Experience the stunning Swiss Alps with a trip to the 'Top of Europe' on the Jungfrau Express before a seven-night cruise along the magical Rhine

Your holiday begins as you meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras this morning, before boarding the Eurostar service to Paris. From the French capital, we continue our journey by rail to Basel.

This attractive Swiss city, close to the borders with France and Germany, sits on the Rhine River and is considered the country's cultural capital. Basel's Old Town is dominated by its twin-spired Gothic minster, with its distinctive red sandstone walls and colourful roof tiles.

After checking in to our overnight hotel, we enjoy the first dinner of our tour with our group this evening.

From Basel, we continue our journey bound for the stunning setting of Interlaken after breakfast at our hotel. We make our way by rail to this popular Swiss town, set between two idyllic alpine lakes - Thun and Brienz - and surrounded by majestic peaks.

Our hotel is in a quiet yet convenient spot, allowing for a stroll through the town's historic streets. When the skies are clear the views are wonderful, offering a panoramic vista of the Bernese Oberland including the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains.

As we settle into our hotel for the next two nights, you can explore the town at leisure or simply relax and soak up our new surroundings before dinner this evening.

Today brings the first highlight of the holiday, a journey to Jungfraujoch - Europe's highest train station. Boarding the iconic Jungfrau Express at Kleine Scheidegg, this extraordinary route takes us through a tunnel dug into the rocks of the Eiger mountain before arriving at the summit.

Here, you're free to admire countless awe-inspiring mountain peaks from the Sphinx observatory, be wowed by the endless Aletsch Glacier or maybe head to Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven to see how Swiss chocolate is made. You could also visit the Alpine Sensation exhibition which uses projected images and music to pay tribute to the miners who built the railway more than 100 years ago.

After returning to Interlaken via the scenic Swiss mountain village of Grindelwald - where there is time to stroll around - we head back to our hotel before dinner this evening.

The morning is yours to continue to soak up the alpine beauty of Interlaken. After having breakfast at the hotel, you might like to wander around the waterfronts or stroll along the Höheweg, the main shopping street.

After lunch, we walk to the station to board the train to Basel. On arrival, a coach transfer takes us to the banks of the Rhine, where we board our luxury cruise ship. Our wonderful crew welcomes us aboard with a drink, and there is time to relax in our new home on the river and familiarise yourself with the ship's excellent facilities. You can also use this time to admire the surrounding views.

This evening, we enjoy our first dinner in the ship's panoramic restaurant and set sail on an overnight cruise toward Strasbourg.

Sailing into the historic Alsace city of Strasbourg after breakfast, there's a choice of two wonderful excursions. The first is a trip into the magical Black Forest to witness stunning views. Germany's largest nature park is filled with rolling hills, fairytale villages, dense forests and wildflower meadows. On an exploration of this idyllic setting, you'll learn about the enchanting history and folklore of the region.

Alternatively, you could enjoy a tour of Strasbourg, a city in Alsace that was once part of Germany but is now in France - and Strasbourg's grand architecture reflects this blend of the two cultures. On the tour, we visit its striking cathedral and the quaint La Petite France district. Home to tanners, millers and fishermen in the Middle Ages, this pretty area is now a UNESCO World Heritage site of cobbled streets, flower-lined canals and beautiful half-timbered houses.

There's a free afternoon to explore Strasbourg independently before we return to our ship this evening and enjoy drinks with dinner.

Waking to views of Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities, today there is the option of a guided tour of Heidelberg or to explore Speyer independently. Heidelberg is a picturesque university town with a beautiful Old Town and stunning riverfront, ideal for a relaxing stroll. Our tour includes a visit to the magnificent ruined, red sandstone castle above the city, which has wonderful views of the surrounding forests and river.

If you'd prefer to stay in Speyer, there's plenty to discover here too. There's a beautiful Old Town, and among the highlights is the jaw-dropping cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Returning to our ship for lunch, we enjoy a scenic afternoon cruise. Sailing downstream, we pass the famous Roman city of Mainz and spa town of Wiesbaden before arriving in Rüdesheim early this evening.

After dinner, you could enjoy the sounds and sights of the attractive town, famous for its delicious white wine, especially the dry Riesling variety.

This morning, we travel through charming Rüdesheim aboard a land train, arriving in the centre of the renowned wine town. Here, there's a choice of excursions. You could savour Rüdesheim's most famous produce with a tasting of the finest local varieties of wine or discover Europe's largest collection of mechanical instruments at Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet. Afterwards, there's time at leisure.

We begin sailing this afternoon and enjoy a highlight of the holiday - gliding through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO-listed section renowned for its spectacular views. Winding around bends surrounded by miles of vineyards, hilltop castles and picturesque towns, we also hear the legend of the Lorelei Rock. Soaring almost 500 feet out of the water, this monument has been the inspiration for countless myths and legends, including the tale of a siren whose song has enchanted passing sailors.

Arriving in the city of Koblenz, you have time to explore. We recommend visiting Deutsches Eck at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. Later, we make our way back to the ship, where dinner is served onboard.

During a morning of relaxed sailing, we leave Koblenz and continue north along the Rhine. Shortly after Andernach, look out for the highest cold-water geyser in the world that erupts up to heights of nearly 200 feet.

After lunch, we dock in Königswinter for a fantastic trip on the Drachenfels Cog Railway. Rising high into the forests, we pass the fairytale Drachenburg Castle - the name of which translates as 'Dragon's Rock' and has inspired many of the dragon-related legends still heard today. Travelling to the summit, we can admire wonderful views across the rolling hills of the Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany.

Back onboard this afternoon, we continue our cruise through beautiful scenery towards Cologne. During the approach, the city's bridges and imposing cathedral hone into view. On arrival, we gather for dinner and drinks as we stay overnight in this historic city.

Awaking in Cologne, we embark on a guided tour which introduces us to its squares and Romanesque townhouses. This German city sits beside the Rhine and was founded as a military camp by the Romans who named it Colonia, which is from where the modern term 'colony' is derived.

The city's most iconic landmark is its impressive cathedral, the largest in northern Europe. Construction of this UNESCO-listed edifice began in 1248 to house relics of the Three Wise Men. Rising more than 515 feet with spectacular twin spires, this Gothic masterpiece is the most visited attraction in Germany. There's time here to stand in awe and marvel at its ornate carvings and stained-glass windows.

Returning to our ship, we enjoy lunch as we set sail towards the Netherlands, savouring dinner and drinks as we wind towards our fourth and final country on an overnight cruise.

Our ship sails through the Lower Rhine this morning, with a distinct change in scenery further downstream as we approach the Netherlands. Arriving in Amsterdam early this afternoon, we take a canal sightseeing cruise of the Dutch capital, a cultural city that's as modern as it is historic, soaking up stunning views of picturesque waterways and architecture as we glide along.

Alternatively, you can choose the optional excursion - a visit to Volendam and Edam to uncover their cheese heritage. Besides being famous for Dutch cheese, Volendam is a stunning old town, with traditional houses dotted beside serene canals and a small harbour.

Back on board our ship this evening, we gather for a gala dinner accompanied by the songs of the Dutch sea shanty choir - the perfect end to our Rhine cruise.

After three days exploring Switzerland, including a memorable trip on the Jungfrau Railway, sailing from the Swiss city of Basel to Amsterdam has showcased the diverse beauty of four countries. Gliding along the Rhine on our cruise and through spectacular Swiss Alps landscapes by rail allowed us to soak up breathtaking scenes from our front-row seats.

After breakfast, it's time to disembark and say goodbye to our crew. We make our way to the railway station and head towards Brussels where we board the Eurostar to London St Pancras. Arriving in London this evening, your Tour and Cruise holiday comes to an end.

The Drachenfels Cog Railway carries travellers from the bottom of Königswinger to the top of Drachenfels Mountain. On the way, it passes Schloss Drachenburg, a stunningly beautiful villa that said to have inspired the castle in Disney's 'Sleeping Beauty'. At the top of the mountain, passengers can see the ruins of Burg Drachenfels, a castle built in the 12th century and destroyed 500 years later. The Drachenfels line started running in 1883, using steam-powered trains, and changed to electric traction in 1953.

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

The route from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station, comprises three different railways. The first leg from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen is on the Bernese Oberland Railway, continuing to Kleine Scheidegg on the Wengernalp Railway. From Kleine Scheidegg, the Jungfrau Railway climbs to Eigergletscher, before entering the 4.43-mile tunnel that ends in the underground station at Jungfraujoch. During the journey through the tunnel, the train makes a short stop at the Eiger Wall for view through the picture window from the north face of the Eiger down to Grindelwald.

Introduced in 1981, France's TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) was the original European high-speed train. Linking Paris with Lyon, the new service revolutionised train travel and meant that travelling by air over medium and short distances was no longer seen as the best option, even for business travel.

The network has expanded rapidly and today these sleek, stylish trains offer links to over 60 destinations throughout France. Operated by SNCF, the French national rail operator, TGV trains travel over specially constructed high-speed lines. The trains can achieve speeds of up to 186mph (300km/h) on most long-distance routes and 200mph (320km/h) on the new TGV Est line, which links Paris with Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Basel. With the exception of shorter journeys, TGVs almost always have an on-board buffet car, serving a selection of drinks and light refreshments.

Joining the fleet in summer 2025, the MS Amadeus Amara is the latest addition to the award-winning Amadeus river cruise collection. Combining elegant design with modern luxury, the ship offers 12 spacious Amadeus suites and 70 cabins, all designed to provide a breathtaking experience on the water.

Across its 4 stylish decks, guests can enjoy a range of facilities including a panoramic bar and lounge, elegant restaurant, indoor pool and a wellness centre offering massage services and a fitness room. The sun deck features sweeping views of the riverbanks, the perfect place to relax with a drink and soak up the scenery.

Each cabin is equipped with a spacious ensuite bathroom, flatscreen TV, minibar, walk-in wardrobe and either a double or twin bed. Many cabins also feature floor-to-ceiling windows, letting you soak up the views from the comfort of your room.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.