Munich
Dresden
Neue Pinakothek. The Residenz palace is a feast of architectural styles combining Renaissance, Baroque, Roccoco and Classicism. There are 130 rooms filled with rich furniture, paintings and tapestries. The English Garden is one of the largest urban gardens in the world and it offers restaurants, teahouses and beer gardens. Further afield you find Baroque palaces such as Nymphenburg, BMW headquarters and the Olympic Park from 1972. Munich is also home to popular cultural festivals including the Oktoberfest and Fasching. If you want to venture out of Munich, why not take a trip to Neuschwanstein Castle( reachable by train in approximately 2 hours).
DAY EIGHT Munich to Cologne by train After breakfast in Munich, a direct train will take you to Cologne in just over four hours. Stay in Cologne for two nights.
DAY NINE In Cologne You have one full day to explore Cologne at your leisure. Cologne is an important cultural and economic city straddling the River Rhine. Dating from Roman times, Cologne was also a thriving centre in the Middle Ages, from Charlemagne onwards. The Roman-Germanic museum is located near the Cathedral and explains the history of the city from Palaeolithic times until the Middle Ages. It contains precious articles in gold, glass and other treasures. The landmark of the city is the Gothic cathedral dating from 1248 and housing the Shrine of the Three Kings. Nearby are remnants of the city’ s mediaeval past with the Rathaus dating from the 12th Century and reconstructed houses in the Old Town. Cologne is also home to numerous museums and galleries, as well as being an important musical centre with several orchestras. Cologne celebrates Carnival boisterously, produces its own beer, is famous for Eau de Cologne and also is renowned for its Christmas market.
Hotel de Rome
Hotel Bulow Palais
What’ s included
• Rail travel from London to Berlin and back from Cologne second-class and standard class on Eurostar
• 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Classic double room at Hotel de Rome, Berlin
• 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Comfort double room at Hotel Bulow Palais, Dresden
• 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Standard double room at Hotel Torbrau, Munich
• 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Superior double room at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst, Cologne
• Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
What’ s not included
• Personal holiday insurance. Cover should be in place from when you book the holiday.
• Local tourist tax, usually between Euros 1 and 3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel
• Transfers
PRICES
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room and including standard class rail travel From £ 2,185
Supplements
• Standard premier / first class £ 390 per person
Holiday code EEBR09
DAY TEN Cologne to London by train Depart from Cologne just before lunch time and travel to Brussels where you change trains. Check-in for your Eurostar in Brussels which will take you back to London. You arrive in the evening.
Hotel Torbrau, Munich
To speak to our specialist rail holidays team telephone 01392 441250 or see www. expressionsholidays. co. uk 93