Railtrail Annual Brochure 2020

G rand T our by R ail – T he I mperial

Experience Imperial Europe through great rail journeys, history, culture and elegance. From the vibrancy of Berlin to the beauty of Dresden and the Bohemian Prague to the grandeur of Vienna, this wonderful tour has it all.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 1 We depart London St Pancras by Eurostar to Brussels and onward by high-speed train to Wuppertal for a welcome evening meal at the InterCity Hotel. (D) DAY 2 This morning we take a journey on Wuppertal’s fascinating and unique Schwebebahn – also known in the Railtrail office as the ‘Dingle Dangle Railway’. This afternoon we travel to Germany’s capital – Berlin , where we check into our centrally located hotel for the next three nights, the Maritim Pro-Arte. (B,D) DAY 3 Today begins with a guided sightseeing coach tour of Berlin , which covers this unique city’s turbulent past. The tour will introduce the main sights of this once divided city, including ‘Checkpoint Charlie’ , the remains of the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate . The afternoon is then free to explore independently. Perhaps head to Museum Island, home to a complex of world-renowned museums. (B,D) DAY 4 Today we visit the UNESCO city of Potsdam , home to the royal palace of Sanssouci . Sanssouci was the summer palace of Frederick the Great and was designed in 1745 as a private residence for Prussia’s King, away from the court in Berlin. We have a guided Also included in your Tour Fare: ★ ★ 14 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal, 1 lunch ★ ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager ★ ★ Enjoy time sightseeing in Germany’s capital - Berlin ★ ★ Spend time in the UNESCO city of Potsdam with a guided tour of Sanssouci Palace & Park ★ ★ Experience the historic city of Dresden ★ ★ Steam on the Lössnitzgrundbahn ★ ★ Cruise along the Elbe and Danube ★ ★ Guided tour of Colditz Castle ★ ★ Tour the Meissen Factory ★ ★ Sightseeing tour and vintage tram ride in Prague ★ ★ Lunch onboard a leisurely cruise along the Vltava river ★ ★ Discover Austria’s capital – Vienna ★ ★ Visit the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace

Fares From £2699

Vienna

© Pur-life-pictures/AdobeStock

DAY 7 Today we visit Meissen , the famous home of porcelain, where we also include a visit to the Meissen porcelain factory with its museum, special exhibition and demonstration workshops. Our day concludes with a guided tour of the famous World War II ‘prisoner of war’ camp - Colditz Castle . Be amazed at the bravery shown and just how small the escape tunnels were. (B,D) DAY 8 Our relaxing train journey brings us into Prague around mid-afternoon where we transfer to our hotel for the next three nights, the Hotel Taurus. Our evening meals will be taken at a local restaurant. (B,D) DAY 9 Today begins with a guided vintage tram tour of the city through Prague New Town, Old Town and Small Town, Vltava river bank and finish near Prague Castle. The tour continues with a sightseeing walking tour of Prague. The city is an architectural gem which has survived virtually untouched for over 300 years. We walk down from the Castle, across the famous Charles

tour of this grand Rococo palace and park as well as free time to explore the city itself. (B,D) DAY 5 This morning we travel by EC train to Dresden where we are based at the Westin Bellevue Hotel for the next three nights. Upon arrival into Dresden, we enjoy an orientation guided tour of this historic city. We pass the transparent VW factory and have a brief stop in front of the three Elbe castles close to the Blue Wonder bridge before we take a stroll through the historic city centre past the ‘Procession of Princes’ (the longest porcelain image in the world) and the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady). (B,D) DAY 6 It’s back to the age of steam today as we take a return journey on the popular Lössnitzgrundbahn from Radebeul to Radeburg, a delightful rural 17km line which still operates as a public service. This afternoon, we take to the water as we enjoy a leisurely cruise along the river Elbe to Pillnitz where we have time to have a stroll around Pillnitz Park Gardens before making our way back to Dresden. (B,D)

Potsdam

Prague

© dimbar76/AdobeStock

© GNTB

Book now – online at www.railtrail.co.uk or telephone: 01538 382323

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