Compare Premium Rhine Cruise 2017 by Great Rail Journeys vs Best of Switzerland by Intrepid Travel

Day 1: London to Cologne

Meals: Dinner

We meet at our exclusive departure office at St Pancras International, where we join the Eurostar to Brussels. We change trains in Brussels and continue into Germany on the high-speed train to Cologne, where our home for the next seven nights, the MV A-Rosa Viva, is moored. Over the next week, the pace of your holiday is set by you. Tonight we enjoy our first dinner together on board as we begin our cruise on the majestic River Rhine.

Day 2: Boppard and The Rhine Gorge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We arrive into Boppard before breakfast this morning. Located in the scenic Rhine Gorge at a great bow in the river, Boppard is one of the region's most popular towns. Originally settled by the Romans in the 1st century BC, Boppard is surrounded by defensive walls, crowned with a castle built in the Middle Ages. Both of these are still present in the town today, along with the wonderful Rhine promenade.

You can see all of these on our included guided walking tour of Boppard. This afternoon we cruise through the stunning Rhine Gorge, an idyllic landscape. As we sail south we pass countless villages, towns and hilltop castles surrounded by rolling vineyards. We also navigate past the imposing Lorelei Rock, a legendary rocky outcrop that soars high above the water line

Guided walking tour of Boppard

Day 3: Kehl and Strasbourg

Meals: :Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We arrive at the town of Kehl this afternoon, where we moor for the night. From here we visit Strasbourg, the attractive capital of Alsace, on an included guided coach tour. Steeped in heritage, Strasbourg's city centre enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status and is a delight to explore. The city has changed hands several times and both German and French influences can be seen in abundance. Among the city's many highlights are the delightful Old Town, the spectacular Gothic Cathedral, with its famous astronomical clock, and the stunning Petite France quarter, an area of picturesque half timbered houses, dotted with mills and crisscrossed by canals.

Guided tour of Strasbourg with a local guide

Day 4: At Leisure In Strasbourg

Meals: :Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You are at leisure today until the early evening, and you may wish to spend your time discovering more of charming Strasbourg independently, or simply relaxing on board and enjoying the ship's facilities. We sail overnight for Basel in Switzerland.

Free time to visit Strasbourg independently or relax on board

Day 5: Basel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we arrive in Basel, a beautiful Swiss city that stands at the point where Switzerland, France and Germany meet, and provides Switzerland with its only navigable outlet to the sea. Here we can enjoy an optional guided walking tour, taking in Basel's abundance of romantic cobbled lanes, quaint markets and its beautiful red sandstone cathedral or spend our time at leisure. Basel is also home to many museums and art galleries. The historic Old Town contains lively shopping streets that connect the two main squares, while medieval town houses and churches line the steep lanes that lead up towards the majestic Münster, dominating the skyline from high above the Rhine.

Explore Basel at leisureTake an optional guided tour

Day 6: Breisach

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we arrive in Breisach, a small fortified hill town at the Rhine's edge in the heart of the Rhineland's 'winecellar'. Here we enjoy an included guided tour of Breisach city and visit to a vineyard, where we are given the chance to try three of the local sparkling wine with a specialist tasting.

Guided tour of BreisachVisit to a vineyard with tastings

Day 7: Mainz And Koblenz

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our cruise continues to Mainz this morning, a city established by the Romans at the confluence of the Rhine and Main rivers. Here you can enjoy an optional walking tour including the Gutenberg Museum, which tells the story of printing pioneer Johannes Gutenberg. His bible was the first major printed work, and was printed in the city in the 15th century. This afternoon we continue north, sailing back through the beautiful, rugged landscapes of the Middle Rhine Valley. Late afternoon we arrive in Koblenz, situated at the northern end of the scenic Rhine Gorge, and the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Here you can discover the sights of one of Germany's oldest cities at leisure or take an optional guided tour.

Day 8: Return To Cologne And Home

Meals: Breakfast

We arrive in Cologne this morning, disembark the ship and make the short transfer to the station to join the high-speed rail service to Brussels. On arrival in the Belgian capital we connect with the Eurostar service back to London.

Day 1 Zurich

Welcome to Switzerland! There's much to see and do in Zurich, so we recommend you book some additional nights prior to the trip's start. This afternoon, meet your group at 5 pm in the hotel lobby for an important welcome meeting. Afterwards, take an evening orientation walk with your leader around Zurich to take in the river and lakefront by night.

Day 2 Lucerne

This morning, get a taste of the world-renowned Swiss rail system – efficient and punctual – as you head to Lucerne, a small city known for its mountainous backdrop on the pristine Lake Lucerne. The city is a popular destination for those visiting central Switzerland thanks to its proximity to many outdoor activities, its breathtaking natural beauty and historic architecture. On a walking tour with your leader, take a walk past 15th-century frescoed houses and across covered wooden bridges and climb to the top of the medieval towers along the city walls for spectacular views of this picturesque city and its surroundings. In the tiny streets of the old town (Altstadt), there’s often a craft market and dozens of shops full of unique handmade goods.

Day 3 Lucerne / Mt Pilatus

It's tour time! Hop on the Golden Pilatus tour – a roundtrip journey across Lake Lucerne to the summit of Mt Pilatus and back to town via boat, rail and gondola. From the shores of the Reuss river in Lucerne, hop on a steamboat ride along the lake to Alpnachstad, where you'll board the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, which takes you to the summit of Mt Pilatus at 2132 metres. Walk up to the various viewpoints or just park yourself on the panoramic viewing platform and enjoy some lunch (and perhaps even a yodelling or alphorn demonstration if you're lucky). From here, travel down the other side of the mountain via gondola. Opt to walk back to the city centre or hop aboard a public bus for an evening at your leisure.

Day 4-5 Jungfrau region

Today, travel to the Jungfrau Region of the Swiss Alps and enjoy a couple of free days in this picturesque mountain paradise. From your homebase in the valley village of Lauterbrunnen, you've got a tonne of optional activities to choose from. With trains and cable car routes throughout the valley, it's quite easy to access viewpoints and hikes of all levels from the valley floor to mountain peaks. You could also visit Trummelbach Falls – Europe's largest subterranean waterfalls whose powerful glacier waters have carved a slot canyon through the mountainside. You might also opt to ride the rails from Lauterbrunnen through the villages of Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg to board the train to Jungfrauroch, aka the Top of Europe, home to the highest railway station in Europe at nearly 3500 metres. Interlaken and Grindelwald are easy day trips, too. Happy exploring!

Day 6 Bulle

This morning, catch another train to Bulle, located in La Gruyere district. Enjoy some time in this French-speaking town with an orientation walk followed by a cheese-infused picnic featuring local delicacies selected by your leader. Then, visit local chocolate shops to sample the wares. You'll have some free time later in the afternoon to wander down to Lake Gruyere to have a swim or find somewhere cosy to chill.

Day 7 Bern

Travel to Bern – Switzerland's capital and arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. After checking into your hotel, grab a quick lunch and follow your leader on an orientation walking tour. Head to the Old Town, explore the area where Einstein lived and developed his Theory of Relativity at the start of the 20th century and stop to check out Parliament House. Visit the famous Zytglogge - Bern Clock. On a guided tour, examine the gears and apparatus of the old clock, which dates back to the 15th century, with many original parts still in operation. Watch the perfectly timed figurines closely and don't miss out on the panoramic view of Bern from the top. In the evening, why not get some of your crew together to explore the food and drink scene in Bern – from typical Swiss dishes to worldwide cuisine, Bern is a great place for dining.

Day 8 Bern

With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave any time after breakfast. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to spend more time in Bern, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).