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Welcome to Germany & Eastern Europe
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Germany & Eastern Europe

There's so much beauty awaiting you in Germany, Austria and Eastern Europe. Ancient emerald forests dotted with enchanting old castles and pastel-tinged medieval villages that offer an enticing glimpse back in time. Peppering these stunning landscapes, forward-thinking cities reveal an abundance of history and culture, blended with Imperial architecture, poignant monuments and lively piazzas.

Discover a corner of Europe rich in culture, fascinating history and endless natural beauty. Soak up the old-world charms of Dubrovnik, sit down to an unforgettable classical music concert in Mozart's Salzburg, or wind through some of the most scenic landscapes in Europe on Germany's iconic railways. There's so much to discover, so let us take you there.

Top 5 destinations
Berlin

Discover fascinating history and vibrant culture in Berlin

Discover Berlin, a vibrant metropolis of glass skyscrapers and historic attractions that offers up a tempting choice of things to see and do. Berlin is a city shaped by its gritty history. Once divided by the foreboding Berlin Wall, today Berlin is known as a cosmopolitan and diverse European city, with a host of famous landmarks, lively bars, and fantastic restaurants.

Prague

Uncover the architectural beauty of Prague

Uncover the rich culture and Gothic architecture of Prague, 'the city of a hundred spires'. This beautiful city sits on the banks of the Vltava River, and its compact size makes it a pleasure to explore on foot. From historic Prague Castle to the famous Charles Bridge, this is a city of exceptional beauty, just waiting to be explored.

Vienna

Explore Mozart's Vienna

Visit Vienna, a city of cultural eminence, home to opera halls, grand palaces and lush parkland. As the birthplace of Mozart, Vienna is a city of rich musical heritage; at Mozarthaus in the Old Town, visitors can stand in the very room where the famous composer wrote. Stunning Schönbrunn Palace, built to rival France's Versailles, is also not to be missed.

Budapest

Discover a city of two parts, Budapest

Discover the beauty of Budapest, a thriving example of a classic eastern European city, full of attractive bridges, elegant bath-houses, and grand architecture. Divided by the mighty Danube River, the city is made up of two parts - Buda and Pest, the former more peaceful and residential, and the latter modern and lively, making it a fascinating place to explore.

Warsaw

Visit Poland's dynamic capital, Warsaw

Explore Warsaw, a place where stylish glass structures and elegant Baroque mansions sit beside the Stalinist architecture of communist Poland; a juxtaposition of styles that tells a captivating story about the city's history. From the cobbled streets, whimsically coloured buildings and excellent coffee shops of the Old Town to tranquil Łazienki Park, this is a city that doesn't disappoint.

Dubrovnik

Explore Dubrovnik, the 'Pearl of the Adriatic'

Discover the terracotta rooftops, ancient walls, and old-world charm of the 'Pearl of the Adriatic', Dubrovnik. While it's most famous in recent years for its starring role in 'Game of Thrones', the unique city has charms that appeal to all manner of visitors, with enthralling history, breathtaking good looks, and the surrounding waters of the Adriatic all on its side. Step back in time in Dubrovnik

Top 5 sights to see
Cologne Cathedral

Discover Cologne's beautiful Cathedral

Cologne's famous twin-spired cathedral dominates the city's skyline and is a truly magnificent sight to behold. Called "the mother of all German churches", it's one of the largest Gothic structures ever built, and is home to The Shrine of the Three Magi - which according to legend, contains the bones of the Three Wise Men.

Neuschwanstein Castle

See the fairytale beauty of Neuschwanstein Castle

The most famous of King Ludwig II's castles, Neuschwanstein sits atop a forested hill, its dramatic towers and spires reaching toward the sky. With enchanting good looks that could have been plucked straight from a fairytale book, it's not difficult to see why the castle served as the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland.

Hradčany Castle

Visit the world's largest ancient castle complex in Prague

Boasting the title of the largest ancient castle complex in the world, Prague Castle, in the heart of the Hradčany Castle District, bursts with history and charm. Dating back to the 9th century, the complex contains a blend of elegant palaces, churches, courtyards and gardens, as well as picturesque lookout spots where visitors can enjoy stunning views over the city.

Wieliczka Salt Mines

Discover the intricate underground caves of Wieliczka Salt Mines

One of Poland's most uniquely beautiful sights, the UNESCO-listed Wieliczka Salt Mines are a labyrinth of caves filled with stunning works of art and are fascinating to explore. Discover elaborate underground chambers all intricately carved out from salt, including a magnificent cathedral and impressive statues - all the handiwork of the original salt miners.

Piltvice Lakes

Experience the stunning natural beauty of Plitvice Lakes

Nestled in the lush hills of one of Croatia's oldest national parks, Plitvice Lakes are a series of sixteen lakes interconnected by a series of waterfalls and cascades. The lakes are breathtaking, with their emerald waters surrounded by verdant woodland. It's no surprise that this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Croatia's most-visited places.

Budapest Parliament Building

See one of Budapest's most iconic buildings, the Hungarian Parliament Building

With a rich history dating back 200 years, the grand Neo-Gothic Hungarian Parliament Building has stood through a number of wars and revolutions in Budapest's 'Pest' district. Undoubtedly the most recognisable structure in the city, the building stuns visitors with its striking architecture, as well as its picturesque setting on the banks of the mighty River Danube.

Unique Excursions to Experience
Mirabell Palace, Salzburg

Classical music concert in Salzburg's Mirabell Palace

Visit Salzburg, famous for being the birthplace of classical composer Mozart. Discover the city's rich cultural heritage with an evening at Mirabell Palace, enjoying a classical music concert. This is the palace where Mozart himself once enchanted crowds with his music, and an evening immersed in timeless culture while watching the skilled musicians perform is a truly memorable experience.

Brocken Railway

Journey on the steam-hauled Brocken Railway

Discover the dense forests and crystal-clear lakes of the Harz Mountains on the Brocken Railway. Connecting the towns and villages of the Harz region, the line winds through pine forests in the foothills of the mountains, steam from the train evaporating into the treetops, before climbing Brocken, the highest peak in the area.

Plitvice Lakes

Visit Plitvice Lakes

Visit the famous Plitvice Lakes, a place of tremendous natural beauty. These sixteen lakes are part of a National Park and are connected by cascading waterfalls, the largest of which, Veliki Slap, has a drop of 200 feet. Plitvice Lakes boast UNESCO World Heritage status thanks to the unusual karst formations and outstanding scenery here.

Childrens Railway

Journey on the Children's Railway

Discover the wonderful Children's Railway in Budapest, a scenic line opened in 1948, run by Hungarian schoolchildren between the ages of 10 and 14, who consider working on it to be a great honour. This line travels through some beautiful areas of woodland in the hills above Buda and presents magnificent views of the greenery that surrounds the city.

Melk Abbey

Cruise the Danube and visit Melk Abbey

Visit Melk Abbey, a grand Benedictine abbey that dates back to the 11th century. This Baroque gem sits nestled amidst lush vineyards overlooking the Danube, making it the perfect starting point for a scenic cruise along the Danube. This stretch of the river is known as the Wachau Valley, and is characterised by its rolling hills, stretches of vineyard and dramatic castles.

Auschwitz

Take a moving tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau museum

Visit Oswiecim, the Polish town the Germans called Auschwitz for a moving tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau museum. This infamous former concentration camp serves as a poignant reminder of the crimes against humanity perpetrated here. While a visit is sombre and emotional, it provides a thought-provoking look at history and is an experience that will remain with you forever.

Featured Holiday Ideas

Germany & Eastern Europe offers an amazing array of holidays to explore by rail.

ClassicClassic
Zell am See
Save up to £200pp
Austrian Alps All Inclusive
4.2 stars(159 reviews)
2025MayJunJulAugSepOct
9 days from
£2,045 pp £1,895 pp
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Grand Imperial Cities
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Grand Imperial Cities
4.6 stars(174 reviews)
2025MarMayJunJulAug...
12 days from
£2,895 pp £2,695 pp
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ClassicClassic
Harz Mountains & the Rhine Gorge
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Harz Mountains and Rhine Gorge
4.4 stars(92 reviews)
2024Oct
2025AprMayJunAugSepOct
9 days from
£1,995 pp £1,845 pp
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ClassicClassic
Slovenia, Croatia & Montenegro
Save up to £200pp
Slovenia, Croatia & Montenegro: The Adriatic Coast
4.0 stars(52 reviews)
2025AprMayJunAugSepOct
13 days from
£3,495 pp £3,295 pp
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Expert Opinions & Guides

 

With so many great resources out there to help you start planning your next holiday, we've collated all the most useful information in one place for you. Read about the latest travel updates, browse our expert destination guides, get professional advice on how to start travelling again safely, and find interesting information on where to go when.

Black Forest Gateaux

Recipes to Stir the Senses

Learn how to make one of Germany's most delicious deserts, Black Forest Gateau, with our handy recipe on the Journey Blog. The desert rose to fame in the 70s and is an indulgent treat that combines the timeless flavours of cherries and chocolate. Try it for yourself!

Harz Mountains

Snowbound Steam in Deepest Germany

The twinkling lights of a Christmas market, charming medieval towns, and steam trains winding through snow-blanketed wintry landscapes; Germany at Christmastime is a delight to discover. Find out more with this personal account of a festive adventure in the Harz Mountains.

Charles Bridge, Prague

A love affair with: Prague

Fall in love with Prague, a city of dramatic Gothic spires, centuries of fascinating history, and some of the best beer in the whole of Europe! Read more on the Journey Blog, and find out why the Czech Republic capital is one of the most romantic cities on earth.