Harz Mountains & Rhine Gorge

Our journey to Germany begins at our dedicated Departure Office
in St Pancras, where we board the Eurostar to Brussels. Sit back in
your comfortable Standard Premier Class seat and enjoy a light meal
and drinks before our arrival in the Belgian capital. Our journey
continues by high-speed rail in First Class to Cologne for an
overnight stay.

Today we continue across Germany by high-speed rail, travelling
in First Class to Hanover. Here, we meet our coach which takes us
on a journey through the brooding Harz Mountains. The low-lying
mountains surround a rivercarved landscape, where rushing streams
wind through the rich green forests, and rugged rocky outcrops rise
up towards the towering mountain peaks above.

We stop in the foothills of the mountains to visit the scenic
town of Goslar, a UNESCO World Heritage destination where intricate
carvings adorn the front of picturesque timbered houses. Leaving
Goslar, we continue to Wernigerode, a similarly attractive town
which sits nicely within the dark green scenery of the picturesque
Harz region.

Wernigerode was formerly the capital of the medieval County of
Wernigerode, following the Napoleonic Wars it became part of
Saxony. We spend four nights at the HKK Hotel Wernigerode.

This morning we begin a full-day excursion on the narrow forests
and crystal-clear lakes of the Harz Mountain region creating a
terrain ideally suited to narrow-gauge railways. The terrific
Brocken Railway connects the small towns and villages of the Harz
region. Today's journey takes us through the vast pine forests in
the foothills of the mountains, steam from the train evaporating
into the tree tops. We climb steep inclines, the mighty engine
straining to tackle the gradient, as we make our way to Brocken,
the highest mountain in the Harz region at over 3,700 feet (1,128
metres). After some free time for lunch and to enjoy the views, we
return by train to Wernigerode.

Today we travel by coach to Alexisbad in order to board the
excellent Selketal Railway to Gernrode. This charming train makes
its way through the dense forests and past the gentle streams,
granting special views of mysterious fairytale landscapes.

On arrival into Gernrode, we continue by coach to beautiful
Quedlinburg, a gorgeous town with a delightful, peaceful Romanesque
church and incredibly well preserved red-roofed houses that give
the town the feel of a model village, as if it were created from
children's toy bricks.

Winding up from the old town is a road which leads to
Quedlinburg castle. From this vantage point, the distant Harz
Mountains can be seen peeking out over green meadows and dusky
forests.

Explore Wernigerode at leisure. There are various attractions
here, unique to the region, including a beautiful 'schloss' on a
forested hill high above the town. Built on the ruins of older
buildings, Wernigerode's castle today bares a similarity to the
other fairytale castles of Bavaria and Germany, including
Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. The town hall is also worth
visiting, with its attractive half-timbered façade looking out at
the colourful townhouses which line the cobbles of Wernigerode's
main square.

Bidding farewell to the peaceful Harz mountains, we take a short
coach transfer to Hildesheim where we join the train to Frankfurt
(Standard Class). We then continue to Assmannshausen where we stay
for the rest of our holiday. A picture-postcard town nestled among
the vineyards of the Rhine's valley walls, Assmannshausen is a
charming base for us to explore this verdant region.

We enjoy a short walk to the river, boarding a boat for the
journey along the Rhine. We sail through the prettiest and most
celebrated section of the Rhine Gorge, where ancient castles peer
from the top of the green banks. We pass the imposing Lorelei Rock,
a legendary rocky outcrop that soars 492 feet above the water line.
The timeless natural beauty and cultural importance of the Rhine
Gorge has granted this destination UNESCO World Heritage status,
and our time here gives us a glimpse of just what makes this
gorgeous and peaceful valley so special.

We arrive in the attractive riverside resort of Boppard, where
we enjoy free time and a chance to sample the fantastic local
wines. Rejoining the boat, we cruise back to Assmannshausen.

Day 8 is at leisure. There are a number of
sights and attractions you may wish to visit. For the best views
and unique experience, you may wish to take a ride on the
Sesselbahn, a chairlift which scales the foothills and valley
walls, rising high above the threadlike vineyards.

Today we visit charming Rüdesheim, famous for its excellent
viticulture, for a visit to a winery which includes tastings.
On Day 10 after transferring to Cologne
by coach, where we travel back by rail to London via Brussels.

This tour also has Standard Class departures available. For more
information about these options, please call us.