Planet Rail
Poland & Germany by First Class Rail
12 daysfrom $2,397
Tailor Made Rail · Self-guided rail holiday
Hanseatic Cities: Cologne to Gdansk
Travel through history on this 10-night itinerary taking you through some of the former member cities of the medieval Hanseatic League
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Cologne
London to Cologne
Travel to Brussels with the Eurostar before making an easy connection onto the ICE service bound for Cologne. Stroll to your hotel near the station and cathedral, then spend an unhurried evening exploring Cologne's Old Town.
- Day 2overnight: Hamburg
Cologne to Hamburg
Leave Cologne on an ICE service direct to Hamburg. Check in for a 2-night stay and spend a relaxed evening around the Speicherstadt district or the Binnenalster.
- Day 3overnight: Hamburg
Hamburg
Free day in Germany's second-largest city and third-largest European port, with museums, galleries and the Planten un Blumen park, or a boat cruise on the canals.
- Day 4railovernight: Lübeck
Hamburg to Lübeck
Short regional-train journey to Lübeck. Evening wandering the cobbled streets of the UNESCO-listed Old Town and sampling local marzipan.
- Day 5overnight: Lübeck
Lübeck
Free day recommended for the Hansamuseum, exploring the history of the Hanseatic League, and the medieval Holstentor fortification.
- Day 6railovernight: Rostock
Lübeck to Rostock
Morning train arriving into Rostock before lunchtime. Explore the brick-gothic architecture, University Square and St Mary's Church, or the harbour promenade.
- Day 7overnight: Szczecin
Rostock to Szczecin
Regional service across the Polish border to Güstrow, connecting to Szczecin in time for a late lunch. Explore the Pomeranian Dukes Castle and the Wały Chobrego embankment.
- Day 8railovernight: Gdansk
Szczecin to Gdansk
Direct train on a 240-mile journey around the top of Poland close to the coast to Gdansk, arriving late afternoon for a 3-night stay.
- Day 9overnight: Gdansk
Gdansk
Explore the Old Town, the Long Market, Neptune Fountain, St Mary's Church and the Motława River waterfront.
- Day 10overnight: Gdansk
Gdansk
Delve into Gdansk's maritime and modern history at the European Solidarity Centre and World War II Museum, or stroll the historic shipyards and take a river boat trip.
- Day 11
Gdansk to London
Head to Gdansk airport and fly back to London, ending the Hanseatic adventure.
Included
- All rail journeys, in Standard Class
- Seat reservations where required
- 10 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Flight from Gdansk to London in Economy class
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email
- Proactive rerouting in case of strikes or disruptions
