Harz Mountains & Berlin by Rail

Day 1: UK/Cologne
You’ll depart by Eurostar from London St Pancras or Ebbsfleet for the journey to Brussels. Your journey continues by rail to Cologne for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Nachterstedt
A sightseeing tour of Cologne with a Local Guide has been arranged for you this morning. Soak up the vibrant atmosphere and discover a long history evident in the architecture, particularly the magnificent 700-year-old cathedral. From here you’ll travel by road to Nachterstedt, an ideal base for your Harz Mountain adventure. You’ll stay here for six nights on a half-board basis.

Day 3: Harz Narrow Gauge Railway
Board the steam train at Wernigerode for an included rail trip on the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway. Connecting small towns and villages this local line is used by commuters, schoolchildren and tourists too. Take in the magnificent views of the Hochharz National Park as you travel to Brocken station, which lies at just over 3,700ft. On your return you’ll have time to explore delightful medieval Wernigerode.

Day 4: Goslar and Quedlinburg
At leisure or join an optional three-quarter-day excursion into the Harz foothills for a visit to the UNESCO listed town of Goslar, famed for the intricate carvings that adorn picturesque houses. Continue to the charming town of Quedlinburg where there will be time to explore the maze of streets lined with some of Germany’s oldest timber-framed structures and red-roofed homes that give the town a ‘model village’ feel.

Day 5: Halberstadt
Today’s optional excursion gives you the opportunity to discover local crafts with a morning visit to the Saxon town of Halberstadt. This afternoon you’ll learn about the history of glass blowing and visit a manufacturer. Your tour ends with a visit to the family-run ‘Friederich’ bakery where you will see how the local ‘tree cake’ is made.

Day 6: Colditz Castle and Leipzig
You may choose to spend today at leisure or join our fascinating optional excursion to the infamous Second World War prison Colditz Castle for a guided tour, then on to the rejuvenated city of Leipzig.

Day 7: Berlin
Today we include a full-day excursion to Berlin – a remarkable city packed with culture, history and superb attractions. A panoramic tour takes you to the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, Under den Linden and the State Opera House. You’ll also see the famed border crossing site ‘Checkpoint Charlie’, thronging Alexanderplatz and the soaring TV Tower. There will also be free time for you to explore further before returning to your hotel.

Day 8: Dortmund
You’ll depart Nachterstedt today and journey to Dortmund, where you will stay overnight. En route a stop will be made in the medieval town of Hamelin, famous for the folk tale ‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin’.

Day 9: Cologne/UK
Leaving Dortmund, you’ll journey to Cologne. From here you’ll take the train to Brussels where you’ll connect with the Eurostar for your return journey to Ebbsfleet or London St Pancras.

Please note
This holiday includes walking in areas of rough ground, gradients and steps.

Accommodation throughout is in hotels of a comfortable standard, typical of the hotels you will stay in are:

4-star Mercure Hotel Severinshof Cologne City
Located in the heart of Cologne. All guest rooms have en suite facilities and air-conditioning. Other facilities include a restaurant, bar and terrace.

3-star Hotel Zum Schwan in Nachterstedt
Located approximately 10 miles east of Quedlinburg. All guest rooms have en suite facilities and telephone. Other facilities include restaurant and bar. Please note there is no lift at the Hotel Zum Schwan.

3-star Pullman Hotel in Dortmund
Facilities include a bar, restaurant, terrace and sauna. Guest rooms feature en suite facilities, TV and mini-bar.

Hotels will be confirmed in your final documentation.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Included excursions and visits

Cologne city tour
Harz Narrow Gauge Railway and Wernigerode (full day)
Berlin (full day)
Hamelin visit

Optional excursions

Goslar and Quedlinburg (three-quarter day)
Halberstadt and specialities of the Harz (full day)
Colditz and Leipzig (full day)

Your holiday includes

Standard-class return rail travel by Eurostar/European train provider
Overseas transfers and other transportation
8 nights’ accommodation with breakfast, plus 6 dinners
The services of a Travelsphere Tour Manager
Hotel porterage (one bag per person)

With 50 years’ experience in arranging escorted tours to exciting destinations across the globe, Travelsphere have built an excellent reputation founded on quality and value.

By choosing a Travelsphere escorted holiday you can travel with confidence, knowing that every aspect of your holiday has been carefully planned and arranged from start to finish. Further to this they are ATOL bonded and members of ABTA.

Travelsphere’s thorough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommodation combined with the unique insight of their knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides will enable you to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers.

Our Opinion
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