£985
Boastling winding valleys and rugged mountain ranges, Saxony is among Germany's most scenic regions. We discover its prettiest towns and its highest mountain on enthralling excursions by steam railway.
- Dresden
- Fichtelberg Mountain Steam Railway
- Paddle steamer cruise to Meissen
- Meissen Porcelain
- Zittau Steam Railway
- Nuremberg
We depart London St Pancras International by Eurostar to Brussels, where we join the high-speed service to Cologne. Here we stay overnight. On Day 2 we continue eastwards across Germany, via Frankfurt to Dresden. Known as 'the Florence of the Elbe', Dresden is one of Germany's most beautiful cities. We spend five nights at the Maritim Hotel. (Day 1-D; Day 2-B,D)
Today we travel to Cranzahl, nestled deep in the Ore Mountains, for a steam-hauled trip on the Fichtelberg Railway to Oberwiesenthal. Named after Saxony's highest mountain, the Fichtelberg Railway takes us through the beautiful mountain scenery, climbing over 984ft to Oberwiesenthal which at 3,000ft is Germany's highest town. Day 4 is free for you to explore Dresden. Perhaps visit the city's famous sights, such as the grand Semper Opera House and the imposing Zwinger Palace. Alternatively, the town of Moritzburg is well worth a visit. Dominated by the Baroque Moritzburg Palace, it is easily accessible by steam train on the Lößnitzgrundbahn Railway. (Day 3-B,D; Day 4-B)
We take an historic paddle steamer along the Elbe today. The boat passes Dresden's Old Town, and continues into the picturesque Elbe Valley. We travel past tree-lined hilltops on our way to Meissen, where we visit the famous Porcelain Manufacturer for a guided tour of their wonderful collection. After time to see Meissen's idyllic Old Town, we return to Dresden by coach. (B)
Today's excursion takes us by rail to the medieval town of Zittau. Here we enjoy a journey on the steam-hauled Zittau Railway through the pretty wooded upland and dramatic rock structures of the Zittau Mountains, as we head to Oybin, overlooked by the ruins of its medieval castle and monastery. (B,D)
Leaving Dresden, today we travel by rail to Nuremberg, for an
overnight stay at the Maritim Hotel. You are free to explore this
afternoon - don't miss the charming Old Town, which fans out from
the mighty Kaiserburg Fortress. On Day 8 we take
the train to Cologne, and continue to Brussels. Here we join the
Eurostar service to St Pancras International. (Day
7-B,D; Day 8-B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your
holiday
01904 521 936
