We depart St Pancras International this morning by Eurostar to Brussels. Our journey continues in First Class to Cologne, where we change trains for our onward journey in First Class to Hanover. Our final leg of the journey takes us to Wernigerode for five nights at the HKK Hotel Wernigerode. (D)

This morning we have time to explore Wernigerode's wonderful traditional Christmas Markets, just a short walk from the hotel, in front of the town hall. Wernigerode is a charming town, with elaborate half-timbered buildings overlooked by a stunning castle. This afternoon we join the Brocken Railway for one of the highlights of our tour, a wintry journey through the snowy forests to the summit of Brocken, the Harz's tallest peak, to Germany's highest narrow-gauge railway station. (B,D)

Our rail excursion takes us to Quedlinburg, one of Germany's best kept secrets, where we enjoy a guided walk. The Old Town has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status and is home to one of the best preserved collections of medieval buildings in Germany, with its wonderful Romanesque Collegiate Church. The town is the perfect place to sample the true atmosphere of German Christmas market tradition. (B,D)

You are free on Day 4 to explore Wernigerode further or perhaps take a ride on the spectacular Harzquerbahn narrow gauge railway. On Day 5 our rail excursion is to Goslar, another UNESCO World Heritage site with over 1,500 half-timbered houses and a superb setting for one of the most charming Christmas Markets in northern Germany. (Day 4-B; Day 5-B,D)

We transfer to Hanover to pick up our rail link travelling in First Class to Cologne and then to Brussels. Here we join the connecting Eurostar service to St Pancras International. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
These meals, where shown are included in the price of your holiday