Poland & the Wolsztyn Steam Locomotive Parade

Day 1 – To Cologne

A mid-morning departure by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, then onwards to Cologne where we stay for 1 night.

Day 2 – Onward to Poland

An early morning departure for a full day’s journey to Poznan where we stay for 3 nights.

Day 3 – Steam Locomotive Parade

A full day at the Steam Locomotive Parade featuring more than a dozen steam engines from across Europe. A unique opportunity for visitors to watch a large steam parade and view loco presentations by experienced crew. Wolsztyn is famous for it’s steam locomotive depot, which still operates regular steam powered passenger trains, the last of its kind in Europe.

Day 4 – Day at Leisure in Poznan

Poznan is a vibrant, historic Polish city known for its stunning Old Town. A 24-hour public transport ticket is included today to enable you to explore the city using its tram system.

Day 5 – On to Warsaw

After a leisurely breakfast we catch a mid-morning train to Warsaw for a 3-night stay. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 6 – Day at Leisure in Warsaw

A full day at leisure in Warsaw, exploring the city’s extensive tram network with a 24-hour public transport ticket (included). There are 28 lines in operation, forming a rail network of approximately 90 miles.

Day 7 – Narrow Gauge Railway & Warsaw Railway Museums

Today we travel by train to Sochaczew to visit the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum which houses Europe’s largest collection of narrow gauge steam, diesel and electric locos and other rolling stock. Travel back to the city in the afternoon to visit the Warsaw Railway Museum (Stacja Museum).

Day 8 – On to Krakow

Morning departure on a direct service to Krakow. A lunchtime arrival leaves the afternoon free to explore with the 24-hour public transport ticket included. The tram network here is made up of 27 lines covering over 50 miles.

Day 9 – Chabowka Heritage Park

This morning we have a private bus transfer to Chabowka Rolling Stock Heritage Park. The open-air museum has around 90 exhibits, including a growing number of interesting steam locomotives, electric and diesel locomotives, carriages, freight cars, mail vans and special luggage vans. A packed lunch will be included today.

Day 10 – Wieliczka Salt Mine & Auschwitz

A private coach takes us to the Wieliczka Salt Mine this morning, which is often referred to as the “Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland”. Carved into the salt rock are chapels, statues, monuments and even underground lakes. Every element here, from chandeliers to altarpieces, is made of salt and it took 3 men over 30 years to complete. After a break for lunch we continue to Auschwitz Birkenau, the largest concentration camp in occupied Europe during 1940-1945.

Day 11 – Rail to Berlin

We leave Poland this morning by train and head back into Germany for a 2-night stay in Berlin. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 12 – Frankfurt an der Oder

Today we have a special treat in store, a chartered ride on a historic tram car through the streets of Frankfurt an der Oder. We will have the chance to ride one of the tram cars that have been painstakingly preserved by the Historic Frankfurt Association. The rest of the day is free to explore Frankfurt’s tram network at leisure.

Day 13 – To Cologne

After breakfast we take a train to Cologne for a 1-night stay, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 14 – Homeward Bound

Morning departure to Brussels where we connect with the Eurostar, arriving London early afternoon.