North Sea - Sylt - Wadden Sea Island worlds - at the very top of Germany

DAY 1: SWITZERLAND - HANOVER

The journey leads from Basel northwards to Frankfurt. Continue to the university town of Göttingen, which still radiates a special atmosphere of medieval flair and Hanseatic wealth. Passing Hildesheim, you reach Hanover in the evening.

The last boarding point in Switzerland is Basel, SBB railway station.

DAY 2: HANOVER - HAMBURG - HUSUM

Travel to Hamburg. On a guided tour with a local guide, you will discover the sights of the Hanseatic city. The jewel of the city centre is the Binnenalster basin, laid out in the 17th century, with Hamburg's most popular promenade, the Jungfernstieg, running along its south-western side. St. Pauli, the epitome of the "sinful" entertainment district, ironically owes its name to the Apostle Paul, in whose honour a church was consecrated here in 1682. In the afternoon, you may like to explore the harbour by boat (not included). In countless docks you can breathe in the sea air and marvel at mighty ocean liners. Onward journey to the North Sea coast and Husum.

DAY 3: ISLANDS OF RØMØ - SYLT

The train takes you across the famous Hindenburgdamm to Sylt, queen of the Frisian islands, whose reputation as a "jet-set" paradise precedes it. During the island tour you will discover the many facets of Sylt: the bustling, glamorous Westerland, the "Red Cliff" near Kampen, but also unspoilt dune landscapes and large bird sanctuaries. A ferry takes you to the island of Rømø, which covers 129 km², has only 700 inhabitants and boasts endless sandy beaches. Via a causeway you reach the mainland and return to Husum through the gently rolling Danish region of Jutland.

DAY 4: HALLIGEN IN THE WADDEN SEA

(Optional excursion) Short coach journey to Schlüttsiel. The 10 Halligen are "islands" without dykes, which are submerged by the sea at high tide, with only their Warften (raised mounds with houses) protruding. Unprotected from the sea, they lie in the heart of the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park. You travel by boat past the seal banks, through the fascinating island world of the Wadden Sea, and moor at the little island of Hallig Hooge. You will explore the island on a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride and a walk. The 17th-century church, which is well worth seeing, can be found on the Kirchwarft. The magnificent landscape, the iodine-rich air, the fascinating interplay of the tides, the indescribable vastness of the sea - the Hooge excursion includes almost everything. During the afternoon, boat trip back to the mainland.

DAY 5: FRIEDRICHSTADT

Excursion to little Friedrichstadt. Duke Frederick III founded the town in 1621 to create a trading metropolis. Dutch brick Renaissance buildings and canals characterise the appearance of the "town of tolerance". On an (optional) canal cruise you will hear all about this "Little Holland". Free afternoon in the quaint town of Husum; perhaps you would like to take a longer walk to the North Sea coast.

DAY 6: STADE - HANNOVERSCH MÜNDEN

You travel through Schleswig-Holstein to Glückstadt to cross the Elbe by ferry. You visit the pretty little harbour town of Stade with its countless historic half-timbered houses. The Altes Land is the largest contiguous fruit-growing area in Northern Europe, with thousands of trees. Onward journey past Hildesheim and Göttingen to Hannoversch Münden.

DAY 7: HANNOVERSCH MÜNDEN - SWITZERLAND

Stroll through the centre of Hannoversch Münden with its 700 half-timbered houses. Return journey via Heidelberg and through Alsace to Switzerland.