2025 Scenic Switzerland By Train Plus Romantic Rhine River Cruise Tour Photos

Alpine Rails & Rhine River Views

Our 2025 Scenic Switzerland by Train Plus Romantic Rhine River Cruise was an unforgettable journey through some of Europe’s most beautiful landscapes. Led by Tour Managers Dean and Annette Mizumura, the adventure began in Switzerland with incredible train rides including the GoldenPass, Glacier Express, and Bernina Express. Along the way we explored charming towns like Lucerne, Zermatt, and St. Moritz while enjoying breathtaking views of the Alps, including the iconic Matterhorn from the Gornergrat.

The journey continued with a relaxing Avalon Waterways Rhine River cruise, sailing past storybook villages, vineyard-covered hills, and castle lined riverbanks. Stops in Strasbourg, Mainz, Rüdesheim, Cologne, and Amsterdam brought history, culture, and local flavors to the experience. From scenic rail routes to the beauty of the Rhine Gorge, this tour was packed with incredible views and memorable moments.

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Cruise Map

Land Tour Map

Starting our journey with a stop in New York and overnight stay at the TWA Hotel at JFK.

After a flight from New York to Zurich, we checked into the Ibis Hotel.

Welcome dinner at Ibis Hotel in Zurich.

Heading to Lucerne by train at the Zurich Train Station.

Flo, our local guide and fearless leader!

Alfred Escher Statue in Zurich.

Switzerland views on the train ride.

We arrived in Lucerne and spent the rest of the day exploring the city.

The Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), a covered wooden footbridge, in Lucerne, Switzerland, is Europe's oldest bridge. The bridge spans the River Reuss and is a symbol of Lucerne.

Lucerne, Switzerland

Jesuit Church, Lucerne

Restaurant Fritschi

Ready for our folklore dinner and show.

Dinner and a show at Stadtkeller restaurant in Lucerne.

Live music, dancing, and folklore show.

Fritschi Fountain, Lucerne

Chapel Bridge at night.

Our room at the Drei Koenige Hotel in Lucerne.

Breakfast buffet at Drei Koenige Hotel.

Taking the Lucerne-Interlaken Express to Harder Kulm.

Country views.

Harder Kulm is a funicular station overlooking the towns of Interlaken and Unterseen.

Views of the town below.

Harder Kulm, Switzerland

Lunch at Harder Kulm with a view!

Headed to Montreux on the Golden Pass Panoramic Train.

Ready for another train adventure!

Spectacular views on the Golden Pass Panoramic Train.

On the way to Montreux, we stopped at Lake Geneva.

Lake Geneva, Switzerland

And visited Chillon Castle, a medieval island castle.

Taking a tour of the castle.

Lena, guide at Chillon Castle.

Group shot, what a beautiful day!

Lots of beautiful, ornate homes to view on the train ride to Montreux.

Arrived in Montreux, Switzerland. Uphill to the Alpha Palmiers Hotel.

Our room at the Alpha-Palmiers hotel.

We made it safely to Zermatt and our stay at the Holiday Inn Zermatt.

On a clear day you have views of Matterhorn.

We got a little glimpse of the peak.

Dinner at the Holiday Inn Zermatt.

Ready for our Matterhorn adventure.

Our excursion took us to the famous Gornergrat, traveling on board Europe’s highest rack railway.

The train to Gornergrat.

Gornergrat has the best views of Matterhorn.

Matternhorn, the world's most photographed mountain!

Views from Gornergrat station.

View of the glacier.

Warming up with some hot chocolate.

One of the activities offered at Gornergrat is a Zoom Virtual Paragliding experience.

Tour manager Annette giving it a try.

After returning from Gornergrat, we spent the rest of the day exploring Zermatt.

Bahnhofstrasse, the main shopping street in Zermatt.

Taking a train journey aboard the spectacular Glacier Express to St. Moritz.

View of a giant mountain landslide.

Glacier Express views.

Landwasser Viaduct

A few of the stops along the way in small towns and villages.

We arrived in St. Moritz, a luxury alpine resort town.

St. Moritz has hosted the Winter Olympics twice!

Our stay at Hotel Baeren.

Cozy spot at Hotel Baeren.

The next day, we took the Bernina Express train to Tirano, Italy.

Truly one of Europe’s most spectacular and breathtaking train rides.

We explored Tirano and started off with some gelato from Lollipop Gelateria.

Pizzeria in Tirano, Italy.

Basilica of the Madonna di Tirano

View next to the Ospizio Bernina sign.

From Tirano, we headed back to St. Moritz.

Gorgeous views everywhere.

Back in St. Moritz for some leisure.

Rock left at Alp Grum lookout.

Heading back to Zurich by train.

View of Inn River.

We caught the bus to Basel for our river cruise embarkation. Here is the Basel Town Hall.

Basel Minster

Door to Basel Minster.

Second portion of the tour, an Avalon Waterways river cruise.

We visited the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernohf open-air-museum, an authentic water mill, and a traditional butter-making demonstration.

Butter-making demonstration.

Maison des Têtes (House of Heads) located in Colmar, France.

French treats from a Patisserie in Colmar.

Beautiful La Petite Venise district of Colmar.

Dinner with a view on the Avalon Panorama!

Dining while heading to Strasbourg, France.

City Sightseeing Tour of Strasbourg, France.

Strasbourg Cathedral

Strasbourg Cathedral stained glass.

Beautiful canal in Strasbourg.

Alsace Winery, France

Back on the Rhine River to Mainz, Germany.

Mainz Cathedral

Pig cheeks in Old Town, Heidelberg.

We took an excursion to Heidelberg to see the Gutenberg Museum.

We also visited the Heidelberg Castle.

View from the castle.

The Heidelberg Tun is an extremely large wine vat contained within the cellars of Heidelberg Castle.

Exploring the Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience in Rudesheim, Germany.

Tasting some authentic Rudesheimer coffee.

Old AND new friends talking story over Rudesheimer coffee!

More sights along the Rhine River as we cruise to Cologne, Germany.

Pfalzgrafenstein Castle, a historic fortress.

Sooneck Castle, a medieval fortress.

Cruising past Katz Castle in Germany.

Docked in Cologne, Germany.

Great St. Martin Church in Cologne, Germany

Alter Markt square in Cologne.

Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom)

Farewell Gala Dinner aboard the Avalon Panorama.

Final destination, Amsterdam!

Zuiderkerk Tower in Amsterdam.

Zaanse Schans, renowned for its well-preserved historic windmills, traditional wooden houses, and craft workshops.

Traditional green wooden homes at Zaanse Schans.

Kooijman Wooden Shoe Workshop at Zaanse Schans.

Mahalo to our local guide in Amsterdam as we head back to Honolulu!

Learn more river cruises like this one on our Avalon Waterways River Cruises page.

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2025 Scenic Switzerland By Train Plus Romantic Rhine River Cruise Tour Photos

Alpine Rails & Rhine River Views

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Explore more adventures in our photo and video galleries below!