Cologne and Berlin

Railbookers runs this seven-day, six-night independent rail package that begins in Cologne, on the River Rhine, and ends in Berlin, the German capital. The trip splits evenly between the two cities: three nights in Cologne, with time to see the city's famous cathedral and explore along the river, and three nights in Berlin, reached by train through Germany, where the days are set aside for world-class museums, shopping, and 20th century European history. Because this is an independent package rather than an escorted tour, travelers plan their own days in each city and make their own way to the train. It suits travelers who want to see two contrasting German cities, one on the Rhine and one steeped in history, at a relaxed pace with three full nights in each stop.