Ffestiniog Travel
Behind the Scenes in Central Europe
15 daysfrom $4,200
Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour
Germany, Austria & the Czech Steam Festival
This new tour combines the heritage lines of Germany and Austria with the famous Czech Steam Festival. Enjoy scenic rail journeys, visit fascinating museums...
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Cologne
London to Cologne
A mid-morning departure by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels then onwards to Cologne where we have an overnight stay. A welcome dinner is included this evening.
- Day 2overnight: Nuremberg
Cologne to Nuremberg
Morning departure from Cologne, arriving Nuremberg early afternoon for a 3-night stay. The rest of the day is at leisure.
- Day 3railovernight: Nuremberg
Railway Museum
Excursion to one of Germany’s best railway museums displaying virtually all classes of engine in use at the end of the German steam era. The museum is in the old roundhouse loco shed and still retains the feel of a working depot.
- Day 4railovernight: Nuremberg
Oberweissbacher Bergbahn
Today we take an excursion to the Oberweissbacher Bergbahn and Schwarzatalbahn, a funicular railway leading on to an isolated line and the remote village of Cursdorf.
- Day 5railovernight: Vienna
Nuremberg to Vienna
Morning train to Vienna, arriving around lunch time. The rest of the day is free to explore this exciting city’s history, culture or simply enjoy its amazing transport network, there is something for everyone. We stay here for 3 nights.
- Day 6railovernight: Vienna
Day Trip to Salzburg
By train to Salzburg where we have a day to explore. The birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg is dominated by churches, castles and palaces. We head back to Vienna late afternoon for an evening at leisure.
- Day 7overnight: Vienna
The Semmering Line
Today we travel from Vienna to Graz across the stunning Semmering Pass, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Including 41km of tunnels and viaducts, it is a most impressive feat of engineering with spectacular views enroute. There will be time for lunch in Austria’s second city Graz before returning to Vienna for the evening.
- Day 8railovernight: Prague
Continue to Prague
A morning train sees us arrive in Prague around lunch time for a 3-night stay. We have the rest of the day to enjoy this stunning city. Why not visit sights such as the Old Town, Jewish Quarter or Prague Castle.
- Day 9overnight: Prague
Steam Locomotive Festival
Today we will travel to Benesov to spend a full day at the Steam Locomotive Festival. There will be several vintage steam and diesel locomotives and railcars running special departures and your ticket will enable unlimited access to all. You will also have access to the Vehicle Exhibition displaying an array of locomotives, vintage cars and model railways.
- Day 10overnight: Prague
Prague Transport Museum
Enjoy a guided tour of the Public Transport Museum, which houses a unique collection of trams and trolleybuses and take a ride on a privately chartered vintage tram.
- Day 11railovernight: Dresden
Prague to Dresden
By train to Dresden, arriving around lunch time. We have the rest of the day to enjoy Dresden, where we have a 2-night stay.
- Day 12overnight: Dresden
Dresden
Today we make a return trip on the two local steam railways located on the outskirts of Dresden, the Weisseritztalbahn and the 17km Loessnitzgrundbahn line from Radebeul.
- Day 13railovernight: Cologne
Dresden to Cologne
A morning train back to Cologne, following a change of trains we arrive late afternoon. We regroup for a farewell dinner at the hotel.
- Day 14rail
Cologne to London
We take a morning train from Cologne to Brussels and where we connect with the Eurostar service to London, arriving mid-afternoon.
Included
- All rail travel in Standard Class
- Standard Class InterRail Pass
- Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- Excursions as detailed
- 48-hour Vienna city travel card
- Welcome and farewell dinners in Cologne
- All local taxes/fees
- Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour
