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 this afternoon where you are free to explore this charming town, complete with hilltop Gothic castle and a myriad of half-timbered houses.

• 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

Today we make the short rail journey to Goslar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. with over 1,500 beautiful timber-framed buildings. We begin our time in Goslar. with a guided tour. We continue on by rail to Hannover where we have time to enjoy the Christmas markets. From the station you can see the giant Christmas pyramid at the central square and the festively illuminated streets and stalls surrounding it. later we travel by rail via Goslar back to the hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Taking the train to Hanover this morning, we travel by rail firstly to Cologne, then Brussels. Here, we join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast