Vienna, Prague & Berlin

Meet your group at Rail Discoveries' dedicated Departure Office in London St Pancras. From here, take the Eurostar to Brussels, where you join the train to Nuremberg, travelling via Frankfurt for an overnight stay. Continue to Vienna, the illustrious capital of Austria, on Day 2. Check into your hotel, the 4-Star Arcotel Wimberger ahead of some free time; maybe take an evening stroll to feel the pulse of the city.

• Day 1 - Dinner
• Day 2 - Breakfast, Dinner

Today, embark on a guided tour of this Imperial gem, by coach and on foot taking in the historic city centre. Enjoy the famed sights of the city before you set out to explore on your own. Vienna has plenty to occupy you; perhaps visit Mozarthaus, where legendary composer Mozart resided for a number of years. Tour the apartment where 'The Marriage of Figaro' was composed, noting that curators from the Wien Museum have carefully placed objects from Mozart's time to replicate the feel of 18th-century Vienna.

You are free on Day 4. Why not visit Schönbrunn Palace? Set in 100s of acres of beautiful gardens, the palace is one of Vienna's architectural highlights and boasts UNESCO World Heritage status. Designed by Jean Trehet in 1695, the gardens feature an orangerie, a palm house which dates back to 1882 and features plants from around the world, and a maze. Alternatively, you could take the lift up the Donauturm, or the Danube Tower, with its 492-foot high viewing terrace, for magnificent panoramic views across Vienna's skyline.

• Day 3 - Breakfast
• Day 4 - Breakfast

Set out by train for Prague today. Here, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour, discovering some of the 'Golden City's' most famous sights, including the historic Old Town Square, and Charles Bridge with its striking Baroque statues. Dating back to the 14th century, Charles Bridge is 1,700 feet in length, and features 16 arches and 30 statues of religious figures. As well as serving as the main pedestrian route between the Old Town and Prague Castle, the bridge offers the city's best views over the Vtlava River. Check into your hotel later tonight. The 4-Star Hotel Diplomat is the perfect base from which to explore the sights of Prague.

Day 6 includes a visit to the medieval Hradcany Castle district - the largest castle complex in Europe. The area is located on the opposite side of the Vltava River and includes not only Prague Castle itself, but also St Vitus Cathedral, with its Art-Nouveau windows, the Basilica of Saint George, the Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane, Dalibor Tower, Black Tower, the Royal Summer Palace, and the Royal Gardens. Prague Castle now serves as the seat of the Czech president.

Later, you are free to relax in this fine city. Perhaps visit the city's former Jewish Quarter , which houses Europe's oldest active synagogue and the Old Jewish Cemetery.

• Day 5 - Breakfast, Dinner
• Day 6 - Breakfast

Today, leave Prague by rail, bound for Berlin in Germany. The train travels along the scenic Elbe Valley, and through an area of rocky gorges known as 'Saxon Switzerland'. Arrive in Berlin and spend 3 nights at the 4-Star Park Inn Berlin- Alexanderplatz. Situated opposite the television tower on Berlin's famous Alexanderplatz, the Park Inn is known as 'Berlin's highest hotel', due to its 95-foot height. With its excellent proximity to local attractions, the Park Inn is the perfect spot from which to explore Berlin - or, indeed, to experience stunning panoramic views over the city.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning take a guided coach tour of the oncedivided German capital, whose glass skyscrapers and historic attractions offer up a tempting choice of things to see and do.

Your afternoon, and the whole of Day 9 are at leisure to explore at your own pace. Berlin occupies a very significant place in modern history. Perhaps visit the famous Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag, or the Checkpoint Charlie Museum which details the history of the Berlin Wall. You could also immerse yourself in the intriguing history of the Cold War era.

Perhaps visit Potsdam, a former seat of Prussian monarchs, famed for its magnificent palaces. Potsdam is home to Park Sanssouci, a Baroque flower garden surrounding the elegant Sanssouci Palace. Take in the splendid park and learn the history of King Frederick II, who ruled Prussia from this estate. Potsdam is also the site of the famous conference of 1945 heralding the end of the Second World War and the victory of the Allied forces. Make sure you find enough time over these two days to try a bratwurst or pretzel and get an authentic taste of German cuisine.

• Day 8 - Breakfast
• Day 9 - Breakfast

Today leave Berlin by rail, travelling via Cologne to Brussels. Here, you board the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras.

• Breakfast