Railtrail Tours_Europe Brochure 2015

Berlin, the Brocken & Germany’s Glorious Gardens

N E W T O U R

First Class rail, Brocken by steam, four nights in a Palace Hotel, three more in a Berlin landmark, the German Garden Show, Dessau’s Garden Kingdom, the world’s largest rose collection – all on one tour!

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 1 Our journey begins by Eurostar in Standard Premier Class with a light meal. Changing at Brussels and Cologne, we arrive in Berlin for three nights at the historic Hotel Ellington. (E,D) DAYS 2-3 Our time in Berlin begins with a guided coach tour , taking in the contrasts of both the east and west sides of this once-divided city. Following this the rest of days 2 and 3 are free to explore independently. Close to our hotel is the KuDamm , West Berlin’s centre with its famous KaDeWe store. The public transport system is uncrowded and easy to navigate, which gives easy access to the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Museum Island, Checkpoint Charlie and Alexanderplatz . Alternatively, a short train ride away is Potsdam , home of Frederick the Great’s palaces. (B,D) DAYS 4-5 Leaving Berlin by coach, we pay a visit to Germany’s National Garden Show - BUGA. Ellington Hotel with its musical heritage ★ ★ Discover Berlin’s fascinating contrasts ★ ★ Spend a day at the German National Garden Show ★ ★ Stay in style at the Schlosshotel Ballenstedt on the edge of the Harz Mountains ★ ★ Experience UNESCO World Heritage at Dessau Wörlitz Garden Realm ★ ★ Steam train to the top of the Brocken Mountain ★ ★ Admire the world’s largest rose collection in Sangerhausen ★ ★ Try Wuppertal’s Schwebebahn ‘dingle- dangle’ railway Also included in your Tour Fare: ★ ★ Dinner every evening ★ ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager ★ ★ Hotel Porterage ★ ★ First Class rail travel to Germany and return including Standard Premier Eurostar ★ ★ Stay in the heart of Berlin at the

Fares From £1495

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

9 DAYS

© GNTB

2015 is the turn of the Havel Region to host the exhibition, which will take place across five sites. We begin in Brandenburg an der Havel , which will boast impressive themed gardens, before moving on to Rathenow to visit the floral displays at the Optikpark. We then continue our journey towards the Harz region and our hotel, Schlosshotel Ballenstedt , now a modern hotel perched on the edge of the palace park. Day 5 is free to relax with a stroll around the park landscape or to enjoy the hotel’s leisure facilities. (B,D) DAY 6 More garden delights await on our excursion today to Dessau Wörlitz , home of the UNESCO World Heritage ‘Garden Kingdom’ . One of the first and largest English gardens in Germany, they were created by Duke Leopold III following a grand tour of Europe. During our time here we discover more about the gardens on a guided tour , also taking to the water for a relaxing cruise through the verdant landscape. (B,D) DAY 7 Travelling through the Harz to Wernigerode , we join the Brocken Railway for a steam ride through deep forests to the top of the Brocken Mountain. Formerly part of East Germany, the mountain was off-limits, however, today it is a nature reserve and we can enjoy the magnificent views in peace. On our way back to Ballenstedt, we visit the fabulous Europa Rosarium at Sangerhausen. The 8,300 varieties of rose on display within its 12½ hectares make the Rosarium the largest collection of roses in the world. (B,D) DAY 8 Bidding farewell to Ballenstedt, we transfer to Aschersleben station for the journey to Wuppertal . In Wuppertal we can enjoy the Schwebebahn suspended railway ahead of our final evening and dinner together at the InterCity Hotel. (B,D) DAY 9 Bidding farewell to Wuppertal, our journey home in First Class involves a change of trains in Cologne. In Brussels we join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras, travelling in Standard Premier Class with a light meal served to our seats. (B,E)

DEPARTS

Friday 26 June 2015 Friday 7 August 2015 Friday 18 September 2015

FARE From London St Pancras International: First Class rail travel to/from Germany, including £1495

Standard Premier Eurostar Single Traveller Supplement

£190

HOTEL The Ellington Hotel, Berlin Located in the very heart of West Berlin, close to the KuDamm, the Ellington boasts a unique history. Opened as the ‘Femina Palast’ dancehall in the ‘Golden 20s’, it was resurrected as the Berliner Theater in 1948. However, the basement of the building became the ‘Badewanne Club’ in 1949, the hotspot of the Berlin jazz scene, with artists such as Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie. A further brush with fame came in the 1970’s, when the building became the ‘Dschungel’ club and hangout of David Bowie and Mick Jagger. Now a stylish and modern hotel within a listed building Schlosshotel Ballenstedt Originally built in the 18th century to house the guests of the ducal house of Anhalt- Bernburg, the Schlosshotel Ballenstedt is a reconstruction within the palace park grounds and opposite the historic theatre. Today it is a modern 4* hotel with restaurant and bar, plus leisure facilities including a swimming pool, sauna and steam bath. JUNE / SEPT Departure Supplement £100 8 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal Eurostar Standard Premier rail travel First Class rail travel throughout All transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager Hotel Porterage Fares based upon sharing a twin-bedded en-suite room; single rooms available for a supplement. GUARANTEED FARE

Dessau Wörlitz

Book now – online at www.railtrail.co.uk or telephone: 01538 382323

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