Take a longer rail holiday and discover more for less

Discover more with a Grand Tour by Train – the perfect way to explore Europe. Tick off major capitals of Europe, discover a country’s most popular cities and immerse yourself in vastly different regions of one country.

What is a Grand Tour by Train?

A Grand Tour by Train is a longer, multi-destination rail holiday designed to help you experience a country or region in greater depth.

Typically lasting 21 days or more and featuring eight or more destination stops, these holidays are a way of really getting under the skin of a country. Rather than spending more time in one area, you’ll travel across an entire country, or even several countries, discovering how the scenery, architecture, history, culture, cuisine, traditions and local way of life change as you go.

Why choose a Grand Tour?

A Grand Tour gives you the chance to experience Europe in-depth in a way that’s simply not possible to achieve on a shorter holiday.

You’ll have time to explore a much wider range of destinations, visit famous cities alongside lesser-known gems and most importantly, slow the pace down and spend longer in the places that interest you most.

If you’re looking for a long rail holiday or a multi-destination train holiday, a Grand Tour offers one of the most rewarding ways to explore Europe.

Choose your Grand Tour

Have a look at our suggested holiday ideas or tailor make your own! 

Grand Tour of France

Travel from Strasbourg to Paris, discovering the many different faces of France along the way. Visit gastronomic Lyon and Cannes on the French Riviera, then explore Provence from Avignon, discover Carcassonne, sample the wines of Bordeaux and spend time in the château-studded Loire Valley from your base in Tours.

Read more about the Grand Tour of France.

Grand Rail Tour of Spain & Portugal

Experience the many different faces of the Iberian Peninsula, from Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid to the Andalucian cities of Córdoba and Seville, before crossing into Portugal to explore Faro & the Algarve, Lisbon and Porto. Return through Salamanca and San Sebastián, experiencing changing landscapes, cuisine and traditions throughout the journey.

Read more about the Grand Rail Tour of Spain & Portugal.

Grand Tour of Italy

Travel from Bolzano in the Italian Tyrol to Lake Como, taking in Venice, Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Naples and Florence along the way. From mountain scenery and Renaissance cities to dramatic coastlines and lake-side resorts, this holiday allows you to experience the essential Italy. 

Read more about the Grand Tour of Italy.

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

Experience every corner of Switzerland aboard some of the world’s most famous trains. Travel on the Golden Pass route, Glacier Express and Bernina Express, discover the mountain vistas of Interlaken, Zermatt and St Moritz, soak up the culture in Zurich, St Gallen and Basel, then relax by the lake in Montreux and Lucerne. 

Read more about the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland.

Grand Tour of Europe

Travel through nine European countries on one unforgettable rail holiday. Visit destinations including Amsterdam, Berlin, Kraków, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Venice, Florence, Locarno, Basel and Paris, watching Europe gradually change as you cross borders entirely by train.

Read more about the Grand Tour of Europe.

Compare our Grand Tours

Grand Tours tailored to you

Every Grand Tour can be tailored to suit your interests, pace of travel and budget.

Our Travel Designers can adjust the route, add extra nights, include additional destinations or upgrade your hotels. If there’s somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit, we can often incorporate it into your itinerary. Equally, if you’d like to spend longer in a particular destination, we’ll build that into your holiday. Find out more about how to plan a tailor made holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Grand Tour by Train?

A Grand Tour is a longer, multi-destination rail holiday designed to help you experience a country or region in greater depth. Most last 21 days or more and include eight or more destination stops, giving you the opportunity to compare different landscapes, cultures and regional traditions.

How long is a Grand Tour?

Our Grand Tours typically last 21 days or more, making them ideal for travellers who want to explore a country or region in greater depth than a traditional two-week holiday.

Can I create my own Grand Tour?

Yes. If you would prefer a completely bespoke itinerary, our Travel Designers can create a tailor-made rail holiday based on your own plans.

When can I travel?

You can choose to travel at any time of year, and Europe has something to offer throughout the seasons. In spring, you can find colourful gardens and festivals, carnivals and Easter celebrations. In summer, warmer weather and clear skies. Autumn leaves, wine harvests, Oktober festival and Halloween celebrations follow summer and in winter, snow capped mountains, festive scenes and Christmas markets.

Start planning your Grand Tour

Whether you’re interested in exploring one country in depth or experiencing several European countries on one extended journey, our Grand Tours let you discover far more than a traditional rail holiday.

If you’d like something even more personal, our Travel Designers can also create a tailor-made Grand Tour built around your own ideas.

Get in touch now to start planning!