A magical tour of the Harz Mountains’ enchanting World Heritage medieval towns, and a historic journey through snow-covered landscapes on the Brocken steam train

Your festive holiday starts at London St Pancras where we meet our Tour Manager to join the Eurostar to Brussels. We continue to Hanover via Cologne, where we are transferred by coach to Wernigerode.

A charming town with elaborate half-timbered buildings, Wernigerode dates back to the 9th century and is overlooked by its stunning castle. At this time of year, it's brilliantly illuminated and adorned with festive decorations. We gather this evening for our first group dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast this morning, we experience one of the highlights of the holiday. A wintry journey aboard the Brocken Railway takes us through snowy forests to the summit of Brocken Mountain, part of the impressive Harz Mountain range. The Brocken Railway weaves a scenic route through the Harz National Park up to the summit of the Brocken. Along the way, we enjoy panoramic views of Brothers Grimm-style forests, quaint station houses and frozen rivers.

Apart from being the Harz's tallest peak, Brocken Mountain is also home to Germany's highest narrow-gauge railway station, our arrival point following our journey. After some free time at the summit to admire the views, we return to Wernigerode to explore its traditional Christmas market. There's time to relax before dinner this evening.

Our rail excursion today takes us to Quedlinburg, one of Germany's best-kept secrets where we enjoy a guided tour of the Old Town. Quedlinburg's Old Town has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, due to having one of the best-preserved collections of medieval buildings in Germany, including its Romanesque church.

Quedlinburg has a rich history and culture with some Art Nouveau architecture. In winter, the town's authentic German Christmas market is held in the Rathaus square, or Marktplatz. After the tour, there is time to explore independently, where you can get some lunch or a mug of hot spiced wine or brandy punch as you soak up the festive atmosphere and browse the colourful stalls to find gifts for loved ones.

Today is free to explore Wernigerode at your own pace. Railway enthusiasts could take a ride through dense forests on the historic narrow-gauge Harz Railway. You could also wander up to Wernigerode Castle, one of the most striking pieces of neo-Gothic architecture in the area, or visit the nearby aircraft museum.

Alternatively, you could take the train back to Quedlinburg, where you can join the Selketal Railway for a seasonal journey through the snow-frosted scenery of the Selke Valley. However you choose to spend the day, Wernigerode's pretty Christmas market is sure to entice you. Set in front of the Town Hall, beneath a dazzling Christmas tree, the market offers hand-made crafts, festive food, mulled wine and warming hot drinks from its illuminated wooden stalls.

Today takes us to Goslar, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Adorned with over 1,500 half-timbered houses, it makes a superb setting for one of the most charming Christmas markets in Germany. Nestled at the foot of the Harz Mountains and older than Berlin, this former Free Imperial city is full of historic architecture, some dating back to the early 16th century.

We set out on a walking tour, discovering examples of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture with our local guide. After the tour, you can explore the Christmas market at leisure. The enchanting market is framed by a man-made forest of Christmas trees and sells a variety of local products including home-baked treats and festive drinks.

After breakfast, we begin our journey home. We are transferred by coach to Hanover where we take a train to Cologne, then to Brussels. From here, we join the Eurostar to London. On the train journey home you can reflect on the magical Christmas markets you've visited and look back on photos you've taken, before saying goodbye to the Tour Manager and making your way home.

Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

The Brocken is the highest peak in the Harz Mountain range located in central Germany. A branch railway line, connecting the Brocken to the Harz Mountains' existing narrow-gauge railway, was proposed in 1869 but it was not until 1899 that the eighty-kilometre track was declared operational.

Damaged as a result of bombing and mortar fire in the Second World War, the Brocken Railway was reopened following repair in 1949, but during the subsequent division of Germany the Brocken became a military base, its railway used only for the transportation of supplies.

It was only after the historic reunification of Germany in 1990 that the train was returned to public use, and since 1992 passengers have once again able to make the spectacular rail journey, to the summit of Brocken where they are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the Harz Mountains National Park.

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

We stay at the elegant 4-star HKK Hotel Wernigerode, located close to the railway station and in walking distance of the quaint Old Town, surrounded by the beautiful Harz mountains. The narrow-gauge railway network, Harzer Schmalspurbahnen, is just a short walk away. Facilities include a two restaurants - one with a terrace - a bistro and bar, a spa and wellness centre, and a range of fitness equipment. The modern guest rooms are equipped with a telephone, flat-screen television, free Wi-Fi, a radio and a hairdryer.

Your holiday begins the moment you meet your Tour Manager at St Pancras International and board the Eurostar train for mainland Europe. If you wish to get your holiday off to an extra special start, why not consider upgrading your on-board accommodation from Standard Class to Plus Class?

As well as all the amenities enjoyed in Standard Class, Plus Class travellers benefit from extra spacious, comfortable seats, complimentary newspapers and magazines and a light snack with drinks served at your seat during the journey. Before 11am, the light snack comprises breakfast pastries, yoghurt, fruit juice and tea or coffee. After 11am there is a choice of 2 main dishes and a dessert, accompanied by soft drinks, wine or beer and tea or coffee.

Prices for an upgrade from £110pp each way. Please call us for more details.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.