Steam and Christmas Markets in Germany

Discover the festive splendour of Germany’s legendary Christmas Markets. This unique steam holiday explores historic towns and charming cities set against a winter wonderland landscape, including the idyllic highlands of Thüringen and the enchanting Harz Mountains.

• This all-new winter tour is based in two locations: the vibrant city of Gotha and the picturesque town of Wernigerode, offering refined travel and a relaxed holiday experience for the seasoned traveller and Christmas Market newcomer alike.
• You’ll sample steam and ‘Plandampf’ – hauling regular trains by steam locomotives on different gauges – while sightseeing gorgeous historic cathedral cities and lovely rural landscapes.
• Enjoy a private main line charter with dramatic run-pasts on the steeply graded Rennsteigbahn in the forested Thüringerwald, hauled by the mighty 0-10-0 Prussian tank engine 94 1538 from 1922.
• In the Harz Mountains you’ll experience a thrilling steam departure on a rarely-used trunk from Nordhausen, storming to the summit of Mount Brocken as often as you like thanks to your complimentary network rover ticketplenty of comfort and convenience.
  

Thursday 4th December
London to Gotha

Every step of this journey is a treat, from start to finish. First of all you’ll travel by Eurostar, Thalys and ICE high speed services from London St Pancras via Brussels and Frankfurt to the historic castle town of Gotha. On arrival you’ll check into your quality, centrally located hotel near Gotha’s splendid palace gardens for a delicious welcome dinner. (D)

Friday 5th December
Main Line Steam with 94 1538 on the Rennsteigbahn
On the first full day you’ll experience one of the biggest operational standard gauge tank engines in Germany on one of the country’s steepest rural railways! The impressive 0-10-0 needs every bit of available power to battle the fierce 6% gradients on the circuitous Rennsteigbahn between Ilmenau, Rennsteig and Themar in the rural, hilly and densely forested hinterland of Thüringen. The train includes a stylish historic dining car where you’ll enjoy a tasty lunch. A series of photo stops and spectacular run-pasts reveal a landscape often smothered in snow at this time of year, adding to the magic. After the full round-trip by steam, you’ll return to Gotha by service train in the late afternoon. (B L)

Saturday 6th December
Erfurt Christmas Markets and Sightseeing by Heritage Tramway
Saturday is all about sampling the delights of Erfurt, whose Christmas Market has been rated the best in Europe. Located right the heart of Germany, scenic Erfurt has countless spacious squares, proud Burgher Houses, wonderful old bridges and quaint pedestrianised alleys. Today you’ll explore the city’s sights and scenes on a privately chartered heritage tramway from the early 20th century, before taking free time to immerse yourself in the award-winning Erfurt Christmas Market with its festive atmosphere, mulled wine and heart-warming traditional cuisine. (B)

Sunday 7th December
Steam in the Harz Mountains from Norhausen to Mount Brocken and on to Wernigerode
This morning’s adventure takes you on a DB service train from Gotha to Nordhausen, while your luggage is transferred by minivan to your hotel in Wernigerode. Departing in the late morning, you’ll travel Nordhausen steam-hauled north via Eisfelder Talmühle to the junction station of Drei Annen Hohne before traversing the long trunk line of the Harz narrow gauge network steam-hauled. A different steam locomotive takes over for the dizzying ascent up Mount Brocken. After refreshments and photo opportunities at the summit, you’ll descend back to Drei Annen Hohne and then proceed to Wernigerode, completing an epic steam journey through the stunning winter scenery. For the next three nights you’ll be based in Wernigerode, given the opportunity to experience both the best of the Harz Mountains and the excellent local Christmas Market near your hotel, where dinner is served in the evening. (B D)

Monday 8th December
Steam from Quedlinburg and along the Selke Valley
There’s steam on the menu today in the eastern part of the Harz narrow gauge network, on board a powerful 2-10-2 tank engine at Quedlinburg for the round-trip to Alexisbad. Along the way the locomotive overcomes some formidable inclines and passes through beautiful landscapes, a delightful steam round-trip. You’ll be able to explore the UNESCO-designated town of Quedlinburg with its timber framed buildings and impressive hilltop basilica. In the late afternoon you’ll return by DB service train to Wernigerode for another tasty dinner at the hotel. (B D)

Tuesday 9th December
Day at leisure with Harz network rover
This is the final day of your three day Harz network experience, your chance to have another go at the amazing Brockenbahn with its steep gradients, snow-covered scenery and spiraling alignment. You can also film or photograph trains at the junction station Drei Annen Hohne, or take one of the regular steam services to Eisfelder Talmühle. Alternatively, simply relax in Wernigerode and enjoy the markets, castles and cultural attractions before returning to the hotel for dinner. (B D)

Wednesday 10th December
Scenic heritage railway in the Exertal and Essen Christmas Market
Making our way westwards, including a comfortable direct transfer on a luxury coach from Wernigerode to the village of Bösingfeld, we enter the German hinterland. The pastoral Exertalbahn is one of Germany’s rare preserved electrified railways, operating original electric ‘boxcab’ locomotives from the 1920s. One of these stylish locomotives will haul your private charter train through rolling hills and gentle fields, pausing for photos and run-pasts along the way. Lunch is served in a delightful red Mitropa dining car, typical of German railways from the early 20th century, one of Germany’s best off-the-beaten path secrets and a fitting railway highlight to cap your tour. In the late afternoon you’ll continue to the city of Essen to stay at the stylish 1913 Handelshof Hotel, next to the city’s Christmas Market and opposite the main railway station. (B L)

Thursday 11th December
Return to London by high-speed rail
It’s time to say Auf Wiedersehen to Germany as you travel from Essen via Cologne to Brussels on ICE high-speed services, before changing onto a Eurostar for the direct return to London St. Pancras. (B)