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The Harz Mountains

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4.1 stars(47 reviews)
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Discover an untouched part of Germany

You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
20232024
6 days From £949 per person

2023 Tour code: 23HZS

About the tour

Travel through the Harz Mountains, the highest range in northern Germany, experiencing a scenic journey on the Brocken Railway and discovering historic cities on guided tours.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London to Wernigerode

Meet at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar to Brussels. Continue to Hanover by rail, and then make your way to Wernigerode. The town is picturesquely situated on the northern slopes of the Harz Mountains, with the Holtemme River flowing right through it. Due to its natural beauty and preserved medieval centre, many affectionately refer to Wernigerode as the 'pearl of the Harz'.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Wernigerode

Today a guided tour introduces you to the best of Wernigerode. You'll see the enchanting Wernigerode Castle set high above the town on a forested hill, a romantic Baroque wonder. After discovering the town's rich history on your tour, enjoy some time to explore at your own pace. Perhaps take a stroll through the Altstadt, or Old Town, where gorgeous half-timbered buildings line the streets, lending a fairytale touch to the area. The town hall, known as the Rathaus, is a must-see, with traditional bay windows, striking towers and pretty stained-glass finishes. For a touch of local heritage, head to the Harzmuseum where there's a collection of fossils, rocks and minerals from the nearby Harz Mountains, as well as interesting exhibits about the town and a display of beautiful artworks.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 3 - Goslar

Visit Goslar for a guided tour. The historic city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to thousands of fascinating buildings dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The pride of Goslar is the Kaiserpfalz, also known as the Imperial Palace of Goslar, the largest Romanesque palace in Europe. This afternoon is free. You might like to visit the Marktplatz. The Martkbrunnen fountain here is exceptionally old - its lower basin is from the 12th century and was the largest piece of bronze cast anywhere at that time. On the south side of the market square is the arcaded Kaiserworth guildhall, dating back to 1484 and decorated with statues of Holy Roman Emperors. You could sample some classic German cuisine in one of the squares cafés - maybe try traditional schnitzel with a glass of cold local beer.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - The Brocken Railway

Step back in time today, taking a steam-hauled train trip on the Brocken Railway to the summit of Brocken, the highest peak in the Harz Mountains. Admire the striking scenery as the engine slowly climbs to the top, rising high above Upper Harz National Park and showcasing a landscape of pretty forests and rushing streams. You arrive at Brockenbahnhof, the highest narrow-gauge railway station in Germany. The fantastic vantage point at the summit allows for some glorious views across the mountains below, and you have time to appreciate them.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 - Quedlinburg

Your excursion today unveils the beautifully preserved town of Quedlinburg. On arrival, you enjoy a guided tour of this old German town. With its cobbled streets and hundreds of half-timbered buildings, the alluring town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, considered to be one of the best-preserved medieval and Renaissance towns in Europe. The town has a wealth of history and culture, combined with a modern flair and fabulous examples of Art Nouveau architecture. Quedlinburg Abbey, one of the town's greatest landmarks, towers over the town with its twin spires and terracotta roofs. After your tour, you're free to make your own discoveries.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - London

You take a coach to Hanover, where you join the train to Brussels, via Cologne. Here, you join the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We will write to you around 10 weeks before your departure date with the precise meeting times for your tour group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

HKK Wernigerode

HKK Wernigerode, Wernigerode

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Trains

Brocken Railway
Eurostar
Thalys

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Reviews

4.1 stars4.1 / 5 · 47 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (19)
  2. 4 stars
    (20)
  3. 3 stars
    (4)
  4. 2 stars
    (3)
  5. 1 star
    (1)

John Miley

2 stars

Submitted 3/Jun

There was only one steam trip inthe Harz mountains. the other days were spent on visits to towns with Boring Guides.

Collected by Trustpilot

M Hartley

4 stars

Submitted 2/Jun

Tour guide was excellent, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and professional. Mixed easily with all the tour members. Time was effiently used throughout theatre tour. Only adverse comment was that local guides took 90 mijns+ which was little too long especially as the weather was cold and did damp, however we were lucky on the trip to the top of the mountain allowing good extensive views . . .

Collected by Trustpilot

R Sharp

5 stars

Submitted 2/Jun

Beautifully preserved old towns, impressive steam train ride up the Brocken and a good tour manager.

Collected by Trustpilot

C Verrall

5 stars

Submitted 2/Jun

Excellent short tour, well organised

Collected by Trustpilot

M Llewellyn

5 stars

Submitted 30/Apr

Excellent tour with a capable knowledgable and friendly tour guide. Good size group who were enjoyable company, important to me as a solo traveller. Hotel was in a good location and whilst it might be stretching it to call it 4star it had everything needed to make the stay enjoyable. I particularly liked free time to explore the various places after the guided tours.

Collected by Trustpilot

Customer

4 stars

Submitted 28/Apr

Great holiday but long days travelling to destination

Collected by Trustpilot

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