Itinerary - 7 Night Holiday by Rail

Day 1

London to Munich

Take the Eurostar from London to Brussels, where you change trains for the high speed ICE train for Cologne. In Cologne you switch to another high speed train to Munich.

On arrival in Munich check into the Courtyard Munich City Centre, which is less than a 5 minute walk from the station and where you will stay for 2 nights.

Day 2

Munich

Spend a full day in Munich which will give you an opportunity to visit some of Munich's sights and attractions.

Marvel at the architecture of the Marianplatz, visit the largest cathedral in the city, the Frauenkirche and uncover the legend behind the Teufelsschritt (Devil’s Footstep), take a tour of the renowned Deutsches Museum or relax in the beautiful Englischer Garten, one of the largest urban parks in the world.

No visit to Munich is complete without a visit to a beer hall. The Hofbräuhaus am Platzl is undoubtedly the most famous of these, where you can sample some weisswürste (white sausage) or schweinshaxe (pork knuckle) with your mass (litre glass) of beer.

Day 3

Munich to Salzburg

Spend another morning in Munich before taking the train to Salzburg. Journey time is 90 minutes.

On arrival in Salzburg check into the Stein Hotel Salzburg, where you will stay for two nights.

Salzburg is your first taste of Austria and the mountains…and don't forget it is home to the Sound of Music! Try the restaurants on the right side of the river around Linzergasse for the real Salzburg. For the real beer experience you need to head for the atmospheric Mullner Brewery - known officially as the Augustiner Braustubel.

Day 4

Day trip to Hallstatt

After breakfast you travel by train on the beautiful Salzkammergutbahn to the World Heritage Site of Hallstatt in the Austrian Lake District (Salzkammergut). Once at Hallstatt train station a small boat will take you across Lake Hallstatter See (5 euros return, payable locally) to the village perched on the shore. You have the day at leisure to explore - take the funicular to the Salt Mine or have look at the wonderful painted glass arts in the shops, before heading back to Salzburg for your second night.

Day 5

Salzburg to Innsbruck

Today you take the slow train from Salzburg to Innsbruck. The scenic route takes you to Zell Am Zee and on to the beautiful city of Innsbruck, surrounded by mountains and in the middle of the Tyrol. You pass through some of the most mountainous and scenic parts of Austria.

On arrival in Innsbruck check into the Hilton Innsbruck, where you will stay for two nights.

Day 6

Day trip to Italy on the Brenner Pass Line

After breakfast you take the train from Innsbruck to the Italian Alps via the Brenner Pass. This scenic journey takes you through Alpine meadows, and past snowy peaks before arriving into the beautiful Italian town of Trento where you will have time to eat some lunch and have a wander around the Renaissance centre.

Travel back from Trento later in the afternoon and spend a second night in Innsbruck.

Day 7

Innsbruck to Cologne

After breakfast in the hotel you travel by train from Innsbruck to Cologne. Sit back and relax as the train passes through picturesque countryside before arriving in the historic market town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Continue by train to Cologne where you check into the Marriott Cologne Hotel for an overnight stay.

Visit Cologne's Chocolate Museum for a tasting, relax in a traditional bar and sample the local specialty beer, Kolsch, or head up to the top of the Dom Cathedral for fabulous views over the city.

Day 8

Cologne to London

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel and spend the morning exploring more of Cologne before travelling by train to Brussels. On arrival in Brussels, connect on the Eurostar back to London.