Cologne has seven incredible bustling Christmas Markets to
choose from. Sample local bratwurst, beers and mulled wine in
Europe's Christmas Market capital, before we take a journey on
Wuppertal's Kaiser carriage.
Highlights
Cologne
Cologne's Christmas Markets
Wuppertal and its Christmas Markets
The Kaiser's Carriage on the Schwebebahn suspended railway
Leisure time to explore Cologne
Stunning 4-Star Accommodation
What’s Included
Standard Class Rail Heritage Rail Excursion
4* Hotel Accommodation Breakfast Every Day Selected Evening Meals
We depart St Pancras after meeting at our exclusive Departure
Office, travelling by Eurostar to Brussels. On arrival, we continue
our journey to Cologne. Arriving in the city, transfer to the
Maritim Hotel. The hotel is ideally located close to the railway
station, the Rhine, the city's magnificent Gothic cathedral and
some of the city's many Christmas Markets.
You have a free day to enjoy the wonderfully festive atmosphere
of Christmas time in Cologne. The city is Europe's unofficial
'Christmas Market capital', boasting five individual Christmas
Markets, each with its own unique character. Festive chalets offer
a special selection of gifts, decorations, arts and crafts as well
as traditional stalls selling sausages, waffles, wine and beer.
Perhaps visit the Maritime Market next to the Rhine and the city's
Chocolate Museum, the market at Rudolfplatz, held at the Hahnentor
city gate, or the market in Roncalliplatz beneath the cathedral,
which has the biggest Christmas tree in the Rhineland.
Make sure you also take the time to discover the other
highlights of Cologne, home to a number of elegant squares and
beautiful Romanesque churches. During your explorations, you can
also admire the tall and narrow pastel-coloured houses set out
along the winding streets of the city's Old Town. There are many
traditional brewery taverns close to the Rhine, all of which serve
Kölsch beer - unique to Cologne. You may wish to visit at least one
of Cologne's many taverns to sample this speciality for
yourself.
A short ride away by regional train is Wuppertal, whose two
Christmas Markets are connected by the city's unique 'Schwebebahn',
a suspended railway dating from the turn of the last century.
Kaiser Wilhelm II famously travelled on the line in 1900 before the
'steel centipede' was opened to the general public. During the day
we include a journey on the nostalgic 'Kaiserwagen', the carriage
which swept the emperor above the Wupper Valley all those years
ago, with coffee and cake provided on board. After time to explore
the Wuppertal Christmas market, we enjoy a farewell meal together
in Wuppertal's Brauhaus, sampling traditional German cuisine.
We leave Cologne and make our journey home, travelling by high
speed train to Brussels. On arrival, we join up with our connecting
Eurostar service which will transport us back to London St Pancras
International.
Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be
found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices
& Availability' button. We write to all booked customers
approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise
the exact departure and return time for their particular group.
