From Vienna to the North Sea by train A rail journey across Europe

Day 1 Journey to Vienna

Transfer. Two-night stay in the Spittelberg district. Your accommodation showcases part of the owner's art collection, but even better, it is itself designed as a liveable work of art. The interplay of colours, patterns, and shapes throughout the decor is astonishing, captivating with a remarkable harmony both in the overall design and in the smallest details. A real challenge. And is it comfortable? you ask. Good question! Very! The rooms are fully equipped. You feel at your best here, in an elegant, urban and contemporary setting. Breakfast is served on site. It's healthy and tasty and it provides the perfect start to the day. At the end of it, it's a pleasure to relax on the terrace, above the bustle of the street.

Day 2 Vienna

Already scheduled - Vienna like a local. Some cities open up easily, and others, for all their charm, remain reserved. Vienna falls into the second category. The “like a local” encounter therefore suits it perfectly. You'll experience an informal meeting with a Viennese local, discuss viewpoints and a stroll in true Viennese style together. The idea is to let the Austrian capital speak for itself and invite you to simply enjoy it. Your guide is fully qualified to make that connection. And to share some a few good tips for what comes next. Ticket for Belvedere Palace. This is one of the finest Baroque ensembles in Vienna and consists of the Upper Palace (Oberes B.), the Lower Palace (Unteres B.), the orangery, the stables and splendid gardens. The Upper Palace is home to the prestigious Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, renowned for its masterpieces by Klimt (“Judith and Holofernes”, 1901), Schiele (“The Family”, 1918), and Kokoschka (“Visitation”, 1912). You can also see character heads by Franz Xaver Messerschmidt (1736-1783), “The Flagellation of Christ” by Michael Pacher (1497-1498), “The Danube near Vienna” by Johann Christian Brand (1760), and more.
Optional: Concert at the Musikverein.

Day 3 Vienna - Prague

Train to Prague. Stay for two nights not far from the train station. The hotel's tobacco-coloured façade feature long, understated lines. Large bay windows reveal interiors in sophisticated shades of beige, grey, and taupe, which continue into the rooms with a subtle touch of brightness. The result is a striking coherence that is immediately enjoyable, enhanced by flawless technical details. Urban minimalism reaches its peak in the beautiful dining room, where everything flows effortlessly. The cityscape appears at the windows. The cuisine is fully in keeping with the international spirit It is not a superficial convenience but a way of preparing carefully selected ingredients skilfully bringing out their natural qualities. The wellness area is equally inviting, combining flawless professionalism with a pristine, luminous atmosphere. This accommodation that puts Prague on the map for discerning travellers who value a seamless blend of historic charm and contemporary comfort.

Day 4 Prague

Already scheduled - - Prague like a local. The principle is the same as in Vienna.Your guide knows the city inside out: its layout, its language - people don’t speak in the Vinohrady taverns the way textbooks suggest - and its unique customs. You can explore Stare Mesto, where Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau styles vie for your attention along the streets. Along the way, stop for a Pilsner beer at U Zlateho tygra, which once welcomed the melancholy of Bohumil Hrabal and the curiosity of Edouard Herriot. From there, take the tram across the Vltava (Moldau) and get off at the foot of the magnificent St Nicholas Church in Mala Strana. Stroll across the lawns of Kampa. The statues of Charles Bridge stand above you, dark against the pale sky, quivering with ecstasy. Look carefully at the statues. In a city with little space left to build, sculptors are treasures: the biting irony of David Cerny, a tribute to Kafka, Jaroslav Rona’s memento mori, Olbram Zoubek’s monument to the victims of communism, and more. It's time to grab a few chlebicky, the Bohemian tapas, at a social counter; surrounded by local office workers taking a snack break. Or you can stop at one of those little cafés that have recently sprung up like mushrooms after rain, one of Prague’s newest whimsical follies. The castle is an obvious attraction, yet the village charm of Holešovice can just as easily captivate wandering souls. And these are just a few examples, as everything can be decided at the last minute.

Day 5 Prague - Berlin

Train to Berlin. Three-night stay in Charlottenburg, in what was once a court and women's prison. We’re long past that era, but the whole site still stands as a rare witness to old Berlin. There is a small garden, enclosed by red brick walls. Inside, there is plenty of white, light wood and light. The spaces have been redesigned without fully erasing echoes of the past. The rooms are charming and comfortable, delightful to stay in, with décor that hinted at rather than imposed. A sauna and gym are available to guests, who may also enjoy massages. There is also a pool table where they can test their dexterity. At the restaurant, chef Sophia Rudolph’s contemporary German cuisine is full of finesse and clearly defined flavours. The bar is the perfect place to linger and round off your day.

Day 6 Berlin

Already scheduled - Berlin like a local. Thomas is an architect and has been living in Berlin for ten years. He knows the city inside out, down to the tiniest details of its districts. The rituals of Berlin life hold no secrets for him either. You will meet at the hotel, share a few ideas, wishes, expectations and passions. From this evolving base, a plan of action takes shape You explore at the locals’ pace, and for three hours, you too become ein Berliner. On the roof of the Reichstag. Berlin embodies Germany in many ways. The Reichstag building, the parliament palace, is one of them. Absolutely. You explore the grand dome at your own pace with an audio-guide. Designed in glass by Norman Foster, it has become a symbol of reunified Germany - which was, in fact, its intended purpose. From up there, you have an impressive 360-degree view over the city, as well as the Bundestag’s meeting chamber below. You can also admire shading mechanism that tracks the sun’s daily movement so the members of parliament are not scorched by its rays. The dome is also designed to be eco-friendly, with its light-capturing system helping to significantly reduce the building’s carbon footprint. So, in this adventure, there is as much to ponder as there is to marvel at.

Day 7 Berlin - Sylt Island

Train to Sylt. Stay for two nights on List beach, in a modern hotel facing the sea and dedicated to well-being. A natural, open atmosphere runs throughout the house. Like the common areas, the rooms are clean, functional and elegant. There are no unnecessary frills, just what feels right. One of the two restaurants serves Frisian inspiration cuisine, thoughtfully updated for today’s tastes. The other focuses on fish and seafood., and in both cases, the guiding principle is freshness and lightness. The large spa features an outdoor pool, a beautiful indoor seawater pool and several saunas, along with skilled and competent massage therapists. It's a true tonic for body and mind.

Day 8 Sylt

Already scheduled - A spa treatment at the hotel. We couldn’t pass up such a wellness experience without sharing it with you. We have also booked a 30-minute treatment session. The effects are particularly welcome at this stage of your journey. With Sylt’s highest
point - Uwe-Düne - rising to just 52 metres (171 feet), you don't need to be a climber to explore the island by bike - which you can rent at the accommodation. 38 km (24 miles) long and 16 km (10 miles) at its widest point, this is an exceptionally accessible area. Perhaps the only drawback is the wind. And even that depends on its direction. And in any case, what a pleasure it is to ride along trails winding through the moors, brushed by salty sea air. The long sandy beaches have a character found only in the north. The light is often nothing short of breathtaking. Some beaches, Buhne 16 in particular, recall the glamour of the 1960s, when the beautiful people came here, with Brigitte Bardot and Gunter Sachs leading the way. As you pedal along, you’ll notice the Sylt rose everywhere. In fact, it’s the Japanese rose, slightly invasive but undeniably pretty. You may also spot northern lapwings, bar-tailed godwits, Arctic terns and other birds glide past. And the houses radiate all the Gemütlichkeit you could wish for.

Day 9 Sylt Island - Hamburg

Train to Hamburg Spend the night in the port area, in the neo-Gothic warehouses that are the pride of Speicherstadt. From the hotel terrace, enjoy beautiful views of the canals and red-brick buildings. Inside, the decor is inspired by the 1950s and ’60s. There is a sense of profound comfort here, brightened up by pieces of tribal and contemporary art. In the bedrooms, a mahogany and tobacco backdrop contrasts with immaculate, crisp white bedlinen topped with a yellow, petrol blue and orange coverlet. Large bay windows let in plenty of light. The amenities are excellent and the bathrooms superb, while the restaurant serves modern Italian cuisine. Guests have free access to the spa, sauna and gym.
Optional - a concert at the Elbphilharmonie or a visit to the Schanzenviertel district.

Day 10 Return Journey to Hamburg