Fall of the Iron Curtain

You have another free morning in Berlin today before your onward journey across the Polish border to Warsaw. Arrive into the Polish capital in the evening and make your way to the Polonia Palace (or similar) for a 2-night stay.

Poland’s capital was a key focal point in the fall of Communism around the end of the 1980s, after the Solidarity Movement of Lech Wałęsa. Also on the historical theme, the excellent Warsaw Uprising Museum is well worth a visit and gives an unparalleled insight into life under Nazi occupation during World War II. The Old Town area, like much of the city, was destroyed during the war but was meticulously reconstructed in the 1960s. 

Enjoy another morning at leisure in Warsaw, leaving your bags at the hotel for safe keeping. At lunchtime, return to the main station in the centre of town where you’ll catch a direct train to Prague. 

On arrival, check in at the Clement Hotel (or similar) for a 2-night stay.

Known as the Velvet Revolution, the period between 17 November and 29 December 1989 was vital in ending 41 years of one-party rule in Czechoslovakia. The city also played a role in the fall of the Berlin Wall, as demonstrators from East Germany took refuge in the West German embassy in the Mala Strana district close to Prague’s castle. Czechoslovak authorities eventually gave in, permitting all East Germans to travel directly to West Germany.

Your train today links the capital of modern-day Czech republic and modern-day Slovakia. During the Eastern Bloc years, the country was united as Czechoslovakia, but the two parted ways peacefully in 1993 following the fall of Communism. Thanks to the Schengen Zone, you will barely notice crossing the border once again as all formalities have been withdrawn.

You move at a leisurely pace into Slovakia’s capital, where your home is the Falkensteiner Hotel (or similar) for 2 nights.

During the March 1988, Slovak dissidents anticipated the mood of the subsequent year by holding the Candle demonstration of Bratislava, the first mass demonstration since 1969 against the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. 5000 protesters met Hviezdoslav Square with candles, along with 6000 others in nearby streets – it was the first important step towards removing the Czechoslovak communist regime of Ladislav Adamec.

Today’s journey takes you out across the plains of southern Slovakia, and alongside the Danube at the town of Sturovo, where you can see Hungary across the river. The train then hugs the mighty Danube as it sweeps round from east to south, eventually reaching the impressive 19th-century Nyugati station in the heart of Budapest. Make your way to the excellent K+K Opera Hotel (or similar) where you will be spending the next two nights.

The first visible cracks in the Iron Curtain appeared in May 1989 when Hungary started dismantling its 150-mile long border fence with Austria, the country’s only border with a western power. Budapest’s government adopted a “democracy package”, taking Poland’s lead as the second Warsaw Pact country to install a non-communist government.

After a day exploring all that Budapest has to offer, you board the Ister Overnight Train in the evening shortly after 7pm, which makes its way at a sedate pace across the plains of eastern Hungary. Settle into your private compartment for a night’s sleep, awaking the next morning to picturesque Transylvanian scenery as the train winds its way towards Bucharest. On arrival in Bucharest, check in at the Grand Hotel Continental (or similar) for a 2-night stay.

During December 1989, Bucharest was the centre of a revolution against the leadership of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu, who had ruled with an iron fist for 22 years. Famously, Ceaușescu made his final speech at what is now Revolution Square on 21 December, before fleeing by helicopter and being captured and executed on Christmas Day. His face on the balcony while suffering heckling and booing from the once-fearful crowds was one of the most powerful images of the downfall of Communism in eastern Europe.

Spend another day enjoying the sights of Bucharest and then, in the evening, return to your hotel to collect your luggage and head back to the station for an overnight sleeper service to Vienna.

Arrive the next morning into the Austrian capital and board a train to Nuremberg, arriving at lunchtime. Check in for an overnight stay at the NH Collection Nuremberg City (or similar). You may prefer to spend an extra night in Vienna to break your journey. Just let us know if you would like to add this to your package.

Depart Nuremberg on a sleek German ICE train today and connect in Frankfurt to reach the Eurostar terminal at Brussels. Eurostar will then whisk you back to the UK at speeds of up to 186mph.

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: Take the slower, more scenic route by leaving Nuremberg earlier and taking in a spectacular journey along the Rhine Gorge, passing the Loreley Rock and hillside vineyards.