Day 3 - Steam along the Rhine; visit to historic Breisach

After breakfast you travel by road coach to visit the Chemin de Fer Touristique du Rhin, located in the nearby town of Volgelsheim. This standard-gauge 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 continue by road coach to the historic city of Breisach in Germany, on the opposite side of the River Rhine, famous for its charming old town and impressive Gothic cathedral, located on a scenic hilltop. Lunch will be taken at a charming German inn and you’ll then explore the town. Afterwards you return to Colmar by road coach. (B L)

Day 4 - Steam on the Thur Doller Railway; visit to the vineyard town of Eguisheim

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 rake of authentic photogenic coaches dating from the late 19^th 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’, stopping for a visit to the delightful little village of Eguisheim, one of the most famous vineyard towns in France, before returning to dine with fellow travellers at your hotel. (B L D)

Day 5 - 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 until you return 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)

Day 6 - Museums and trams in Mulhouse

Day 7 - Steam at the Abreschviller Forest Railway

After breakfast you travel by SNCF service train to Sarrebourg, where a coach takes you to the nearby forest railway at Abreschviller. The Abreschviller Forest Railway Association operates trains on a restored section of a logging railway that once had a track network of 73 km (45 miles). The 700 mm gauge railway line climbs up a wooded valley, winding its way through forests and crossing the Red Saar River on its way to Grand Soldat. You’ll travel on a privately chartered train in the railway’s only saloon coach hauled by an 0-4-4-0T Mallet type steam locomotive dating from 1906. During the journey there’ll be stops for filming and photography, including numerous ‘run-pasts’ in a dramatic landscape. At the hamlet of Grand Soldat there’s a restored sawmill operated by a water wheel, where it’s possible to watch traditional wood processing. In the afternoon your road coach takes you to Sarrebourg, from where you return to Colmar by SNCF service train. (B L)

Day 8 - 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)