Marvellous Escapes
Cultural Capitals & Munich
9 daysfrom $2,536
Planet Rail · Independent tailor-made rail holiday
Imperial Cities: Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Nuremberg by First Class Rail
Discover Europe’s Imperial Cities – Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, and Nuremberg – on a luxurious first-class rail journey through history and culture.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Berlin
London to Berlin
From London St. Pancras International board the Eurostar for the high-speed journey to Brussels in barely 2 hours, with a light meal and drinks in your Standard Premier Class seat. In Brussels change to the Inter City Express (ICE) to Cologne, then another ICE service to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Walk the short distance (700-800 metres) to the stylish Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Mitte (4 star).
- Day 2overnight: Prague
Free-time in Berlin – Berlin to Prague
The whole morning to explore Berlin’s main highlights: the Reichstag, Potsdamer Platz, the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden, Checkpoint Charlie, Alexanderplatz and its TV tower, and the remains of the Berlin Wall. This afternoon board the Euro City service south to Prague and make your own way to the luxurious Appia Residence (4 star) for 3 nights.
- Day 3overnight: Prague
Prague
A full day to experience the magnificent city of Prague: the Old Town with its attractive squares and narrow streets, Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, the Josefov Jewish Quarter and Wenceslas Square. In the evening perhaps experience Prague’s vibrant nightlife and famous Pilsner beer.
- Day 4overnight: Prague
Prague
A second full day in Prague to explore the city’s highlights at your own pace.
- Day 5overnight: Budapest
Prague to Budapest
After breakfast make your way to Prague hl.n. station and board the Euro City service, travelling south skirting the border of Slovakia to Budapest. On arrival at Budapest-Keleti pu station make your own way to the highly rated Hotel Moments (4 star) for 3 nights.
- Day 6overnight: Budapest
Budapest
Explore this historic city: the Castle District with its narrow streets and medieval atmosphere, the Royal Palace, the Budapest Parliament home to the crown jewels, St Stephen’s Basilica, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, Gellert Hill and the Citadel.
- Day 7overnight: Budapest
Budapest
A second full day in Budapest; perhaps the neo-renaissance State Opera building or Heroes Square with its millennium memorial commemorating the 1,000th anniversary of the arrival of the Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin.
- Day 8railovernight: Vienna
Budapest to Vienna
From Budapest-Keleti pu station board the Rail Jet service west to Austria and Vienna. Make your own way to the elegant family-run Hotel Harmonie (4 star), well-located in the centre of Vienna, for 3 nights.
- Day 9overnight: Vienna
Vienna
Explore Vienna: the Spanish Riding School, Prater Park with the ferris wheel from ‘The Third Man’, the Baroque Belvedere Palace and the grandiose buildings lining the Ringstrasse, plus Vienna’s traditional coffee houses.
- Day 10overnight: Vienna
Vienna
A second full day in Vienna, with attractions further afield such as the evocative Schonbrünn Palace.
- Day 11overnight: Nuremberg
Vienna to Nuremberg
Board the high-speed ICE service from Vienna to Nuremberg, perhaps with lunch on board. Overnight at the highly-rated Melter Hotel & Apartments (4 star) near the station. This afternoon explore Nuremberg’s charming old town, including the Kaiserburg and its fascinating museums.
- Day 12rail
Nuremberg to London – Homeward bound
Travel on the high-speed ICE service to Frankfurt, change trains and continue to Brussels aboard another ICE train, then board the Eurostar with meal and drinks included in Standard Premier as you return to London St. Pancras International.
