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A Tale of Three Rivers: Danube, Main & Rhine

 
4.2 stars(41 reviews)
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202620272028
Duration
9 days
From per person
£2,499 £2,299
Tour code
RMR27
Mobility Rating 2
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Discover nine enchanting cities on a luxurious river cruise filled with cultural charm, historic treasures, medieval wonders and a wine-tasting experience

This nine-day river cruise features five-star dining and luxurious cabins, blending discoveries of Germany's most beautiful locations with unparalleled onboard comfort.

Experience the historic city of Regensburg and visit Weltenburg Abbey, Bavaria's oldest Benedictine monastery. Wander through the medieval streets of fairytale Rothenburg ob der Tauber, timeless Bamberg and the impeccably preserved towns of Miltenberg and Wertheim. On a visit to Würzburg, tour the grand Baroque Residenz, then enjoy tasting of the region's wines.

Disembarking in Mainz, at the heart of Germany's wine country, admire its ancient Romanesque cathedral.

Unforgettable experiences

Setting sail on five-star Amadeus ships
See Europe from a new perspective onboard our exquisite chartered ships. With first-class service, inclusive meals and drinks packages, and all excursions included, you’re free to relax and marvel at breathtaking scenery as we sail.
Touring historic Regensburg
Touring historic Regensburg
Stroll through the city’s medieval architecture, Gothic spires and historic landmarks with an expert guide leading the way in uncovering the centuries-old past of the charming streets.
Discovering UNESCO-listed Bamberg
Discovering UNESCO-listed Bamberg
Experience the beauty of Bamberg, where quaint half-timbered houses adorned with colourful flower boxes line the riverside, known as Little Venice in a bygone era of old-world elegance.
Exploring fairytale Rothenberg ob der Tauber
Exploring fairytale Rothenberg ob der Tauber
Travel Germany’s scenic Romantic Road to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a UNESCO World Heritage town known for its well-preserved medieval walls, cobblestone streets and timber-framed houses.
Uncovering the architecture of Nuremberg
Uncovering the architecture of Nuremberg
Enjoy a guided tour of the city's Old Town with its majestic Kaiserburg Castle, awe-inspiring Gothic churches and Hauptmarkt square, all steeped in history and architectural splendour.

Your Floating Hotel, MS Amadeus Cara

Fantastic Onboard Amenities
Fantastic Onboard Amenities
With nightly entertainment in the Panorama Bar, a fitness centre, massage facilities, a putting green, shuffleboard, giant chess, a sprawling Sun Deck, and chef-prepared meals included, each moment is filled with options.
Mouthwatering Cuisine
Mouthwatering Cuisine
Each meal is an event to remember during your cruise itinerary, with regionally inspired breakfast and lunch options, delicious four-course dinners accompanied by complimentary drinks, and a spectacular captain’s gala on the final evening.
Impeccable Service
Impeccable Service
As you drift along the Blue Danube, enjoy first-class service from a highly trained crew, each member on hand to answer your questions, top up your drinks, and ensure your comfort as you sail between destinations.
Comfortable Cabin Options
Comfortable Cabin Options
Whether it’s a Deluxe Suite on the Upper Deck, a Deluxe Stateroom on the Upper or Middle Decks, or a Classic Stateroom on the Lower Deck, every cabin is designed with your comfort in mind
Immersive Ports of Call
Immersive Ports of Call
Extraordinary destinations line the Danube River, and included shore excursions offer insight into the rich histories of Salzburg, Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest, along with the stunning scenery of the Wachau Valley.

What’s included on the tour?

Itinerary

DAY1London to Frankfurt by rail

Your holiday begins at London St Pancras this morning, where you meet the Tour Manager and travelling group. Boarding the Eurostar, we travel to Brussels then continue by rail to the Germany city of Frankfurt for an overnight stop.

One of the world's most important financial hubs, Frankfurt is a dynamic city yet one that still retains historic charm in its picturesque centre. On arrival, we check in to our hotel, enjoying our first dinner together in the restaurant this evening.

Please note: the 28th August departure will operate in reverse, and we will board the ship in Cologne today.

Includes
  • Dinner
DAY2Boarding our luxurious ship in Passau

Breakfast is served in our hotel this morning, before we continue our journey by rail. Heading to Frankfurt's train station, we travel through southwestern Germany to the Bavarian border town of Passau, on the banks of the Danube.

Our luxurious ship awaits here, and we're greeted onboard by our friendly crew, sipping on a welcome cocktail while taking in the waterside views from the lounge. After settling into your cabin and familiarising yourself with our ship's facilities, we indulge in our first five-course dinner on board.

Setting sail on the serene Danube later, we begin a cruise on this scenic river lined with dense forests that seem to stretch on endlessly and villages that are scattered throughout the landscape.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY3Visiting Regensburg and Weltenburg Abbey

Regensburg is our first port of call this morning, which we discover on a guided walk of this city that dates back from Roman times. As a major medieval trading centre, Regensburg's UNESCO World Heritage Old Town is rich with timeless treasures which we can view while exploring the historic streets. The focal point is the St Peter cathedral, a grand building with beautiful stained-glass windows.

After lunch, we visit Weltenburg Abbey, the world's oldest monastic brewery. Sitting on a scenic bend of the Danube Gorge, the thousand-year-old abbey is a magnificent example of Baroque architecture, with its stunning frescoes, intricate stucco work and grand façade.

One of its highlights is the Baroque altar, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. The high altar is a carved masterpiece decorated with gold leaf and features a beautiful painting of the Annunciation, which is surrounded by an array of stunning sculptures.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY4A guided tour of Nuremberg

Enjoy a relaxing breakfast this morning as we sail towards our next destination, the ancient city of Nuremberg - once the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

After lunch, we set out on a guided tour to view the city's major landmarks, including the imperial Kaiserburg Castle. Overlooking the Old Town, there's a unique charm about this 11th-century complex, with figurines and stone sculptures to murals that vividly depict the city's rich medieval history. The streets of Nuremberg, especially Weißgerbergasse, are filled with traditional German architecture, including half-timbered buildings. Known as 'fachwerk', the exposed beams of these historic homes are often painted different colours, including red and yellow. Elsewhere, the Gothic St Lorenz Church was built around 1400, and its twin towers rise to a height of 266 feet.

Returning to our ship this evening, we enjoy dinner aboard as we begin sailing towards Bamberg.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY5Uncovering the charming streets of Bamberg

Known as the 'Franconian Rome' due to its location on seven hills, as well as the richness of its history and architectural grandeur, Bamberg is our destination today.

Often cited as one of Germany's most beautiful towns, the UNESCO-listed Old Town has its roots in the 9th century and contains around 2,400 timber-framed houses. Bamberg is also renowned for its beer culture, with many famed breweries in the town still producing traditional varieties, including 'rauchbier' which has a distinctly smoky flavour.

Our guided tour reveals the charming sights of Bamberg, including the picture-perfect Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall), set on a small island, that has a medieval, timber-framed section that juts out over the river. We also view the stunning 13th-century Bamberg Cathedral, built in Romanesque and Gothic styles, and containing the tomb of Holy Roman Emperor, Henry II. Returning to our ship for lunch, we begin a leisurely afternoon and evening sailing on the Main River to Ochsenfurt.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY6Rothenburg ob der Tauber and wine-tasting

Mooring in Ochsenfurt this morning, we drive along Bavaria's picture-perfect Romantic Road to the historic walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Often referred to as the 'Jewel of Germany', it's filled with medieval marvels and even featured in the classic movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

A guided tour of the spectacular Old Town showcases the best sights of Rothenburg, which was one of Germany's largest and most important cities in the 1400s. The gently sloping market square gathered round the grand town hall is lined by broad, colourful buildings, many now housing restaurants. A popular spot for photos is Plönlein, where two cobbled streets split, one rising slightly to a gate tower and the second descending to another. In the middle, a crooked yellow house tilts time-worn towards a small fountain.

Later, we rejoin our ship in Würzburg for lunch before continuing to our next stop - the Würzburg Residenz, a grand Baroque palace. After our visit, leave for an unforgettable wine-tasting experience, savouring the rich flavours of the region.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY7The history of Wertheim and Miltenberg

This morning, we arrive in the town of Wertheim at the confluence of the Main and Tauber rivers. Small in size, it exudes the picturesque charm for which central Germany is celebrated. On a guided tour, we see the town's ancient castle which overlooks its medieval centre and marketplace before visiting the Glass Museum. Here, we can admire its extensive collection of glass objects from the past and present.

Next, we head to Miltenberg, a town surrounded by dense green forests and gentle hills. Its historic centre has been impeccably preserved, and on a guided tour, we view one of its most notable landmarks - the 12th-century castle. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the town, it has been renovated and restored over the years and now serves as a museum that showcases the town's rich history.

After a morning of exploration, we return to our ship for lunch and begin our next overnight cruise.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY8Mainz & the Rhine Gorge

Emerging on to the Rhine this morning, we dock in Mainz - a fascinating city with an ancient history. Formerly the capital of the Roman province of Germania Superior, it became an important city within the Holy Roman Empire in the 8th century.

In the mid-15th century, it achieved world renown as the site of Johannes Gutenberg's first printing press, which brought about the 'information revolution' and the printing of books in the western world. On our guided tour, we view the 1,000-year-old Romanesque cathedral, Mainzer Dom, admire the Marienbrunnen fountain, and walk among the city's half-timbered buildings and medieval market squares.

Returning to our ship, we enjoy lunch before we sail through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge. Lined by steep vineyards, verdant forests and hilltop castles, this is one of Germany's most romantic landscapes - and an ideal way to celebrate our final night aboard.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY9Homeward bound

Sailing from the Danube to the Rhine has unveiled the storybook charm and timeless culture of Germany. Tours of some of the country's most beloved towns and cities have revealed ancient castles, half-timbered houses and the unique appeal of each location. From Regensburg and Nuremberg in Bavaria to fairytale Bamberg and Rothenberg ob der Tauber, we have embraced the historic beauty of Germany and savoured a tasting of the region's wines.

Docking in Cologne this morning, we disembark and say farewell to our wonderful crew. Travelling by rail to the Belgian capital of Brussels, we board the Eurostar back to London St Pancras, where your cruise holiday comes to an end.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

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Trains & Ships

More information on the different trains and ships that are used on this tour.

Find out more
MS Amadeus Cara Cabin DS | Great Rail Journeys
Deluxe Suites - Upper Deck

Travel in luxury and style when you choose one of our Deluxe Suites. Our largest en-suite cabins, at 26.4 square metres, a walk-out balcony, walk-in wardrobe an river-view lounge area.

Find out more
MS Amadeus Cara Cabin A1 | Great Rail Journeys
Deluxe Stateroom - Upper Deck

These en-suite cabins are stylish and impressively spacious at 17.5 squre metres, with a panoramic window balcony, walk-in wardrobe and seating area.

Find out more
MS Amadeus Cara Cabin B1 | Great Rail Journeys
Deluxe Stateroom - Middle Deck

These en-suite cabins are stylish and impressively spacious at 17.5 squre metres, with a panoramic window balcony, walk-in wardrobe and seating area.

Find out more
MS Amadeus Cara Cabin C1 | Great Rail Journeys
Classic Stateroom - Lower Deck

Our Classic Staterooms offer quality, and elegance with space to relax in comfort at the end of the day. And we recognise the importance of having somewhere inviting to retire to after an engaging day of cruising or excursions. These 16 square metre en-suite cabins offer a wide picture window and large walk-in wardrobe.

Find out more

Enhance your holiday

London Hotels

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.

Read more

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.

London hotels
UK rail connections

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.

Read more

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.

UK train tickets

Reviews

4.2 stars4.2 / 5 · 41 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (19)
  2. 4 stars
    (12)
  3. 3 stars
    (8)
  4. 2 stars
    (1)
  5. 1 star
    (1)

Martin R

5 stars

Submitted 17/Sep

Due to low water we only sailed on the Danube. The teams done a very good job of it.

Collected by Trustpilot

Vincent Sumpter

5 stars

Submitted 17/Sep

3 Rivers cruise was curtailed by low water levels but GRJ still went the extra mile to ensure I had a good experience on the cruise. On board tour manager (Debs Lane) and tour director (Rob Lippett) were magnificent and without fault in looking after all of us.

Collected by Trustpilot

Robin Reynolds

5 stars

Submitted 17/Sep

It ended up being a tale of one river, the Danube, as the water levels were so low that we couldn’t go north and went east from Passau to Vienna instead. That said, Great Rail were great. Right at the beginning they offered a full refund and arranged a return to all those who didn’t like the revised itinerary. For those who remained (at least 90%) the crew couldn’t have done more to make the trip wonderful. The food and entertainment were excellent. They also arranged the changed return journeys (by rail or plane) according to everyone’s wishes. It was not the trip we hoped for and some of the excursions were somewhat cobbled together but we still had a great time.

Collected by Trustpilot

Mr Smith

5 stars

Submitted 25 Sep 2025

Excellent organisation, food, off-ship sightseeing tours and overall experience

Collected by Trustpilot

Ann Walker

5 stars

Submitted 23 Sep 2025

Enjoyed our second stay on the boat. River cruise excellent.

Collected by Trustpilot

LOGISMART BRAINTREE

5 stars

Submitted 23 Sep 2025

Fabulous ship. Fabulous food. Fantastic trips. Couldn’t fault it.

Collected by Trustpilot

Show 6 more reviews
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