Rome to Amsterdam Rail Explorer

Welcome to Italy and get ready to experience Europe by Rail. The adventure kicks off in Rome, a city where gladiators once fought to the death simply to entertain the roaring crowds. From its time as the capital of the Roman Empire to the place that the Pope calls home, Rome has exerted a massive influence over the world for thousands of years. Start with a walking tour of the Eternal City, where you will see famous sites like the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the majestic Colosseum. Tonight, dine with your fellow travellers in the heart of the city centre.

Meals: D

We head Northwest on a fast train to Florence and upon arrival, soak up everything this enchanting city has to offer! Florence has a calmness to it that’s just ineffable. Hit the sidewalks and squares with our local guide who will bring timeless art and abundant architecture to life. The best places for dining and shopping will be revealed along the way. After lunch in the city’s heart, we visit the workshop of a leather maker. The evening is yours; stroll the streets or shop till you drop.

Meals: B, L

This morning you have the option to explore a little more on your own or to join the optional trip to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. A great way to show off your visit to Italy is by snapping a photo of yourself leaning against the iconic tower. This afternoon, board a train to Venice and its dreamy canals. Your tour leader will conduct an orientation tour to St. Mark’s Square, to ensure that you have your bearings, before having the afternoon all to yourself. You will inevitably take a wrong turn or two, but getting lost in this magical, floating city and discovering hidden gems along the way is the best part of visiting Venice.

Meals: B

A visit to the city will not be complete without a Gondola ride, which your tour leader can organise for you. Visit the island of Murano to learn about the lace-making tradition of Venice or pop over to Burano to experience Venician glassmaking at its finest. Perhaps you simply want an agenda-free day to take in all of your beautiful surroundings. Whatever you choose to do, Venice is one of those places where you discover the very best simply by getting totally lost.

Meals: B

Today, we head to the land famous for football and fashion, Milan. After storing your luggage in the hotel, meet with a local from Milan for a guided tour of the city. Explore the city’s amazing treasures, and buzzing personality and bump into those fashionable locals. Once the tour is over, the choice is yours to continue exploring this fashionable city on your own or alternatively you can join your tour leader on an optional trip to the gorgeous Lake Como. Located at the base of the Alps, Lake Como holds the bragging rights for having the most beautiful scenery in the Italian Lake District!

Meals: B, L

Spectacular scenes will be on display from the comfort of your train window! We make our way across the border to the serenity of Switzerland. The first stop is Spiez, a town nestled between lakes, hills and vineyards. The Swiss trains run like clockwork and we briefly change trains here as our next stop is Interlaken. Take in the scenery as the train passes old timber houses and cows grazing in the fields. The hotel is situated in the heart of a Swiss Mountain Village and dinner is included tonight.

Meals: B, D

Slow it all the way down today. The day is entirely yours to do as much or as little as you, please. The Swiss Mountain Village is perfectly located to allow you to really take in the magical beauty of your surroundings. It also offers easy access to a magnitude of activities for you to enjoy. Why not take a trip to the highest train station in Europe, Jungfraujoch? Here, there is a mountain of things to do! This afternoon you can leave all your cares behind on the banks of Lake Brienz as you join our optional cruise on its turquoise waters. Tonight you can choose to join the group for a Swiss fondue dinner.

Meals: B

Today, see more of Europe by rail as the tour travels to Germany. Head to Mainz in the heart of Germany’s largest wine-producing region, Rheinhessen. The region is home to acres and acres of vineyards and is known for producing favourites like Riesling and Silvaner. Your tour leader will show you around town when you arrive. Beer gardens, wine stands and cafes offer refreshments along the banks of the Rhine River. Stroll along the streets and visit the markets around the main Cathedral before making your way back to the hotel for an included dinner.

Meals: B, D

Today, your first stop is St. Goar, in the middle of the Rhine Valley. The town is known for producing hand-carved Cuckoo Clocks and interesting beer steins, the perfect souvenir for your trip. We take a leisurely cruise on the River towards a town called Boppard. Along the way, you will hear tales about the beautiful landscape and also the legend of Lorelei who lured shipmen to their death simply by distracting them with her beautiful voice. In Boppard, enjoy a wine tasting including the famous Eiswein that is produced in the region. After we have lunch in Boppard we head to Luxembourg, a very small country with a very interesting motto; ‘We want to remain what we are’.

Meals: B, D

The iconic Eiffel Tower awaits! Today, board a high-speed train to Paris, the most visited city in the world. We arrive at Gare de l’Est Station and first on the agenda is a bite to eat. After the included lunch and hotel check-in, we head out to explore on foot. Monuments and statues that only existed in the movies and in history books will come to life as your tour leader guides you past the street vendors and cafes of the city of love. Our tour ends in the famous Latin Quarter close to Notre Dame and now you have some time to enjoy the ‘City of Lights’ on your own.

Meals: B, L

The wonderful thing about Paris is that there is so much to experience, regardless of the time of day or season! You can explore the city on your own today to discover the beauty, culture and art of this city, which has been immortalised in many songs, stories and films. Don’t miss out on trying some authentic French cuisine when you need to grab a bite to eat! Alternatively, you can soak up the city by joining a full day of exploration in Paris on an optional experience guided by your tour leader.

Meals: B

You would imagine that since it is the headquarters of the European Union, Brussels is all business and no pleasure. Luckily for us, this is far from the truth! Arriving in the afternoon, drop your bags off at the hotel and head out for an orientation tour of the city centre. During the tour, you will find tranquillity in the green oasis that is the Park of Brussels, stroll around the Grand Place where you’ll be surrounded by the stunning architecture of the Broodhuis History Museum and Brussels Town Hall. From here, the afternoon is yours to explore! Make your way over to the Atomium for a beautiful 360° panorama of the city or you can stay in the Old Town centre and visit one of the many museums or enjoy some shopping.

Meals: B

Enjoy the last few sites of the Belgian Capital this morning. After lunch, it’s time to travel to Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and enjoy the chance to freshen up before heading into the centre of Amsterdam for a canal cruise. Explore the city from a unique perspective and gain an alternative view of this eclectic and bohemian city while drifting past famous landmarks and learning about Amsterdam’s interesting history. Before heading back to the hotel, we will sit down for a farewell dinner with your fellow train buddies to share memories made during this train journey around Europe.

Meals: B, D

After 14 days of discovering Europe by train, the tour comes to an end. This morning the tour concludes in Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ bustling capital city. Share memories with your newly made travel friends over the last breakfast. Don’t forget to swap details with your fellow travellers before your onward journey home!

Meals: B