SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day: 1 Travel from London to Cologne, by train

Begin your journey by travelling from London to Cologne, by rail. Catch a morning Eurostar to Brussels, where you will change trains and board a direct service to Cologne. Check in to your hotel for one night.

Cologne is an important cultural and economic city straddling the River Rhine. Dating from Roman times, Cologne was also a thriving centre in the Middle Ages, from Charlemagne onwards. The landmark of the city is its Gothic Cathedral dating from 1248 and housing the Shrine of the Three Kings. Nearby are remnants of the city’s medieval past, with the Rathaus dating from the 12th century and reconstructed houses in the Old Town. The Roman-Germanic Museum is located near the cathedral and explains the history of the city, from Palaeolithic times until the Middle Ages. It contains precious articles in gold, glass and other treasures.

Cologne is home to numerous museums and galleries, as well as being an important musical centre, with several orchestras. It produces its own beer and is famous for its ‘Eau de Cologne’ perfume. It celebrates a joyful carnival each year before Lent, where everyone wears red and white striped shirts. Cologne is also renowned for its wonderful Christmas markets.

Note: An alternative is to take the train from Brussels to Berlin and stay there overnight, continuing to Prague the next day in about 4.5 hours.

Day 2: Travel from Cologne to Prague by train

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before boarding a train to Prague.

If you are travelling from Cologne, board an 08:00 train to Dresden, changing in Frankfurt. After lunch in Dresden, board a final train to Prague where you will arrive in the late afternoon. Stay in Prague for three nights.

Days 3 & 4: In Prague

You have two full days in Prague to take in the cultural highlights. Stroll across the Charles Bridge which spans the Vltava River and links the Old Town with the Mala Strana (lesser or little town) and continue uphill towards Prague Castle, one of the city’s most popular sights. St Vitus Cathedral is near the castle and can be seen from around the city.

Also explore the historic centre where you can relax in Old Town Square, view the Astronomical Clock (dating from 1410 and the oldest working astronomical clock in the world) and stroll around Wenceslas Square. Be sure to taste traditional pork or beef and dumplings at a typical Old Town restaurant.

Prague enjoys a cultural reputation of immense stature in Europe and there are numerous opera and concert performances that can be booked. Unique to Prague is the Laterna Magika, where classical principles of non-verbal theatre mingle with dance, film images and black light theatre.

Prague’s rich cultural heritage can be experienced in visits to any number of museums in the city, including the Czech Museum of Music, Mucha Museum, Franz Kafka Museum, Antonin Dvorak Museum, Narodni Museum and City of Prague Museum. You should also experience one of its vibrant beer halls.

Day 5: Prague to Karlovy Vary by train

Check out of your hotel in Prague and board a direct train to Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) just before midday. You will arrive in just over 3 hours. Check in to your hotel for two nights.

Day 6: In Karlovy Vary

You have a full day to explore the resort of Karlovy Vary, renowned as a spa town. Places of interest include the Hot Spring Colonnade, which houses an impressive geyser that gushes 15m into the air. There are also some museums to visit, including the Karlovy Vary Museum which has extensive exhibits on the town’s history as a spa resort and Czech glasswork. The Moser Glass Museum has more than 2,000 items on display.

You can also hike to the Diana Observation Tower, situated at the top of a wooded hill and offering wonderful views across the town.

Day 7: From Karlovy Vary to Cologne by train

Depart from your hotel and board a train to Cologne, just after midday.

You will change trains in Cheb and Nuremberg, before you arrive a little after 19.00 in Cologne. Check in to your hotel for overnight.

Day 8: Cologne to London by train

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and travel to Brussels by rail from Cologne. This journey will take just under two hours.

In Brussels board the Eurostar and arrive back in London in the evening.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. This price includes second class rail travel, with supplement for first class and standard premier on Eurostar of about £380 per person.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information, including full directions and suggestions on places to visit, to help you get the most from your trip.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance. The FCO should also be consulted.