Group tour suggestion: Discover The Rhine Valley

Detailed information for journey "Rhine Valley by Historical Trains"

Basic package for your special interest tour Rhine Valley:
6 days / 5 nights

Day 1: Arrival in Cologne

You travel individual to Cologne. After your arrival at Cologne main station or at the airport, you will be taken to the hotel by coach including guide assistance.  Now you have time at your disposition, which you may already be using to look around in the beautiful city of Cologne and take a first look at a lively metropolis.

Day 2: Explore Cologne in many different kinds

Guided walking tour Cologne
Get to know Cologne better on a guided walking tour. Explore the area around the Cathedral and the Old Town. A great many sights are concentrated here, e.g. the town hall and the Romanesque church of Groß St. Martin. You can take a look at the Roman Dionysos Mosaic and the Jewish ritual bath, the Mikwe. In the narrow-stoned alleys of the Old Town and on the busy squares like the Roncalliplatz, the Alter Markt (Old Market) or the Heumarkt, you will get a feeling for life in the cathedral city, yesterday and today. You will see and hear what the people of Cologne and their visitors like to laugh about - not only during Cologne's famous Carnival.

Visit to the Cathedral
You visit the most famous building in the city and find out why people of Cologne wanted to build "the largest church in the world", how difficult it was to realize this enormous project and why it was only completed in the 19^th century, after work had stopped for almost 300 years. You will enchanted by the wonderful stained-glass windows from various centuries. You will see the impressive Gero cross, the oldest preserved large crucifix in the Occident and the shrine of the Three Magi, an outstanding example of the Rhenish-Maasland goldsmith's art – simultaneously proof that Cologne was one of the major occidental centres of pilgrimage.

Round trip cruise in Cologne on the Rhine
Enjoy the best view of Cologne during a round trip on the Rhine, the longest river in Germany. On board you learn all important facts about Cologne's sights and history. The picturesque silhouette with the cathedral, the Old Town and a lot of further sights will make this cruise an unforgettable one.

Day 3: Ahrtalbahn (Cologne to Remagen, 1 hour by train)

Currently the Ahrtalbahn is a 29 km-long, partly single-track and non-electrified branch line. The Ahrtalbahn starts in Remagen and runs through Ahrweiler and Dernau to its destination Ahrbrück. During a ride on the Ahrtalbahn you will be astonished by one of the most impressive landscapes in Germany, which runs along scenic vineyards and volcanic rocks. The route is served by a regional train of the Deutsche Bahn. Start of the regional train is in Remagen every hour.

Day 4: Vulkan-Express and Drachenfels Cog Railway

"Vulkan-Express"
Just a bit more than one hour away (per train) from the exciting city of Cologne you get off the train and find yourself in the tranquil and charming Brohltal. The Brohltal is home of the Vulkan-Express which is also known as Brohltalbahn. The Vulkan-Express is not only a relaxing experience, but also an impressive technical highlight of diesel and steam engines. During a ride from Brohl to Oberzissen and Engeln, ancient volcanoes and thr Laacher See are part of the awesome nature of which this line is surrounded. Get on board of this unique narrow gauge line and enjoy the countryside of the Osteifel! After a visit to the Brohltalbahn you continue by train via Koblenz along the Rhine to the wine town of Königswinter, which is set at the foot of the Siebengebirge (Seven Hills).

Drachenfels Cog Railway
In Königswinter you enjoy a journey on the Drachenfels Cog Railway (German: Drachenfelsbahn), which dates from 1883, to the summit of Drachenfels (Dragon's Rock). On the way you navigate inclines of up to 20% with a height difference of 220 metres between valley and summit stations.

Schloss Drachenburg
In the intermediate station of the Cog Railway you get off and visit the unique fairytale castle Schloss Drachenburg, which was constructed in the late 19th century. A guided tour will answer all the questions regarding this formidable building and its history. As this will be a long day, you will enjoy coffee and cake in the charming restaurant of Schloss Drachenburg. After the coffee break you continue your ride on the Cog Railway to the top of the Drachenfels. Well arrived on the peak you will enjoy the great view of Königswinter.

Day 5: Optional excursion to Rüdesheim

Guided walking tour to Rüdesheim incl. visit to the Musikkabinett, 3 hours
Rüdesheim am Rhein, picturesquely situated between the four wine growing regions of Rheinhessen, Rheingau, Naheland and Middle Rhein offers at every turn history and stories. Our certified guides give you an understanding of the important sights and events of Rüdesheim.

Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet
"You won't believe your ears" once you embark on a musical adventure into the world of historical automated instruments. Come and see a vast collection, dating back three centuries, of fascinating musical instruments that function like computers, ranging from tiny, delicate music boxes to an enormous orchestrion. Tools and machines for the production of organ pipes, cardboard sheet music, rolls of sheet music and perforated disks are also on display in the collection.

Day 6: Goodbye Cologne

We wish you a pleasant homeward journey.

This itinerary is only a suggestion for your next steam train tour to Harz Mountains which can be adjusted according to your desires. Whether you draw inspiration from the proposals made in this itinerary or blend them with your own ideas, the AugustusTours team is looking forward to putting together your next steam train tour.

Credits:
Cologne, panoramic view to the city center with Cologne Cathedral and Hohenzollern Bridge © Deutsche Zentrale für Tourismus e.V., Francesco Carovillano
Brohltalbahn, 11sm D1 © Walter Brück
Niederwalddenkmal Rüdesheim © AugustusTours

Services included

Basic package for your special interest tour Rhine Valley:
6 days / 5 nights

• 5x overnight stay/breakfast in Novotel Köln City****, Cologne
• Guided walking tour of Cologne
• Visit the Cologne Cathedral, UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Train ride with Ahrtalbahn from Remagen to Ahrbrück (and return)
• Steam train ride with Brohltalbahn ("Vulkan-Express") from Brohl to Oberzissen and Engeln (and return)
• Ride by Drachenfels Cog Railway to the summit of Drachenfels (Dragon's Rock)
• Guided tour of Schloss Drachenburg (Drachenburg Castle)
• Guided walking tour of Rüdesheim (optional)
• Visit to the Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet (optional)
• Travel documents for the tour manager/driver
• 24-hrs AugustusTours telephone service during your group tour

Further suggestions

• Exclusive charter of the Rüdesheimer Winegrower's Express railway (Winzerexpress)
• The Neroberg Mountain Railway in Wiesbaden, the oldest water ballast driven cog-and-rack-railway in Germany
• Enjoy the magnificent view over Cologne during a ride on the Cologne Cable Car that crosses the Rhine.

Our hotel recommendations

The Novotel Köln City**** in Cologne is located on the banks of the Rhine, close to the Old Town. It houses 221 spacious, contemporary rooms with bright, warm decor. Guests can use the well-equipped fitness room or enjoy the fantastic view of Cologne Cathedral from the relaxing warmth of the sauna. With its large terrace and beautiful garden, the courtyard restaurant is an ideal location to while away the hours.

Please note: The steam train travel is only offered for groups off 10 people. But we are also offering a similar service for individual travelers or small groups with less than 10 persons. Visit our topic experience travels for private clients and discover our travels about the topic of steam, which are also bookable off one person.

This itinerary is only a suggestion for your next steam train tour to Rhine Valley which can be adjusted according to your desires. Whether you draw inspiration from the proposals made in this itinerary or blend them with your own ideas, the AugustusTours team is looking forward to putting together your next steam train tour.