The Magic of the Harz
The Harz Mountains, Germany’s northernmost mountain range, is a fine area of natural beauty, with its pine-covered hills, green valleys and half-timbered medieval villages. Goslar is an excellent base for exploring the varied UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the area: from silver mines to historic churches to half-timbered old towns.
Dates
2016 dates available on request
Suggested itinerary by coach
Days 1-2
Depart the UK.
Travel to Hull, Harwich or Newcastle for the relaxing overnight cruise to the Continent. Continue next day with the journey east to the Harz Mountains and the town of Goslar, your base for the next 4 nights.
Day 3
Imperial Goslar.
Goslar, with its thousand year history, is just one of the many preserved old towns in the region. The town has been strongly influenced by mining and visitors can experience an exceptional collection of industrial monuments including the Emperor’s Palace, Town Hall and the UNESCO Rammelsberg mine itself.
Day 4
Wernigerode and Quedlinburg.
Step back in time as you visit two of the most charming towns in the Harz. The town of Quedlinburg is itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 1,300 half-timbered houses from eight centuries. See Wernigerode’s ‘crooked house’ and ‘smallest house’.
Day 5
Churches and Castles.
Drive to Hildesheim for a stop to see the impressive UNESCO Site of St Michael’s Church. Continue to the nearby fortress-like Marienburg Castle for a guided tour. From here, make your way to Hanover to see the Royal Gardens or for a spot of shopping in this bustling city.
Days 6-7
Depart Hamburg.
Retrace your steps to your port of entry for the return overnight crossing. Journey home the next day.
Optional excursions
Enjoy an excursion to the historical and enchanting old town of Hamelin, the home of the Pied Piper. Local attractions include the Minster of St. Boniface and Bungelosenstrasse, which features the story of the Pied Piper, immortalised by the Brothers Grimm. A guided tour with the Pied Piper himself is highly recommended but alternatively, visitors can see the Pied Piper on Sunday mornings (May-September free of charge) in the open-air play and hear his flute in the mechanical play shown daily at the Hochzeitshaus. River cruises are possible and there are many restaurants and taverns in the town. (135 miles). Alternatively, board the Harzquerbahn Narrow Gauge Railway in Wernigerode for a historic ride to the highest peak in the Harz, the Brocken. (50 miles).
Suggested hotel
Ramada Treff Bären, Goslar ***
Right hand pictures (top to bottom): 1) Pattensen-Marienburg Castle ©GNTB-Pasdzior, Michael.
A No Currency Surcharge Guarantee is available on 2015 European tours. Details of the scheme available on request. All prices are per person. Price and coach driver's free single room are based on a minimum 25 full fare paying passengers sharing a double or twin room. Prices do not include UK coach travel or travel insurance. If you would like a quote for your travel insurance please contact us. Dates are subject to availability. Smaller groups can be quoted for on request.
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