Harz Mountains and Rhine Gorge

Meet at our dedicated Departure Office in London St Pancras and take the Eurostar to Brussels, continuing to Cologne for the night.

On Day 2 we continue to Hanover. Here, we meet our coach for a journey through the Harz Mountains. We stop to visit the scenic mountain town of Goslar, a UNESCO-listed town where intricate carvings adorn timbered houses. We continue to Wernigerode, a quaint and colourful town which dates back to the 9th century, and looks as though it has been plucked straight from a fairytale. We spend four nights here.

• Day 1 - Eurostar meal, Dinner
• Day 2 - Breakfast, Dinner

We discover the dense forests and crystal-clear lakes of the Harz Mountains, a terrain ideally suited to narrow-gauge railways. The Brocken Railway connects the towns and villages of the Harz region, and today's rail journey takes us through vast pine forests in the foothills of the mountains, steam from the train evaporating into the tree tops. We climb steeply, enjoying magnificent views as we make our way to Brocken, the highest mountain in the area. After free time for lunch and to enjoy the impressive panoramas, we return by train to Wernigerode.

• Breakfast

We travel by coach to Alexisbad to board the Selketal Railway to Gernrode. This charming train makes its way on a nostalgic journey through mysterious landscapes, made up of dense forests and brooding mountains. On arrival into Gernrode, we continue by coach to beautiful Quedlinburg, a gorgeous town with a peaceful Romanesque church and incredibly preserved red-roofed houses that give the town the feel of a model village Winding up from the old town is a road which leads to Quedlinburg castle. From this vantage point, the Harz Mountains can be seen peeking out over green forests.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Explore Wernigerode at your own pace. There are various enticing attractions here, including a beautiful 'schloss', or castle, on a forested hill above the town. The town hall is also worth visiting, with its attractive half-timbered façade looking out at the colourful townhouses that line the cobbles of the main square.

Bidding farewell to the Harz mountains on Day 6, we take a coach to Hildesheim where we join the train to Frankfurt. We continue to Assmannshausen where we stay for the rest of our holiday. A picture-postcard town nestled among the vineyards of the Rhine Valley, Assmannshausen is a perfect base for us to explore this verdant region.

• Day 5 - Breakfast
• Day 6 - Breakfast, Dinner

We stroll to the river, boarding a boat for a journey along the Rhine. The natural beauty and cultural importance of the Rhine Gorge has granted it UNESCO World Heritage status, and our time here gives us a glimpse into what makes the peaceful valley so special. We sail through the prettiest and most celebrated section of the Rhine Gorge, admiring ancient castles that peer from the top of the banks, and passing the striking Lorelei Rock - a legendary rock that soars out of the water. We arrive in the riverside resort of Boppard, where we sample some fantastic local wines and enjoy free time before cruising back to Assmannshausen.

Day 8 is free in Assmanhausen. For a unique experience and great views, you could ride on the Sesselbahn, a chairlift which rises high above the threadlike vineyards.

• Day 7 - Breakfast
• Day 8 - Breakfast

This afternoon we take the train to charming Rüdesheim. The town is famous for its excellent viticulture, and we visit a local winery to taste some of the wines the area is known for, before some free time. Perhaps visit the famous Drösselgasse - a street lined with traditional pubs and wine cellars. On Day 10 we transfer to Cologne by coach, continuing by rail to Brussels where we join the Eurostar back to London St Pancras.

• Day 9 - Breakfast, Dinner
• Day 10 - Breakfast, Eurostar Meal