The festive express - Christmas breaks by rail

For a continental Christmas full of tradition and scenic treats, Great Rail Journeys is highlighting its range of festive breaks by rail.

For example, the Cologne and the Rhine Valley at Christmas holiday departs London’s St Pancras station on 22 December, bound for the exclusive Hotel im Wasserturm, Cologne’s landmark water tower converted into a five-star hotel.

The holiday includes the city’s famous Christmas Market, traditional dinners – with wine – on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, plus a city tour, an excursion along the Rhine valley and a Boxing Day trip on the Vulkan Express narrow-gauge railway.

The cost of this six-day holiday – first class in every respect – is £995 per person twin share, including First Class rail travel to and from Cologne, mostly half-board accommodation, the excursions and the services of a Tour Manager throughout.

Alternatively, Lake Constance in Bavaria is a fairytale destination for a scenically stunning escape. Lindau is set on a small island at the edge of the lake, with spectacular views to the Swiss and Austrian Alps.

Travelling via Cologne to the five-star Hotel Bayerischerhof, this holiday includes a Christmas Eve walking tour followed by festive dinner, with Christmas Day at leisure – apart from another four-course dinner – while Boxing Day’s treat, after an excursion to the hill town of Meersburg, is an evening performance at Lindau’s Marionette Opera.

This seven-day holiday also departs London on 22 December, costs £1,315 per person, twin share, and includes First Class rail travel to and from Lindau, half-board accommodation excursions and the services of a Tour Manager throughout.

For more information, visit GreatRail.com.