Christmas Market – Dresden

Day 1 – Cologne

We start our tour by taking a mid-morning Eurostar from London St. Pancras International to Brussels where we connect with a high speed train to Cologne. Our overnight hotel is located a short walk from the station building.

Day 2 – Onwards to Dresden

Board a mid-morning ICE, travelling via Frankfurt before turning eastwards to Dresden for a 5-night stay. Our hotel is located adjacent to the main station giving easy access to the national network. Enjoy a three course meal in the hotel restaurant.

Day 3 – Dresden Area Narrow Gauge

There are two narrow gauge steam lines which are almost within the city limits so we are able to ride both the Lößnitzgrundbahn and Weißeritztalbahn. Built in the late 19th Century these steam railways survived the Cold War and are still in daily operation. The Weißeritztalbahn is considered to be the oldest public narrow gauge railway in Germany that is still active. The cost of reaching these lines is included on your German Rail Pass but the steam train fares must be purchased locally.

Day 4 – Zittau

We travel a short distance by rail to the nearby Czech border and arrive in Zittau to ride another active line. Steam hauled, it operates two branches to Kurort Oybin and Jonsdorf and we plan to travel on both before returning to Dresden in the afternoon. The cost of reaching this line is included on your German Rail Pass but the steam train fares must be purchased locally.

Day 5 – Cranzahl & Oberwiesenthal

A full day excursion beginning with a journey on the main line railway towards Chemnitz. We travel as far as Flöha before taking the branch line to Cranzahl. Here we find a steam train waiting to take us on the trip to Oberwiesenthal, travelling through forest and upland scenery. The end of the line is in sight of the Czech border. Return this afternoon to Dresden by the same route. The cost of reaching this line is included on your German Rail Pass but the steam train fares must be purchased locally.

Day 6 – Christmas Shopping in Dresden

Today we enjoy a free day in Dresden to experience the city’s festive Christmas Markets that transform Dresden into a colourful, magical place. Savour some traditional Saxon festive treats in the heart of this Baroque city and purchase some traditional gifts for your loved ones. If you wish to travel further afield today your German Rail Pass is valid throughout the country.

Day 7 – Wuppertal

Travelling via Berlin we spend our final evening in Wuppertal. Our hotel is close to the station, where we stay for 1 night. An afternoon arrival in Wuppertal allows the evening free to travel on the Schwebebahn or hanging railway which runs along the Wupper Valley in the Ruhr. Built over a century ago, this monorail straddles the river and is not only a popular tourist attraction but an integral part of the region’s transport infrastructure.

Day 8 – Homeward Bound

A morning departure by high speed train via Cologne to Brussels for Eurostar service to London.