Europe's Top 10 by Rail

A direct Intercity service from Amsterdam brings you to Berlin in just under 6 hours. Your home for the next 3 nights is the Arcotel John F (or similar).

You have two full days to explore Berlin. Discover the city’s best-known sights including the Brandenburg Gate, the TV Tower, the Reichstag (German parliament), the Tiergarten park and the Berlin Wall Memorial. You can also choose from museums including the German History Museum and the DDR Museum, which chronicles life in East Germany.

Depart this morning on a EuroCity train running south through the former East Germany, stopping briefly in Dresden, dubbed the Florence of the Elbe.  After Dresden, the scenery hots up along the Elbe Valley through what is known as ‘Saxon Switzerland’. Don’t miss a visit to the restaurant car!

On arrival in Prague’s main station, make your way to the K + K Central Hotel (or similar), where you will be staying for the next 2 nights.

The majestic capital of the Czech Republic sits on both banks of the Vltara River.  To the east is the UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Town, with its famous Astronomical Clock tower which you can climb for great views over the Old Town Square. To the west is the world’s largest castle complex, with a wealth of history and plenty to explore.

You might also like to take a boat out on the river, take in a museum or visit one of the city’s historic synagogues, including the Old New Synagogue, Europe’s oldest active synagogue, dating back to 1270.

A 4-hour journey by sleek Railjet whisks you from the Czech Republic into Austria. Arrive into Vienna’s modern central station and check in for a 3-night stay at the K + K Maria Theresia (or similar).

Enjoy time at leisure in Vienna, the City of Music and former home to composers including Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven and Brahms. There are plenty of concerts taking place throughout the year if you want to experience some live music but there are also plenty of other attractions here including historic museums, the Spanish Riding School, a number of grand palaces and, of course, elegant cafés where you can enjoy coffee and a slice of sachertorte!

Check out of your hotel this morning and return to the station for a lovely rail journey through the Semmering Pass in the Alps into Italy. Your first station across the border is the village of Tarvisio, once on the Roman trade route across the Alps and also very close to the border with Slovenia. Descend into Italy and continue south to Venice.

Coming out of the station here, you’ll be directly on the Grand Canal. Make your way to the Hotel Giorgione (or similar) and check in for a 3-night stay.

You have two full days in Venice to discover the charms of this wonderful city. Make an early start and beat the day-tripping crowds by heading down to St Mark’s Square – visit the Doge’s Palace and see the iconic Bridge of Sighs, before wandering over the the Arsenale district and having a coffee in one of the less touristy cafeterias in this largely residential district. Maybe take a boat trip over to Murano, famous the world over for its glass, or indulge in some culture at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum.

There’s another beautiful rail journey in store today as you return to Santa Lucia station and catch a high-speed Frecciarossa (red arrow) train to Milan. From here, you’ll head towards the Swiss border, changing in Tirano onto the Bernina Express route. This will take you via the UNESCO World Heritage listed Albula Line up to Ospizio Bernina at 2,235 metres (7,392 feet) above sea level. The line descends slightly as you head towards the chic ski resort of St Moritz.

On arrival here, check in for a 2-night stay at the San Gian Hotel (or similar).

Enjoy a relaxing stay in the stunning surroundings of the Engadin Valley. Perhaps take a stroll around Lake St Moritz or head up into the mountains. The stunning Panoramaweg is a recommended 1.5 – 2 hour walk from the top cable car station above Pontresina to Muottas Muragl, where there’s a boutique hotel and restaurant above the funicular train which brings you back down into the valley. There are lots of other options for walks in the area and your hotel can make recommendations. But if you’d simply like to relax and enjoy the scenery, that’s a great option too!

Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and return to the station for your exciting journey aboard the world-famous Glacier Express. This is the full 8-hour journey all the way from east to west Switzerland, taking in 291 bridges and 91 tunnels on its 181-mile route. Lunch is served at your seat onboard (payable locally – and regardless of whether you are travelling in standard or first class).

In the early evening, you’ll arrive into Zermatt and check in for a 3-night stay at the Hotel Pollux (or similar).

Spend a free day in Zermatt taking in the mountain scenery. You have the option to get a ticket for the Gornergrat Railway, which will take you up into the mountains, with sweeping views including the distinctive triangular peak of the Matterhorn. There’s also the option of the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise which is the highest gondola in the Alps, rising to a 3,883-metre (12,740 feet) summit with 360° views of other peaks & glaciers.

Enjoy a leisurely start this morning and then make your way back to the station for a lovely journey with the Matterhorn-Gotthard Bahn back to Visp. Here, change onto another domestic Swiss train which will take you along the shores of Lake Geneva, past the historic vineyards of the Lavaux, to Geneva. A last change brings you over the border into south-eastern France.

Arrive into Lyon Part Dieu station and check in for a 2-night stay at the Grand Hotel des Terreaux (or similar).

Lyon is one of France’s most important cities. It has a history going back to Roman times, with remains of an arena on the Fourvière Hill dating back to 15 BC. It was also significant centre of trade and artistic development. In the late 19th century, the Lumière Brothers invented the cinematograph here, paving the way for modern cinema. You can find out more about this at the Institut Lumière or visit the roman arena en route to the stunning Fourvière Basilica which boasts sweeping city views.

In the evening, why not wander around the buzzing streets of Vieux Lyon and enjoy some justly famous Lyonnaise cuisine in one of a fabulous choice of restaurants.

Enjoy two full days at leisure in the Catalan capital. Barcelona is an exuberant city with a jam-packed calendar of events and plenty to see and do. Among the most popular attractions is the Barrio Gotico (Gothic Quarter) home of the city’s historic cathedral and the world-famous Picasso Museum. Also well-worth visiting is la Rambla, the pedestrianised boulevard leading down to the sea and the iconic Sagrada Familia, designed by Antoni Gaudi and still unfinished after 100 years of building work. We would recommend booking skip-the-line tickets in advance if you want to visit here. Please ask for details.

A direct high-speed TGV service brings you back across the French border and up to Paris, where you have 2 nights at the Marceau Bastille Hotel (or similar).

The French capital is the perfect place to finish your grand tour of Europe. There’s an excellent choice of museums both famous (Musée d’Orsay, Louvre) and less famous (Musée du Quai Branly, Musée Carnavalet) or the option to simply people-watch from a pavement café. Alternatively, why not do your sightseeing by boat with a trip on an iconic bateau mouche or head up to the Basilique du Sacre Coeur for wonderful city views.

Leave Paris today and head to the Gare du Nord for a return Eurostar journey to London at the end of your fabulous ten-centre holiday!