Night train to BERLIN

Germany's exciting and varied capital is now reachable by train from the UK

- CHRIS MORLEY

Visiting Berlin is an adventure - and now travelling there is too. A European Sleeper service, launched last year, glides overnight from Brussels to Berlin, chugging 400-plus miles in 12 hours.

It's a no-frills service (washrooms are available, but not showers), but is a relaxed and sustainable option if you prefer not to fly. It can be excellent value too, particularly when sharing a sleeping compartment with family or friends, while saving on a night of hotel costs.

The journey begins on a Eurostar train that zips from London St Pancras to Brussels in two hours. Time your arrival right, and you can lunch on moules-frites and waffles in the Belgian capital, before boarding the early-evening sleeper. Having passed through three countries while you slumber, the train rolls into Berlin just as the city is starting its day.

Mitte district

Base your stay in Mitte, a charming neighbourhood in central Berlin. From here, it's a gentle amble to cultural hotspots like Museum Island (museumsportal-berlin.de), five buildings that house treasures such as the 3,000-year-old bust of Egyptian queen Nefertiti.