Let Railbookers help you make your dream European vacation a reality, no matter what it is you want to do. From romantic, exotic side journeys to off the beaten path excursions, we can help you make it happen. Read on for exciting ways to customize some of our most popular vacations by rail and let’s get planning! 1. VENICE VIA THE ALPS Explore thousands of years of culture on this glorious four-night vacation by rail with a stop in Geneva along the way. Spend a night in cosmopolitan, lakeside Geneva before journeying through the magnificent scenery of the Swiss Alps, riding the rails through the scenic Simplon Pass towards the enchanting city of Venice. Spend three days discovering the incredible landmarks and attractions of Venice. Ways to customize: • Break-up the journey with a night in romantic Paris. • Take an afternoon to tour of the Venetian islands of Murano and Burano, world-famous for their glass and lace handicrafts. • Add a romantic Venetian gondola tour. • Return by rail with an overnight in Turin, and travel via the French Alps to Paris and on to London. 2. VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS LONDON TO VENICE No list of epic rail journeys would be complete without a mention of the famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, linking London to the winding canals, artistic charm and backstreet trattorias of Venice. The journey itself winds through verdant British and French countryside before rolling past the imposing mountain passes of Switzerland and Austria, steaming through Verona and crossing the causeway to the banks of the Venetian Grand Canal. The gorgeous Wagon-Lits carriages, the opulent dining cars, convivial piano bar and sumptuous sleeping compartments all make this the journey of a lifetime, not to mention the exquisite fine dining and first-rate service, that truly hark back to the wonderful ‘golden age of travel’! Ways to customize: • Upgrade to a cabin suite for even more luxury and space on board. • Take a walking tour of the highlights of Venice, including St. Marks Square, The Golden Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. • Add on another Italian destination, traveling by modern, high-speed train to Rome or Florence. 3. CLASSIC GLACIER AND BERNINA EXPRESS This delightful pair comprises two of the most scenic train rides. Not just in Switzerland, not just in Europe, but in the world. Looking through the panoramic windows, everyday life melts away before your eyes, giving way to towering peaks, chocolate-box towns, and miles of changing landscapes stretching out to the horizon. On the Glacier Express, the narrow-gauge train crawls through beautiful scenery and takes over seven blissful hours to cover 290km of track. It proudly touts its affectionate moniker, ‘World’s Slowest Express Train’, and indeed – why would you want to rush through scenery this good? From Glacier to the trademark red carriages of the Bernina Express, you’ll watch Swiss wonderlands take on a true Italian flair as you roll over 200 bridges along the UNESCO-listed tracks. Keep an eye out for the famous Landwasser Viaduct – it really is something special to behold. From green pastures, sunlit fields and pretty flora in the summer months to an icy, Narniaesque paradise in the winter, there’s really no bad time to travel and forget the rest of the world for a little while on this journey. Ways to customize: • While in Interlaken, add a trip on the Jungfrau railway and visit the highest rail station in Europe, complete with incredible views. • Start the trip in Zermatt rather than Interlaken to cover the entire Glacier Express line, as well the possibility to explore this pretty Swiss town and the cogwheel Gornergrat railway, with views of the famous Matterhorn. • Take the Glacier Express to St. Moritz or continue your journey on the Bernina Express to Tirano 4. ROME VIA THE ALPS Discover classic Rome on this four-night vacation by rail with a stop in Geneva along the way. Journey on the train through the magnificent scenery of the Swiss Alps, riding the rails through the Simplon Pass towards the enchanting city of Rome. Spend three nights discovering all the best of Rome! Ways to customize: • Upgrade on the train for more spacious seats and luggage space, with some journeys also including a meal and drink served at your seat with your upgrade. • Take in Michelangelo’s magnificent fresco of the Last Judgement at the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Museums in Rome. • Sample Italian cuisine on a food walking tour of Campo de Fiori in Trastevere in Rome. 5. ARLBERG PASS: ZURICH, INNSBRUCK AND VIENNA Take a journey from Switzerland to Austria across the striking Alpine scenery of the Arlberg Pass, through Tyrol to Innsbruck and Vienna. Fly into Zurich and spend a night in the stunning city before crossing the Arlberg Pass by rail. Sit back and relax as you travel through the Alps before arriving into Innsbruck, within the Austrian state of Tyrol. From here, continue to Vienna, where you have two days to relax and see all the sights. Ways to customize: • Marvel at Rhine Falls, Europe’s biggest waterfall, on a half-day tour from Zurich • Enjoy a gourmet four-course dinner and a concert of classical masterpieces by Strauss and Mozart in Vienna • Try this package in reverse and experience overnight train travel with a sleeper train from Cologne to Vienna • Extend the trip and travel by comfortable Railjet on to Budapest 6. BRENNER PASS: MUNICH, INNSBRUCK AND VERONA Traveling from Munich across Bavaria through stunning mountain scenery to the ski-town of Innsbruck provides a relaxing way to head towards Italy. Another train journey from Innsbruck to Verona will see you skirting over the verdant hills and snow-dusted peaks of the Brenner Pass and tracing the banks of Lake Garda, and will ensure you don’t miss out on any element of the journey. Sit back, relax, pack a train picnic and let the train take the strain as you marvel at the gorgeous Alpine scenery and think of the delicious Italian wine you’ll soon be indulging in an umber-roofed, candle-lit trattoria. Ways to customize: • Journey to the home of Sleeping Beauty on a day tour from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle. • Take a shuttle from Innsbruck to Swarovski Crystal Worlds and learn about the world-famous crystal maker. • Take a food and wine tour of Verona, starting with a cup of espresso and a delicious pastry. • Extend the trip by carrying on to Venice via rail from Verona. Let Railbookers’ Rail Vacation Specialists help you plan the perfect vacation by rail, tailor-made just for you. From flights and stopovers to sightseeing and tickets, we can help you arrange it all. CALL US TODAY and let’s get started!
