highlight of our cruising experience - sailing through the romantic Rhine gorge. This section of the Rhine is renowned for its spectacular views. 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.
Our journey through the Rhine Gorge comes to a close, and we moor in the town of Koblenz, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Your afternoon is at leisure to explore the quaint, friendly town. We recommend strolling to Deutsches Eck where you'll be surrounded by inspiring vistas including the mighty Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. Back onboard later, we cruise the enchanting Middle Rhine, sailing by riverbanks lined with lush green meadows and pretty villages. During dinner this evening, we dock overnight in Königswinter.
After breakfast, 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'. We experience wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany as we climb higher.
During lunch, we enjoy an afternoon sail to vibrant Cologne. Here, we enjoy a tour of the city and explore its lively 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. We then head back to our cruise ship for our Gala dinner onboard.
After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our wonderful crew. We make our way to the railway station and head towards Brussels where we catch the Eurostar to London St Pancras. Here, we say goodbye to new friends and fellow travellers.
All prices are per person and assume full occupancy of the room.
Please always refer to the website for up-to-date prices and availability.
The Drachenfelsbahn cog railway leading to the top of the Drachenfels opened in 1883 and was very popular, as it drastically reduced the time and effort taken to reach the summit. The line is just less than a mile long, and climbs 220 metres above sea level on its way to the peak.
Tours begin on sleek Eurostar services departing from London's gloriously restored St Pancras International station. Travelling on high-speed lines in the UK and on the Continent, Eurostar speeds us through the Channel Tunnel to Lille, Paris or Brussels to meet our European connections.
The MS Amadeus Star is a 'masterpiece of design' and offers impeccable cabin spaces with 70 deluxe cabins and 12 Amadeus suites. Made up of 4 decks, the ship features several facilities including the panorama bar, restaurant, river terrace, as well as a wellness centre where you can book a relaxing massage, or arrange one of many beauty treatments. The sun deck on board also provides a fitness suite, which is open all day. Each bedroom onboard comes with a spacious ensuite bathroom, a mini bar, a flatscreen television, walk-in wardrobe, and either a double or twin bed. Some rooms also offer panoramic windows or a balcony.
Whether it is arranging an upgrade on Eurostar, a hotel in London the night before you depart or your rail travel from your local station to your departure point, we can help you make even more of your holiday with our selection of upgrades.
We appreciate that many of our customers travel from a variety of places in the UK to St Pancras International in London to join our tours. Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions.
At Rail Discoveries we can book special fares issued in conjunction with your tour. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.
As our tours generally commence at St Pancras International during the morning of the first day (or at Heathrow Airport for holidays beginning with a flight), it is often more convenient to make your way to London the previous day, so you are fresh and rested before joining your tour.
Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home. Alternatively, you may simply wish to enjoy London's many attractions, activities and entertainment options... the theatres, the museums, the parks and the shops are all waiting to be explored!
Whatever your reasons, why not take a little time before or after your Rail Discoveries tour to see what the UK's capital city has to offer? We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or at Heathrow Airport for the night before or after your holiday. Please ask for prices and details.