Little Railways of the Rhine

Day 1

Following the Channel crossing to Calais, we complete the journey to the Rhine Valley and Kamp-Bornhofen where we stay for the next four nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. (D)

Day 2

Today we first spend some free time in the charming town of Boppard before boarding our one-way river cruise upstream through the northern section of the UNESCO protected Upper Middle Rhine Valley, to Oberlahnstein, from where we continue by coach to Königswinter. Here we join the Drachenfelsbahn, Germany’s oldest cog railway for a return journey. From the Valley station to the summit we cover a height difference of 220m and at the top we’ll see the ruined medieval Drachenfels Castle and take in the great views across the River Rhine. (B,D)

Day 3

On our excursion today we head to the Moselle Valley and the pretty riverside town of Cochem from where we embark on a round trip cruise, enjoying views of the 11th century gothic Reichsburg Castle and the surrounding vineyards. After our cruise there is time to explore the Old Town of Cochem, made up of quaint squares, half-timbered buildings and imposing town gates. (B,D)

Day 4

Today we travel to Brohl for a one-way journey on the Vulkan Express, a unique narrow gauge railway. The line meanders up through the Brohl Valley into the Eifel Hills. The journey takes one and a half hours as the locomotives reach a speed of 20km, climbing around 1,310 ft. We continue on by coach to Mayschoss in the Ahr Valley, one of Germany’s most famous wine growing regions, for a tasting in a traditional wine cellar. (B,D)

Day 5

We travel to Calais for the return sea crossing and complete the journey home. (B)