Glacier Express & Autumn on the Moselle

Your holiday begins as we meet at London St Pancras ahead of our Eurostar journey to Paris. Travelling in Eurostar Plus seats, we enjoy a light meal from the comfort of our seat. From here, we continue by rail to the Swiss city of Chur via Zurich, where we spend the night.

Once we have checked in to our hotel, you have time to relax before dinner. After, you may choose to go for a walk and explore some of Switzerland's oldest town. Chur is backed by mountains, and its colourful Old Town is a charming place to wander. The centre of the Old Town is the idyllic Martinsplatz, where you can find the Town Hall. Overlooking the historic centre are the 800-year-old cathedral and the terracotta-fronted Bishop's Palace.

• Eurostar Light Meal
• Dinner

A highlight of the tour awaits after breakfast this morning, as we board the world-renowned Glacier Express. On this spectacular journey, which is often referred to as the 'slowest express train in the world', you can savour the scenery as we experience unparalleled views of awe-inspiring mountain ranges.

We spiral up the mountains, crossing vast viaducts, burrowing through tunnels and rising above the clouds. From our seats in First Class, we enjoy the incredible views through panoramic windows and have lunch along the way.

Our destination is the resort town of Zermatt, our idyllic base for two nights. This car-free village is set beneath the striking Matterhorn and is filled with traditional wooden chalets and alpine charm. This evening after you settle into our new surroundings, we enjoy dinner at the hotel.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast this morning, another amazing excursion awaits us as we board the Gornergrat Mountain Railway. After crossing the Findelbach River, our train begins climbing steeply. Passing through short, curved tunnels to gain height amongst the imposing mountain landscape, we arrive at Riffelalp station, around halfway to the summit of Gornergrat. Here, we admire the stunning views over the valley.

Our railway journey then continues across a dramatic landscape as we approach the summit station of Gornergrat. Here we can enjoy stunning views over 29 other mountains in the Alps, including the Matterhorn.

Back amongst the low-pitched roofs of Zermatt's timbered chalets, an expert guide reveals that this charming alpine resort has several surprising connections to the UK, including the intriguing story of English mountaineer Edward Whymper. We dine independently tonight, and you could opt for one of Zermatt's many restaurants.

• Breakfast

We bid farewell to Zermatt this morning. After breakfast, we journey by First Class rail via Visp and Basel, arriving at Strasbourg in the early evening. Here, we transfer by coach to the harbour where our magnificent ship is waiting for us.

As we step aboard our privately chartered ship, we're greeted by our friendly crew with a refreshing welcome cocktail. We stay moored in Strasbourg overnight to take full advantage of daytime sailing and the autumnal riverside views.

After settling in, we enjoy our first dinner onboard. With a drinks package included each night of your cruise, you can unwind over a delicious meal, eagerly anticipating the wonderful experiences ahead.

• Breakfast, Dinner

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.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we sail into Rüdesheim, famous for its white wine. As you cruise through this section of the Rhine, the scene is alive with rich colours that capture the essence of the season.

Stepping ashore, we travel through steeped vineyards aboard a land train. Here there's a choice of excursions. You may choose to savour the finest local varieties at a wine tasting, or you could visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet and discover Europe's largest collection of finely tuned mechanical instruments. After your excursion, enjoy time at leisure to explore the town's cobbled streets and see the half-timbered houses, shops, and wine bars in the Drosselgasse alley.

This afternoon, we begin sailing through the Rhine Gorge, which 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 which soars almost 500 feet out of the water. Arriving in Koblenz later this afternoon, we dock for the evening on the Moselle promenade, where there's time to explore before dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our morning is spent cruising through river landscapes along the Rhine, where you can choose to enjoy a drink on the sun deck, admiring the sweeping views as our ship makes its way to Cochem. After lunch onboard the ship, we sail into the port of Cochem where the Moselle Valley surrounds us with rolling hills, wooden houses and the majestic Cochem Castle (the Reichsburg) perched on top of a hill.

Here, we enjoy a guided tour of the charming town, where we discover the maze of slender alleys adorned with pastel-coloured buildings. After, you have time to explore further at your own pace, perhaps discovering the quaint boutiques and wine cellars. In the old quarter, you'll find well-preserved sections of the ancient town walls and an arts centre in a former monastery.

Later, you return to the ship with time to relax before dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We enjoy the 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 colourful 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 speciality.

Following our afternoon of exploration, enjoy the evening's onboard entertainment.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 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.

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

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a morning of relaxed cruising and taking in the scenic landscapes, we arrive in Königswinter on the Rhine River, and 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.

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 Gothic cathedral. After dinner onboard this evening, you may choose to wander into the Old Town, where you can soak up the city's atmosphere, admire the historical buildings and sample the famous Kolsch beer.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

During this holiday, we have been captivated by some of the most breathtaking landscapes, from the spectacular views aboard the renowned Glacier Express to cruising along one of Europe's most serene waterways.

From Strasbourg's history to Rüdesheim's fairytale charm we immersed ourselves in fantastic culture. Cochem crowned the Moselle's beauty, while Bernkastel-Kues' quaint streets were a delight to discover. Exploring ancient Trier and the views aboard the Drachenfelsbahn were a true highlight of the trip.

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. From here, we say goodbye to the Tour Manager, and you are free to make your own way home.

• Breakfast