Railways of the Rhine 2012 

We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar to Brussels, where we change trains for the high-speed service to Cologne. Here we transfer by coach to the riverside town of Königswinter, nestled at the foot of the Siebengebirge mountains. We stay here for five nights at the Hotel Maritim. (E,D)

This morning we make the short journey by train to the medieval town of Linz, where we have free time to explore at leisure before we board the Kasbachtal Railway to Kalenborn. The standard-gauge railway is hauled by a 1950s Uerdinger Railbus engine, taking us along a 5.5 mile (8.9km) section of track that is the steepest in Germany with an overall height difference of 984 feet (300m). We return to Linz by rail. (B)

Today we board take a gentle cruise upstream to Remagen. We continue by train along the Rhine to Brohl, where we join the Vulkan Express deep in the valley, for the scenic ride up through the Eiffel range to Englen. Opened in 1901, the 11 mile (18km) journey takes one and a half hours as the locomotives reach a speed of 12mph. (B,D)

Today is free to enjoy Königswinter, which boasts one of the best promenades on the Rhine, Beethoven's Bonn is easily accessible by train, and is fascinating to visit, as is the Cathedral city of Cologne. (B)

This morning we take a trip on the nearby Drachenfels Cog Railway. The railway leads from the bottom of the valley, up steep inclines and a height difference of 220m (722 feet), to the Drachenfels (Dragon Rock) hill. We take a wonderful return journey to the top, where an imposing ruined castle of the same name oversees the town and river. On our descent we enjoy a guided tour of the 19th century Drachenburg Palace. (B,D)

We depart Königswinter by coach this morning, travelling via Cologne to Brussels, before connecting with the Eurostar for our return service to London. (B,E)

E = Eurostar meal, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday