Rhine Valley All Inclusive

London to Remagen

After meeting your group and Tour Manager at Rail Discoveries' dedicated Departure Office at London St Pancras International, board the Eurostar to Brussels. On arrival change trains and continue via Cologne to Remagen, a charming town on the banks of the Rhine. Here you will spend the next seven nights at the 3* Hotel Pinger. The delightful Hotel Pinger has been family-run since it was converted to a hotel in 1938.

Remagen and the Peace Museum

Today is spent in Remagen, with a visit to the Peace Museum included. Located at the famous bridge which featured heavily in several battles throughout the Second World War. This bridge marks a turning point in the war, when it was strategically taken by US Forces in 1945. The bridge at Remagen or the Ludendorff Bridge was the last remaining bridge across Rhine. Its dramatic capture by the US Forces despite German attempts to destroy it, inspired a 1969 film, titled 'The Bridge at Remagen.' The museum, housed in the bridge's towers, was opened in 1980, and tells the story of both the bridge's history and that of the nearby US prisoner of war camp, known as the Golden Mile. This afternoon, you are free to explore on your own.

Perhaps visit the Apollinariskirche, a Neo- Gothic Apollinaris Church, above Remagen. The church is replete with frescoes and breathtaking architecture, also offering a beautiful views of the Rhine River. You may also want to explore Wildpark Rolandseck, a game park where you can observe red deer, mouflon (a kind of wild sheep), and fallow deer. After dinner, there's a walking tour of Remagen that you are free to join.

Cochem on the Moselle

Today visit the popular town of Cochem, travelling by rail along the Rhine and Moselle. Use your free time here to explore the quaint streets and perhaps wander up to the Imperial Castle, the Reichsburg Cochem, situated on the vineyard-covered hills beyond the town. Considered the crowning glory of Cochem, Reichsburg is a medieval toll castle that was rebuilt in a fairytale style during the 1870s. The verdant surroundings and giant 4-storey octagonal tower is sure to transport you to a childhood fantasy world. Be enthralled by the tapestries, fine wood panelling, Louis XIV-style furniture, Baroque paintings, stained glass windows, and armour.

You may choose to take a stroll around the charming Old Town, admiring the gabled, half-timbered houses, some of which are several storeys high and topped with Moselle slate tiles. The marketplace also boasts a Baroque town hall while the medieval city gates protect the northern entrance to the city. You are free to return to the hotel by rail at your leisure.

The Rhine Gorge

Today's excursion takes you by rail to St Goar, where you take a pleasure cruise through the timeless and iconic Rhine Gorge. One of the most scenic sights along the Rhine River, the Rhine Gorge is dominated by the legendary Lorelei Rock, situated in the centre of the river. Legend has it that the sailors of yesteryears heard a murmuring sound from the rock, and it got its name from the old German word 'lurein', meaning murmur, and Celtic word 'ley' meaning rock. Stop at Rüdesheim and visit Drosselgasse, home to many of the town's famous wine taverns. Half-timbered medieval houses, narrow streets, and old inns give Rüdesheim a flavour of the Middle Ages.

After sampling some of the town's locally produced wines, you may wish to see the 9th-century Brömserburg, the oldest castle on the Rhine, or Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum, boasting one of the largest collections of automatons and self-playing instruments. Another option is a visit to the historic Klunkhardshof, a 2-storey, half-timbered building dating back to the early 16th century. Rüdesheim also has a cable car, which takes you on a scenic journey up over the vineyards for terrific views of the region.

On Day 5, you are at leisure. You have the option to directly arrange a trip to the Ahr Valley through which the River Ahr, a tributary of the Rhine, flows. The Ahr Valley is the perfect place for long walks, savouring the local cuisine, and tasting some of the most delicious wines here, with the most popular variety produced in the region being pinot noir. There are some excellent vineyards.

At leisure

The following 2 days are at leisure. You may wish to take the train to nearby Boppard. Once a Roman fort, Boppard has earned UNESCO World Heritage status for its history and outstanding natural beauty. Take in the handsome architecture of local landmarks, including the Alte Burg and the towering St Severus's Church. It's also easy to get to the city of Koblenz, set at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers and considered the historic gateway to the terraced vineyards and ruined castles of the Rhine.

Return to London

After breakfast this morning, take the train firstly to Cologne, where you change for the service to Brussels. From here join the Eurostar travelling directly to St Pancras in London, where your holiday concludes.

Please note

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

Departure Times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We will write to you around 10 weeks before your departure date with the precise meeting times for your tour group.