Harz Mountains Christmas Markets

We meet at London St Pancras and depart on the Eurostar to Brussels. Continuing to Hanover via Cologne, here we board a coach for the final leg of our journey to Wernigerode. A charming town with elaborate half-timbered buildings, Wernigerode dates back to the 9th century and is overlooked by its stunning castle. At this time of year, it's brilliantly illuminated and adorned with festive decorations.

• Dinner

We experience one of the highlights of our holiday today, a wintry journey aboard the Brocken Railway through snowy forests to the summit of Brocken Mountain, part of the Harz Mountain range. Travelling through magical landscapes of chocolate-box scenery, the Brocken Railway carves a snaking route through the Harz National Park up to the summit of the indomitable Brocken. Along the way, we enjoy panoramic views of Brothers Grimm style forests, old-fashioned station houses and glittering frozen rivers. Gaping valleys vie for our attention, competing against a sublime painting of distant peaks, dusted with sugar-icing snow.

As well as being the Harz's tallest peak, Brocken Mountain is also home to Germany's highest narrow-gauge railway station, our arrival point following our journey. After some free time at the summit to drink in the views, we return to Wernigerode to explore its traditional Christmas market. Situated in front of the Town Hall and sat in the shadow of a mighty Christmas tree, here you can buy a range of hand-made crafts, food and drink from the illuminated wooden stalls.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our rail excursion today takes us to Quedlinburg, one of Germany's best kept secrets. The Old Town has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status and is home to one of the best-preserved collections of medieval buildings in Germany, as well as a wonderful Romanesque church. Considered to be one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, Quedlinburg offers a wealth of history and culture, whilst also having a modern flair and fabulous examples of Art Nouveau architecture. At this time of year though, the main focus is the town's authentic German Christmas market, held in the Rathaus square, or Marktplatz. Enjoy a mug of hot spiced wine or brandy punch as you immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere and stock up on gifts for loved ones.

• Breakfast

You are free today to explore Wernigerode. You may wish to take a ride on the Harzquerbahn narrow-gauge railway, stroll up to the impressive Wernigerode Castle, one of the most striking pieces of neo-Gothic architecture in the area, or visit the nearby aircraft museum. Alternatively, you could take the train back to Quedlinburg, where you can join the Selketal Railway for a seasonal journey through the frost-bitten scenery of the Selke Valley.

• Breakfast

Day 5 takes us to Goslar, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Adorned with over 1,500 half-timbered houses, it makes a superb setting for one of the most charming Christmas markets in Germany. Nestled at the foot of the Harz Mountains and older than Berlin, this former Free Imperial city is crammed full of fantastic, historic architecture, some of which dates back to the early 16th century. We set out on a walking tour, discovering some fine examples of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture with our local guide ahead of some free time to explore the Christmas market, beautifully framed by a man-made forest of Christmas trees and selling a variety of local treats.

• Breakfast, Dinner