Rail Holidays in Germany

Despite its beautiful scenery, rich culture, wonderful cities and the warm welcome afforded to visitors, Germany remains hugely underrated as a holiday destination. The upside of this curious attitude is that you will be able to explore Berlin, the Black Forest, Munich, Christmas markets and fairytale castles without having to worry about bumping into those neighbours you don’t really like.

Whether you’re interested in 20th century history or 21st century hedonism, Berlin is a fascinating, fun city to visit. You can discover the Brandenburg Gate or the Checkpoint Charlie museum before going on to enjoy some of the world’s most celebrated bars and restaurants. In the south of the country, Munich is the ideal introduction to Bavaria, with handsome squares, beautiful parks and famous beer halls in which you can while away an evening whilst listening to local oompa bands. Dresden, Cologne and Hamburg are also wonderful destinations, especially if you time your trip to coincide with the Christmas markets when the air is heavy with the smell of gingerbread and spiced wine.

Outside of Germany’s charming cities, there is a great variety of beautiful countryside to explore and enjoy. The Bavarian Alps offer lots of well-kept, well-signposted hiking trails whilst at the opposite end of the country, the Northern coastline is home to a range of beachside spa resorts which can cater to every taste – and budget! Between the Alps and the coast, the German landscape is dotted by a variety of fantastical castles built by King Ludwig, perhaps most famously the white-walled Neuschwanstein.

Germany is very accessible by train from the UK, with a quick transfer in Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam required depending on your destination. An affordable, comfortable and reliable high-speed network connects all of the major German towns and cities, making exploring this fascinating country both easy and enjoyable.