Tailormade tour Germany, Czech Republic and Poland rail tour Central and Eastern Europe

Highlights of the Czech Republic

Just under 20 miles out of the centre of Prague is the 14th century Castle Karlstejn. This Gothic fortress was once home to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. Moulding to the shape of the hillside, it is split across three terraces, each relating to a different level of importance; at the bottom is the Imperial Palace, then the Marian Town, and finally the Big Tower at the top. The Big Tower was left vacant for God, with just a chapel inside, while the Empress lived in the Marian Tower, and the Emperor and Knights lived in the Imperial Palace. For an authentic taste of traditional Bohemia, head to Cesky Krumlov, situated further along the Vltava River. The town itself has been brilliantly preserved since the 18th century, with terracotta roofs, cobblestone streets, brightly coloured walls, and a stunning Bohemian Castle. The main pleasure of this town comes from simply wandering along its picturesque streets, stopping in local restaurants and cafes for some of the local food. To the east of Prague, is Kutna Hora, a town that began as a Bohemian monastery in the 12th century. The surrounding mountains were rich with silver, which lead the town to flourish. Today, Gothic buildings from a time of German rule are set beside a five-naved cathedral, the Italian Court Royal Residence, the Stone Haus, and the St Barbaras Church, all of which add a further dimension to a trip to the Czech Republic. Built around a hot spring reputed to have healing properties in western Czechia is Karlovy Vary. The colour and quaintness of this town is almost unparalleled across the country. The ice cream colours of each of the houses are brought to life by the dense forested areas all around. The highlights of this town, however, are its opulent spas, first commissioned by Charles IV. Many of these buildings were in part destroyed in the 18th and 19th centuries, but one prominent spa remains, dating back over six centuries. In the south-east of the country, your cultural and geographical exploration will continue, be it in the stunning underground caves and gorges of the Moravian Karst or in the waterside Renaissance palace at Telc.

Cultural highlights of the Czech Republic

One of Europe's most popular cities, Prague is the Czech Republic's capital city. Clustered around the banks of the Vltava River, Prague is also the capital of the historic and charming region of Bohemia, and was once the seat of the Roman Empire. Its streets are rich in both Gothic and Renaissance architecture, the balance of which gives it its unique, enchanting atmosphere. The Charles Bridge is one of its most popular attractions and has crossed from Old Town into Lesser Town for over 600 years. As well as bustling with pedestrians, the Charles Bridge is the workplace of many musicians, artists, and vendors. Prague is a city of many squares, but none are more impressive than the Old Town Square, lined with magnificent townhouses that demonstrate everything from Rococo to Romanesque architecture. From here, you can appreciate the Tyn Cathedral, the St Nicholas Church, as well as the Old Town Hall. On the horizon is Prague Castle, which sprawls out across the city's highest point. Once a wooden fortress, it now encompasses the St Vitus Cathedral, a basilica, a monastery, beautiful gardens, and royal stables. For those looking for something slightly off the beaten path, it is worth seeking out the house in which Kafka lived, as well as the peaceful cemetery in which he was buried.

Highlights of Germany

Berlin’s world-class museums, bustling bars, galleries and monuments; Rugen Island, with its rugged chalk cliffs, windswept beaches, Romantic-era spa architecture and tree-lined country roads; Dresden, with its baroque beauty on the banks of the majestic Elbe; Cologne’s magnificent cathedral; the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bamberg; the sandy dunes of Sylt, a North Sea island with fabulous beaches and surf; the beer halls of Munich, ideally in September during the Oktoberfest; Lubeck, a Hanseatic gem; Muritz National Park, where you can go paddling and camping in a paradise teeming with birds; Bremen, a metropolis in miniature, with lovely red-brick and Art Nouveau architecture; the Alpine resorts of Bavaria, including Berchtesgaden, with dramatic peaks, dreamy lakes and superb walking trails; drive or cruise along the Rhine or Mosel, visiting castles, medieval villages and superb vineyards along the way; the walled medieval towns of Rothenburg and Trier, both with wonderful Christmas markets; the Christmas market at Nuremberg, oldest – and still most picturesque – in the world.

Highlights of Poland

Outside of the main cities, Poland still has plenty to offer. One of the most popular sites is the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. The mine is comprised of underground tunnels and chambers and saline lakes. Religious chambers, where the natural stone walls are left exposed, are lit by chandeliers, giving them an ethereal feel. To see one of the castles of the Teutonic Knights, we would recommend the 14th century Malbork Castle, just south of Gdansk in the north. Its typically red walls, archways, and roofs are archetypal of the Teutonic style. Inside, you can view a huge collection of mediaeval artefacts, classical paintings, and a stunning amber collection.

Warsaw Highlights

Warsaw, Poland's capital, offers the best sense of energy of the larger cities. Colourful, tall buildings peer down on the Old Town Square, while the extensive use of bright red brick and red terracotta tiles adds a warmth that isn't often felt in other European capitals. The city almost met with its destruction at the end of the Second World War, but its survival meant the preservation of countless historical monuments that tell the story of the likes of Chopin as well as the tragedy of the Jewish communities. The Palace of Culture & Science is, as the name suggests, too formidable to be called a museum, while the Museum of the History of Polish Jews juxtaposes its intense, emotional exhibits with a sheer, modern exterior style that crops up every now and then elsewhere around the city. A must-see in Warsaw is the Royal Castle, a huge brick structure that almost seems too vast, once home to the Russian tsars and originally the wooden stronghold of the Dukes of Mazovia. The traditional, yet understated, exterior of the Chopin Museum, housed in the Ostrogski Palace, hides a multi-media, high-tech insight into the composer's life and works. Finish your exploration of the city with a wander through the amphitheatre, palace, and manicured lawns of the Lazienki Park. After dark, lively bars and restaurants keep the magic alive into the small hours.

Krakow Highlights

South of Warsaw is the mediaeval city of Krakow, still with its well-preserved Old Town and mediaeval walls. Krakow is known for its sensational architecture, captured by its spired churches, synagogues, and castles. Each street, even the quieter alleyways, have their own type of perfection, in their design and their atmosphere. The 13th century Rynek Glowny is Europe's largest market square. The character of the city really comes into its own in Kazimierz, the old Jewish Quarter, where you can find an abundance of quirky restaurants, bars, and boutique shops. The crowning glory of the city, however, is indisputably the Wawel Royal Castle. The castle has become a well-recognised symbol for the country's national identity, and now pays testament to this with its endless exhibits: the Crown Treasury, the Royal Private Apartments, and its Exhibition of Oriental Art. The highlight of this castle has to be wandering around its grounds, admiring the intricacy of each element of its design, the myriad domes, and its irregular form.

Gdansk Highlights

A port city on the Baltic Coast, Gdansk is a city that was partially reconstructed after the Second World War. It still hugs the shores of the river, with beautiful multi-storied Long Market at its centre, and bourgeois architecture at every turn. Tall townhouses line the river front, each worth appreciating as much as the view out across the water, and the sea-side feel extends back into the city. Wealthy merchants have left a lasting mark on the city, creating a real sense of opulence and extravagance that has attracted incredible restaurants and bars and entices visitors back year after year.