Rail Tours in Europe

Discover one of Britain's most striking heritage cities on an independent day tour from London, traveling by rail through the English countryside to historic Chester. On arrival, use your hop-on hop-off City Sightseeing Bus tour to visit the majestic Chester Cathedral, the iconic Eastgate Clock and the landmark Northgate. Walk the ramparts and climb the towers of the remarkably preserved Roman City Walls, then admire the unique Rows galleries and ancient cellars, crammed with shops, bars and restaurants.

Take a full-day detour from London to see highlights of Paris and Versailles. Ride a high-speed train to the French capital, where you'll see iconic attractions like the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elys ees, the Trocadero and the Opera Garnier on a guided coach tour. Climb the Eiffel Tower for stunning panoramic views of the City of Lights before continuing on to the famous royal suburb of Versailles. Tour the jaw-dropping Palace of Versailles with an audio guide and wander the sprawling Versailles Gardens.

Take a Dublin rail tour to Blarney Castle, the medieval stronghold of southern Ireland. On this historical and cultural day trip, you'll course through Ireland by train and coach, enjoying views of the lush countryside on your way to tour the castle grounds and plant a kiss on the Blarney Stone. Then take a city tour of Cork and visit the Queenstown Story Heritage Center in Cobh, Ireland's largest emigration port.

Enjoy Paris as you please with a guide or independently during this rail day trip by Eurostar from London. Opt for an independent trip with an included Paris hop-on-hop-off bus tour, and then stroll, sightsee, shop and spend the day exactly as you wish. Alternatively, choose a guided experience with an included Paris city tour, a sightseeing cruise on the Seine River, and time to explore. Either trip includes round-trip Eurostar standard or first-class tickets - your choice - between London's St. Pancras and Paris' Gare du Nord station.

Hop on a train to the north of England and discover the hometown of the Beatles on this full-day independent day trip to Liverpool. Swot up on Fab Four facts and experience modern-day Beatlemania at the award-winning Beatles Story, then ride the 2-hour Magical Mystery Bus Tour and visit sights like 'Penny Lane' and 'Strawberry Field'. Use your free time to check out Liverpool's UNESCO-listed Waterfront, and visit the museums and restaurants of Albert Dock, then finish with a drink at the legendary Cavern Club music venue.

Ride a high-speed train round-trip from Florence to Bologna on a full-day tour that combines culinary arts and cars. With an informative guide you'll visit the production centers of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, balsamic vinegar and prosciutto. After sampling these edible delights, gain skip-the-line entry to the Museo Ferrari of Maranello for a tour of the prestigious sports car company. Finish with a 4-course gourmet lunch accompanied by wine, coffee and a digestif. Numbers are limited to 14 participants to ensure a small-group experience.

Get to know history-steeped Brussels on this independent London to Brussels day trip by rail. Travel to Belgium's capital by Eurostar, and use an included hop-on hop-off bus ticket to admire the city's famous sights and create your own sightseeing itinerary. View the splendid Royal Palace, Atomium and European Union buildings; stroll around the guildhouses and Town Hall of the magnificent, cobbled Grand Place; and use your remaining time to stroll, sightsee and relax as you wish. Your hop-on hop-off tour, return Eurostar tickets, and a city map are included.

Visit the ruins of Ostia Antica on this tour from Rome. Sometimes known as 'the better Pompeii' for the excellent preservation status of its buildings, forums and artwork, Ostia Antica is an archaeological site that was once the port city of Ancient Rome. You'll travel to and from the site by train, and then take a 2.5-hour walking tour of the ruins with a guide. Be wowed by the intact condition of ancient structures such as the amphitheater, Baths of Neptune, taverns and more.

Take the opportunity to visit the world-famous city of Barcelona during this 13-hour round-trip day trip by high-speed rail from Madrid. During your day-long visit to Barcelona you'll have the chance to explore the city aboard a hop-off, hop-on bus tour, during which you'll see sights including the famous La Rambla, Gaudí's Sagrada Familia church and Camp Nou stadium (home of F.C. Barcelona) plus much more. The bus follows two different routes, allowing you to get on and off as you wish. This Madrid to Barcelona day trip includes round-trip train tickets as well as your bus tour.

Escape Dublin for day trip along Ireland's majestic west coast, traveling by both train and coach to the scenic Cliffs of Moher. Take a city tour of Limerick, see Bunratty Castle, walk through the charming Folk Park, admire the Burren and drive along Galway Bay.

Combine food and Ferraris on this full-day tour from Verona. Catch a high-speed train to Bologna, and discover the culinary and automobile highlights of the region. Visit a Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, balsamic vinegar, and prosciutto factory with tastings at each, and enjoy skip-the-line access to the Ferrari Museum at Maranello. Admire the cars, and finish with a 4-course gourmet lunch before your return train ride. Lunch with drinks, train tickets, and entrance fees included.

Take the high-speed TGV train from Paris to Provence on this day trip that includes visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites in Avignon and more. As you soak up the beauty of one of France's most loved regions, learn about its historical significance at places like St R emy de Provence, Les Baux de Provence, the Pont du Gard and Avignon's famous Popes' Palace. See Roman runs, have free time for lunch and enjoy interesting commentary from an informative guide.

Hop on the train from London for a scenic journey into the heart of the Lake District National Park on this full-day guided tour. Follow in the footsteps of former resident Beatrix Potter as you visit her farmhouse, then soak up the scenery that inspired her stories as you travel by minibus past wildflower meadows, rugged peaks, and lakes. Visit the charming village of Hawkshead; take a cruise on Windermere, England's largest lake; then tuck into a decadent cream tea at the Lindeth Howe Country Hotel before returning to London.

Enjoy a day in beautiful Paris as you wish with this great-value, unescorted Eurostar rail day trip from London. Ride the morning Eurostar to Paris and get the whole day to enjoy the city at leisure. Perhaps visit the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral, stroll along the Champs-Élys ees, explore the magnificent Louvre, and dip into the sidewalk cafes and chic boutiques - it's your choice. Your experience includes round-trip Eurostar standard class tickets, maps and a Visite Paris Pass giving you unlimited, 1-day use of Paris' metro and bus network.

The Bernina Express train crosses one of the most spectacular routes through the Swiss Alps, 75-mile (122 km.) Rhaetian Railway line from Chur to Tirano. Experience the UNESCO-listed route on a round-trip, all day tour from Chur in a car with panoramic views of the mountains, bridges, and viaducts, that includes time to visit Tirano.

Discover beautiful Nuremberg - site of Hitler's infamous propaganda rallies  - on a 10-hour rail tour from Munich. Relax on the comfortable train ride to Nuremberg, take a guided tour of city attractions like Congress Hall and medieval old town, then enjoy some free time to make an optional visit to the Documentation Center. Soak up German history, sample local delicacies, and snap photos of the medieval and gothic accents that decorate this modern city.

Embark on your very own British invasion with this full-day trip to London from Paris! Ride the high-speed Eurostar train under the English Channel, and then hop on an open-top coach tour to see some of London's most iconic attractions, including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Tower of London and the Palace of Westminster. Join a Beatles- or royal-themed walking tour if you like, and then get a waterside perspective with a cruise down the River Thames. Enjoy leisure time to explore, shop or dine on your own.

Beer, chocolate, and beautiful architecture - what's not to love about Brussels. Hop on the Eurostar for a full-day trip to Brussels from London and take in the best bits of the Belgium capital in one day. On arrival, step aboard a hop-on hop-off bus tour and jump off to explore the European Parliament buildings, snap a photo by the Manneken Pis statue, or admire Brussels' Art Nouveau architecture. Best of all: your self-guided tour means you can tailor your itinerary and see the sights that interest you most.

Absorb the spectacular scenery of Northern Ireland's magical landscapes on a full-day rail tour from Dublin. Enjoy the romance of travelling by train as you marvel at panoramic vistas of the Northern Irish countryside and relish a light breakfast onboard. On arrival in Belfast, ride a comfortable coach to the UNESCO-listed Giant's Causeway, famed for its mystifying basalt columns, and capture photographs outside Dunluce Castle. Summon your courage to cross the Carrick-a-Rede Rope bridge before returning to your Dublin hotel by coach and train.

Ride over bridges, through forests, across mountain passes, and past one of the oldest cities in Switzerland on this 4-hour train ride through the Swiss Alps on the Bernina Express. From the panoramic windows in your train, see the sights of the area, including Chur, Lej Nair, Lago Bianco, Plessur River, and Poschiavo Valley. During your journey, you can stay seated or walk around to admire the views from different vantage points. Plus, a trolley is on-call to bring you drinks and snacks when needed (own expense).