Jungfrau Express and the Timeless Moselle & Rhine

Your holiday begins at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and the rest of your group before joining the Eurostar service to Paris. From the French capital, we continue by rail to Switzerland, travelling via Basel to the pristine mountain resort of Interlaken where we spend the first two nights of our tour.

This scenic resort town is set between two sparkling lakes - Thun and Brienz - and overlooked by the alpine peaks of the picturesque Jungfrau region. Arriving in the late evening, we check in before sitting down to dinner at our hotel.

• Dinner

A highlight of the holiday awaits today - a journey to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station. After an early breakfast, we set off to board the iconic Jungfrau Express at Kleine Scheidegg. From here, our train winds its way up the mountain and we soak up breathtaking views of the alpine landscape, pausing at the halfway station.

Our expert guide tells us about the geology around us and describes the history and construction of this remarkable railway line. We travel the final section by cogwheel train, entering an incredible tunnel which cuts through the Eiger mountain. On reaching Jungfraujoch, the vistas from the Sphinx viewing platform are truly awe-inspiring. At the top, we're close to the stunning Aletsch Glacier - a World Heritage wonder - which stretches as far as the eye can see.

After time to experience the panoramic views and find lunch, we return to Interlaken via the idyllic village of Grindelwald, nestled in a valley beneath the immense Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains. There's time to stroll around this characterful village before returning to Interlaken for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today begins with a free morning to explore the resort town of Interlaken. You could visit some of the local shops, walk beside one of the shimmering lakes, or enjoy the superb alpine scenery from a café. For amazing views, take the cable car to Harder Kulm viewpoint, where you can gaze out across lakes Thun and Brienz and the Swiss Alps.

Around midday we take a short walk to the station where we travel by rail via Basel to the city of Strasbourg, capital of the historic Alsace region. On arrival in Strasbourg, we step aboard our magnificent ship, where we are greeted with a refreshing cocktail.

With facilities including an open-air river terrace, sun deck lounge and lower Panorama lounge bar, this luxurious ship invites you to simply relax and enjoy the river views. After settling in to our home for the next seven nights, we enjoy our first dinner onboard.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast onboard, there is a choice of excursions. The first is a sightseeing trip to the picturesque town of Colmar, where you can spend an idyllic morning. Stroll the cobbled streets of the historic Old Town, whose narrow alleys are lined with half-timbered houses adorned with pretty window boxes. Visit a quaint café or browse the local market and admire architectural landmarks like the Maison Pfister.

Alternatively, tour the Alsace capital of Strasbourg where you can discover its charming blend of French and German heritage. Wander among medieval alleys to the Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame and the charming canals of La Petite France district.

Whichever town you choose to tour, there is free time to explore Strasbourg independently this afternoon, before our first cruise towards the Rhine-side German town of Rüdesheim.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we sail into Rüdesheim, famous for its white Riesling wines. Stepping ashore, we travel through terraced vineyards aboard a land train to the centre of the renowned town. Here there's a choice of excursions. You could choose to experience a wine tasting of the finest local varieties, savouring the fresh minerally finish from the region's slate soil. Alternatively, you may prefer to visit Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet which houses Europe's largest collection of mechanical instruments. 

After your excursion, there's some time to explore the Old Town and its famous Drosselgasse Alley, lined with historic wine taverns and artisan shops. This afternoon, we begin sailing toward the romantic Rhine Gorge. This section of the Rhine is known for its enchanting landscapes of lush vineyards, medieval castles and historic towns. As we sail, we hear about 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. There's time to explore before dinner - perhaps stroll along the Deutsches Eck for amazing views. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

A gentle morning cruise takes us through beautiful river scenery. You may wish to relax on the deck to enjoy the passing views as our ship continues its journey.

Sailing into the port of Cochem, the stunning Moselle Valley surrounds us with rolling hills, half-timbered houses and the majestic 11th-century castle perched atop a hill overlooking the town. The town itself is a maze of slender alleys adorned with colourful buildings, quaint boutiques and wine cellars. We enjoy lunch on the ship before setting out on a tour.

  Inhabited since Roman times, this small town has a long and fascinating history. On our guided tour of Cochem's Old Town, we view preserved sections of the ancient walls and visit a former monastery which now houses a cultural centre. After our tour, we enjoy a wine tasting of the local varieties, especially Riesling. You are free to continue exploring Cochem at your own pace before returning to the ship for dinner this evening. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our journey into the serene Moselle Valley continues this morning. Reaching the charming town of Bernkastel-Kues, we moor here after lunch before a sightseeing tour. The vineyards of the valley climb up the hillsides around the town, while picturesque houses with flower boxes add to the enchanting atmosphere. 

  Setting out with our knowledgeable guide, we visit the Old Town where cobbled streets are lined with colourful, traditional buildings featuring half-timbered facades. In the medieval market square, the focal point of the town, we see the St Michael's Fountain, a Renaissance-style fountain adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. We are then treated to a wine tasting to sample the famous Bernkasteler Doctor, a local speciality with a legendary reputation. 

After an afternoon of exploration in this beautiful town, we reboard our ship for dinner before starting an overnight cruise downstream. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking to views of historic Trier, there is a choice between two excursions this morning. The first option is to explore Germany's oldest city with a local guide. Trier's ancient streets are known for their Roman ruins, medieval buildings, and Baroque churches and our tour delves into the town's deep history. Our visit includes 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 charming Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. One of the smallest countries in the world, here you can immerse yourself in the local history on a drive through green rolling hills, past historic fortresses and medieval castles. 

After our excursions, we spend the evening onboard enjoying dinner, sailing back downstream along the meandering Moselle. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a morning of relaxed cruising, we arrive in Königswinter after lunch, where the Drachenfelsbahn awaits.

This fabulous 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 to the summit. After enjoying panoramic vistas at the summit, we return to our ship and continue our cruise through beautiful scenery toward Cologne. 

This is our final evening onboard and, after a Gala dinner, the ship approaches the striking city where we moor overnight. From the deck of our ship, you can admire the impressive cityscape of magnificent bridges that span the river and see the city's distinctive twin-spired Cathedral. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our tour of the stunning Jungfrau region and cruise into the scenic Moselle and Rhine began in pristine Interlaken, and majestic alpine peaks formed the backdrop to our trip aboard the Jungfrau Express. From picturesque Strasbourg to romantic Rüdesheim, we explored a rich culture and fascinating history. The town of Cochem crowned the Moselle's beauty, while the quaint streets of Bernkastel-Kues were a delight to discover. We also explored ancient Trier and savoured amazing views aboard the Drachenfelsbahn.    

After breakfast onboard this morning, we disembark and transfer to the station where we travel by train to Brussels. In the Belgian capital, we join the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras, where your holiday ends and you can continue your journey home.  

• Breakfast