DAY 1: Arrive in Rome
![Arrive in Rome]()
Welcome to Italy - 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 being the place that the Pope calls home, Rome has exerted a huge influence over the world for thousands of years. Start things off with a walking tour of the Eternal City, where you will get to see famous sights like the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the majestic Colosseum. Tonight you will dine with your fellow travellers in the heart of the city centre.
Experiences
Guided tour of Rome: Your local guide will escort you to all the major sites like the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum and more. Learn more about the history, art and architecture of this amazing city.
Dinner at an authentic Italian restaurant: Italian cuisine is loved by many all over the world and tonight you have the chance to try authentic Italian food for yourself!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Warmthotel
Excel Roma Montemario
B&B Hotel Roma San Lorenzo Termini
DAY 2: Rome - Florence
![Rome - Florence]()
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 the timeless art and abundant architecture to life. The best places for dining and shopping will be revealed along the way. After we have lunch together in the heart of the city, we visit the workshop of a leather maker. The evening is yours; stroll the streets or shop till you drop.
Experiences
Locally guided tour of Florence: Our guide will escort you along the streets of Florence, paying special attention to the history of the city where Leonardo da Vinci was born.
Tuscan lunch: We have a typical Tuscan lunch in the heart of Florence.
Leather demonstration: Find out why Italian leather is sought after and have the opportunity to shop at a leather workshop.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
DAY 3: Florence - Venice
![Florence - Venice]()
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.
Experiences
Orientation tour of Venice: Your tour leader will show you an easy way to navigate Venice on your own, as you walk across the Rialto Bridge and see sights like St Mark’s Square, St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace along the way.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Venezia
Hotel Ambasciatori & Delfino
Russott Hotel
Hotel San Giuliano
Optional Excursions
- Venice Water Taxi i €25
- Pisa Half-Day Trip i €60
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 4: Venice: Free Day
![Venice: Free Day]()
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.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Hotel Venezia
Hotel Ambasciatori & Delfino
Russott Hotel
Hotel San Giuliano
Optional Excursions
- Venice Gondola Ride i €25
- Murano, Burano & Venetian lagoon i €40
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 5: Venice - Milan
![Venice - Milan]()
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, 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!
Experiences
Take a guided tour of Milan: Visit the mesmerizing Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, stand in awe at the impressive structure of the Duomo Cathedral and so much more!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Optional Excursions
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change. DAY 6: Milan - Swiss Alps
![Milan - Swiss Alps]()
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.
Experiences
Scenic train journey through Switzerland: You could not ask for a more beautiful journey than this one. See spectacular lakes, mountains and lush forests along the way to Interlaken.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
The Bear Inn Wilderswil
DAY 7: Swiss Alps: Free Day
![Swiss Alps: Free Day]()
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 are 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.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
The Bear Inn Wilderswil
Optional Excursions
- Jungfraujoch: Journey to the Top of Europe i €195
- Swiss Fondue Dinner i €35
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 8: Swiss Alps - Mainz
![Swiss Alps - Mainz]()
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.
Experiences
Orientation tour of Mainz: Visit the heart of the German winemaking region of Rheinhessen.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
B&B Hotel Mainz HBF
DAY 9: Mainz - St Goar - Boppard - Luxembourg City
![Mainz - St Goar - Boppard - Luxembourg City]()
First stop today 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”.
Experiences
Scenic train journey along the Rhine river: Leave from Wainz in the west and meander through the wine-producing Rhine Valley region.
Visit St Goar: Learn about the art of making Cuckoo clocks and beer steins.
Rhine River cruise: A picture-perfect moment as you are surrounded by vineyards and castles whilst your boat glides across the beautiful Rhine river.
Wine tasting in Boppard: Enjoy a taste of the local produce. The area is especially known for Eiswein.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Park Inn by Radisson Luxembourg City
DAY 10: Luxembourg City - Paris
![Luxembourg City - Paris]()
The iconic Eiffel Tower awaits! 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.
Experiences
Paris walking tour: Traverse through this breathtaking city on foot, spotting sights such as the Eiffel Tower, the River Seine, Notre Dame and so much more!
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Ibis Paris Bercy Village 12eme
Hôtel Kyriad Paris Nord Porte de Saint Ouen
Hotel ibis Paris La Défense Centre
Optional Excursions
- An Evening in Montmartre i €45
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 11: Paris: Free Day
![Paris: Free Day]()
The wonderful thing about Paris is that there is so much to experience, regardless of the time of day, or season! You can explore on your own and 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! Soak up the city or join a full day of exploration in Paris on an optional experience guided by your tour leader.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Ibis Paris Bercy Village 12eme
Hôtel Kyriad Paris Nord Porte de Saint Ouen
Hotel ibis Paris La Défense Centre
Optional Excursions
- Parisian Cabaret with drinks i €85
- Paris Shopping & Art i €80
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 12: Paris - Brussels
![Paris - Brussels]()
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.
Experiences
Brussels orientation tour: Explore the de facto capital of the European Union on an orientation tour guided by your Expat Explore tour leader. You will be introduced to the main sights, including the Mont des Arts Garden, Grand Place - Grote Markt, the iconic Manneken Pis, the European Parliament building and much more.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
Moxy Brussels City Centre
Optional Excursions
- Bruges Half Day Trip i €100
* Stated prices and availability are subject to change.DAY 13: Brussels - Amsterdam
![Brussels - Amsterdam]()
Enjoy the last few sights of the Belgian Capital this morning. After lunch, it’s time to travel to Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. Arrive and check into the hotel and enjoy the chance to freshen up before heading into the centre of Amsterdam for a canal cruise. You will 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.
Experiences
Amsterdam canal cruise: Sail along Amsterdam's stunning canals and enjoy a perfect introduction to Amsterdam.
Farewell dinner: Enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers in a beautiful, historic restaurant, dating back to 1885, designed by famous architect Pierre Cuypers who also designed the Rijksmuseum.
Included Meals
Accommodationi
DAY 14: End of tour in Amsterdam
![End of tour in Amsterdam]()
After 14 days of discovering Europe by train, this bucket-list tour comes to an end. This morning the tour concludes in Amsterdam, the Netherland’s 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!