European Train Vacations
Traveling through Europe by train provides an opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty of the diverse landscape, as well as the rich and varied cultures of the continent. Travel companies offering train tours of Europe provide a wide range of destinations, accommodations and itineraries. Travelers can choose between regional, single-country tours or more extensive journeys, traveling through multiple countries across the continent.
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Danube Express
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The Danube Express offers eight train tours of Central and Eastern Europe. The six-day Istanbul Odyssey tour originates in Frankfurt, Germany, and ends in Istanbul, Turkey. The tour travels through the Czech Republic, with stops in Karlstejn and Prague, where passengers can enjoy a tour of Karlstejn Castle and explore the cathedrals of Prague. While in Hungary, passengers can explore Art Nouveau, Gothic and Bauhaus architecture as well as enjoy a champagne reception at the end of the day. Other highlights include the medieval town of Sighisoara, Romania, the Carpathian Mountains and the Thracian Tomb, the fourth-century BC UNESCO World Heritage site at Kazanlak, Bulgaria. Sleeper cars on board the Danube Express provide accommodation for the journey. All meals, with the exception of lunch at a Budapest restaurant, are served aboard the train.
Danube Express Limited
Offley Holes Farm
HItchin SG4 7TD, England
011 (+44) 01 4624 41400
www.danube-express.com/journeys/istanbulodyssey10JO
Orient-Express
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Orient-Express offers train journeys originating from nine Central and Eastern European cities. They range from overnight trips to multi-day journeys across the the European continent. The eight-day Italian Variations tour begins in London, crosses the Swiss Alps and continues on to Venice and Florence. During the first day of the journey, passengers can enjoy meals and accommodation aboard the Venice Simplon Orient-Express. Upon arriving in Venice, the Hotel Cipriani provides accommodations for three nights. Passengers can spend the three days of free time exploring the the canals, museums, restaurants and shops of Venice. Florence plays host on the next stop of the tour, and the Villa San Michele provides accommodations. While in Florence, passengers can spend three days of free time exploring Tuscan villages and enjoying Renaissance art collections.
Orient-Express
20 Upper Ground
London SE1 9PF, England
011 (+44) 20 7921 4038
orient-express.com/web/vsoe/holidays/4_119794.jsp -
El Transcantabrico
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El Transcantabrico offers four train tours throughout northern Spain. The San Sebastian-to-Santiago de Composotela tour offers an eight-day journey, highlighting the landscape, culture, history and cuisine along the northern coast. The journey begins with a city tour of San Sebastian before traveling to Bilbao, where passengers can enjoy the Guggenheim Modern Arts Museum. While visiting the town of Cabezon de la Sal Neocave, passengers can explore cave paintings in the Museum of Altamira. The journey continues with a stop in Santillana del Mar for a guided tour of the medieval town. Additional highlights of the journey include the National Park of Picos de Europa as well as a food tasting in Oviedo. El Transcantabrico provides accommodations on board the train, and all meals, with the exception of meals taken during free time at stops along the journey, are included.
El Transcantabrico
Plaza de los Ferroviarios, s/n
33012 Oviedo
Asturias, Spain
011 (+34) 902 555 902
www.transcantabrico.com/index.asp?MP=44&MS=20&MN=2&TR=C&IDR=156
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- Photo Credit Florence rooftops and Santa Croce image by Mike & Valerie Miller from Fotolia.com
