The delights of southwest Switzerland beckon on this rail and cruise vacation, which begins in the Swiss Riviera in Lausanne. During a three-night stay on Lake Geneva, visit Château de Chillon and journey through the Alps to Chamonix.
The journey continues in France with a Rhône cruise, which glimpses into the soul of each port of call. Savor Burgundy's renowned wines in Beaune and delve into the rich history of Lyon, France's gastronomic capital.
From the cliffs of the Ardèche Gorge to the historic streets of Avignon, every moment is unforgettable.
What’s included
Your memorable Swiss and French vacation begins today at London St. Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and group of fellow travelers. Boarding the Eurostar to Paris, enjoy a light meal served at our comfortable Plus Class seats. The journey continues, as we switch trains in France's capital and travel through the French and Swiss countryside, past distant mountains, to the stunning shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland.
Our destination is a luxurious five-star hotel in the lakeside city of Lausanne, where we stay for three nights. Take some time to settle in and admire the serene beauty of our Swiss Riviera location, before we gather in the hotel's restaurant for our first dinner together. Overnight Lausanne.
Today begins with a late morning boat ride to the elegant Château de Chillon. As we cruise across scenic Lake Geneva, take in the beauty of sparkling blue water surrounded by lush mountain peaks. We pass charming lakeside villages before spotting the castle on its outcrop, rising dramatically from the water.
Crossing the wooden drawbridge, we meet our guide for a tour of this 13th-century fortress. Chillon was the residence and profitable toll station of the Counts of Savoy for nearly four centuries. On our tour, we view its 14th-century painting, subterranean vaults, parade halls and the bedroom, which has been preserved in its original form from the time of Bernese rule.
We return to our hotel by coach, where the afternoon is free for you to continue discovering our beautiful setting or find dinner independently. Overnight Lausanne.
A highlight of our trip lies ahead today as we join the train to Martigny after breakfast. Here, we join the Mont Blanc Express for an unforgettable journey across the Alps, past the French border and up to the world-class resort town of Chamonix.
The line meanders through rows of vineyards, passing through the dramatic Trient Valley. Watch the views unfold as the Mont Blanc Express climbs high into the mountains amidst the snow-capped peaks before reaching the Trient Gorge.
On our approach to the Chamonix Valley, we are welcomed by glaciers and the formidable peak of Mont Blanc. We disembark the train with a free afternoon to find lunch and explore the pretty town and stunning scenery of Chamonix independently - perhaps while riding the highest cable car in France, the L'Aiguille du Midi. We enjoy an encore of the scenery as we follow the route back to Lausanne, arriving in time for dinner at the hotel this evening. Overnight Lausanne.
The next phase of our journey begins after breakfast, as we transfer to Lausanne's train station and board the train to Geneva. Here, we switch trains and continue to Lyon, France's third-largest city and a popular destination at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. As our train arrives, a coach transfer takes us to the waterfront, where our luxurious Amadeus ship awaits.
Stepping aboard, you have time to settle in with a welcome cocktail, allowing you to relax and take in the stunning surroundings. You could sip your drink while lounging on the sun deck with a view of Lyon's townhouses, narrow streets and scenic rooftops or in the ship's comfortable lounge.
Later, we have our first dinner onboard as we set sail for our mooring point near Ardèche. Overnight ship.
*Please note: the sundeck may be closed at times during your cruise due to safety reasons or weather conditions.
Another vacation highlight lies ahead today as we explore the stunning landscapes of the Gorges du Doux region. Enjoy breakfast onboard before traveling by coach to Tournon St Jean railway station, where we board the Train de l'Ardèche. This historic steam train, originally opened in 1891, takes us on a panoramic journey to remember.
We wind up foothills and into the valleys that populate the landscape. Several stone bridges crisscross the brooks and rivers, surrounded by lush forest, and we pass over these incredible structures and through tunnels built into the cliffs. Our locomotive takes us to sections of the gorges that no other form of transport can access, offering remarkable, little-seen views.
We retrace our journey back to the station and then transfer to our mooring point. As we rejoin the ship, you can settle in for lunch and an afternoon on the water as we continue sailing to the Provençal city of Avignon. Overnight ship.
Medieval walls and age-old architecture welcome us to Avignon today. Boarding the charming Le Petit Train d'Avignon, we set out on a guided tour of this stately city known for being the seat of the Pope in the 14th century.
Avignon's striking white papal palaces and majestic cathedral are just some of the highlights we see as we walk through Avignon's historic center, which earned World Heritage status in 1995. We also enter the Pope's Palace, admiring its spectacular interiors and collection of holy and religious artifacts.
You may use the Le Petit Train d'Avignon to return to the ship for lunch, and then you are free until early evening to discover the city at your own pace. Perhaps walk along the 14th-century walls that encircle the city's historic center - sections of the walls are open to pedestrians and offer fantastic views of the town and river beyond. After dinner on the ship tonight, we set sail for Arles. Overnight ship.
We begin our day with a guided tour of Arles, whose streets inspired many of Vincent Van Gogh's most famous paintings. Van Gogh produced more than 180 pieces during his time in Arles, including "Starry Night over the Rhône" and "Café Terrace at Night," the location of which can be found in the Place du Forum.
After lunch on the ship, you have the choice of two excursions. Your first option is visiting the beautiful Camargue Delta, where the Rhône opens into the Mediterranean. This is a treat for nature lovers, as the wetlands and park area are home to nearly 400 species of bird species, including pink flamingos. Also of note are the wild horses, Camarguais, which roam freely.
Your second excursion option takes you to the iconic arches of the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct of astonishing size spanning the Gardon River. Another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Pont du Gard is considered a feat of engineering. Overnight ship.
Today, we visit the stunning Ardèche Gorge, known as the "Grand Canyon of Europe" for its plunging terrain and dramatic vistas. An area of snaking rivers and deep gorges, this is a fantastic example of the natural beauty of the region. Sheer cliffs rise above waterways of sparkling emerald and deep green forests, providing unforgettable views. Our tour takes us to some of the most impressive points within the gorge, including the Pont d'Arc.
Afterward, we re-join the coach and finish our French exploration surrounded by the quintessential scent of the South of France: lavender. We enjoy entrance to the Lavender Museum, where we can learn about this iconic plant while basking in its relaxing aroma.
Heading to Le Pouzin, we reboard our ship and begin our return sailing to Lyon while having lunch. Sailing for the remainder of the afternoon, you can make use of the ship's amenities, perhaps taking a dip in the pool or indulging in a massage. Overnight ship.
Arriving in Lyon during the night, we disembark after breakfast for a guided tour. One of France's most iconic cities, Lyon has an incredible location at the confluence of two rivers that has made it a major hub for more than 2,000 years.
The beautiful pinks, oranges, reds and whites of the elegant buildings are reflected in the waters of Lyon's riverfront. Our tour explores some of the city's highlights and delves into its deep history. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the small shops and traditional businesses lend a classic French flair.
We enjoy a praline-tasting before returning to our ship in time for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure onboard as we cruise to Tournon sur Rhône. This is one of the most scenic and panoramic sections of the river, and it is well worth taking the time to admire the scenery from the sun deck. Rolling hills and verdant vineyards rise and fall, overlooked by châteaux and stately homes. Overnight ship.
Waking to lovely views in Chalon-sur-Saône this morning, we enjoy breakfast onboard before setting off on a coach excursion to Beaune. Set deep in the heart of the wine region of Burgundy, Beaune is a classic French medieval town with impressive walls, terracotta roofs and historical buildings.
We delve into its history on a sightseeing tour that discovers some of Beaune's most impressive points of interest. We also enjoy entrance to a local winery, where we can enjoy a tasting of some of the wines that make this town - and the Burgundy region as a whole - so famous. Beaune is one of the most important of France's wine centers and is surrounded by fields bedecked by vineyards growing Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay grapes.
This evening, we are invited to attend the captain's Gala dinner to celebrate our journey. Overnight ship.
A journey of mountains, stunning bodies of water and romantic cities, this rail and cruise journey has painted a picture of the beauty of western Switzerland and France. In addition to soaking up the beautiful landscapes, we toured the historic Château de Chillon and crossed the Alps to Chamonix before joining our ship in Lyon. Our Amadeus vessel followed a scenic route along the Rhône to incredible ports of call, including Avignon, Arles and the stunning Ardèche Gorge. We tasted Burgundy's wine in Beaune and explored Lyon's historic and gastronomic delights.
We leave this history and natural beauty behind this morning after having breakfast onboard. We disembark for the final time and bid farewell to our wonderful crew as we transfer to Lyon's station and travel by rail to Paris. From here, we board the Eurostar and enjoy a light meal onboard before arriving in London, where your vacation comes to an end.
| April 25, 2027 | From $5,499 |
| May 23, 2027 | From $5,799 |
| June 6, 2027 | From $5,999 |
| July 4, 2027 | From $5,699 |
| August 29, 2027 | From $5,699 |
| October 3, 2027 | From $5,499 |
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.
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.
Designed to make the most of the beautiful scenery and wonderful mountain vistas, the superb Mont Blanc Express offers one of the best rail journeys in the Alps. The route begins in the small Swiss town of Martigny. On departure, the line begins a gentle ascent, passing through the neat rows of vineyards alongside the tracks. Continuing into France through the charming landscape of the pretty Rhône Valley, the train begins to ascend, making use of the rack-and-pinion mechanism to climb higher into the mountains. The views in this section are outstanding, with snow-capped mountains towering over the sloping valley below. Reaching the dramatic Trient Gorge, the electric train crosses the wild rocky canyon using a series of bridges. Soon the mighty Mont Blanc hones into view. After a final climb along one of the line's steepest sections, the Mont Blanc Express arrives in the popular resort town on Chamonix, at the foot of western Europe's tallest mountain.
It's all aboard for a heritage rail journey with a difference. We often say that trains take you to places you couldn't see otherwise, and that is exactly the case with The Train des Gorges which traverses a particularly striking natural wonder, the Gorges du Doux. Inaccessible by every other mode of transport, you'll be able to marvel at dense forested landscapes and impressive limestone cliffs as you travel by nostalgic steam train.
Weaving its way alongside the Rhône river in south-eastern France, the Train des Gorges near the Ardèche mountains reveals the tapestry of marvellous woodland scenery for which this part of the country is known. Journey through the Doux Valley, this railway is made up from various beautiful bridges which are cast over babbling brooks and the titular stone gorges. A charming steam locomotive hauls a line of blue carriages on an enchanting journey alongside mountains and rivers.
The Amadeus Provence offers unparalleled luxury as it travels along the Rhône and Saone Rivers. This elegant small ship features deluxe cabins, modern onboard conveniences, and superb service. In addition to generous amenities and ample social spaces, an extraordinary luxury on this floating five-star hotel is the Infinity pool located on the Sun Deck, an ideal place to while away a sunny day on the ship.
We offer a selection of upgrades and 'add-ons' designed to help you make the most of your holiday - and make it even easier!