Day 1: London to Remagen
We depart St Pancras International on the late morning Eurostar service to Brussels.We continue on to Cologne on the high-speed Thalys train. Under the spires of Cologne cathedral, we transfer to a local train and travel along the banks of the Rhine to Remagen where we check in to the 3* Hotel Pinger for a four night stay. (D)
Day 2: Ahr Valley
Today's included excursion is on a local train along the Ahr Valley, a wine-growing region famous in Germany for its secluded, old-world feel. The steep valley sides covered in vines and old walled towns provide a scenic backdrop for our tour. Along the route we stop in the quaint little town of Altenahr, before continuing on to Ahrweiler, the centre of the Ahr Valley’s red wine production. The town’s history is plain to see as it is encircled by its own medieval town wall. During the day we also include a wine tasting with one of the local vintners. (B,D)
Day 3: Königswinter
Our optional excursion today is to the historic town of Königswinter, on the bank of the Rhine beneath the Siebengebirge “Seven Mountains” chain. Rising above the town is the rocky outcrop known as the Drachenfels “Dragon’s Cliff” topped by a romantic ruined castle. Germany’s oldest rack railway, the Drachenfelsbahn, connects Königswinter with the summit of Drachenfels. Opened in 1883, the railway overcomes a height difference of 220 metres in one and a half kilometres of track, with gradients of up to 20% along the way. You have the option of stopping at Drachenburg Castle, which has its own station halfway up the rock. (B,D)
Day 4: Rüdesheim
On our final day in Remagen we have included an excursion by train to Rüdesheim, one of the Rhine Valley’s most popular wine towns. Travelling through the most scenic part of the Rhine Gorge, past the famous Lorelei rock, we enjoy one of the highlights of the German mainline, skirting the riverside beneath the lush vineyard slopes, a different castle seeming to appear around every corner. Rüdesheim is the centre of another vineyard region and is well known for its plethora of small Weinstuben serving the local wines, especially along the quaint, cobbled Drosselgasse. During your free time here you can visit Siegfried’s fascinating musical box museum, stroll through the charming streets of the Old Town or take a chairlift high above the vines to the Niederwald monument. (B,D)
Day 5: Remagen to London
We leave Remagen by local train north to Cologne, where we join the high-speed Thalys service through to Brussels. Here we change for our Eurostar to St Pancras International. (B)
Your hotel
Conveniently situated close to the railway station in Remagen and just a short stroll from the town centre and the Rhine, the 3* Hotel Pinger is a real local institution – the Pinger family have been running hotels in the area since 1938. All en suite rooms have a television and telephone. The hotel has a lift, traditional-style restaurant, coffee shop, bar with beer garden, lounge and a sauna.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday.
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