RAIL ADVENTURE TO BERLIN

DRESDEN AND THE HARZ MOUNTAINS

TOURIST/RAILFAN TOUR

SEPTEMBER 14-24, 2023

Travel from London, by rail to Germany spending time in Berlin and Dresden before we arrive at the Harz Mountains. Famous for its network of narrow-gauge railways, many of which are still hauled by steam locomotives. Some say it is the greatest steam railway in the world. 48 stations with 86 miles of track on three lines. It runs through the fairytale villages of Germany’s famous Harz mountains. This is Europe’s longest railway network and while other steam trains are now run for tourists only, this line serves the locals too. On board you can take a step back in time and enjoy a ride to the land of mysterious forests, medieval towns and the highest mountain peak in Germany. On our return to London we stop off for a night in Wuppertal, home to the unique, World famous, “Schwebebahn” hanging monorail.

Day 1 Thursday September 14: (D)

We take a late morning Eurostar from London's St Pancras Station to Brussels. Option to visit Train World and Belgium National Railway Museum at Schaerbeek. Alternatively free time in Brussels. Welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Brussels.

THE EUROSTAR RUNNING LONDON TO BRUSSELS

TRAIN WORLD AND THE BELGIUM NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM

Day 2 Friday September 15: (B)

We take a German high speed ICE train (first class) to Cologne and onward on another ICE train (first class) to Berlin, arriving at 3:10 pm. Check in to our hotel by the station. Overnight Berlin (2 nights).

GERMAN'S HIGH SPEED ICE TRAIN IN FIRST CLASS

Day 3 Saturday September 16: (B)

Visit the Berlin Technical Museum with a large railway section in the old Anhalter double roundhoud and/or to Berlin Park railway at Wulheim (narrow-gauge). Alternatively visit the city sites with public transport. Or travel on one of the branch lines. Our guide will give various suggestions of the best lines.

SIGHTSEEING IN BERLIN BY BOAT

BERLIN PARK RAILWAY

Day 4 Sunday September 17: (B)

We catch the 8:26 am train to Dresden arriving at 10:35 am and check into our hotel near the station. After lunch we take the afternoon train to Radebeul for a narrow-gauge steam train to Radeburg and back. Return to Dresden for our overnight stay (3 nights).

NARROW GAUGE OPERATION BETWEEN RADEBEUL AND RADELBURG

Day 5 Monday September 18: (B)

Train to Bad Schandau running every 30 minutes for a ferry ride over the river, then a short walk to the Kirnitzschtalbahn, a vintage electric tramway running 5 miles through a national park to Lichtenhainer Waterfall. We the return to Bad Schandau, and then return to Dresden by Paddle steamer on the River Elbe through an area known as Saxon Switzerland.

ELBE RIVER PADDLE STEAMER AND THE LICHTENHAINER WATERFALL

Day 6 Tuesday September 19: (B)

Today we catch a train Dresden to Freital-Hainsburg for a beautiful steam hauled ride into the mountains on the Weiseritztal narrow gauge railway. We then return to Dresden and the afternoon free to visit the beautifully restored medieval city, Transport Museum, miniature park railway or funicular railways. There is plenty to see and do.

WEISEREITZTAL NARROW GAUGE RAILWAY

PLENTY TO SEE AND DO IN DRESDEN

Day 7 Wednesday September 20: (B)

This morning we leave Dresden behind and take the train to the romantic half-timbered town of Wernigerode, arriving around 1:20 pm.  We first check in to the Railway themed Hotel Altora near the station. Some of the rooms at this hotel have views of the narrow-gauge locomotive workshops . We stay here for 3 nights. Two options this afternoon: First you can visit Wernigerode’s restored fairy tale castle on a hill over looking the town then use your pass for a steam trip up to the summit at Brocken, the highest mountain in Northern Germany.

THE FAIRYTALE TOWN OF WERNIGERODE

Day 8 & 9 Thursday and Friday September 21-22: (B)

Armed with a 3 day pass for the Harz narrow gauge railway, you can either follow our tour manager for a suggested itinerary, or feel free to explore alone, perhaps trying to travel on as many steam hauled trains as possible.

THE HARZ NARROW GAUGE RAILWAY

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO ENJOY

A COUPLE VIDEOS OF THE HARZ NARROW GAUGE RAILWAY

Day 10 Saturday September 23: (B)

This morning we say goodbye to the Harz and take the train via Goslar & Hannover to the city of Wuppertal, arriving 1:38 pm. We check in to our hotel near the Station.  Wuppertal is home to the unique World famous “Schwebebahn” hanging monorail. We will have a pass which enables us to ride and photograph the full 8 mile line.

THE WORLD FAMOUS SCHWEBEBAHN HANGING MONORAIL

Day 11 Saturday September 24: (B)

Mid-morning we take a regional train from Wuppertal at 8:04 am to Cologne where we change to an ICE in first class to Brussels arriving at 11:35 am and departing at 12:52 pm then Eurostar to London arriving back in London at 1:57 pm.

ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON