Compare Premium Rhine Cruise 2017 by Great Rail Journeys vs Majestic Switzerland (Small Groups) by Luxury Gold
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
4 | Great
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 3,281 | $ 9,175 |
| Price Per Day | $ 410 | $ 918 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Luxury |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 7 Dinners |
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| Description |
Enjoy A Fantastic Cruise On The Mighty Rhine Join us on the wonderful MV A-Rosa Viva as we cruise our way through Germany along the romantic River Rhine. From Cologne, we explore charming medieval wine towns, admire the breathtaking scenery of the Rhine Gorge and the majestic Lorelei Rock, and cross the border into Switzerland for a visit to the beautiful city of Basel. |
From St. Moritz to Zermatt and onto Geneva, this once-in-a-lifetime itinerary ventures across Switzerland aboard the Glacier Express. In Lucerne, the Rosengart Museum opens for you after hours for a special, VIP Experience with sparkling wine among the masterpieces of Picasso and Renoir. Before bidding lakeside Lucerne farewell, choose how to visit the fascinating Swiss Transportation Museum, either with a highlight tour or learn about sustainability.The Activity Level of this tour is Balanced, meaning there is 1 to 3 miles of walking per day which may include some uneven surfaces such as cobblestones and stairs. |
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: Welcome to Switzerland
Your Switzerland tour begins by private chauffeur to your hotel. Tonight, dine on traditional Swiss fare at an elegant local restaurant this evening.
Ambassador, Zurich
Dinner
Day 2: Vaduz and St. Moritz Relaxed Start
Journey through picturesque Swiss countryside to Liechtenstein lined with stately medieval castles, quaint villages and dramatic mountains. Admire Vaduz Castle before ascending Julier Pass to Engadine Valley. Arriving in St. Moritz, soak in its jet-set atmosphere over dinner at Restaurant Engiadina.
Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski, St. Moritz.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: The Roof of Europe Relaxed Start
The dramatic peaks and sprawling meadows of St. Moritz come to life by joining a Local Wildlife Expert for insights into the resident wildlife of the surrounding areas. Or, a gentle mountain hike with a Swiss Mountain Guide will acquaint you with this picturesque landscape and its history.
Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski, St. Moritz.
Breakfast
Day 4: All Aboard The Glacier Express
Take a breathtaking journey through the Swiss Alps to Zermatt aboard the Glacier Express. Sit back in your first-class seat and enjoy a lunch prepared on board, soaking up sensational views from your glass-domed carriage, as you wind through tunnels and bridges past the dramatic Matterhorn, towering Landwasser viaduct and picturesque castles rising out of the Rhine Gorge.
Mont Cervin Palace, Zermatt.
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Zermatt and Gornergrat Experience Relaxed Start
Ascend Gornergrat Mountain on Europe’s highest open-air cogwheel railway. Bask in the dramatic scenery from larch and pine forests to colorful Alpine meadows. Cross dramatic bridges and plunge through tunnels emerging into panoramic views of mountain lakes. The summit finds you standing in awe of the Matterhorn.
Mont Cervin Palace, Zermatt.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: The Swiss Riviera to Geneva
Your scenic journey with dramatic views of the Rhone valley vineyards, passes the ancient Chillon Caste before bringing you to the charming town of Montreux. Continue your lake-side journey along the Swiss Riviera, drinking in the grandeur of the snow-capped French Alps en route to Geneva.
Hotel d'Angleterre, Geneva.
Breakfast
Day 7: Highlights of Geneva Relaxed Start
After a Relaxed Start, discover the best of Geneva on a short walking tour featuring the Floral Clock and the grand Reformation Monument. Personalise your day on a relaxing cruise across Lake Geneva or at the Red Cross Museum. The evening beckons with an elegant meal at Michelin-starred La Chaumière.
Hotel d'Angleterre, Geneva.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: La Gruyère and on to Lucerne
Savor gourmet delicacies beginning with a tour and tasting at famed chocolatier Maison Cailler and, in Gruyères, enjoy a sumptuous lunch of bubbling fondue. Your decadent day concludes in Lucerne with an exclusive after-hours tour of the Rosengart Collection followed by bubbly and canapes among Picasso’s masterpieces.
Mandarin Oriental Palace, Lucerne
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: Lovely Lucerne Relaxed Start
At the Swiss Transportation Museum, learn about the future of sustainable travel in this engaging MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience sustainability tour. As evening sets in, cruise on Lake Lucerne to Stans where a futuristic cable car will carry you up Mount Stanserhorn. Bask in the Alpine views over a sumptuous meal at a panoramic, rotating restaurant.
Mandarin Oriental Palace, Lucerne
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Farewell Lucerne
Say a fond farewell to Switzerland before your private transfer to Zürich Airport.
Breakfast
