Admire the changing of the seasons on the Moselle and Rhine Rivers on a luxurious cruise exploring historic towns and cities and showcasing rolling vineyard scenery

Your vacation begins as we meet at London St Pancras for our Eurostar journey to Paris, then continue by rail to Strasbourg. As we step aboard our magnificent ship here, we're greeted by our crew with a refreshing cocktail.

We stay moored in Strasbourg overnight to take full advantage of daytime sailing and the beautiful riverside views. After settling in, we enjoy a delicious dinner, eagerly anticipating the wonderful experiences ahead. Overnight ship.

After breakfast onboard, you have a choice of two excursions. The first option is an excursion to Colmar, a picturesque Alsatian town with fairytale charm. Stroll through cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses and pretty flowers. Explore the historic Old Town's maze of narrow alleys, discover quaint cafes and local markets, and gaze at architectural landmarks like the Maison Pfister.

Alternatively, stay in Strasbourg for a guided tour, taking in the blend of French and German culture amidst cobblestone streets and canals. Wandering through its medieval alleys, marvel at the architecture of the iconic Notre Dame cathedral and explore the La Petite France district.

After your excursion, the afternoon is free to explore Strasbourg at your own pace. Back on board later, we set sail on our first cruise toward the town of Rüdesheim. Overnight ship.

This morning, we sail into Rüdesheim, famous for its white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety. Along the way, we enjoy scenic views of the vineyards blanketing the banks of the Rhine.

Stepping ashore, we travel through vineyards aboard a charming land train, arriving in the center of Rüdesheim. Here, there's a choice of excursions: you could savor the finest local varieties at a wine tasting or visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet to discover Europe's largest collection of mechanical instruments. After your excursion, there's some time at leisure to explore the town's medieval streets at your own pace.

This afternoon, we begin sailing through the Rhine Gorge. This section of the Rhine is renowned for its spectacular views. We wind around bends surrounded by a mix of green and yellow vineyards, ancient castles, and picturesque towns. As we sail, we hear the story of the legendary Lorelei Rock, before arriving in Koblenz later this afternoon, where there's time to explore before dinner. Overnight ship.

Our morning is spent cruising through river scenery. You could enjoy a drink as you step out onto the deck to witness the passing views as our ship continues its journey along the river. Sailing into the port of Cochem, we enjoy lunch on the ship before heading out on a guided tour.

The Moselle Valley surrounds us with rolling hills, wooden houses and the majestic castle - the Reichsburg - perched on top of a hill. The town itself is a maze of slender alleys adorned with pastel-colored buildings, quaint boutiques and wine cellars. In the old quarter, you'll find well-preserved sections of the ancient town walls and an arts center in a former monastery.

After our tour, we are treated to a wine tasting. The wines made in this region benefit from the steep, slate soil, creating crisp white varieties like Riesling. There is time after the wine tasting to continue exploring before dinner on the ship. Overnight ship.

We wake up to the stunning scenery of the Moselle Valley this morning, as we continue our cruise. The town of Bernkastel-Kues unfolds as we moor here after lunch. The vineyards of the valley climb up the hillsides, while half-timbered houses with blooming flowers add to the enchanting atmosphere. A sightseeing tour awaits us here.

Setting out with our knowledgeable guide, we visit the Old Town where the cobblestone streets are lined with traditional German buildings with half-timbered facades. We also experience the Market Square, a focal point of the town surrounded by colorful buildings. A highlight here is the St. Michael's Fountain, a Renaissance-style fountain adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures.

We also enjoy an included wine tasting to sample the local Bernkasteler Doctor specialty, renowned for its intense fruitiness and minerality. After our afternoon of exploration, we enjoy the evening's onboard entertainment. Overnight ship.

Waking to views of historic Trier, you have a choice between two excursions this morning. The first option is to explore Germany's oldest city with a local guide. The ancient streets of Trier are known for their Roman ruins, medieval buildings and Baroque churches, and we delve into this impressive history on our tour. Visit the immense Porta Nigra which guards the entrance to the north of the city, St Peter's Cathedral with its intricate stone carvings and stained-glass windows, and the Church of Our Lady, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Alternatively, you could board the coach to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. One of the smallest countries in the world, immerse yourself in the local history and attractions, like the late-Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral in the UNESCO listed Old Town and the Bock Casemates.

We spend our evening onboard enjoying a spectacular gala dinner, before we set sail downstream along the meandering Moselle toward Koblenz. Overnight ship.

After a morning of relaxed cruising, we arrive in Königswinter on the Rhine River, where the Drachenfelsbahn awaits.

This 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. Reaching the summit, we can enjoy panoramic views across the Rhine winding through the pristine landscape.

Back onboard later this afternoon, we continue our cruise toward Cologne. As we approach the striking city, admire the cityscape of bridges that span the river and the imposing Cathedral. You could visit the old town after dinner to sample the local hospitality and the famous Kolsch beer that is only made in the Cologne region. Overnight ship.

From Strasbourg's history to Rüdesheim's fairytale charm, we have explored this beautiful region from the comfort of our luxurious ship. Cochem, with its picturesque scenery, exemplified the beauty of the Moselle River, while Bernkastel-Kues' cobbled streets were a delight to discover. Exploring ancient Trier and the breathtaking views aboard the Drachenfelsbahn provided unforgettable memories of the Rhine's incredible landscapes.

After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our crew. We make our way to the railway station where we catch our train to London, where you are free to continue your journey home independently.

Starting in the riverside town of Königswinter, the Drachenfels Cog Railroad carries passengers more than 700 feet to up to the top of Drachenfels mountain. First operating in 1883, the line originally used steam-powered trains before changing in 1953 to the electric trains that continue to run today. This picturesque route passes Drachenburg Castle, a palatial 19th-century villa boasting romantic turrets and great views. On arrival at the top of the mountain, you will see the ruins of Drachenfels Castle, a 12th-century fortress that was destroyed 500 years later.

Founded in 1994 as an efficient means of transportation between London and the cities of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, Eurostar has been a welcome addition to the rail lines of Europe for over 25 years. Eurostar offers direct city center-to-city center connections to destinations like Paris, Lille, Brussels, and Amsterdam and connecting routes that take travelers even further to places like Strasbourg and Avignon. The train travels at high speeds of up to 186 mph and offers a comfortable environment for tourists and commuters alike on its modern trains.  

New for 2021, the Amadeus Cara will join the Amadeus fleet in April. Offering impeccable cabin spaces with 73 deluxe cabins and 12 Amadeus suites, each room 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, as well as a comfortable corner sofa. Made up of 4 decks, the ship features many amenities including the river terrace, restaurant, river terrace, as well as a fitness centre where you can workout or book a relaxing massage here.

Many of our guests choose to spend additional nights before or after their trip. Great Rail Journeys would be happy to make hotel arrangements for you.