Alluring Rhine Valley

Meet at Rail Discoveries' Departure Office in London St Pancras, then join the Eurostar to Brussels, continuing to Cologne on the highspeed rail service. Under the spires of Cologne cathedral, transfer to a local service and travel along the banks of the Rhine to Remagen, where you spend the next 4 nights at the Hotel Pinger.

• Dinner

This morning, take a leisurely train ride to the riverside town of Königswinter, nestled in idyllic surroundings at the foot of the Siebengebirge hills. Rising above the town is the rocky outcrop known as 'Dragon's Cliff'. Known to locals as Drachenfels it's named after the German hero, Siegfried, who slew a dragon in one of the mountain's caves. Here you take a ride on the Drachenfelsbahn, Germany's oldest cog railway, travelling from the bottom of the valley up 722 feet, in just 1 mile of track.

Later, travel to picturesque Linz where you have free time. Linz is situated on the west bank of Rhine perfect for a couple of hours at leisure by the river. Alternatively, why not explore its colourful half-timbered houses?

• Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore this beautiful region at your own pace. You may want to join today's optional excursion on a local train along the Ahr Valley, a wine-growing region famous in Germany for its secluded, old world fee (payable locally).

• Breakfast, Dinner

Your excursion today takes you to nearby St Goar, where you embark on a panoramic cruise taking in the beautiful scenery of the Rhine River and venturing out as far as the famous Lorelei Rock. Arrive into Rüdesheim, where you enjoy free time.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today you leave Remagen by regional train for Cologne, where you join the high-speed service to Brussels. Here connect with the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast