Imperial Cities: Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Nuremberg by First Class Rail

Discover some of Europe’s most attractive cities – and the fascinating history that shaped them – in one unforgettable holiday.

Berlin is a fascinating city steeped in European history where the old and new contrast perfectly, from the brand-new Reichstag and Potsdamer Platz, the new centre of Berlin, to the Brandenburg Gate and Unter den Linden, once Berlin’s showcase boulevard. Everywhere there are reminders of the city’s and Germany’s chequered past with the Jewish memorial, remains of the Berlin Wall and the famous border crossing site “Checkpoint Charlie”.

The magnificent city of Prague charms you with its lovely Old Town and its attractive squares and narrow streets. Among the highlights of this beautiful city are the Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, the Josefov Jewish Quarter and Wenceslas Square.

The historic city of Budapest hosts attractive monuments including the Budapest Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica and the State Opera. Perhaps head for the Castle District with its narrow streets, old citizen houses and medieval atmosphere. You might like to visit the Royal Palace which houses different museums and exhibitions.

The delightful Austrian capital of Vienna is steeped in European history and full of fascinating buildings within the inner ring of the city, along with the evocative ferris wheel synonymous with the film ‘The Third Man’.

The charming town of Nuremberg has an old town where you can see some of its numerous monuments and buildings, including the Kaiserburg and a host of fascinating museums.

11 night / 12 day holiday by First Class rail and overnight sleeper to Prague including 3 nights in Prague, Budapest and Vienna, with an overnight stay in Nuremberg from $1,849 per person (based on 2 people travelling together)

11 night / 12 day holiday by First Class rail on daytime trains including 3 nights in Prague, Budapest and Vienna, with overnight stays in Berlin and Nuremberg from $1,949 per person (based on 2 people travelling together)

Day 1 – London to Berlin

Your holiday begins as you enter stunningly restored St. Pancras International station, let the holiday mood take over as you board the service for the high-speed journey to Brussels in barely 2 hours. Sit back and relax in your spacious Standard Premier Class seat and make the most of the light meal and drinks. On arrival in Brussels change trains and join the stylish Inter City Express (ICE) service to Cologne, here you board another Inter City Express service to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. On arrival in Berlin make your own way on foot the short distance (700-800) metres to your overnight hotel, the stylish Adina Apartments Berlin Hauptbahnhof (4 star).

Day 2 – Free-time in Berlin – Berlin to Prague

You have the whole morning to explore Berlin’s main highlights with a whistle-stop tour, including the Reichstag, seat of the German government, Potsdamer Platz, the new centre of Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden, once Berlin’s showcase boulevard, the famous border crossing site “Checkpoint Charlie”, Alexanderplatz and its TV tower, and the poignant remains of the Berlin Wall. You might also like to visit sights in former West Berlin including the Zoo, Kufürstendamm, KaDeWe (Germany’s largest department store) and Charlottenburg Palace. Perhaps contrast the modern buildings of socialist-inspired Alexanderplatz with the shops and restaurants of the Kurfürstendamm.

Day 2 continued – Berlin to Prague

This afternoon make your way on foot back to Berlin main station and board your Euro City service to Prague. You journey south through central Europe to the wonderful city of Prague. On arrival at Prague HL N station make your own way to your hotel for the next 3 nights, the luxurious Hotel General (5 star). Why not take a stroll this evening to discover one of Prague’s welcoming restaurants for dinner.

Days 3 and 4 – Prague

You have two full days to experience the magnificent city of Prague. Why not head for the lovely Old Town with its attractive squares and narrow streets. Among the highlights of this beautiful city are the Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, the Josefov Jewish Quarter and Wenceslas Square. In the evenings you might like to experience some of Prague’s vibrant nightlife and famous Pilsner beer.

Day 5 – Prague to Budapest

After breakfast make your way to Prague HL. N. Station (the city’s main station – not to be confused with Prague Holesovice) and bid farewell to Prague. Here you board the Euro City service and travel south skirting the border of Slovakia to Budapest. On arrival at Budapest-Keleti pu station make your own way to your hotel for the next 3 nights, the highly rated Palazzo Zichy Hotel (4 star).

Days 6 and 7 – Budapest

You have two whole days to explore this historic city; perhaps head for the Castle District with its narrow streets, old citizen houses and medieval atmosphere. You might like to visit the Royal Palace which houses different museums and exhibitions or the Budapest Parliament which is home to the crown jewels. There are wonderful views of the city from the panoramic terrace of St Stephen’s Basilica and also from Fisherman’s Bastion, where you can also visit Matthias Church with its mix of architectural styles or for the best views of the city head for Gellert Hill and the Citadel.

The neo-renaissance State Opera building is a pearl of Hungarian architecture and its lavish inner decoration reflects the elegance and splendour of former times. Heroes Square sums up the history of Hungary, with its millennium memorial commemorating the 1000th anniversary of the arrival of the Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin.

Day 8 – Budapest to Vienna

This morning after breakfast make your way back to Budapest-Keleti pu station where you board the Rail Jet service for your journey west to Austria and the wonderful city of Vienna. On arrival at Vienna station make your own way to your hotel for the next 3 nights, the highly-rated and elegant family-run Hotel Kaiserhof (4 star), well-located in the centre of Vienna and with easy access to all the city’s principal attractions.

Day 9 – Vienna

You have 2 full days to explore Vienna and visit some of the buildings and monuments that tell the story of this delightful European city. You might like to try and see the famous Spanish Riding School or head for Prater Park with its ferris wheel which featured in the film ‘The Third Man’ with Orson Welles. Alternatively discover the magnificent Baroque Belvedere Palace and the grandiose buildings that line the ‘Ringstrasse’, the fascinating inner ring road that you can travel along by tram. When you are ready for a break you should definitely try out one of Vienna’s traditional coffee houses to enjoy a Viennese coffee and cake. Then there are attractions further afield such as the evocative Schonbrünn Palace.

Day 10 and 11 – Vienna to Nuremberg

Today after a leisurely breakfast make your way back to Vienna Westbahnhof to board the high-speed ICE service to Nuremberg, during your journey you may like to have lunch on board. On arrival in this attractive city head for your overnight hotel, the highly-rated Hotel Victoria (3 star superior), ideally located just a one hundred metres from the station and close to the heart of this fascinating city.
This afternoon you may have time to explore Nuremberg and walk into the charming old town to see some of its numerous monuments and buildings, including the Kaiserburg and a host of fascinating museums. This evening choose from an array of excellent restaurants for dinner.

Day 12 – Nuremberg to London – Homeward bound

This morning after breakfast make your way back to Nuremberg main station for the start of your journey home. Firstly you travel on the high-speed ICE service to Frankfurt where you change trains and continue to Brussels aboard another stylish ICE train. At Brussels Midi station make your way to the Eurostar terminal to board the Eurostar service. Then let the train take the strain as you stretch out and savour the meal and drinks included in your Standard Premier service. At 186mph the landscape is a blur at times, though memories abide as you return to London St. Pancras International and the final leg of your journey home.