Festive Steam in Saxony

DAY 1

Travelling by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, then onwards to Gotha for our overnight stay at the Hotel am Tierpark where we check in and enjoy our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

This morning, we depart Gotha by train to Dresden where we travel the short distance to Radebeul for a steam run on the 750mm narrow-gauge Lössnitzgrundbahn, a delightful 17km line which still operates a public service between Radebeul and Radeburg including some street running! Afterwards, we make our way to our hotel, the InterCity Hotel in Dresden, for our two-night stay where we enjoy our evening meal together.

DAY 3

After breakfast this morning, a short local train ride takes us to Freital-Hainsberg where we join the steam hauled service over the Weisseritztalbahn for a nostalgic ride on the oldest narrow-gauge railway in public operation along a narrow gorge, through woodland, and past lakes to Kipsdorf. This afternoon, we enjoy a visit to the Dresden Transport Museum for an exciting journey back in time with walk-in carriages and locomotives to explore allowing us to soak in the atmosphere of past times. Afterwards, we have time to explore the traditional Christmas Markets around the Church of our Lady before returning to the hotel this evening.

DAY 4

Today, we will use our we will use our included transport day ticket to explore the beautiful city of Dresden including a ride on the unusual, suspended monorail, one of the oldest suspension railways and a marvellous example of engineering and construction, plus the superb single-track funicular railway. This afternoon, we join a relaxing cruise along the River Elbe passing by some of the valleys most beautiful landmarks whilst enjoying a delicious slice of Christmas cake and a tea/coffee. Afterwards, we transfer by rail to Leipzig and check-in to the InterCity Hotel for our three-night stay.

DAY 5

Today, we travel by heritage steam train from Leipzig to the UNESCO protected town of Quedlinburg, home to the 'Advent in den Hofen' Event (Christmas in the Courtyard). To view the historic buildings in this beautifully quaint town is a true 'chocolate box' Christmas scene and we enjoy time at leisure to explore and, perhaps, buy Christmas presents and souvenirs made locally in this most romantic of locations. This, and tomorrow's excursion, are scheduled to be hauled by Class 52 8154-8, an example of the powerful 2-10-0 German steam locomotive which will, undoubtedly, enhance the wonderful wintry Christmas scene.

DAY 6

Today, we enjoy a return, steam-hauled 'St. Nicholas' journey from Leipzig to Grosskorbetha with Class 52 8154-8 once again scheduled to set the festive scene. On our return to Leipzig, we have the remainder of the day at leisure to explore this charming Saxon city and its beautiful Christmas Market, one of Germany's oldest with origins dating back to 1458.

DAY 7

We bid farewell to Leipzig and to Germany, returning by rail to Brussels, where we will join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

*Important Note: Whilst the arrangements for all described steam train travel are in place, we do reserve the right to make substitutions should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.

B=Breakfast, LR=Light Refreshments, D=Dinner