The Black Sea Express

Thursday 14th September to Sunday 24th September 2023

Travel in style on the Royal Train from Sofia to the Black Sea and back on this luxury steam tour in magical Bulgaria. This is an ideal holiday tour both for rail enthusiasts and those wanting to experience steam travel and tourism in a country that remains one of Europe’s hidden gems. A light lunch with drinks is provided when on the Royal Train.

• The Royal ‘Corona Express’ Train hails from the time of King Boris III, and your luxurious coaches will be hauled by a variety of powerful locomotives as you travel to the coast in style.

• Enjoy overnight stays in top class hotels in Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Velingrad, Bansko and Burgas on the Black Sea Coast, with a crossing over the high Balkan Mountains.

• Experience two days of steam on the scenic narrow-gauge Rhodope Mountains line hauled by the impressive 2-10-2T loco 60976 and visit the Rila Monastery, the most famous monastery in Bulgaria.

• Travel a total of 870 km steam hauled by FIVE iconic locomotives, including the 2-8-2 Swiss-built loco 01.23 and the 2-100 16.27, as well as the world’s largest working tank engine 46.03!

• Enjoy visits to the famous old town of Veliko Tarnovo or the Gorna Orjahovitsa loco depot and Asenovo Steam Reserve, and a sightseeing tour of Sofia before discovering the Black Sea Coast on a day trip to the sea resort of Nesebar, the ‘Pearl of the Black Sea’.

Thursday 14th September

Fly to Sofia; private tram tour

You fly from London Heathrow early morning with British Airways direct to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. You check in to your city centre hotel before enjoying a private tram tour of the sights. Marvel at the onion-domed churches, Ottoman mosques and Red Army monuments in a city that boasts many of Bulgaria’s finest museums, galleries and restaurants. A welcome dinner will be served at your hotel this evening. (D)

Friday 15th September

Suburbs of Sofia tour by Royal Train

Today you experience the Royal ‘Corona Express’ train for the first time, consisting of specialized cars and historic carriages of King Boris III (1894 –1943), today hauled by the recently restored 0-8-0 freight locomotive 26.26 (Henschel 1908). After a circuit of the outer Sofia suburbs you take the short branch line to Bankya, a small town located on the outskirts of the city, returning to Sofia after a short break. Dinner and accommodation are at your hotel this evening. (B D)

Saturday 16th September

Steam with the Royal Train to Gorna Orjahovitsa; bus transfer to Veliko Tarnovo

Today you travel in the Royal Train from Sofia to Pleven Zapad behind the 2-8-2 No 01.23 locomotive (made in Switzerland in 1935), before the powerful 2-10-0 16.27 (WLF 1948) takes over to haul you to Gorna Orjahovitsa, the biggest railway centre in Northern Bulgaria. From here you have a short bus transfer to your hotel in Veliko Tarnovo, where you stay for the next two nights. (B D)

Sunday 17th September

Tour of Veliko Tarnovo OR visit the Gorna Orjahovitsa depot and Asenovo Steam Reserve

Today you have two options, the first being a guided walking tour of the old town of Veliko Tarnovo. Discover the medieval capital of Bulgaria, with houses in the old town over 200 years old. You’ll also visit Veliko Tarnovo’s most significant monument, the medieval fortress Tsarevets, sited on a hilltop overlooking the town and surrounded on three sides by the river Yantra. Your second option today is a must for railfans, a trip by bus to first visit Gorna Orjahovitsa locomotive depot to see some old and some active steam locomotives, and then to Asenovo Steam Reserve to see the preserved rare steam locomotives stored there. Whatever option you take, dinner is served back at your hotel in Veliko Tarnovo. (B D)

Monday 18th September

Across the Balkan Mountains to Dabovo on to Burgas and the Black Sea

After breakfast you steam across the Balkan Mountains on the Royal Train, hauled by your rugged 2-10-0 16.27 steam locomotive from Veliko Tarnovo to Dabovo. Enjoy the rich and diverse landscape as you travel across hilly plains, river valleys and the high Balkan Mountains. From Davovo your Royal coaches will be hauled by diesel or electric to Burgas, on the Black Sea, for a two-night stay. (B D)

Tuesday 19th September

Trip along the Black Sea Coast to Nesebar

Today you’ll enjoy a bus trip to Nesebar on the Black Sea, where you can sightsee this ancient city. The ‘Pearl of the Black Sea’ is one of the major seaside attractions on the Black Sea Coast. It consists of two parts separated by a narrow man-made isthmus with the ancient part of the settlement on the peninsula and the more modern section on the mainland side. Afterwards you return to your hotel in Burgas for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Wednesday 20th September

Burgas to Septemvri and on to Velingrad

Today your Royal train travels from Burgas to Septemvri hauled by an electric loco, before a bus transfer to the spa town of Velingrad in the Rhodope Mountains for a two-night stay. (B D)

Thursday 21st September

Narrow-gauge highlight in the Rhodope Mountains with steam loco 60976

After breakfast you travel from Velingrad to the 760 mm narrow-gauge line at Septemvri (either by service train or bus) with the choice of an optional Septemvri depot visit. You then join a special steam charter hauled by 2-10-2 tank engine 60976, built by Chrzanow in Poland in 1949 and one of the most powerful of its gauge in the world. The initial 39 km of the 760 mm narrow-gauge line from Septemvri to Velingrad first opened in 1926. When the line reaches Varvara, it enters the gorge of the Cepina river and climbing starts with several photo opportunities. At Dolene the line crosses the river, makes a 180 degree turn and heads along a side valley, eventually reaching Velingrad where you enjoy a second night in your hotel. (B D)

Friday 22nd September

Narrow-gauge to Dobronishte behind 60976; on to Bansko

Today you continue your exploration of the last remaining public narrow-gauge line in Bulgaria hauled by 60976 over the summit of the Rhodope Mountains from Velingrad to Dobronishte. Due to its superbly engineered spiral tunnels, this branch line has been called the ‘Rhaetian Railway of the Balkans’. As the tank engine battles the steep gradients, plenty of steam spectacle is on offer, although some diesel assistance is required to climb through the tunnels up to the summit at Avramovo station, 1267 metres above sea level and the highest station in Bulgaria. The line then passes Razlog and Bansko, before reaching the terminus at Dobrinishte. You return to Bansko by coach and check in to your hotel, for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Saturday 23rd September

Visit to Rila Monastery; Steam back to Sofia

Today you visit the Rila Monastery by bus, before travelling again on your private train from Dupnitsa to Sofia hauled by 2-12-4 tank loco No 46.03, the only standard gauge 12-coupled steam loco working in the whole world. Rila Monastery is the most famous monastery in Bulgaria, now under UNESCO protection. The 4-floor residential part of the complex consists of 300 monks’ cells, 4 chapels, an abbot’s room, a kitchen, a library and guestrooms for donors. The exterior has high stone walls cut through by small windows. It’s also worth visiting the monastery’s museum, which hosts the famous Raphael’s Cross, made of a whole piece of wood (81cm x 43cm) and named after its creator. On reaching Sofia you check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Sunday 24th September

Optional visit to Sofia locomotive depot; afternoon flight to London Heathrow

This morning you have the option of a visit to the Sofia locomotive depot or some free time to explore Sofia further before a midday flight on British Airways to London Heathrow, arriving in the early evening. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price £2795

Single supplement £325

Ground only £2625 (Sofia – Sofia)

Price includes:

• Flights from London Heathrow to Sofia and return

• Accommodation in excellent hotels with breakfast and evening meals

• Light lunch on train operating days

• All train and coach travel as detailed in the itinerary, with all transfers

• Services of UK and Local guides

• The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner September 2023

Autumn Steam in Saxony

Thursday 21st September to Wednesday 27th September 2023

Enjoy inspiring landscapes, spectacular autumn colour and exhilarating steam travel on land and water on this magical holiday tour in Eastern Germany.

• Based in a centrally located 4-star hotel in Dresden for the tour duration.

• Enjoy steam travel by land and water in and around the city on narrow-gauge trains and genuine paddle steamers.

• Ample time to enjoy Dresden and its stunning landmarks and ambience using a complimentary issued travel rover ticket.

• Experience German ‘Plandampf on 4 different narrow-gauge railways on 2 different gauges, including the re-opened Weisseritztalbahn to Kurort Kipsdorf.

• Private steam charter at the 15-inch Dresden Park Railway with an iconic ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive.

• See the famed national park in the heart of ‘Saxon Switzerland’ on a private charter on the scenic Kirnitzschtal tramway.

Thursday 21st September

London to Dresden

Travel by train from London St Pancras via Brussels and Frankfurt to Saxony’s capital city Dresden. On arrival you check in to a 4-star city centre hotel, which is your base for the tour. On arrival you’ll receive a complimentary public transport ticket, valid on all local trains, trams, buses and ferries for the duration of your stay. (D)

Friday 22nd September

Paddle steamer cruise to Pillnitz Castle; Vintage Monorail in Loschwitz

You’ll enjoy a sightseeing cruise of Dresden on a 19th century paddle steamer. You steam upstream on the River Elbe to Pillnitz Palace, En route you pass vineyards, villas and the 1893 ‘Blue Wonder’ Loschwitz steel bridge. Stopping at Loschwitz on the way back you take the local funicular to the summit for views of the city. You descend back to Loschwitz by mountain monorail dating back to 1901. Afterwards you have time to explore Dresden’s local tram network using your public transport ticket or to visit the local museums and sights. (B)

Saturday 23rd September

Steam at the Dresden Park Railway and at the Lössnitz Narrow Gauge Railway

Today you visit Germany’s premier 15-inch line, the Dresden Park Railway. Travelling behind a classic 1920s 4-6-2 ‘Pacific’ steam locomotive covering the entire 5.6 km long circular line within the ‘Grosser Garten’ park, pausing for several run-pasts. The visit concludes with a guided tour of the shed and workshop. After free time in the city you visit the nearby 16.5 km Radebeul-Radeburg steam railway just outside Dresden, which passes the Moritzburg castle. The local vineyards offer wonderful autumn colours at this time of year. At the Radeburg terminus, your locomotive takes on water before travelling back to Radebeul, continuing to downtown Dresden on either the scenic overland tramway route or by frequent DB service train. In late afternoon and evening you have time at leisure in the city. (B)

Sunday 24th September

Steam at the at the Weisseritz Valley Railway

Another steam highlight awaits today on an excursion to the re-opened narrow-gauge Weisseritz Valley Railway. You’ll be steam-hauled through the region’s ‘canyon’ landscape from Freital-Hainsberg to Kurort Kipsdorf along the River Weisseritz, passing cliffs, narrow bridges and lakes on the way. Enjoy the panoramic views from the your open-top observation car. After the full round-trip you return to Dresden, with free time to enjoy and explore the city once more. (B)

Monday 25th September

Narrow-gauge steam in Zittau

Another narrow-gauge highlight awaits today on the Zittau steam railway in Saxony, on the German border with Poland and the Czech Republic. From Zittau the 12.2 km branch line runs to the resort town of Kurort Oybin. There’s also a short 3.8 km long stub from the junction station of Bertsdorf to Kurort Jonsdorf to enjoy. Using a complimentary day-long rover ticket you can explore both lines and film the double departure from Bertsdorf. Impressive 2-10-2 tank engines run every day on the Zittau network with two or three in steam. Rocky cliff formations frame the line around Oybin. You return in late afternoon to Dresden by service train. (B D)

Tuesday 26th September

Heritage Tramway in the ‘Saxon Switzerland’ National Park at Bad Schandau

This morning you make a quick transfer on a direct train to Bad Schandau and enjoy a private charter journey on the Kirnitzschtal tramway. Travelling on an original 1920s tramway, the route runs from the spa town of Bad Schandau to the waterfalls at Lichtenhain. Along the way there’ll be several photo stops staged in the Saxon Switzerland National Park. To cap the excursion, you enjoy a guided shed visit in Bad Schandau, before returning to Dresden on the scenic main line from Bad Schandau via Königstein on a direct service train. (B L D)

Wednesday 27th September

Return to London

You return to London St Pancras, travelling on high speed trains via Frankfurt, Cologne and Brussels. (B)

Tour Summary

First Class £1595

Single supplement £195

Ground only £1295 (Dresden – Dresden)

Price includes:

• First Class travel from London to Dresden and return

• 6 Nights accommodation in a 4 -star hotel with breakfast

• 3 Dinners and 1 Lunch

• Complimentary 7-day Dresden public transport ticket included

• All rail trips and excursions as detailed in the itinerary

• Paddle steamer cruise

• The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Please be advised that First Class travel will be allocated in Standard Premier carriages on Eurostar services.

Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Autumn in Alsace

Thursday 5th October to Thursday 12th October 2023

Enjoy the famous wine-making region of Alsace in full autumn splendour by steam train on this enchanting holiday in eastern France.

• Based in the vibrant city of Colmar, you’ll explore the region on privately chartered steam trains on all the preserved railways in Alsace and a forest railway in nearby Lorraine.

• Tour highlights include excursions into nearby southern Germany and a visit to the impressive steam Abreschviller Forest Railway in Lorraine, hauled by an 0-4-4-0T Mallet type steam locomotive.

• Discover the mediaeval heart of Strasbourg on a sightseeing cruise aboard a stylish vintage vessel.

• There’s also a visit to the city of Mulhouse to savour, with the excellent French National Railway Museum, Museum of Electricity and the one-of-its kind Bugatti Museum are located there.

• Short transfer distances from Colmar to all the featured attractions make this a truly relaxed and engaging tour, the perfect opportunity to see France with a completely new perspective.

Thursday 5th October

London to Colmar

You travel by Eurostar from London St. Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord, before a transfer to Paris Gare de l´Est for the onward journey by TGV express to Strasbourg, where you change onto a regional service to Colmar. You check in to your elegant, centrally located hotel in the heart of this picturesque town. The rest of the day is free to explore and discover the timber-framed houses and quaint canals of historic Colmar.

Friday 6th October

Scenic river cruise, tramways and sightseeing in Strasbourg

This morning you transfer by locomotivehauled French Railways (SNCF) service train to Strasbourg, the attractive capital of Alsace. You then enjoy a sightseeing tour of this vibrant city aboard a privately chartered, stylish motorship. Lunch-time refreshments and complimentary drinks aboard are included. After the cruise there’ll be free time to explore the beautiful city centre by tram, using your complimentary public transport day ticket. This allows you to take tram line D across the border Germany. In the late afternoon you return to Colmar by SNCF service train. (B L)

Saturday 7th October

Steam along the Rhine; free time to enjoy Colmar

After breakfast you travel by road coach to visit the Chemin de Fer Touristique du Rhin, located in the nearby town of Volgelsheim. This standardgauge railway operates both French and German steam locomotives hauling Austrian carriages with balconies. You’ll traverse the 13 km (8 mile) line from Volgelsheim to the Sans Souci Quay at Marckolsheim, where the River Rhine and canal separate. Afterwards you return to Colmar by road coach. For the rest of the day you are free to relax in Colmar and further discover this outstanding destination with its ornate buildings and tranquil canals. (B D)

Sunday 8th October

Steam on the Thur Doller Railway; scenic cruise in historic Breisach

Today you visit the enchanting Train Thur Doller Alsace, which operates a 13 km (8 mile) long standard-gauge branch line from Cernay to Sentheim, along the foothills of the Vosges Mountains and crossing the River Doller. The railway features a number of authentic photogenic coaches dating from the late 19th century. A powerful early 20th century steam tank locomotive hauls you over this preserved line on a privately chartered train at a time when there is no regular traffic, so numerous run pasts can be staged. A typically French buffet lunch will be served at the station building in Burnhaupt, where you’ll visit the shed and see the railway’s extensive collection of historic rolling stock. At the end of the return journey you travel by road coach to Colmar via the ‘Alsatian Wine Route’ on the way to the historic town of Breisach, Germany, where you board a stylish motor vessel for a welcome sunset cruise on the River Rhine, with coffee and cake included. (B L)

Monday 9th October

Steam in the Black Forest of Germany; visit to historic Freiburg

The German theme continues today as you visit the Kandertalbahn, located on the very tip of Southern Germany, near Basel. This 12.9 km (8 mile) long branch line runs through rural scenery in the Kander Valley. Your train comprises an early 20th century German steam tank locomotive with matching period carriages, and a buffet lunch of regional delicacies will be served when you reach the end of the line at Kandern. There will be plenty of photo opportunities before returning to Colmar by road coach later, stopping to visit the historic city of Freiburg im Breisgau, a German city noted for its medieval university and cathedral. (B L)

Tuesday 10th October

Museums and trams in Mulhouse

Today you travel by train to Mulhouse, famous for its outstanding museums, especially the ‘Cité du Train’ and ‘Cité de l’Automobile’, respectively the largest railway and automobile museums in Europe. You’ll receive a rover ticket for the city’s urban tram network, which you’ll use to travel to the ‘Cité du Train’, the national railway museum of France and one of the largest and most amazing collections of technically unique steam locomotives in the world. The Electropolis Museum is also an option available where you can immerse yourself in the great adventure of electricity. The vast collection of classic cars in the nearby ‘Cité de l’Automobile’ is also worth a visit. The remainder of your time in Mulhouse will be free to explore its medieval city centre, with both French and Swiss architecture, the pedestrianised Place de la Réunion main square, and St. Stephen’s church. In the evening you return to Colmar by service train. (B)

Wednesday 11th October

Steam at the Abreschviller Forest Railway

Today you make a side-step from Alsace and visit nearby Lorraine. At Abreschviller you will find a remarkable ‘hidden gem’ in the form of the local forest railway, which operates steam locomotives on the unusual 700 mm gauge. You are comfortably accommodated on the railway’s ‘Belle Epoque’ luxury coach and hauled by a 0-4-4-0T Mallet type steam locomotive dating from 1906. Running through dense forests and crossing the Red Saar River, the train will pause for photos and run-pasts near the village of Grand Soldat. At the terminus of the line, you will also see an old saw mill. Once back in Abreschviller, you still have time to visit the local steam shed and see the other stored steam locomotives, before returning to Colmar. In the evening you have a farewell dinner at the hotel.

(B L D)

Thursday 12th October

Colmar to London

You say a fond ‘au revoir’ to Alsace today and return to Paris by TGV express train. You transfer from Paris Gare de l´Est to Gare du Nord and board a Eurostar service to London St. Pancras International. (B)

Tour Summary

First Class £1995

Includes First Class on Eurostar, TGV and other SNCF service trains.

Single supplement £225

Ground only £1575 (Colmar – Colmar)

Price includes:

• 7 nights accommodation with breakfast

• 5 lunches and 2 dinners

• All specially chartered steam trains as detailed in the itinerary

• All rail, road, tram and boat trips as detailed in the itinerary

• All visits as detailed in the itinerary

• Rail travel from London to Colmar and back

• Rover ticket for the Mulhouse urban tram network

• All seat reservations and transfers

• The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Please be advised that First Class travel will be allocated in Standard Premier carriages on Eurostar services.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner