Itinerary – European Adventure in 2023!
| Day | Date (2023) | City | Sightseeing |
| 1 | 19 Sep | Arrive Basel | Your discovery of Switzerland begins today as you arrive in Basel. Be taken to your hotel where you have the chance to meet your Great Rail Journeys Tour Escort and other travellers over a Welcome Dinner.Stay: Basel, Hotel Schweizerhof or similar |
| 2 | 20 Sep | Interlaken, Geissbach | Wake to the beautiful surrounds of Switzerland today, taking the chance to savour a coffee over breakfast. Then, join a train this morning, being taken directly from Basel to Interlaken. From here, you’ll board a boat on Lake Brienz, cruising across the tranquil waters to the heart of scenic Switzerland. The striking alpine waters reflect the green mountains like magic. Watch as the pretty towns and villages pass by the lake’s shores. Disembark and join the famous Giessbach funicular railway to your mountaintop hotel. Stay: Two Nights, Grandhotel Giessbach |
| 3 | 21 Sep | Breinz, Rothorn | Board one of the country’s most scenic stretches of railway today on the Brienz-Rothorn Mountain Railway. Head to Brienz where the steam-hauled train awaits. Begin the steady mountain ascent, crossing steep, mountain trails, with the glittering water of Lake Brienz beneath you. As you gain height, the scenery becomes progressively greener, with jagged mountain peaks at eye-level. At over 2,000 metres above sea level, you’ll reach Rothorn, the summit of the rail journey. Disembark at the peak and explore at your own leisure. Then it’s back to the train for your descent to Brienz and Giessbach. |
| 4 | 22 Sep | Brig, St Moritz | The red and white Glacier Express is known for being the slowest express train, but also one of the most scenic. Board the train and chug through the tunnels, and across countless bridges and viaducts. A sure highlight is when you ascend over 1,800 metres at the Oberalp Pass, using cogwheels to conquer the steepest points. After breakfast, travel by coach to Spiez, then by rail to Brig where one of Switzerland’s most famous trains awaits. Lunch is served in the rail cars during your journey. Arrive in St Moritz and check in to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy superb views over the lake from the front of the hotel. Stay: Two Nights, St Moritz, Hotel Schweizerhof |
| 5 | 23 Sep | Tirano | Connecting Italy and Switzerland with one of the highest railway lines in the Alps, the Bernina Express is a must on any rail-lover’s list. Join the odyssey today, carving through the snow-capped scenery and lush hillsides to Tirano in northern Italy. On your Insider Experience rail ride, you’ll travel at an altitude of over 2,000 metres, enjoying views of turquoise glacial lakes speckled below. Once in Tirano, it’s time to explore at leisure. There’s a peaceful old quarter towards the east of the town, which you might like to head to for a rest after the excitement of the rail adventure. Later in the afternoon, it’s time to head back to Switzerland. |
| 6 | 24 Sep | Lucerne | Because Switzerland is so well-known for its superb rail network, you are in for another treat today. Travelling to Lucerne, join the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. Aboard the Mt Pilatus Railway, with a gradient that reaches up to 48 percent, there are many moments on this journey reminiscent of a roller coaster rather than a railtrack. Spend half an hour ascending almost two kilometres from Alpnachstad to Pilatus-Kulm, located just outside the city of Lucerne, where your hotel awaits. Settle in upon arrival and prepare for a full day of exciting sightseeing tomorrow. Stay: Two Nights, Lucerne, Hotel Pilatus-Kulm |
| 7 | 25 Sep | Lucerne | You may wish to return to Lucerne after breakfast at your hotel this morning and set off on some independent sightseeing. Lucerne’s most famous site is the Chapel Bridge which divides the Old and New towns. Built in the 14th century, this wooden bridge once served as protection against outside attacks on the city. Today, a series of paintings from the 17th century hang on the walls inside and tell the tale of Lucerne’s history. There are also plenty of churches to visit, and wandering along the cobbled stone streets is an equally enticing option. After you’ve explored the town, head back to the hotel for a Farewell Dinner. |
| 8 | 26 Sep | Transfer to Zurich. 1nt hotel | Your journey ends this morning followed by a transfer to the airport and your hotel for a one night’s stay. Stay 1 night at Central Plaza Hotel, Zurich |
| 9 | 27 Sep | flight to Amsterdam & 2nights stay | Transfer to the airport for your flight to Amsterdam. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for a 2night stay. Stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Amsterdam. |
| 10 | 28 Sep | Amsterdam Free day | Free Day to explore the city at your leisure |
| 11 | 29 Sep | Amsterdam Embark | Today, embark on your European Gems River Cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. This evening meet your Cruise Director and fellow passengers at a Captain’s Welcome Reception. |
| 12 | 30 Sep | Amsterdam, Urecht | Board a glass-top boat and glide through Amsterdam’s maze of waterways with a local guide, before enjoying some free time to explore this lively city. Later, travel by coach to Utrecht, via Rembrandt’s Windmill. From here, your ship will set off along the Rhine as you prepare for tonight’s special Gala Dinner. |
| 13 | 1 Oct | Cologne, Bruhl | Step back in time during a visit to the World Heritage-listed Augustusburg Castle. Listen to enthralling stories and enjoy a walk through the landscaped parks and gardens between the castle and the lodge. Learn how the twin spires of Cologne’s famous cathedral, the Kolner Dom, took over six centuries to complete as you cruise into this picturesque city. Disembark and take the short drive to Bruhl for your Insider Experience. |
| 14 | 2 Oct | Rhine Gorge, Rudersheim | Dock in Rudesheim, and board the Winzerexpress mini-train, bound for Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. |
| 15 | 3 Oct | Miltenberg | Get a glimpse into local life as you are welcomed into the home of a friendly Miltenberg family. Enjoy coffee and cake made by your gracious hosts.Discover Miltenberg today, exploring this well-preserved town’s half-timbered buildings dating from the 15th to 18th century. |
| 16 | 4 Oct | Wurtzburg | Board a coach and travel through the rolling hills to Wurzburg. Admire the baroque palace and walk through the beautiful Court Garden. Later, perhaps enjoy an optional visit to medieval Rothenburg, a true fairytale town. |
| 17 | 5 Oct | Bamberg | Cruise along the last stretch of the Main River before arriving at Bamberg. Here, choose between an afternoon of free time or a guided tour. Later on this evening, your ship will reach the Main-Danube Canal. |
| 18 | 6 Oct | Nuremberg | Explore Nuremberg, the site of Hitler’s infamous rallies. Wander the cobblestone streets, discovering hidden boutiques and artisan stores. Finish your day cruising through the Main-Danube Canal, crossing Europe’s Continental Divide thanks to the canal’s 16 stair-step locks. |
| 19 | 7 Oct | Regensburg | This evening, enjoy an authentic Bavarian experience on board as you sample local beer and snacks, accompanied by traditional folk music, song and dance. Having reached the Danube River overnight, Regensburg awaits. Spend the day in this charming city, docked right in the heart of town, and join a guided walking tour to see its major sights. |
| 20 | 8 Oct | Passau | As you enjoy your breakfast, arrive in the ‘Three Rivers City’ of Passau, where the rivers Inn and Ilz join the Danube. Discover the city at your leisure this morning, or grab a bike and set out to explore. Alternatively, join an optional tour to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, or travel to Salzburg and enjoy the sights from ‘The Sound of Music’. |
| 21 | 9 Oct | Melk, Durnstein | Join a local guide to see Melk Abbey, an active Benedictine monastery since 1089. Cruise through the picturesque Wachau Valley, then continue to Durnstein, where you have a free afternoon to explore. |
| 22 | 10 Oct | Vienna | In Vienna, join a walking tour of St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Graben, Hofburg Palace and the Albertina. Afterwards, you may enjoy visiting the Naschmarkt. This evening, perhaps enjoy an optional concert featuring music from Mozart to ‘The Sound of Music’. |
| 23 | 11 Oct | Vienna | Today is yours to explore Vienna. Perhaps visit the Hofburg area and the Imperial Treasury. Otherwise, enjoy an optional excursion to Schonbrunn Palace, or head to Bratislava. |
| 24 | 12 Oct | Budapest | After breakfast, join a local guide to explore the city. Tonight, celebrate your river cruise with a Captain’s Farewell Dinner. |
| 25 | 13 Oct | Budapest Disembark | After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your onward flight. |
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