Railways & Riverbanks - A Rhine Valley Discovery

Ferry to Calais and on to our hotel in the Rhine area.

Our first train journey awaits on the renowned Hunsrück Mountain Railway. Our route takes us across the verdant landscapes of the Rhine valley, winding our way through the forests and over the steep hills of Boppard for some spectacular views of this unspoilt region’s natural beauty.

After breakfast, we embark on a scenic drive through the magnificent Rhine Valley to the German town of Boppard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Rhine Gorge and home to pristine, fairytale-like buildings. There's  time to explore the town before enjoying even more stunning landscapes on a memorable Rhine cruise. We meander down the river, past terraced vineyards and charming villages to St. Goar, home to the impressive Rheinfels Castle.

Take the chance to relax at the hotel or explore the local sights of Rüdesheim am Rhein. Celebrated for its winemaking, there's plenty to discover! Head to Drosselgasse, a famous alleyway lined with traditional taverns and restaurants, for a taste of local cuisine and music, take the cable car up to Niederwald Monument for breathtaking views of the Rhine Valley and be sure to sample some of the region's famous Rieslings.

We travel to Engeln for our railway journey on the Volcano (Vulkan) Express, a narrow-gauge railway that takes us up into the beautiful Eifel Mountains and on to Brohl-Lützing, offering some spectacular photo opportunities along the way.

We also spend time in charming Cochem. Surrounded by steep vineyards, this lovely town of half-timbered houses and winding streets also boasts a flower-bedecked promenade and a magnificent castle that rises dramatically above the town.

Today we head to the beautiful town of Heidelberg, accompanied by a guide. Built on the banks of the River Neckar, the city is surrounded by lush green hills and boasts a castle and Baroque-style Old Town full of grand and beautifully-preserved buildings. We include entrance to the mighty fortress, perched high above the city, where we tour the inner courtyard, pretty garden, residence ruins and the famous giant barrel. Afterwards, we take a trip on the Heidelberger Bergbahn, a historic funicular railway which connects the city to Königstuhl mountain. Sit back and enjoy the panoramic vistas of the Neckar and beyond, before exploring more of Heidelberg at your leisure.

This evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner together at the hotel.

Travel via Koblenz and Cologne back to Calais for our return ferry home.