14 days · 8 countries
London to Zurich: Touring & Rhine River Cruise
From AED 17,169per person, twin share
Experience a Rhine River cruise with London and other historic European cities. See London, Paris, and Ghent before sailing the Rhine River from Amsterdam to Basel. Then, explore Switzerland.
- Duration
- 14 Days / 13 Nights
- Route
- London → Zurich
- Countries
- England, Great Britain, United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland
- Activity level
- Moderate (3 of 5)
- Moderate: city touring in London and Paris gives way to a relaxed river cruise, then a busier Alpine finale around Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken, with free days built in throughout
- Accommodation
- 4-star hotels in London, Paris, Ghent and Zurich (7 nights in total), plus 6 nights aboard the MS Symphonie river ship between Amsterdam and Basel
- Meals
- 13 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 10 dinners
- Group
- Group tour, up to 51
- Guide
- Tour leader throughout, plus a local guide in Breisach
- Transport
- Cruise Ship, Air-conditioned coach
- Best time to go
- Runs in August: peak summer across England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland, warm throughout with occasional rain along the rivers
Tour overview
Combine coach touring with river cruising and discover some of Europe’s most iconic cities and landscapes. See London’s Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. Then explore Paris’ Arc de Triomphe and the Seine River, and savour an authentic French dinner. Admire Ghent’s medieval architecture, discover Den Haag’s history, and see Kinderdijk’s famous windmills. Explore Nijmegen’s WWII history, see Mainz and get to know Strasbourg, with its canals and historic cathedral. Cruise through the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge with unrivalled scenery as postcard villages pass you by. Then, tour Lauterbrunnen with its dramatic cliffs, see Interlaken with views of the Jungfrau, and visit Zurich, surrounded by Alpine lakes and hills.
Highlights
- Explore London on a city tour
- Enjoy a Welcome Dinner in London
- Embark on a driving tour of Paris
- Indulge in a French dinner in Paris
- Experience Ghent on an orientation walk
- Visit the Kinderdijk windmills
- See Den Haag on an orientation walk
- Indulge in a Welcome Cocktails & Dinner event on board the ship
Show all 14 highlightsShow fewer highlights
- Experience the UNESCO-listed Rhine Valley
- Enjoy a French wine tasting on board
- Attend a Gala Dinner on board the ship
- Enjoy a guided tour of Breisach
- Visit Lauterbrunnen
- Enjoy a Farewell Dinner
Route and hotels
Where the tour goes and where you sleep, night by night.
London
1 night · Day 1
The Tower hotel, by Thistle
Paris
3 nights · Days 2–4
Appart'City Collection Paris Montparnasse Vaugirard
Ghent
2 nights · Days 5–6
Hotel NH Collection Gent
Amsterdam
Day 6 · on the way
River cruise
6 nights · Days 7–12
MS Symphonie
Nijmegen
Day 8 · on the way
Cologne
Day 8 · on the way
Koblenz
Day 9 · on the way
Show all 15 stopsShow fewer stops
Mainz
Day 10 · on the way
Strasbourg
Day 11 · on the way
Breisach
Day 12 · on the way
Basel
Day 13 · on the way
Lauterbrunnen
Day 13 · on the way
Interlaken
Day 13 · on the way
Zurich
1 night · Day 13
Dorint Airport-Hotel Zürich
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Start of tour in London
Meals included: Dinner
London is the starting point. At the hotel, your tour leader and the rest of the group gather for a short rundown of the days ahead. From there, a tour takes in some of London’s best-known sights, before everyone settles in and freshens up. A welcome dinner follows at a local restaurant to round off the evening.
Included
- City tour of London, including Big Ben and Buckingham Palace
- Welcome dinner in London
- Overnight
- London
- Hotel
- The Tower hotel, by Thistle
- Meals
- Dinner
Day 2
London – Paris
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
Breakfast comes first, then the route leaves London for Paris. The channel crossing brings you into Paris by late afternoon, where a driving tour takes in some of the best-known sights as the city begins to light up for the evening. Tonight, dinner awaits at a Parisian restaurant, a festive start before settling into the hotel.
Included
- Driving tour of Paris, past the Opéra Garnier, the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe
- Welcome dinner in a Parisian restaurant
- Travel
- London → Paris by coach, crossing the Channel
- Overnight
- Paris
- Hotel
- Appart'City Collection Paris Montparnasse Vaugirard
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 3
Paris: Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastParis is yours to explore at your own pace today. The steps of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica offer wonderful views over the city, and the Luxembourg Gardens make for a quiet stop too. There is also the option of a morning exploring the city’s neighbourhoods on the Elegant Paris excursion, with Montmartre the highlight this evening.
Included
- Free day in Paris, at your own pace
Optional extras
- Elegant Paris · AED 595 per person
- Montmartre: The Heart of Bohemian Paris · AED 450 per person
- Overnight
- Paris
- Hotel
- Appart'City Collection Paris Montparnasse Vaugirard
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 4
Paris: Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastThe French capital has more in store today. You can book the optional day trip to Versailles, taking in the Palace, the Royal Apartments and the Musical Fountains for a sense of royal grandeur. Or, Paris is yours to explore at your own pace: the main floor of Notre-Dame Cathedral, a cafe for pastries, or a stroll along the Seine River.
Included
- Free day in Paris, at your own pace
Optional extras
- Royal Versailles · AED 340 per person
- Overnight
- Paris
- Hotel
- Appart'City Collection Paris Montparnasse Vaugirard
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 5
Paris – Ghent
Meals included: BreakfastThe route continues to Ghent, among the most photogenic of Europe’s medieval towns, with an orientation walk included. The optional afternoon trip to Bruges adds a tour of another city, a taste of authentic Belgian chocolate, and dinner at a local restaurant. Alternatively, Ghent is yours to explore on your own, perhaps beside the old canals of Graslei and Korenlei, or at St. Bavo’s Cathedral.
Included
- Orientation walk in Ghent, along the Graslei and Korenlei canals
Optional extras
- Bruges Delights · AED 425 per person
- Travel
- Paris → Ghent by coach
- Overnight
- Ghent
- Hotel
- Hotel NH Collection Gent
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 6
Ghent – Amsterdam
Meals included: BreakfastDinnerAmsterdam comes next, where you board the cruise, with a stop along the way at the UNESCO-listed Kinderdijk Windmills. From there, Den Haag offers a look at this notable coastal city. This evening, dinner and welcome cocktails on board the ship mark the start of the days ahead.
Included
- Photo stop at the Kinderdijk windmills
- Orientation walk in Den Haag, including the Binnenhof and the Peace Palace
- Welcome cocktails and dinner on board the ship
- Travel
- Ghent → Amsterdam by coach, via Kinderdijk and Den Haag
- Overnight
- Ghent
- Hotel
- Hotel NH Collection Gent
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 7
Amsterdam
Meals included: BreakfastLunchDinnerAmsterdam is today’s focus, whether that means a stroll through the Rijksmuseum Gardens or a cosy coffee spot somewhere in the city. There is also the optional Stroopwafel workshop and cheese tasting, and in the afternoon the optional Amsterdam Signature Experience, with a canal cruise through the Jordaan neighbourhood and a visit to the Heineken brewery.
Included
- Free time in Amsterdam
Optional extras
- A Taste of Amsterdam · AED 385 per person
- Amsterdam Signature Experience · AED 300 per person
- Overnight
- River cruise
- Hotel
- MS Symphonie
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8
Nijmegen – Cologne
Meals included: BreakfastLunchDinner
Nijmegen greets you this morning, the oldest city in the Netherlands, with more than 2000 years of Roman history, medieval streets, the calm River Waal and reminders of WW2 still standing. The optional Nijmegen and Western Front Walking Tour takes in notable sites such as Operation Market Garden and the Waal Bridge, where American paratroopers came down in 1944. The ship continues on to Cologne this afternoon.
Included
- Free time in Nijmegen, the Netherlands’ oldest city
Optional extras
- Nijmegen & Western Front History Walk · AED 195 per person
- Travel
- Nijmegen → Cologne by river ship
- Overnight
- River cruise
- Hotel
- MS Symphonie
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 9
Cologne – Koblenz
Meals included: BreakfastLunchDinner
Cologne comes into view from the deck this morning, with the option of stepping ashore for a walk up to Cologne Cathedral. The ship then continues through the Rhine Valley by way of Koenigswinter, where the river narrows between hillsides lined with vineyards. Medieval castles and fortresses line the banks of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Koblenz is reached by evening.
Included
- Morning in Cologne, with views of the cathedral
- Sail through the Rhine Valley, past medieval castles and vineyard-clad hills
- Travel
- Cologne → Koblenz by river ship, through the Rhine Valley
- Overnight
- River cruise
- Hotel
- MS Symphonie
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10
Koblenz – Mainz
Meals included: BreakfastLunchDinnerThe morning sailing brings more scenery on the way to Mainz, birthplace of the printing press. You are free to look around on your own, or take the optional guided tour with a Gutenberg Museum visit, taking in Mainz Cathedral and St. Stephen’s Church, with its colourful Chagall windows. The Old Town adds its own mix of Roman and Renaissance history. Dancing follows dinner this evening.
Included
- Free time in Mainz, birthplace of the printing press
- Dancing on board after dinner
Optional extras
- Historic Mainz & Gutenberg Museum · AED 215 per person
- Travel
- Koblenz → Mainz by river ship
- Overnight
- River cruise
- Hotel
- MS Symphonie
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 11
Mainz – Strasbourg
Meals included: BreakfastLunchDinnerStrasbourg comes into view today, a unique Franco-German city that is yours to explore at your own pace, or you can join the optional Strasbourg City Tour and Canal Boat Cruise. It takes in the Gothic Strasbourg Cathedral, the grandeur of Place de la République and a waterside view of the Petite France quarter. This evening, the Gala Dinner on board marks a particular highlight of the cruise.
Included
- Free time in Strasbourg, at your own pace
- French wine tasting on board
- Gala dinner on board
Optional extras
- Strasbourg Sights & Canal Cruise · AED 235 per person
- Travel
- Mainz → Strasbourg by river ship
- Overnight
- River cruise
- Hotel
- MS Symphonie
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 12
Strasbourg – Breisach
Meals included: BreakfastLunchDinnerThe morning is yours to spend taking in Breisach, or you can book the optional excursion to Colmar, known as “Little Venice” for its network of canals. In the afternoon, a guided walking tour of Breisach passes the hillside vineyards of Eckartsberg and the Radbrunnturm, a medieval tower built around a wheel well. Tonight is the last night on board the cruise ship.
Included
- Guided walking tour of Breisach, including the Eckartsberg vineyards and the Radbrunnturm tower
Optional extras
- Renaissance Route in “Little Venice” · AED 170 per person
- Travel
- Strasbourg → Breisach by river ship
- Overnight
- River cruise
- Hotel
- MS Symphonie
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 13
Basel – Lauterbrunnen – Interlaken – Zurich
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
Basel is where the cruise ends and you disembark, for the grand Swiss finale of the trip. Free time in Lauterbrunnen follows, a scenic glacial valley known for its towering rock cliffs. Then comes free time in Interlaken, or you can choose the optional excursion up the Schilthorn, with lunch at the well-known Piz Gloria rotating restaurant. Tonight, a farewell dinner in Zurich closes out the day.
Included
- Free time in Lauterbrunnen, among its waterfalls
- Free time in Interlaken
- Farewell dinner in Zurich
Optional extras
- Schilthorn Excursion with Lunch · AED 640 per person
- Travel
- Disembark in Basel, then Lauterbrunnen → Interlaken → Zurich by coach
- Overnight
- Zurich
- Hotel
- Dorint Airport-Hotel Zürich
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 14
End of Tour in Zurich
Meals included: BreakfastAfter a last breakfast, it is time for farewells, exchanging contact details with new travel companions before heading home, or staying on a little longer in Zurich. A stroll along the Lake Zurich promenade is worth it, or there are panoramic views across the city from Lindenhof Hill.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Dates & prices
Prices per person, sharing a double or twin room.
FromSun 22 Aug 2027ToSat 4 Sept 2027
Available
AED 17,169
What’s included
Included
- 13 nights, 4-star hotels and cruise ship
- 13 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 10 Dinners
- Cruise Ship I Air-conditioned coach
- Fully-guided tour
Not included
- Flights: Arrange your own flights for the start and end of the tour
- Travel insurance: Purchase a suitable policy that meets your needs
Optional extras
Excursions and upgrades you can add to the tour. Prices are per person.
Elegant Paris
A visit to the Fragonard perfume museum, a tour of the Palais Garnier opera house, and a lunch cruise along the Seine. €140. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
AED 595 per person
Montmartre: The Heart of Bohemian Paris
A ride on the Montmartre funicular, a guided visit to the Montmartre Museum, a walk through the neighbourhood’s streets and dinner to finish. €105. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
AED 450 per person
Royal Versailles
A visit to the Palace of Versailles, the Royal Apartments and gardens, the Musical Fountains show, and free time for lunch on the grounds. €80. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
AED 340 per person
Bruges Delights
A guided tour of Bruges, including a canal cruise past the Markt and the Belfry, and a Belgian chocolate tasting. €100. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
AED 425 per person
A Taste of Amsterdam
A stroopwafel-making workshop using a 200-year-old recipe, followed by a Dutch cheese tasting with five different flavours. €90, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 385 per person
Amsterdam Signature Experience
A tour and tasting at the Heineken brewery, followed by a canal cruise through Amsterdam’s Jordaan neighbourhood. €70, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 300 per person
Nijmegen & Western Front History Walk
A guided walk through Nijmegen’s history, from the Waal Bridge, where American paratroopers landed in 1944, to St Stephen’s Church and the medieval old town. €45, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 195 per person
Historic Mainz & Gutenberg Museum
A guided visit to Mainz’s old town and cathedral quarter, and the Gutenberg Museum, home to two original Gutenberg Bibles and reconstructed printing presses. €50, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 215 per person
Strasbourg Sights & Canal Cruise
A guided walk through Strasbourg’s UNESCO-listed old town, past the cathedral and the Petite France quarter, then a canal cruise for a view of the city from the water. €55, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 235 per person
Renaissance Route in “Little Venice”
A walk through Colmar’s preserved Renaissance streets and half-timbered houses in the Petite Venise quarter, with its connection to the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty. €40, booked with your tour leader on the day.
AED 170 per person
Schilthorn Excursion with Lunch
A cable car ride up the Schilthorn, the world’s steepest, with the Thrill Walk at Birg and lunch at the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant, with views across more than 200 Alpine peaks. €150. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
AED 640 per person
To add an extra, mention it in your booking notes, and we confirm it with your seats before you pay. Some are booked with your tour leader on the day instead: their description says so.
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Good to know
Practical details to read before you travel.
Passport & visas
France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland are all in the Schengen area, so one Schengen visa covers the tour from Paris onward, river cruise included. The tour starts in England, which is outside Schengen and needs its own entry permission.
UAE passport holders don’t need a visa for the Schengen countries for stays of up to 90 days in any 180, and will need the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), applied for online before you travel. Most other nationalities living in the UAE need a Schengen visa, applied for in the country where you spend the most nights, plus a UK Standard Visitor visa, applied for in Dubai: allow 15 to 20 working days after your appointment.
Your passport must be valid for at least three months after you leave the Schengen area, and have been issued within the last ten years. Our visa team handles both applications: ask us when you book.
Flights and timings
Flights to London before Day 1 and home from Zurich after Day 14 aren’t included.
Day 1 starts at the hotel in London at 1pm, where you meet your tour leader and the rest of the group. The tour ends in Zurich on Day 14 after breakfast, with no further activities planned. The river cruise and all coach travel between destinations are included.
Our team can book your flights from Dubai to match.
Meals and dietary needs
13 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 10 dinners are included: the welcome dinners in London and Paris, cocktails and dinner as you board the ship in Amsterdam, the gala dinner in Strasbourg, and the farewell dinner in Zurich among them, plus lunch included on each full day of the river cruise.
Tell us about any dietary needs, halal included, when you book, and we pass them on before the tour.
Money
England uses pound sterling, Switzerland uses the Swiss franc, and France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany all use the euro. A card with no foreign transaction fees is the easiest way to cover all three.
Optional experiences booked on tour are paid to your tour leader in cash or by card, in the currency shown.
Weather and packing
The tour runs in August: warm summer weather across England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, with cooler air in the Swiss Alps at the end of the tour.
Pack comfortable shoes for the walking in London, Paris and Ghent, light layers for the warm days, and a warmer layer for Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken.
Free days and the Alpine finale
Two days in Paris are left free, with optional excursions to Versailles or an afternoon exploring Montmartre if you want them. The tour ends with a change of pace: free time in the glacial valley of Lauterbrunnen and in Interlaken, with an optional cable car up the Schilthorn for those who want the altitude and the views.
Your tour leader can tell you more about any of the optional experiences before you decide.
Plan your trip
Our Dubai team arranges what goes around the tour, so it is booked in one place.
Visas
One Schengen visa covers the Schengen countries on this route. Our visa team in Dubai applies for UAE residents once the tour is booked.
Flights
Flights are not included. We can book them with the tour: Dubai to London, and home from Zurich. Tick “Flights” when you book and we quote them with your confirmation.
Pay in instalments
Split the cost with Tabby or Tamara, or over 3 to 12 months on a UAE bank credit card for bookings from AED 1,000.
Book this tour
Book online in a few minutes. Your seats are held as soon as you book, and you pay once we have confirmed them.
- Choose your date, travellers and roomsPrices are per person, and the total updates as you choose.
- Name each traveller as in their passportYour seats are held and your booking reference is emailed straight away.
- Pay by secure link once confirmedOur Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails your payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.
Questions before you book? Our support team is on WhatsApp +971 58 582 4488.
Questions about this tour
What will my days actually look like?
More sights, more time to enjoy them. Most mornings start with breakfast before heading out to the main sights. Longer drive days get you to more incredible places, and once you're there, you'll have plenty of time to explore, take it all in and make each destination your own. Expect a good amount of walking. Comfortable shoes are still your best friend.
Who will I be travelling with?
People from all over the world. Different ages, different backgrounds, same instinct to see more. Groups have on average between 35-45 travellers. By day three, you’ll already know everyone's name.
How do Optional Experiences work?
Optional Experiences happen during your tour's free-time slots, and your Tour Leader will tell you about what's on offer during the tour. Most can be booked on the day, but some are pre-sold and must be purchased before your tour begins, so it's worth checking the tour page beforehand to see what's available and get in touch with our team to book anything in advance.
Will I have time to explore on my own?
Yes. Free time is built into the itinerary. Your Tour Leader can point you towards the places worth your time, so you are never left completely to figure it out yourself.
What support do I have while I'm on tour?
Your Tour Leader is there to look after you during your tour. They know the places most people walk straight past, they'll have a restaurant recommendation ready before you've asked, and they'll sort anything that comes up along the way. All transport and accommodation are arranged for you.
You'll also have a 24-hour emergency contact number and the Holidayys team in Dubai.
How do I book London to Zurich: Touring & Rhine River Cruise?
Press Book now, choose a date and your rooms, and enter each traveller as their passport shows. We hold your seats and email your booking reference straight away. Our Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails you a secure payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.
When do I pay?
Once the tour operator confirms your seats. We email you a secure payment link for the total in AED, and your booking is complete when it is paid. To pay in instalments, say so in your booking notes.
Is the price per person?
Yes. Prices are per person sharing a double or twin room. Travelling alone? A single room costs the supplement shown next to each date.
Are flights included?
Only when the tour lists them under what is included. We can book flights from the UAE to the start city and home from the end city with your tour.
Do I need a visa?
That depends on your passport and the countries on the route. Our visa team arranges Schengen and other visas for UAE residents, and can apply for yours once the tour is booked.
Payment plans
Pay over time, at 0% interest
Every booking qualifies, from holidays and tours to visas. Pay later with a credit card instalment plan or a buy-now-pay-later account; some banks charge a one-time processing fee.
- Credit card plans from AED 1,000
- Tabby and Tamara, no minimum
- Terms from 3 to 12 months
Find your bank’s plan
Credit cards, from AED 1,000
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