Join Belle Trains on a European rail spectacular taking in the glittering lakes and towering peaks of Central Europe in style. From Cologne you’ll venture south, along the Main Valley and through southern Germany to the foothills of the Alps, on the German shores of Lake Constance. Traverse some of the most scenic railway lines in the world as the Alpine Belle weaves its way along the foothills of the Alps, through the Arlberg Pass into the Austrian Tyrol at Innsbruck. From here you’ll travel through the heart of the Alps to Salzburg, Austria’s musical mountain city. Journey’s end will be in Wiesbaden, one of Europe’s oldest spa towns. The perfect end to an unforgettable journey of alpine adventures. The express steam locomotive 01 1104 will be joined by Swiss and Austrian locomotives as we weave our way along some of the most impressive mainline routes in the Alps. This region offers something for everyone, from the oldest cog railway in Europe still running with steam to scenic boat trips and cultural excursions. Enjoy the chance to travel in the elegant Prestige Continental Express dining carriages, modelled on the style of the legendary Orient Express salon cars.
We will set out from Cologne for our journey south, stopping in the Hesse region to allow our steam locomotive, 01 1104, to join us for the journey of nearly 300 miles south towards Lindau on Lake Constance. Lindau is an extraordinary place, literally an island in the lake. The whole island is easily walkable and is known for its historic centre, charming squares and iconic harbour entrance – all set against a backdrop of the shimmering waters of Lake Constance and snow-capped Alps on the far side of the water.
In Lindau, optional excursions may include steam hauled journeys on the Rheinbähnle & Wälderbähnle narrow gauge railways, a cruise on Lake Constance or visit to a winery in neighbouring Liechtenstein, but some may choose to stay in their hotels, admiring the beautiful views. The more adventurous among you may wish to take advantage of the proximity of neighbouring countries and choose to wake up in Germany, cycle to Austria for lunch, and make it to Switzerland in time for afternoon tea!
After two days admiring the distant Alps from the shores of Lake Constance, the Alpine Belle will set off towards them in style – taking in three countries in one day! From Lindau, we skirt the edge of Lake Constance before crossing over the Rhine into Switzerland, where our steam locomotive joins us for a journey through the Appenzell Alps.
Our train then turns East, as we head into the Austrian Alps behind a vintage electric locomotive and carves a route through the Klostertal Valley before heading through the Arlbergtunnel, which was the longest railway tunnel in Austria when opened in 1884. Emerging on the other side of the Alberg Pass in Tyrol, we continue to wind our way through the alpine valleys to Innsbruck.
Innsbruck, capital of Austria’s western state of Tyrol, is known for its Imperial and modern architecture. Passengers can opt for a leisurely day by staying in their hotels and enjoying scenic walks through the surrounding alpine terrain or join us for one of our sightseeing excursions.
Just 25 miles east of Innsbruck lies the town of Jenbach, where not just one but two steam railways branch off – the historic Achensee Railway to the north offering a breathtaking journey to Lake Achen on the oldest cog railway in Europe still steam operated, and to the south, the Zillertal, a narrow-gauge railway to the town of Myrhofen. We plan to offer at least one of these railways as an optional excursion. Other excursions may include the Tyrolean Museum of Railways, with the option to travel on board an 100-year-old tram that travels through the streets of Innsbruck and beyond, or Swarovski Crystal World with its gardens and art museum.
Today we set off through the heart of the Alps with a German steam locomotive on the front of our train, likely to be former freight locomotive, G10 class 657. We plan to make a mid-afternoon stop at the charming town of Zell am See on the shores of Lake Zell, where there is a narrow-gauge railway through the Pinzgau mountains. From Zell am See we steam on further east into the Alps before turning north and descending into beautiful Salzburg.
DAY 6 & 7:
For anyone who has never been to Salzburg the whole place is an amazing revelation – with a storybook setting among the mountains and stately baroque Altstadt. For our passengers over the next few days the hills will be alive with not only the sound of steam but all kinds of music and the beautiful Salzburg bells which ring out every day at 6pm. As you would expect, optional excursions will include Mozart and The Sound of Music Tours, but you may choose to explore the city’s many attractions including the imposing Hohensalzburg Fortress or the Mirabell Gardens and Palace.
Railway excursions may include a journey from Salzburg to the Ampflwang Railway Museum by vintage train. In traditional carriages akin to The Harz Mountain Railway with open balconies we will steam 50 miles up the mainline (it would never be allowed in the UK!) to the preserved railway, its mining museum and railway roundhouse. A must for true lovers of steam.
DAY 6 & 7:
For anyone who has never been to Salzburg the whole place is an amazing revelation – with a storybook setting among the mountains and stately baroque Altstadt. For our passengers over the next few days the hills will be alive with not only the sound of steam but all kinds of music and the beautiful Salzburg bells which ring out every day at 6pm. As you would expect, optional excursions will include Mozart and The Sound of Music Tours, but you may choose to explore the city’s many attractions including the imposing Hohensalzburg Fortress or the Mirabell Gardens and Palace.
Railway excursions may include a journey from Salzburg to the Ampflwang Railway Museum by vintage train. In traditional carriages akin to The Harz Mountain Railway with open balconies we will steam 50 miles up the mainline (it would never be allowed in the UK!) to the preserved railway, its mining museum and railway roundhouse. A must for true lovers of steam.
Our steam locomotive from day one, Class 01 1104, is back at the helm for our final day on board, as we journey across the border and into Germany, making our way towards the Rhine Valley and our hotels in Wiesbaden and Frankfurt for our last night. Tucked in a valley between the Rhine River and the Taunus Mountains, the relaxed spa town of Wiesbaden is the perfect place to reflect on our adventures. Those staying in Frankfurt will enjoy a stay in one of the city’s most exclusive postcodes, next to the Opera House and overlooking the lush Liesel-Christ Park.
After a leisurely breakfast in our hotels in Frankfurt or Wiesbaden, those who have booked a transfer to the UK will depart for Eurostar connections to London, whilst those travelling independently may choose to enjoy their hotel’s facilities, extend their holiday or make onward travel connections at the nearby international airport at Frankfurt.
Fully escorted by Belle Trains
2 nights Lindau accommodation with breakfast daily
2 nights Innsbruck accommodation with breakfast daily
3 nights Salzburg accommodation with breakfast daily
1 night Wiesbaden or Frankfurt accommodation with breakfast
Train Journeys: Cologne to Lindau, Lindau to Innsbruck, Innsbruck to Salzburg, Salzburg to Wiesbaden
Coach transfers between the train and hotel or if in walking distance staff escort
Luggage courier service throughout, transporting all luggage directly to and from your hotel rooms
A team of engaging and helpful staff both on board the train and at all hotels
A choice of optional excursions by foot, road coach or steam (supplement applies). Final optional excursions will be confirmed in January 2026
Travel to tour departure point and from tour end point
Travel insurance (Recommended for International travel)
Meals and drinks not provided for in the itinerary
Things of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, room service, etc
Excursions / entrances listed as optional in the itinerary
The best train trips possible, private luxury coach for off-train travel, guided walking where suitable, and other appropriate and appealing options to make exploration easy
Hand-picked hotels and resorts based on location, customer feedback, value and atmosphere. Please Note: Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.
Fares are based on the 4-star option. If you’d like to know the fares for the 5-star option, please contact us.
INCLUSIONS
4-star passengers
5-star passengers
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
LINDAU
INNSBRUCK
SALZBURG
DETAILS AND PRICING WILL BE RELEASED EARLY 2026
Final details of our optional excursions will be confirmed in January 2026, along with pricing. We will share the details with you as soon as they are available.
Depending on our route and the timings on day 5, we may be able to facilitate a stop at Zell am See where there is a narrow-gauge railway through the Pinzgau mountains. We are not currently advertising this as an inclusive excursion but will let you know as soon as this is confirmed.
Hear from some of our adventurers that have already ridden the rails with us.
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Reserve your place on this exciting exploration of The Alpine Belle.
Train traveller, well known TV personality and travel company owner, Scott McGregor, has travelled on some of the world’s most inspiring railway tours and led the most exclusive group adventures to numerous exotic destinations over the years.
“Rustic, character-filled, zig-zagging railways of Burma, opulent hotels on wheels in India South Africa and Sri Lanka, steam-hauled heritage trains in some of the most staggeringly scenic parts of the world, dinky little rail-cars in outback Queensland, bullet trains in Japan, cliff-hugging lines in Switzerland and Norway—if it travels on a rail track, I’m there!”, exclaims self-confessed train travel tragic, Scott McGregor. “In my mind, travelling by rail is still the most wonderful way to immerse yourself in the country you’re visiting. It’s romantic, relaxing and about as much fun as you can have!”.
Aa a child of the last days of steam trains in the busy junction town of Orange, NSW; trains heading in all directions offering temptations and dreams of faraway places, left an indelible impression on a young, inquisitive boy and Scott has been riding the rails in one form or another ever since. While Scott’s acting career of 30 years kept him busy starring in numerous TV shows and stage plays and then as an on-air presenter on programs such as Better Homes and Gardens, Room for Improvement and various pay-TV programs, his passion for railway tours was ever-present. “Presenting a series of Railway Adventure travel programs for Channel 7 was a career highlight”, he says with as much enthusiasm now as he had then.
In 2012 Scott decided to combine three of his passions; travel, trains and presenting, and launched Railway Adventures. Not only does he get to expand his own horizons and indulge his love of train travel, he gets to use his extensive hosting experience and love of people to lead other like-minded travellers on escorted train tours around the world. Since then, Railway Adventures has mounted more than 50 tours from Sweden to Sri Lanka, Tasmania to Transylvania, Britain to Burma and Venice to Vietnam, thrilling over 1,000 travellers. New tours are launched regularly, inspired by new trains, new routes and the growing interest in taking a train to some of the world’s most fascinating places. But you don’t have to be a train ‘nut’ to enjoy a Railway Adventures tour – there’s something for everyone!
Just one example of how Scott finds inspiration for a tour can be found in Outback Queensland. “There you find some of Australia’s most eccentric and appealing trains and together with a mail-plane flight over the Gulf and some interesting local coach and boat trips you have the essence of a quintessential Aussie outback adventure. The sleeper train, The Spirit of the Outback, the Savannahlander and the Gulflander (which has been running on the same timetable for more than 125 years!) are all iconic trains that traverse various parts of the wild Outback, Savannah and tropical rainforest landscapes of the vast state of Queensland. Along with some other special treats not available to the ordinary traveller, Railway Adventures passengers get to do it all!.
One of his favourite journey’s is by private train in Sri Lanka. For 2 weeks every year Scott charters the Viceroy Special heritage train to tour the island on a gentle rail cruise with a lucky group of travellers. Staying in luxury resorts and hotels along the way, his special train travels to almost every corner of the scenic island. “Having a private train at your disposal for an adventure around this magic island is a rare treat and a great way to immerse yourself in the scenery and culture of the country.”, he enthuses. “Our Vietnam tour makes use of private carriages attached to regular trains to explore that great country in comfort and in South Africa we use a variety of trains including the luxurious Rovos Rail and the Royal Livingstone steam train to move from one incredible adventure to another”.
Apart from the obvious joy of seeing a country by train, travelling in a small group of like-minded travellers with a dedicated, experienced tour leader and knowledgeable, English-speaking local guides is what really sets Railway Adventures apart. “The camaraderie that comes from both shared purpose and shared experiences on tour is an important aspect of the journey” Scott adds. “We’ve seen many people become life-long friends from the time they shared together along the line. The best feeling in the world is when I welcome these same people on repeat journeys”.
Along with popular destinations like Switzerland, Scandinavia, Outback Queensland and Sri Lanka, a new breed of more unusual destinations has gained great interest. Java, Cuba, Southern Africa, India and the New England region of NSW are just some of the newer adventures on offer. As for Scott’s next escape, it’s most likely some quality time at Ruwenzori Retreat, his own personal train on the Great Dividing Range near Mudgee, Central NSW. Built from a collection of vintage railway carriages it’s now a boutique tourist accommodation, comprising exclusive Orient Express style comfort for up to 13 guests. “When the travels are done, coming back to my own train in the beautiful Mudgee mountains is the most restorative and magical time for this committed rail romantic”, Scott says.