Jungfrau Express & Five

We meet in St Pancras International at our dedicated departure office before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. Here we transfer to the high-speed TGV service for Strasbourg where we spend one night. Overnight Strasbourg. (D)

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Strasbourg, giving you some free time to explore the delights of the town. You may like to visit the city's Old Town, dominated by the spectacular Notre Dame Cathedral with its famous astronomical clock, this church has remained unchanged since the Middle Ages. Petite France, located on the Grande Île, is the ancient heart of the city and well worth a visit. This afternoon, we board our train bound for Switzerland. Upon arrival in Interlaken, we check into our hotel, the 4-Star Hotel Metropole where we enjoy dinner tonight. Overnight Interlaken. (B, D)

We travel on the Jungfrau Railway to the Jungfraujoch - Europe's highest railway station. We begin on the Bernese Oberland Railway, trundling through the foothills of the Alps from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, through flower-filled pastures and past pretty villages. We then join the Wengeralp Railway, continuing our ascent through ever-changing scenery to Kleine Scheidegg, where we join the Jungfrau Railway. Climbing further from Kleine Scheidegg, the train arrives at Jungfraujoch, the 'Top of Europe', located 3454m above sea level. With free time at the summit station, you will have plenty of time at the summit to explore the Ice Palace and its many ice sculptures as well as visit the café here. Overnight Interlaken. (B, D)

We depart Interlaken today, traveling to Basel by rail, before boarding the Amadeus Silver III*. This evening, we enjoy a welcome cocktail before a delicious Swiss-themed meal. Overnight ship. (B, D) *Departures on May 30 and July 17, 2021 will sail on the MS Amadeus Imperial  .

Our vessel sails into the charming German town of Kehl today. Sat across the Rhine from Kehl is the beautiful city of Strasbourg, whose position on the German-French border has seen it change hands between the two nations frequently throughout history. Because of this, Strasbourg represents the best of both cultures, with colorful half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. You have two choices here. Your first option is a city tour of Strasbourg, uncovering its charm and history. Your second alternative sees you travel along the Schwarzwaldhochstraße into the famous Black Forest of Germany, passing through stunning fairytale panoramas and enjoying free time in the charming spa town of Baden Baden. Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

We arrive into Speyer this morning, where you have free time to explore. This town is home to one of the largest privately owned collections of vehicles in the world, the Technik Museum Speyer. Featuring an entire jumbo jet, army vehicles, emergency vehicles, a submarine and much more, this museum is a treasure trove of vehicular delights and is well worth a visit. Later in the afternoon, we have an excursion to the delightful academic town of Heidelberg where we are treated to a guided tour. Heidelberg is famous for a magnificent ruined castle, proudly stood high above the town below, gazing down onto the river and the attractive townhouses. Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

We sail into the classic German town of Rüdesheim am Rhein, known for its formidable wine production especially of the dry Riesling variety. Perhaps walk along the river during your free time here this morning, before our ship departs for Koblenz. This afternoon includes one of the highlights of the tour as we pass through the glorious Rhine Gorge, one of the most beautiful sections of the river and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sheer river banks rise up, towering over the river below, covered in deep forests and miles of green vineyards, lending an almost ethereal feel to the waterway. We enjoy a commentary from our knowledgeable Cruise Director during this passage. Our lunch today sees us tuck into a wonderful themed buffet with a suckling pig as the striking centerpiece, and several smaller dishes from this part of the world making up the rest of the offerings. Weather permitting we'll enjoy our lunch on the sun deck as we take in the majesty of the glorious Rhine Gorge. We sail this evening into the enchanting city of Koblenz, you may wish to visit one of the famous wine taverns here. Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

We depart from Koblenz this morning and discover the marvelous Lower Rhine, a stretch of river characterized by lush green meadows and postcard villages. Our Cruise Director provides us with the history of this area and highlights points of interest. In the afternoon, we dock in Koenigswinter, where we embark on a journey on the Drachensfelbahn railway. This rack railway rises into the mountains and high into the forests for wonderful views across the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany. In the evening, we indulge with a traditional gourmet dinner which features Spargelzeit, a kind of white asparagus which is famous in this area. (Please note, Spargelzeit depends on seasonal availability). Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

Arriving into Cologne this morning, we venture forth into this vibrant German city on a walking tour. We visit the resplendent cathedral, a centuries-year-old building that survived 14 aerial hits during bombing across the Second World War. We also wander through the many bustling squares, labyrinthine streets and see Romanesque town-houses. Tonight is an opportunity to dress up in our finest as we enjoy a Gala dinner with the captain and crew. Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

We arrive into Amsterdam this morning, the Dutch capital, where we have a choice of two excursions, the first of which is a city tour of Amsterdam. One of the most popular of all the European cities, Amsterdam is as modern as it is historic, as young as it is old. From idyllic canals and large parks, to contemporary art galleries and futuristic architecture, this is a city that boasts something for everyone. The second option is an excursion to Hoorn where we board the splendid Medemblik Steam Train and enjoy a nostalgic trip through splendid Dutch scenery. Overnight ship. (B, L, D)

After a buffet breakfast, we disembark the ship, and here your cruise concludes. Make your way back to the railway station with your Tour Manager to board your train back to London St Pancras. A transfer to Schiphol Airport is also available, should you wish to conclude in Amsterdam. (B)