We depart from St Pancras International by Eurostar to Paris, where we stay overnight at the 3-star Mercure Gare du Lyon. This evening you are free for dinner - why not catch the métro into the centre of Paris? Stroll down the magnificent Champs Elysées for a spot of window-shopping, or if you're feeling slightly more energetic, walk up through the winding lanes of the Montmartre district and admire the twinkling lights of Paris spread out at your feet from the steps of the Sacré Coeur.

From Paris we travel by train down through France and across the border on our direct TGV to Milan. We continue to Desenzano, arriving in the afternoon for a seven night stay at the welcoming Hotel Desenzano. This evening after dinner you can take a stroll through the winding lanes of the Old Town, or wander along the lakeshore and watch the breeze rippling the calm water. (B,D)

Today we take the boat to Sirmione, situated on a long promontory to the south of the lake. The historical centre of Sirmione is mostly pedestrianised, with its narrow winding lanes and pretty piazzas. A panoramic walk leads out around the promontory, and on a clear day you can enjoy great views over the lake and towards the mountains in the north. We have time to explore the 13th century Scaligeri Castle (payable locally) and admire the beautiful views over Lake Garda from the ramparts, or visit the ruined Roman villa, the Villa Romana, built at the end of the headland. (B,D)

Today we visit Verona, a charming walled city of Roman origin. We enjoy a guided tour through the many beautiful medieval streets and ancient piazzas, including the legendary house made famous in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. We end the walk at the imposing Roman Arena, which is now an open-air Opera House. The remainder of the day is free to explore Verona, before we return home by coach. (B,D)

Your day is free to discover Desenzano, with its narrow streets, medieval castle and picturesque waterfront. Make your way to the Old Town, as today is market day and the square is filled with colourful stalls selling locally produced food and crafts. Alternatively, why not visit Malcesine, a pretty little town dominated by its distinctive 14th century castle? Explore this charming town of cobbled lanes which lead down to the lake. Gathered round the quaint harbour are traditional pastel-coloured houses and waterside cafés, which look out across to the resorts of Tremosine and Limone. Behind Malcesine the summit of Lake Garda's highest mountain, Monte Baldo, can be reached by cable car for stunning views. (B,D)

We cruise today to the wooded Isola del Garda, the biggest island in the lake. Dominated by an impressive neo-Gothic villa, the island can be reached only by boat, and we travel out to see the elegant house and flower-filled gardens, scented with lemon and pine. Exotic plants jostle for position among verdant foliage, and beautifully manicured terraces run down to the water. We enjoy a guided tour of the house and gardens. (B,D)

Today we enjoy an excursion by train to Venice. We leave the station for the bustle of the Grand Canal and a short orientation tour by boat, along the Giudecca Canal to St Mark's Square, dominated by the magnificent Basilica di San Marco and the venerable Palazzo Ducale, or Doge's Palace. After a short walking tour, you have plenty of free time to soak up the atmosphere of this truly amazing city. Venice lends itself to idle wandering, and possibly the best way to enjoy its captivating charms is to let yourself get lost in the myriad of winding alleys and twisting lanes that make up the city centre. (B,D)

Today is also free to relax in Desenzano or maybe venture further afield. You can travel to stylish Milan to explore the sights, including the magnificent Duomo, the world-renowned opera house 'Teatro alla Scala' and the incredible 19th century glass-roofed shopping arcade, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. (B,D)

We leave Desenzano by coach for Milan where we join the train for the journey via the spectacular Gotthard Pass to Zürich and onto to Stuttgart. Here we spend one night at the Maritim Hotel, conveniently located in the centre of the city. (B,D)

We depart Stuttgart and travel through the scenic Rhine Gorge dotted with ruined castles, to Cologne. Here we change for Brussels where we join our connection with Eurostar to London. (B)

E = Eurostar meal, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday

30 April 2010	From £1,095
7 May 2010	From £1,125
14 May 2010	From £1,125
4 June 2010	Please call
6 August 2010	Please call
13 August 2010	Please call
27 August 2010	From £1,150
3 September 2010	Please call
10 September 2010	Please call
17 September 2010	Please call
24 September 2010	Please call

All prices are per person and assume full occupancy of the room.
Please always refer to the website for up-to-date prices and availability.

Can there be a more civilised way to travel than by rail?

Viewing an ever-changing landscape from the comfort of your seat is surely the finest way to travel. When travelling by train, your journey is an integral and delightful part of your holiday experience. What you see from your seat is as much part of the holiday as arriving at the destination.

The high speed Eurostar trains link St Pancras International in London with Paris and Lille in France as well as Brussels in Belgium.

The First Class coaches are divided between Business Premier class and Leisure Select (soon to be re-named 'Standard Premier Class'), which is essentially Eurostar's equivalent First Class service for leisure, rather than business travellers. In your dedicated Leisure Select (Standard Premier Class) carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. Pick up a complimentary newspaper or magazine and look forward to your holiday in your spacious, comfortable seat. As part of the service you'll enjoy drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

Passengers travelling in Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet, which sells a range of snacks, meals, hot and cold drinks - including champagne!

More than fifteen years ago, Eurostar changed the way that people travel to Paris and Brussels forever. The rail service, which directly links the UK to France and Belgium via the Channel Tunnel, started operating in 1994.

Eurostar launched services from its new London station, St. Pancras International, and from Ebbsfleet International in Kent in November 2007 with the completion of the second section of the UK's first high-speed line. Following the move, Eurostar's fastest journey times have fallen with London-Paris taking 2 hours 15 minutes, London-Brussels 1 hour 51 minutes and London-Lille just 1 hour 20 minutes.

Travelling at up to 186mph (299km/h), Eurostar speeds through the Kent countryside before diving into the 31.4 mile (50.5km) long Channel Tunnel in Kent and emerging in Coquelles in northern France. From here the train travels to Lille before heading on to Paris or Brussels. From the heart of London to the heart of these great European cities, Eurostar services allow travellers to avoid long queues, lengthy transfers and the hassles of air travel while arriving at our destination more quickly than ever.

Our hotels have been chosen based on their location, the facilities and value for money. Where possible we select hotels with individual style and character, preferably run by local families as we find this gives our hotels a friendlier, more personal feel. We have worked with many of our hotels for over a decade.

The family-run 4-star Hotel Desenzano is close to the centre of the town and is located within walking distance of the harbour and just 50 metres from the railway station. Boasting immaculate furnishings and impeccable service the hotel has its own outdoor swimming pool, solarium, roof terrace and cocktail bar. Rooms are air-conditioned with a telephone, television, minibar, safe and hairdryer.

The 3-star Mercure Paris Gare de Lyon is situated beside Gare de Lyon station. The hotel has a bar serving light snacks and rooms with air conditioning, a telephone, television, radio, safe, minibar and a hairdryer.

This Maritim hotel in Stutgart is located in the middle of the city next to the famous Hoppenlau Park. The hotel features a restaurant, bar, swimming pool and fitness room. Room amenities include minibar, safe, telephone and television. The Maritim Hotel is popular amongst our customers and in 2009 it won our 'Best German Hotel' award.

• Standard Class rail and coach travel as described
• 9 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast each day
• 8 dinners
• 2 full day excursions & 2 half day excursions
• All transfers
• Services of your Tour Manager throughout
• Single room prices include the supplement for single occupancy throughout: £285

• Cancellation, medical & travel insurance from £43

Make even more of your holiday with some of these upgrades designed to make your holiday even easier. 

Extending your European holiday in Cologne

Many of our holidays include a final stopover in Cologne en route to London. Why not extend your holiday by enjoying an extra night or two in this attractive city, returning to London in your own time?

The Four Points Hotel or Grand City Hotel Cologne Centre, Cologne

Both hotels are well appointed 4-star hotels with a bar, lounge and restaurant. Room facilities include en suite bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities (available on request), minibar with free soft drinks, cable TV, hairdryer and telephone. A laundry service is available at both hotels.

Hotel im Wasserturm, Cologne

The Hotel im Wasserturm was once Europe's highest water tower, and is now a stylish and unique 5-star superior hotel. The 130 year old walls surround the elegant internal décor and architecture. Rooms are equipped to the highest standard and the hotel boasts a Michelin-star restaurant on its 11th floor, a further restaurant, lobby bar, sauna, solarium and fitness facilities.

We can book UK rail tickets from your local station to London to join your holiday. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes. Detailed below are our specially negotiated Standard Class off-peak return prices to London, based on your county of departure. Prices to non-London joining point (ie Edinburgh, Torquay and Holyhead) and prices for First Class travel are also available - please ask us for a quotation.

Departure Stations in:	Return fares from:
Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Warwickshire & Coventry	£24
Essex, Kent	£26
Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Sussex	£29
Leicestershire, Rutland, Wiltshire, West Midlands & Worcestershire	£35
Shropshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk	£37
Derbyshire, Dorset, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire, Powys, Somerset (incl. Bristol)	£43
Cheshire, Clwyd, Lincolnshire, S. Yorkshire	£46
Gloucestershire, Gtr Manchester, Gwynedd (excl. Anglesey), Lancashire, Merseyside	£51
Cornwall, Devon, Dyfed, East Riding of Yorkshire, Gwent, Herefordshire, Anglesey	£55
Glamorgan	£58
Cumbria, W. Yorkshire	£62
N. Yorkshire	£65
Northumberland, Dumfries & Galloway	£70
Durham, Tyne & Wear	£76
Fife, Lothian	£79
Central, Highland, Strathclyde, Tayside	£84
Grampian	£94

Prices are per person and are subject to change without notice.

We are able to book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow or Gatwick Airport for the night before your holiday. The hotels listed below are some of the more popular hotels our customers book, others available on request.

Hotel	Board	Star	Weekday room rate	Weekend room rate
Megaro Hotel	B&B	4-star	from £170	from £150
Thistle Euston	B&B	4-star	from £155	from £117
Novotel St Pancras	B&B	4-star	from £209.50	from £131.50
Hotel Russell	B&B	4-star	from £195	from £135
The President Hotel	B&B	3-star	from £95	from £95
The Imperial Hotel	B&B	3-star	from £105	from £105

Prices are based on 2 sharing a twin room in May 2009, subject to availability. Prices may change without prior notice. Booking conditions apply.

If you wish to avoid taking your cases to and from London, we recommend Carry My Luggage. Carry My Luggage collects your suitcase from a few days before departure and delivers it to your main hotel. The system also works in reverse with luggage delivered to your home a few days after your return to the UK. Please note that Carry My Luggage do not deliver to all the countries we operate in. Prices and further details are available on request.

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