Great Rail Journeys
GRJ All Inclusive Rhine Valley & Vulkan Express
7 daysfrom $1,601
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
The Harz Mountains in Winter
Join us on a magical winter journey amongst the scenic valleys and mountain peaks of Germany's Harz Mountains. Travel on two heritage steam trains, including the Brocken Railway, and discover World Heritage towns with medieval architecture and cobbled lanes.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Cologne
From London to Cologne
Your winter holiday starts at London St Pancras where we meet before departing on the Eurostar to Brussels. Our journey continues by rail to Cologne for an overnight stay. With free time to explore, you could stroll through the Old Town, which has been lovingly and carefully restored to its pre-war appearance. We enjoy a welcome dinner together with the group this evening.
Meals: Eurostar Light Meal, Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Wernigerode
To the Harz Mountains and our charming base in Wernigerode
We board the train this morning, travelling across northern Germany to Hanover where we continue by coach into the Harz Mountains. Driving through winter landscapes, we travel through scenes of deep pine forests peppered with pretty lakes. We arrive in the town of Wernigerode, nestled between picturesque mountains, where we check into our hotel for a five-night stay. There is time at leisure this afternoon to relax and to explore before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3railovernight: Wernigerode
A trip on the Brocken Railway
Today takes us on a scenic rail journey aboard the Brocken Railway to the summit of Brocken, the highest peak in the Harz Mountains at 3,743 feet. We enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Upper Harz National Park as we wind our way up the snow-covered mountain to the terminus, Brockenbahnhof, the highest narrow-gauge railway station in Germany. This towering summit has long been associated with dark forces, perhaps most famously in Goethe's Faust, and during the Cold War, Brocken was a military base used for border surveillance. From the mountain's top, we enjoy one of Europe's most spectacular lookout points, commanding views of the sloping tree-lined hillsides below. We rail back from Brocken to Wernigerode and return to our hotel for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4railovernight: Wernigerode
A guided tour of UNESCO-listed Goslar
We travel by rail to medieval Goslar, nestled at the foot of the Harz Mountains. Older than Berlin, this former Free Imperial city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is full of historic architecture, including half-timbered houses dating back to the early 16th century. We set out on a walking tour, discovering Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture with our local guide. After the tour, there is time to continue exploring independently. You could visit the Kaiserpfalz, built at the beginning of the 11th century, the largest Romanesque palace in Europe, or the Rammelsberg Mining Museum.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 5overnight: Wernigerode
A free day in fairytale Wernigerode
You are free to explore Wernigerode today. A highlight of this beautiful town is the grand Wernigerode Castle. Sat on a hill overlooking the town, this is a building straight from the pages of a fairytale. Constructed on the site of an old medieval fortress, it was rebuilt into its current Neo-Romantic style in the 19th century. A short distance from the hotel is the aviation museum, where you can view the exhibits and enjoy a flight simulation experience, while the fire brigade museum in the town centre contains an array of vintage engines.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 6railovernight: Wernigerode
A tour of Quedlinburg and the Selke Valley Railway
Our excursion today is to the preserved town of Quedlinburg. Here, set out on a journey into the scenic Selke Valley on the Selke Valley Railway. The route ascends along the steepest sections of the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway, taking us into the Harz Mountains, through a winter landscape of snow-frosted forests and picturesque mountain peaks. From Alexisbad, we return to Quedlinburg for a guided walking tour of this charming town. Discover the cobbled streets, passing a collection of medieval, timber-framed buildings and Romanesque architecture in the Old Town, which has UNESCO World Heritage status. Later, we return to our hotel for our final dinner together this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7rail
Homeward bound
After breakfast, we say goodbye to Wernigerode and are transferred by coach to Hanover. From here we continue by rail to Cologne, then change trains to travel to Brussels (certain departures will travel home via Amsterdam instead of Brussels), where we join the Eurostar to London. We say goodbye at London St Pancras.
Meals: Breakfast, Eurostar Light Meal
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 6 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
- Eurostar Plus Standard Class rail travel
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Eurostar Light Meals
- Breakfast each day
- 4 dinners
- All guided tours and excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
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