Be met on arrival in Amsterdam and transferred to your premium river ship. Perhaps grab a map to explore this carefree, cosmopolitan city and its magnificent network of canals. This evening, meet your Cruise Director and fellow passengers at a Welcome Reception. 

With  historic houses lining its banks and studded with low bridges, Amsterdam’s network of 17th-century canals lends the city its nickname ‘The Venice of the North’. Today, you’ll board a glass-top boat and glide past the city’s waterside sights with a local guide.

Back on land, enjoy some free time to explore  before  saying goodbye to Amsterdam. Later tonight, enjoy a special Welcome Dinner on board.

Learn how the twin spires of Cologne’s famous cathedral, the Kölner Dom, took over six centuries to complete as you cruise into this picturesque city. Disembark and take the short drive to Brühl for your Insider Experience. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the centre of Cologne at your leisure.

Insider Experience – Augustusburg Palace in Germany

Explore the former residence of Archbishop-Elector Clemens August, the World Heritage-listed Augustusburg Palace in Brühl. Listen to enthralling stories and enjoy a walk through the stunning landscaped parks and gardens between the castle and the Falkenlust hunting lodge. The palace and the lodge are some of the finest examples of rococo architecture from 18th century Germany.

Sit back and soak up the scenery as you cruise through some of Europe’s prettiest stretches along the Moselle River. Discover Cochem on a walking tour, exploring the narrow alleyways with their half-timbered houses. Perched on a hill overlooking the beautiful Moselle River, we visit the magnificent Cochem Castle, which could be straight from the pages of a fairytale.

Cruise through the Rhine Gorge – considered the most beautiful section of the Rhine River. Dock in  Rüdesheim  and ride the Winzerexpress mini road train through the town to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Here, discover a magnificent collection of automated musical instruments. Wander through the Old Town and be sure to call in to the famous  Käthe  Wohlfahrt  Christmas store for decorations and gifts.

Arrive in Strasbourg, the Alsatian city that lies on the border between France and Germany. Afterwards, return to your river ship for a Farewell Dinner.

Insider Experience - Guided tour of old town and food tasting

On a guided walking tour of the old town, discover the stunning medieval architecture including the famous cathedral, and sample a taste of the region including some local cheeses and sweets.

Disembark in Breisach and embark on a journey through the enchanting Black Forest region. Travel by coach through lush pine and birch forests that blanket the mountainsides, arriving at the picturesque village of Triberg.

This morning after breakfast disembark your ship for the final time and transfer to your hotel in Basel. This evening, meet your Great Rail Journeys Tour Escort and other travellers over a Welcome Dinner.

Wake up to the stunning beauty of Switzerland and enjoy a relaxing coffee at breakfast. Then, board a train for a scenic journey from Basel to Interlaken. Upon arrival, take the iconic Giessbach funicular railway, ascending to your mountaintop hotel. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Brienz’s turquoise waters, with picturesque towns and villages lining the shores, and the majestic mountains reflecting on the calm lake.

Board one of Switzerland’s most scenic railway routes today on the Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway. Depart from Brienz, where the steam-hauled train awaits, and begin your steady ascent through dramatic mountain landscapes, with the shimmering waters of Lake Brienz below. As you climb higher, the scenery becomes progressively greener, and jagged mountain peaks rise to eye level. At over 2,000 metres above sea level, you’ll reach Rothorn, the summit of the rail journey. Disembark and explore the peak at your own leisure. Then, return by train for your descent to Brienz and Giessbach.

After breakfast, travel by coach to Spiez, then by rail to Brig where one of Switzerland’s most famous trains awaits. Lunch is served in the rail cars during your journey. Arrive into the Engadine Valley and check into your hotel. This part of the Graubünden canton epitomises the beauty of alpine Switzerland with lush meadows on the valley floor surrounded on all sides by imposing mountains. Even in summer, many of the peaks are dusted with snow.

Insider Experience - Glacier Express

The red and white Glacier Express is known for being the slowest express train, but also one of the most scenic. Board the train and chug through tunnels, and across countless bridges and viaducts. A sure highlight is when you ascend over 1,800 metres at the Oberalp Pass, with the train using cogwheels to conquer the steepest points. 

On your Insider Experience rail ride, you’ll travel at an altitude of over 2,000 metres, enjoying views of turquoise glacial lakes nestled below. Once in Tirano, it’s time to explore at leisure. There’s a peaceful old quarter towards the east of the town, which you might like to head to for a rest after the excitement of the rail adventure. Later in the afternoon, it’s time to head back to Switzerland.

Insider Experience - The Bernina Express

Connecting Italy and Switzerland on one of the highest railway lines in the Alps, the Bernina Express is a must on any train-lover’s list. Join this rail odyssey today, carving through the snow-capped landscapes and lush hillsides to Tirano in northern Italy. 

Because Switzerland is so well known for its superb rail network, you are in for another treat today. Travelling to Lucerne, join the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. Aboard the Mt Pilatus Railway, with a gradient that reaches up to 48%, there are many moments on this journey reminiscent of a roller coaster rather than a railtrack. Spend half an hour ascending almost two kilometres from Alpnachstad to Pilatus-Kulm, located just outside the city of Lucerne, where your hotel awaits. Settle in upon arrival and prepare for a full day of exciting sightseeing tomorrow.

You may wish to return to Lucerne after breakfast at your hotel this morning and set off on some independent sightseeing. Lucerne’s most famous site is the Chapel Bridge, which spans the Reuss River in the heart of the city. Built in the 14th century, this wooden bridge once served as protection against outside attacks on the city. Today, a series of 17th-century paintings hang on the walls inside, telling the tale of Lucerne’s history. There are also plenty of churches to visit, and wandering along the cobbled stone streets is an equally enticing option. After you’ve explored the town, head back to the hotel for a Farewell Dinner.

Your incredible journey reaches an end this morning after breakfast. Transfer to Zurich airport by train.