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France, Germany Switzerland Steam Railway Holiday

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Black, White and Gold

Autumnal yellows and golds in the snowy forest.

Holiday date: Thursday, 17th October 2024
Europe
France | Germany | Switzerland
7 days for  £1589 per person
£3178 for two people sharing
Single supplement £240
Tour reference: BG7/1
Price, based on 1.1 Euro to the £. (see Booking Conditions for currency fluctuation clause)

This is a wonderful time of year to enjoy the incredible autumn colours (gold), in the Alsace, (black) in the Black Forest and, (white) the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland. This really is the pick of our continental adventures.

Holiday Highlights

The Pig Tail Railway in the Black Forest
Swiss day including Lake Lucerne and Mount Rigi
Stunning medieval Alsace villages
Steaming through the forest at Abreschviller
A cheesy lunch at Vallee de la Dollar
More German steam with the Kandertalbahn

Holiday Itinerary

Day 1 - Thursday

The journey to Colmar really is part of the holiday. We take a mid-morning Eurostar to Paris and then the, relatively new, high-speed line (TGV) to Strasbourg and Colmar. We arrive early enough for an accompanied wander into town to familiarise with surroundings.

Day 2 - Friday

This morning we will spend some time introducing you to Colmar by daylight. The town centre and the area known as “Little Venice” are delightful. We will “do” them by “dotto train” to save on the legs. Mid-morning, we head south to Mulhouse for the excellent French National Railway Museum. A couple of hours here precede our first steam of the holiday – a delightful “rustic” experience – privately chartered at nearby Cernay – just lovely.

Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 - Saturday

Our Black Forest day sets off from Colmar by coach bound for a town called Offenburg. From here we board the “Black Forest Railway” for the stunning ride through the heart of the forest to Donaueschingen. A short drive now brings us to the cutely named Sauschwanzlebahn (Pigtail Railway), so aptly described. This twisting standard gauge railway follows the Swiss border and provides what is possibly the steam highlight of the holiday. Our return to Colmar includes another scenic railway line – The Hollentalbahn – fantastic!

Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 - Sunday

A relaxed day in and amongst the golden vines of the Alsace as we sample a couple of delightful villages this morning. These places are what the region is all about and a photographers dream with half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. Our steam today comes courtesy of the Kandertalbahn, which is just back across the German border. A super steam run, bar-car on board and photo opportunities abound….great stuff!

Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 - Monday

This is our wonderful white Monday as we embark on a spectacular day trip from Colmar, via Basel and into Switzerland. As the day unfolds we enjoy unparalleled mountainous scenery with a cruise on Lake Luzern to a place called Vitznau. Here is the “Queen of the Mountains” - Mount Rigi. As it is served by two cog railways we go up from Vitznau, take refreshments at the top whilst admiring the snowy peaks all around, then down to Arth-Goldau. Our return to Colmar is also by rail completing an invigorating day out amid stunning Swiss scenery – wow!

Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 - Tuesday

A terrific last full day sees us head into the hills and forests to the north of Colmar for gold galore! We go by train to Saverne and then a short journey by coach to Abreschviller sees us in the heart of the Alsace logging area. There is an outstanding trip here by steam train into the forest. A simple lunch (included) and then a scenic tour by coach and train via the famous Alsace wine route that wends its way back to Colmar.

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch
Day 7 - Wednesday

Breakfast, then we return to London reversing the excellent journey via Strasbourg and Paris, arriving back in the afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast
Credit: Ermell, commons.wikimedia.org

Railways

Coming soon!

Our Hotel(s)

4 Star

Grand Hotel Bristol, Colmar

This four star rated hotel is a firmly established Inside Track favourite, being ideally situated in medieval Colmar, opposite the station and within ten minutes of the lovely town centre.

All rooms are of a good quality, featuring all the usual amenities, and the hotel boasts a popular brasserie.

Features and Facilities

Free Wi-Fi
A desk
Minibar
Flat-screen TV
Telephone
Alarm Clock
A safe
Tea and Coffee making facilities
Private bathroom with bath or shower
Hairdryer
Premium toiletries

What's included

Transport

All heritage railway rides
All public transport journeys, in standard class accommodation
Private coach transfers throughout the holiday

Entertainment

All entrances
Detailed itinerary/information pack
Services of courier throughout

Accommodation

Hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis

Treats

Picnic lunch in the forest

What's not included

Travel to/from the holiday start point
Personal holiday insurance
Porterage
Other meals
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