The Rhine in Flames

DAY 1

We depart London St Pancras by Eurostar, speeding across Kent and towards France. Our Eurostar terminates at Brussels, where we change onto a highspeed train into Germany. Our hotel for four nights is the Hotel Pinger in the Rhine riverside village of Remagen.

DAY 2

Today we explore the local region by scheduled service through the scenic Ahr Valley, an enclave of red-wine production in a predominantly white-wine area. Guided by our hotelier, we stop first at the lovely town of Altenahr before heading back down the valley to the pretty walled-town of Ahrweiler. During the day we also visit Germany's oldest wine co-operative in Mayschoss, with a buggy ride through the vineyards, followed by a tasting of the local wines.

DAY 3

This morning we take the train along the Rhine to Brohl, where we join the Brohltalbahn. Otherwise known as the Vulkan Express, the line meanders up through the Brohl Valley into the Eifel Hills, whose dramatic rock formations were created during a period of volcanic activity. The railway has recently reintroduced steam to the line and we will travel by steam train if available. The line leads us to the village of Oberzissen and onwards to Engeln. Following our evening meal back in Remagen we stroll to the waterside promenade to experience the magic of the spectacular 'Rhine in Flames' firework display.

DAY 4

Today we head for the opposite bank of the Rhine by ferry and railway, travelling first to Königswinter where we take a return trip on Germany's oldest rack railway, the Drachenfelsbahn, from the valley station up a height difference of 220 metres to the top station, where you will find the ruined Drachenfels ('dragon's cliff') Castle and great views across the river and the Siebengebirge hills. After our visit we continue to Linz-am-Rhein where we join the heritage diesel Kasbachtalbahn Railway, whose 1950s 'Roter Brummer' Uerdinger Railbus transports us from the bottom station to Kalenborn over 9 kms of breathtaking track that rates amongst Germany's steepest. We return to Remagen for our farewell evening meal and the chance to reflect on a wonderful short break where so many varied attractions have been enjoyed in such a relaxing way - The rail way!

DAY 5

Leaving Remagen, we change trains onto the highspeed line in Cologne. In Brussels we join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner