Riviera River Cruises is introducing a unique itinerary in 2019 that ventures from the vineyards of the Rhine to the glacial peaks of the Alps.
The 11-night Rhine Cruise to Switzerland with Glacier Express Extension is available from April through October of 2019. The new offering combines a seven-night river cruise with three nights hotel accommodations and breakfast at Hotel Stern in Chur and Hotel Simi in Zermatt; train transfer from Basel to Chur, plus passage (standard class) on the legendary Glacier Express.
Guests begin the Alpine adventure with a river cruise from Cologne to Basel. Along the way, they’ll cruise past some of the most historic and scenic regions of central Europe. Highlights include the Rhine Valley and historic Koblenz, founded by the Romans. They’ll cruise through the historic Rhine Gorge, lined with steep hillside vineyards, castle ruins and the famous Lorelei – the “murmuring rock” – which legend says lured unwary sailors.
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The classic Rhine wine village of Rüdesheim is filled with traditional Weinstube, where guests can enjoy the local wines. In Speyer, the ship journeys past vineyards that produce the famous Liebfraumilch wines. Founded by the Celts, Speyer is one of Germany’s oldest cities. Its Imperial Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Strasbourg, France, is another cruise highlight. The capital of the Alsace region is known for its picturesque Old Town, lined with canals, narrow streets and half-timbered houses. Farther down the Rhine, the cruise calls on the old walled town of Breisach, where guests can visit the Black Forest.
After embarking in Basel, the tour continues by train to Chur, the oldest city in Switzerland. The train ride ventures through valleys, rocky peaks and thick forests. Surrounded by an Alpine landscape, Chur features an Old Town filled with winding cobbled streets, alleys, fountains and courtyards.
After a night in Chur at Hotel Stern, the trip continues with a short drive to Lucerne. Widely considered as the most beautiful city in Switzerland, Lucerne is a city of landmarks. Among them: the Chapel Bridge, a covered wooden walkway across the lake. Mountain railway rides offer a closer look at the country’s legendary Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks.
The tour’s marquee event, however, is a journey on The Glacier Express. The legendary train ride winds its way through the “Swiss Grand Canyon,” a dramatic section of the Upper Rhine. It ascends through mountain tunnels to Oberalp Pass, elevation 6,673 feet. The landscape at that altitude is filled with wildflower meadows and dense forests, waterfalls and snow-capped mountains. The train ride ends at Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn
A car-free village dotted with chalets and farm huts, Zermatt is surrounded by pastures. Cable cars and footpaths lead up to the local summits. Guests will spend two nights in Zermatt, at the chalet-style Hotel Simi. They’ll have time to explore on their own.
But, one option not-to-be-missed is a ride on Europe’s highest open-air cog railway. It climbs through mountains, valleys, lakes, streams and grassy meadows to the summit of Gornergrat. At an altitude of just over 10,000 feet, the panoramic vista reveals 29 snow-capped peaks, several glaciers and the Matterhorn, the symbol of Switzerland.
The UK-based Riviera Travel has been in business for more than three decades. The company has offered river cruises for more than ten years. It began marketing in the US as Riviera River Cruises in 2017.
