Experience the romanticism of rail travel from the 1920s - yet with all the modern comforts of today! These curated rail trips include your fare, hotel accommodations, sightseeing tours and more. You can pick your departure date, extend or shorten the itineraries, upgrade your train ticket or hotel room, even stay in a favorite destination longer. This is independent travel with ease. It’s a beautiful thing! Consider these quintessential rail journeys:
Italian Lakes and Swiss Mountains
Spend 12 glorious days traveling through the Italy and Switzerland of your dreams, from Rome and Milan to Lakes Maggiore and Como, from St. Moritz and Interlaken to Zurich. Along the way, you’ll ride in style aboard the world-renowned Bernina and Glacier Express trains, which offer incomparable views and onboard service.
Highlights:
- 2 days in Rome to explore the Colosseum, Sistine Chapel and more
- A visit to Stresa on the Borromean Gulf, where you can take the boat to Isola Bella and its vibrant villa and gardens
- A Lake Como boat tour, with grand views of villas, vineyards, historic villages, alpine peaks and wooded islands
- A day of style in Milan, visiting flagship designer stores in the Quadrilatero d’Oro
- Eye-popping journeys on the Bernina and Glacier Express rail lines, crossing numerous high mountain passes and gliding by glistening blue lakes
- A ride up to Europe’s highest altitude rail station, on Jungfrau Mountain
- Time to explore Zurich’s Old Town and world-class Swiss dining
Trans-Canada and Rockies Adventure with Rocky Mountaineer
It’s a popular bucket-list item, the trans-Canada rail journey, from exciting Toronto all the way to cosmopolitan Vancouver. Along the way, you’ll venture deep into the Canadian Rockies wilderness, marveling at Jasper and Banff national parks and the turquoise waters of Lake Louise.
Highlights:
- A guided tour of Niagara Falls and Horseshoe Falls
- Two days aboard the train, enjoying fantastic food, gorgeous views and convivial company
- Time to explore Jasper National Park, the Columbia Icefield and the Athabasca Glacier
- A stay in an iconic Lake Louise hotel on the shores of this stunningly turquoise lake
- A ride up the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain and a hike to Bow Falls
- Free time in Vancouver to enjoy Granville Island, the Vancouver Lookout, Chinatown and more
China’s History and Panda Trail
Photo by Hanson Lu on Unsplash
You can travel far from home, yet feel firmly ensconced in upscale modern comforts when you journey through China by rail. High-speed trains will connect China’s most alluring cities, allowing for sightseeing in Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu and Shanghai.
Highlights:
- Exploring Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in Beijing
- A full day at the Great Wall at Mutianyu and the Summer Palace
- A visit to the Army of Terra Cotta Warriors archaeological site
- Communing with pandas at a breeding and research center
- Touring Yu Garden, the French Concession, the Shanghai Museum and ancient Zhujiajiao
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