Western Europe by Rail

Arrive at Heathrow Airport and transfer to our hotel in central London, overlooking the Thames, our home for the next three nights. Meet for a short orientation tour in the afternoon and gather this evening for a welcome reception and dinner.

This morning, take a short trip on the Thames to London’s Bankside neighborhood for a behind-the-scenes tour of Shakespeare’s Globe, a faithful reproduction of the Bard’s original theater (tour time may vary depending on performance schedules). Afterward, take a guided food tour through the area, stopping at local eateries and visiting the historic Borough Market. The rest of the afternoon is free for independent exploration. This evening, enjoy a special after-hours tour of the King’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace, where works from the Royal Collection are on display.

Historian and author Jeremy Black joins us this morning for a discussion on the history of train travel, the Grand Tour, and local history of the region. Then, head to Greenwich, to the beautiful Queen’s House. This architectural gem, designed by Inigo Jones, once served as a royal residence and was later used for royal visits, normally as part of an important journey by sea to and from Greenwich. Later this afternoon, we indulge in that most British tradition, afternoon tea.

Depart from London today for our first of several storied European rail journeys. Embarking from the London St. Pancras station, take the premier-class Eurostar train through the famed Chunnel underneath the English Channel to Paris, arriving in under three hours. In the afternoon, take a cruise on the Seine River through the heart of Paris, taking in legendary landmarks such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and Eiffel Tower and passing beneath the Pont Neuf.

Step into the world of French gastronomy in the neighborhood next to the Champs-de-Mars, the park that stretches from the foot of the Eiffel Tower. With an expert leading the way, discover several of the city’s best artisan-made foods, from cheese to charcuterie. Make your own plans for the rest of the day—visit the Eiffel Tower, spend time at one of the city’s acclaimed museums, or simply stroll along the Seine. Tonight, explore the lively streets of the St. Germain-des-Pres neighborhood and the Latin Quarter with a guide, ending up on a tiny street on the Right Bank that is home to three major jazz clubs. Our tour ends with dinner and a jazz concert.

Gather this morning to hear a local speaker discuss the pivotal events and people that have shaped Paris from its roots to today. Afterward, stroll the narrow streets of Le Marais, built when aristocrats in the Middle Ages transformed swampy farmland into an elegant neighborhood. Learn about the history of the district as we pass medieval houses and magnificent mansions. See the ruins of the medieval city wall, the Jewish quarter, and the Place des Vosges, Paris’ oldest square. After lunch with fellow travelers, enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Early this morning board the famed high-speed TGV Lyria, moving at speeds of up to 200 mph from Paris’s Gare de Lyon station to Lausanne, on the banks of Lake Geneva. The trip, which takes nearly eight hours on standard trains, is completed in under four. We’re there in time for lunch! This afternoon, set out on a walking tour of this picturesque town with its vine-laden slopes, views of Lake Léman and the Savoy Alps, and a bustling Old Town filled with cafés and quaint shops.

Today’s excursion takes us to nearby Montreux, on the banks of Lake Geneva. Take a lake steamer to the Chateau de Chillon, memorialized in Lord Byron’s epic story “The Prisoner of Chillon.” Those who wish may walk back to town along the lakeshore, taking in the magnificent gardens, homes, and hotels we pass along the way. This afternoon, enjoy a tasting at the Lavaux vineyards, one of the largest wine-growing areas of Switzerland and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy dinner tonight at a local restaurant in Lausanne.

Today journey by coach to the town of Brig, where we board the iconic Glacier Express for one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. This narrow-gauge train glides through the Swiss Alps and takes passengers across 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels. As spectacular Swiss mountain scenery unfolds outside the train's panoramic sightseeing windows, we enjoy a typical Swiss lunch. The train ends at the cosmopolitan Swiss village of St. Moritz, our home for the next two nights.

Travel to the mountain village of Pontresina for a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Roseg Valley. Stop to dine on Alpine specialties and enjoy breathtaking views at a local restaurant. After a carriage ride or hike back to Pontresina, we return to St. Moritz to spend the afternoon and evening on our own.

This morning’s journey by coach from St. Moritz into Italy takes us through the stunning Maloja Pass in the Alps with the route’s dramatic hairpin turns and switchbacks. Enjoy views of sparkling glacial lakes, rivers and picture-perfect Swiss villages. Arrive in Tremezzo, Italy, on the shore of Lake Como, and take a boat to the famous village of Bellagio, where we have time to climb the staircases of the town that are filled with colorful bougainvillea. After an independent lunch, take a private boat to Como, taking in views of grandiose villas and colorful villages along the shore. From there, continue by road to Stresa, nestled on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Check in to our hotel and enjoy dinner together.

Start the day with a guest lecture on Italy’s beautiful Lake District, a haven of Alpine peaks, gardens and lakes. Next, learn the secrets of traditional Italian cuisine during an interactive cooking lesson at a nearby restaurant, then sit down to a delicious lunch with fellow travelers. After lunch, we take a private motorboat to Isola Madre, the largest of the three Borromean Islands, for a guided visit of the island’s extensive botanical gardens. The lush English-style gardens are filled with exotic flowers, rare plants, and ancient trees. We may spot the peacocks, parrots, and pheasants that make the island their home. Return to the hotel for the rest of the afternoon at leisure or continue on your own to the other two islands. Embrace the rustic charm of the peaceful fishing village of Isola dei Pescatori or visit Isola Bella (the Beautiful Island), with its 17th-century baroque palace and hanging gardens.

Today, drive to Milan to explore Italy’s economic powerhouse and center of art and architecture. Visit the museum at the legendary La Scala, Italy’s premier opera house. View the flamboyant 14th-century Duomo, a Gothic masterpiece defended by 2,244 marble saints and nearly 100 scowling gargoyles. Inside, behold Europe’s largest sundial, a brass strip decorated with signs of the zodiac embedded in its floor. We also spend time in the Duomo’s treasury, which houses some of its prized possessions. Return to Stresa later this afternoon and then gather this evening for a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast, transfer to Milan's Malpensa airport and board homeward flights.