Belle Trains, who run holidays by steam train in Continental Europe, have announced their second tour, The Alpine Belle, which departs in June 2026 for Germany and the Austrian Alps. The nine-day tour offers passengers the chance to dine on board in vintage carriages whilst journeying by steam through some of the most scenic routes in the Alps – including the opportunity to travel through three different countries in just one day. Passengers will stay in Lindau on Lake Constance, in the Austrian Tyrol, Salzburg and Wiesbaden, in some of the best hotels in each area.

Departing from Cologne on June 4th, the train travels along the Rhine Valley to the Hesse region, where steam locomotive 01 1104 joins for the journey to the foothills of the Alps, on the German shores of Lake Constance.  The Alpine Belle will carve its way along some of the most scenic railway lines in the world as it takes passengers through Switzerland, along the foothills of the Alps towards Innsbruck. After two nights here, passengers will travel through the heart of the Alps to Salzburg, where there is a three-night stay. Journey's end will be in Frankfurt or Wiesbaden, for the final night of the holiday.

Marcus Robertson, Chairman and Founder of Belle Trains, said: “This tour combines everything you would want in a rail holiday – the magic of steam, luxurious carriages, spectacular landscapes and delightful cuisine on board. With fantastic hand-selected hotels all alongside our vibrant and experienced Holidays Team, it promises to be an unforgettable trip.” He added “we have received some fantastic feedback from our first tour and can't wait to welcome passengers back on board in 2026”.

The company will be again partnering with Rail Event of Switzerland who own the Prestige Continental Express and their other associated carriages. Their 1960s dining carriages and 'Diamant Bar' piano bar have been immaculately restored in Belle Époque style with intricate marquetry and polished brass, which accommodate their Five Star passengers.

Passengers can also choose to travel in two other classes, either the company's 4-star option, where guests are accommodated in a 1960s restaurant car, with tables for two and tables for four, or the 3-star option in First Class Compartments of six guests.

Every package includes luggage porterage service between hotel stays, coach transfers when required and an English-speaking representative on the train and at each hotel.

To book, passengers can call the Booking Office on 01284 330123, open on weekdays between 0930 and 1630.

To find out more, visit www.belletrains.co.uk/alpine-belle-2026

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For more information or images contact: Claire.Newton@belletrains.co.uk.

Classes of travel

Five Star Option

Passengers choosing the Five Star option will be allocated seats in the Swiss Prestige Continental Express carriages, including the unique 'Diamant Bar' piano bar coach. Passengers can choose to share a table for four or reserve their own table for two (parties of two only, supplement applies). Meals are included on each travel day as well as a half bottle of wine per person. accommodation includes award-winning hotels offering world-class facilities and breathtaking views, such as the Interalpen Hotel Tyrol, awarded Austria's best hotel in the Falstaff Hotel Guide 2025.

From £6,795pp

Four Star Option

Four-star passengers will be seated in traditional vintage restaurant carriages from the 1960s, with tables of four on one side and tables of two on the other. Parties of two may reserve a private table with two window seats (supplement applies). Meals are included on each travel day and passengers may also visit a 3- and 4-star bar on board for additional drinks. Hotel accommodation has been hand-selected to include the best available 4-star hotels for each stay.

From £4,595

Three Star Option

Three-Star passengers will be travelling in the Suisse Train Bleu First Class Compartments. These nostalgic coaches are made up of compartments of six seats and opening windows.  Complimentary tea and coffee is included and passengers can visit the 3- and 4-star bar, to purchase additional refreshments. Hotel accommodation includes the best available 3 and 4-star hotels in each area.

From £2,995

About Belle Trains

• Although founded in 2024, the team at Belle Trains have more than 40 years of experience in devising and organising railway holidays in the UK and Europe.
• Their mission is to provide unrivalled bespoke holidays with every element covered to the highest possible standards from beginning to end.
• Their first tour, The Harz Mountains Belle, ran from 13-21 May 2025 and featured 2 nights in each of the beautiful cities of Nuremberg and Dresden, 3 nights in the Harz Mountains, and one night on the banks of the Rhine in the town of Wiesbaden.

Locomotives

• On days 1 and day 8, 01 1104 will haul the train. The oil-fired locomotive was originally built in 1940 to haul heavy express trains and was capable of reaching speeds of up to 140 km/h. It returned to steam in 2023 for the first time in 49 years.
• On days 3 and 5, the train will be hauled by locomotives owned by the Austrian Society for Railway History, which are likely to include Swiss or German steam locomotives.

Joining the tour from the UK

The company will be offering optional transfers to Cologne from London St Pancras on 3rd June, with an additional night in Cologne, and an optional return transfer from Frankfurt on 12th June.