Railtrail Main Brochure 2023 FULL PROOF

T he G reat G erman R ail A le T rail

Back by popular demand our tour of German beers, from Düsseldorf ’s Altbier to Cologne’s rival Kölsch plus Bockbier and even smoked ale. Discover a country with colourful regional differences of taste, language, culture and lifestyle. Prost!

DAY 1 We depar t London St. Pancras International and travel by Eurostar to Brussels and onward by high-speed train to Wuppertal . Early evening, we travel to nearby Düsseldorf to learn about the city’s Altbier tradition on a guided walking tour of its charming brewery taverns. We return to Wupper tal for a welcome evening meal at the Fleming’s Express Hotel. (D) DAY 2 An amazing and totally unique journey onWupper tal’s century-old ‘space ships’ - the Schwebebahn elevated railway - before continuing to historic Wernigerode , the capital of the Harz Region, at the foot of the beautiful Harz Mountains and our hotel for next three nights at the HKK Hotel.(B,D) DAY 3 Today we enjoy an exhilarating ride aboard the Brockenbahn , a steam-hauled journey from Wernigerode through lush landscapes up to the summit of the Brocken mountain to Germany’s highest narrow-gauge station and the Harz region’s highest peak. Returning toWernigerode, the remainder of the day is free to discover the market square in front of the picturesque town hall.Wander amidst the quaint half-timbered buildings overlooked by Wernigerode’s stunning castle. (B,D) DAY 4 This morning we enjoy a guided walking tour of Wernigerode .We then continue to Einbeck by private coach to discover a handsome town whose 600 year old brewery is famous for strong Bockbier. Brewing tradition here dates back to the 14th century, when every citizen had the right to brew beer. With 700 brewers in town, the city council would purchase the excess, expor ting it far and wide, leading to Einbeck’s international renown. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ★ Welcome evening guided Altbier tour of Düsseldorf with beer tasting ★ Ride on the Schwebebahn ‘dingle-dangle’ railway ★ Steam to the top of the Brocken Mountain ★ Guided walking tour of picturesque Wernigerode ★ Visit the home of Bock beer in Einbeck ★ Guided sightseeing tour of historic Nuremberg ★ Tour, tasting and dinner at Nuremberg’s labyrinthine Alstadthof brewery ★ Tour the beautiful UNESCOWorld Heritage city of Bamberg ★ Experience Schlenkerla smoked beer with lunch at the brewery restaurant ★ Uncover Munich’s brewing heritage at the Oktoberfest Museum ★ Enjoy lunch at the world-famous Hofbräuhaus ★ Farewell Kölsch tasting beer tour and dinner a Cologne Brewery Tavern Also included in your Tour Fare: ★ Breakfast each day, 6 evening meals plus, 2 lunches ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Fares From £1999

9 DAYS

Sampling Bamberg’s beer

© Franken Tourismus Bamberg Hub

DAY 5 Today we leave Wernigerode and transfer by rail to Nuremberg . After checking into our hotel for the next three nights, we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Nuremberg that ends in style with a tour of the old cellar labyrinth of the Alstadthof brewery including dinner . (B,D) DAY 6 Today we visit the delightful city of Bamberg , whose cityscape is a UNESCOWorld Heritage site. Bamberg is famous for its small breweries, arguably the most famous being the renowned Schlenkerla smoked beer . During our visit we enjoy a guided tour and lunch with a smoked beer at Schlenkerla’s quaint restaurant, before returning to Nuremberg for a free evening. (B,L) DAY 7 Heading southwards for the day, we arrive in Munich , learning about the city’s brewing history at the Oktoberfest Museum . After free time to explore the attractive centre around Marienplatz we enjoy a highlight with lunch at the famous Hofbräuhaus. In the 16th century WilhelmV of Bavaria used to impor t Einbeck beer that he considered superior to the local brew, but eventually decided to found his own brewery in Munich, the Hofbräuhaus. (B,L) DAY 8 Leaving Nuremberg, we head and to Cologne for a night at the Maritim Hotel. This evening we enjoy HOTELS Fleming’s Express Hotel,Wuppertal

DEPARTS Saturday 22 April 2023 Saturday 7 October 2023

FARES From London St Pancras International: Standard Class rail travel to/from Germany including Standard Eurostar Supplement for Standard Premier Eurostar upgrade return First Class rail travel to/from Germany including Standard Premier Eurostar Join at Wupper tal & Leave at Cologne

£1999

£199

£2299 £1849 £350 £100

Single Traveller Supplement

OCTOBER depar ture supplement

8 nights’ bed & breakfast, 6 evening meals, 2 lunches Standard Class rail travel and seat reservations where available (subject to selected rail travel option) All transfers, excursions, and admissions as detailed Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager GUARANTEED FARE

a Kölsch Beer tour with a local guide , ending with dinner at a traditional Kölsch brewery tavern . (B,D) DAY 9 We depar t Germany, changing at Brussels for our onward Eurostar service to London St Pancras International. (B)

This modern 4-star hotel puts you right in the centre ofWupper tal, close to the main station and just a shor t walk from the Schwebebahn ‘dingle-dangle railway’. Among other things, the rooms are equipped with free high-speed Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, and a flat-screen TV. The hotel has a bar, restaurant, and fitness centre. HKK Hotel,Wernigerode This stylish 4-star hotel is ideally positioned close to the historic old town centre and the Wernigerode narrow gauge railway station.The hotel offers well equipped comfor table bedrooms withTV and hairdryer. Enjoy local culinary delights in the buffet restaurant and relax in the Berliner Ziller bar. Leisure facilities at the hotel include a sauna, gym and jacuzzi. InterCity Hotel Nuremberg (April) , NH Collection Nuremberg (October) Convenient modern hotels situated close to the main station and German Railway Museum, yet also just a shor t walk from the picturesque old town. Both hotels offer bar, restaurant, and comfor table bedrooms with TV and freeWi-Fi. Maritim Hotel, Cologne A 4-star hotel located on the banks of the Rhine close to the railway station, old town, and cathedral.The bedrooms are equipped with freeWi-Fi,TV, safe and mini fridge.The hotel offers a selection of bars and restaurants.

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

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