Bavarian Christmas Express Itinerary
| Date 2020 | Itinerary | |
| 26 NOV | Fly from Australia to London | |
| 27 NOV | London – transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight: Royal Horseguards Hotel (or similar) |
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| 28 NOV | London – Full day at leisure. Overnight: Royal Horseguards Hotel (or similar) – B |
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| 29 NOV |
London to Frankfurt Transfer to London St. Pancras Station International to join your Steam Dreams group. Embark a high speed train and be whisked across the channel and in under two hours you’ll be in Brussels where you will change trains for Frankfurt. Overnight: Steigenberger Frankurter Hof, Steigenberger Metropolitan Hotel or Le Meridien (or similar) – B, LM, D |
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| 30 NOV |
Frankfurt to Nuremberg – Although best known as the leading German city for business, Frankfurt, in common with most German cities, has its own Christmas Market and you will have time to visit it this morning before heading to Frankfurt Main Station. Your heritage train, hauled by Class 23 steam locomotive 23058, will soon be steaming south-eastwards out of the city through the valleys, rolling hills and mountains of Bavaria. Much of the scenery en route to Nuremberg is pleasantly rural and if there has been any cold weather there is the possibility of snow on the peaks. Onboard, the Steam Dreams team will be busy ensuring you are comfortable. Meals and beverages will be served aboard the train and you might like to try and complimentary glass of Bavarian gluhwein (mulled wine). You will arrive in Nuremberg late afternoon. Your hotel is within walking distance of the station, located within the medieval walls of the city and close to the vibrant Christmas markets. Overnight: Sheraton Carlton, Park Plaza or Le Meridien Grand Hotel (or similar) – B, LM, D |
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| 01 DEC |
Nuremberg – Regensburg – Nuremberg – Nuremberg is often remembered for its WW2 history and location of the post war trials however there is much more to this delightful city. Optional Excursions – Today there will be optional excursions available to give you the opportunity to learn about this city’s fascinating history and of course visit some of the many markets. Included today is a half day trip – rejoin your steam train at lunch time and head for the Cathedral City of Regensburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site, nestled on the Danube River. The outward journey of about 120 km will take a steeply graded route and with little other traffic on the line you will be allowed to disembark at a station to then watch your train pass at full speed, before rejoining it for the rest of the journey. On arrival in Regensburg you will have approx. three hours to explore this delightful city with its many markets and historic buildings before returning to Nuremberg before dinner. Overnight: Sheraton Carlton, Park Plaza or Le Meridien Grand Hotel (or similar) – B, LM, D |
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| 02 DEC |
Nuremberg or Salzburg – Today you may choose to spend the day exploring Nuremberg. Optional Tour – Join an express train and travel to the wonderful Austrian city of Salzburg. Nestled at the foot of the Alps on the River Salza you will have time to explore the narrow cobbled streets and beautiful historic buildings. You might choose to visit Salzburg Cathedral and Castle whose bells echo around the city and of course there are plenty of markets to browse. Overnight: Sheraton Carlton, Park Plaza or Le Meridien Grand Hotel (or similar) – B, LM, D |
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| 03 DEC |
Nuremberg to Cologne – After breakfast rejoin your steam train and head back towards Mainz via a different route. While in Mainz your train will swap from steam to heritage electric locomotive ‘Krokodil’ E94088, built in 1940. Passing through villages and towns you will cross the Rhine River in the early evening into Cologne, disembarking at the main station literally at the foot of the Cathedral steps. Cologne is a truly cosmopolitan city and at this time of year is alive with markets and other attractions in the surrounds of the Cathedral and alongside the river. Overnight: Excelsior Hotel Ernst or Hyatt Regency (or similar) – B, LM, D |
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| 04 DEC | Cologne to Basel – Today you will leave the Steam Dreams group and head by express train to the city if Basel, located on the Rhine River in northwest Switzerland. Make your way to your Viking River ship. After boarding, enjoy time on your own getting acquainted with the city. Dinner is served on board then cruise through the night. (B,D) | |
| 05 DEC | Breisach – Arrive in Breisach this morning, gateway to the Black Forest. Take a scenic excursion through the area’s renowned mountain landscape, rolling meadows and dense forests. Once there, visit a local workshop to see a cuckoo clock-making demonstration, and learn how Black Forest Cake is made. Return to your ship for lunch. This afternoon, perhaps join an optional excursion to the quaint Alsatian town of Colmar to discover the storybook charm of its streets lined with medieval, Gothic and Renaissance buildings, and visit a fine arts museum. Alternately, choose an optional excursion that explores Colmar’s World War II history. Dine on board this evening and cruise on through the night. (B,L,D) | |
| 06 DEC |
Strasbourg – Disembark this morning for your guided tour of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and tour the interior of the city’s famed cathedral. Free time allows you to further explore this Alsatian city’s blend of French and German cultures, resplendent churches, medieval covered bridges, verdant parks and handsome art nouveau and modernist architecture. Alternately, join our optional excursion into Alsatian wine country for an informative winery tour and tasting. Or, spend your full day exploring culinary Strasbourg on an optional excursion; as you explore the city and take in its sights, savor samples of the renowned Alsatian cuisine, from regional dessert specialties and meats to wine pairings with local foods. Return to your ship for dinner and departure. (B,L,D) |
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| 07 DEC | Speyer & Rüdesheim – This morning, disembark for an included tour to visit the historic the historic town of Speyer and take in views of the imposing Speyer Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 11th century on the site of a former basilica, the building’s design influenced Romanesque architecture for centuries to come, and is the final resting place of eight German monarchs. Alternatively, after breakfast, you may choose to disembark for a full day tour of Heidelberg, the home of Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386. Visit the beautiful sandstone ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle and admire the Neckar River Valley. Continue with a walking tour through Old Town to Heidelberg’s renowned gates and after lunch, rejoin your ship in Rüdesheim. This evening, you can dine on board your ship or choose to experience one of our optional dinners on shore tonight. (B,L,D) | |
| 08 DEC | Koblenz – This morning, sail along the most scenic stretch of the Rhine, where turreted castles and fortresses overlook the river from their hilltop posts. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this part of the Middle Rhine Valley is so beautiful. Arrive in Koblenz this afternoon and disembark for a lively and informative tour of Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. You may also join an optional excursion to tour the 700-year-old Marksburg Castle, or choose to journey into Moselle wine country on an optional excursion, stopping for a tour and tasting at a local winery. Return to your ship for lunch. Later, enjoy some time in this charming town at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine Rivers. (B,L,D) | |
| 09 DEC | Cologne – Begin your day with a morning tour of Cologne, Germany’s fourth-largest city. Stroll through Old Town past St. Martin’s Church and visit the Dom, Germany’s largest cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend your free time enjoying Cologne’s atmospheric waterfront, or perhaps join an optional excursion on which you ascend to the Dom’s roof for up-close views of the cathedral’s architecture and bird’s-eye vistas of Cologne. Afterward, return on board for dinner. Alternately, you may set off on an optional excursion to explore Cologne’s spirited beer culture, sampling Kölsch, a light, crisp beer brewed only in Cologne, and enjoying a brauhaus dinner. After, return to your ship for a late-evening departure. (B,L,D) | |
| 10 DEC | Kinderdijk – We sail along the Rhine during the morning hours. Admire scenic views and enjoy a morning of enjoyable Dutch diversions: sample Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and take in a culturally enriching presentation on the Dutch Golden Age. This afternoon, your ship arrives in Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Disembark for an afternoon tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. You learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, plus you enter a working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Board your ship for departure and dinner. Arrive in Amsterdam around midnight. (B,L,D) | |
| 11 DEC | Amsterdam – After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight home to Australia. (B) | |
| 12 DEC | Arrive Australia |
Note: Meal arrangements are dependent on timings, provision of utilities and access to re-stock and may be subject to change. Steam Dreams reserves the right to alter the nominated hotel at any destination provided the alternative hotel is of an equivalent standard.
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