Steam, markets and festive highlights of Northern Germany and the Baltic coast

Journey through a genuine Winter Wonderland to Northern Germany and the famed steam trains along the Baltic Coast. Main line steam with a magnificent tank engine from 1923, ambient Christmas Markets, timber-framed houses, fairy-tale castles and romantic steam trains all add to the enchantment of this seasonal holiday in Advent.

• Discover first-hand the charm and culture of Northern and Eastern Germany, visiting such fine cities as Münster
  and Rostock. 
  
• Experience the thrill and majesty of the large recently overhauled Prussian tank engine 78 468 during a run on the main line, over ‘rare track’ and freight-only routes in Westfalia, along the route of the so-called ‘Teuto-Express’.
  
• Ride on the famed ‘little trains’ and experience legendary German ‘Plandampf’ on two different narrow-gauge steam railways, all with their own unique character, including the ‘Molli’ and ‘Racing Roland’.
  
• Visit iconic Baltic locations such as the Island of Rügen and steam-hauled street-running at Bad Doberan, plus some fascinating World War II history at the V2 rocket factory at Peenemünde on the Baltic Island of Usedom.

Thursday 3 December

London to Münster by high speed rail

Travel by Eurostar, Thalys and ICE high speed services from London St Pancras via Brussels and Cologne to the medieval city of Münster, named after its namesake Gothic minster. On arrival check into your quality, centrally located hotel. There’s a welcome dinner at the hotel tonight. (D)

Friday 4 December 

Main line steam with 78 468 over scenic ‘freight only’ track in Westfalia

The tour starts with a true steam highlight and an RTC first, as you travel with the elegant 4-6-4 tank engine 78 468 over the freight-only, main line track of the Teuto Express from Lengerich via Ibbenbüren to Bad Laer and return. Your train will pause for numerous photo stops and run pasts in this part of rural Westfalia. The comfortable heritage coaches include a cozy buffet car where complimentary mulled wine, delightful cakes and also a warm lunch will be served. You get to experience western Germany ‘off the beaten path’, with the power and elegance of your vintage 1923, type Prussian T18 tank engine doing all the hard work. In the late afternoon you return to Münster and are free to sample its wonderful medieval ambiance with Gothic cathedral and of course the local, typically German Christmas Market. (B L)

Saturday 5 December

By train to Rostock via Berlin; Rostock Christmas Market

Travelling on Deutsche Bahn ICE and IC trains via Berlin Hauptbahnhof, you continue north to the Baltic Coast and arrive in the early afternoon to the attractive Hanseatic city of Rostock. After checking into the hotel you have ample time to explore the beautiful town centre with the distinctive North German touch. You will receive a complimentary public transport rover ticket, allowing you to use the local tramway. In the evening you have a group dinner at the delightful Ratskeller in one of the historic Hanseatic landmark buildings. (B D)

Sunday 6 December

Steam at the Molli Railway along the Baltic Coast

Today you visit the 15.4-kilometre-long seaside railway ‘Molli’. Famous for its street running section in Bad Doberan, this 900 mm gauge railway boasts lots of rugged German tank engines. You’ll have reserved seats for the northbound journey to Kühlingsborn along the Baltic Coast, before returning to Bad Doberan to film the street running there. In the afternoon you return by DB service train to nearby Rostock with some more free time to explore the city and enjoy its attractive Christmas Market. (B)

Monday 7 December

Steam on the Island of Rügen and historic Stralsund

German Plandampf once again takes centre stage today as you travel by service train via Stralsund to Putbus on the Island of Rügen and then experience the island’s famous narrow-gauge ‘Racing Roland’ railway. The 24 km long line runs via Binz to the seaside terminus Göhren. After lunch you have time to visit the sandy beach and long boardwalk at Göhren, before you return to Putbus behind a different steam locomotive and continue by regular service train back to Rostock via Stralsund. (B L)

Tuesday 8 December

World War II History on the Island of Usedom at Peenemünde

Today you visit the beautiful Baltic island of Usedom and also travel on a service train on the short railway branch line from the junction station Zinnowitz to Peenemünde, where the railway terminus is located directly next to the V2 rocket factory, which today is a large museum dedicated to this chapter of World War II history and also serves as a monument and memorial to all the forced laborers. You can visit the museum and its exhibitions, which includes V2 rockets. In the afternoon you return to Rostock for one more group dinner at the Ratskeller. (B D)

Wednesday 9 December

Return to London

As you say ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ to Germany, you travel from Rostock to Cologne by DB IC and ICE trains, before changing to high speed services to Brussels and finally London St Pancras. (B)