Scenic Europe By Rail: London to Rome

Your exploration of Europe's most iconic cities begins today as you arrive in London. After making your way from the airport to your centrally located hotel, gather with the Tour Manager and fellow travelers to hear about the exciting experiences ahead.

After checking in to your room, you're free to explore the area independently. Our hotel is surrounded by archetypal London architecture, and you can find many museums and galleries nearby housing world-famous artworks and artifacts. Alternatively, enjoy a scenic stroll around Regent's Park or explore the bustling markets of bohemian Camden Town. Harry Potter fans might like to visit King's Cross railway station, where you can find Platform 9¾. Sherlock Holmes' famous address on Baker Street is also within easy reach.

Returning to the hotel, we dine together this evening. Overnight London. 

• Dinner

Whether you've seen them on TV or read about them in books, London's famous landmarks make the city instantly recognizable.

After breakfast, we take a tour of the English capital. From Tower Bridge to Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey, London has a wealth of impressive landmarks. Our knowledgeable guide leads us through the city, sharing little-known facts along the way.

After the tour, you're welcome to continue exploring on your own. You could visit one of the city's many museums, such as the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, near the famed Harrods department store. You can find a memorial garden dedicated to Diana, Princess of Wales, near her former residence of Kensington Palace, not far from the colorful street market of Portobello Road in Notting Hill. The South Bank is home to the Tate Modern gallery and a modern reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe. Around the theaters of the West End and lively Soho, you can find many popular restaurants to choose from for dinner tonight. Overnight London.

• Breakfast

After breakfast this morning, we head to London St. Pancras train station, where we board the Eurostar to Paris. Our seats offer an excellent perspective on the changing scenery as London's suburbs give way to the Kent countryside.

Traveling through the 31.5-mile Channel Tunnel, we emerge in northern France, where quintessential rural scenes guide us to Paris. On arrival in the French capital this afternoon, we check in to our hotel before embarking on a highlight of our vacation - a relaxing dinner cruise on the Seine, where we uncover the beautiful sights of Paris.

Starting at the base of the Eiffel Tower, our stunning journey showcases the buildings that line the river. Sip an aperitif as we set out along this romantic river, then savor course after course as we sail under historic bridges while the cityscape reveals views of iconic locations, including the magnificent, newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral. Overnight Paris. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Brimming with history and well-known landmarks, Paris comes alive during a guided coach tour after breakfast. With a front-row seat to the city's iconic destinations, we take in Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and Opera Garnier. The most famous boulevard in the "City of Love" is the tree-lined Champs-Élysées, where we find the Arc de Triomphe, a revered national monument.

After our tour, you're free to continue exploring the city. You might like to visit some of the world's most famous paintings at the Louvre, including the Mona Lisa (booking in advance is advised), or wander through the public gardens of the Tuileries or Jardins du Luxembourg. The cobbled streets of hilly Montmartre reveal a bygone Paris. This cultural quarter boasts many galleries, while the Place du Tertre bustles with artists and restaurant-goers. Completed in 1914, the striking, white-domed Basilica of the Sacré Coeur can be found here, and you can admire incredible views across the rooftops of Paris from the square in front.

Whichever area of Paris you explore, you are likely to find an excellent choice of restaurants in which to enjoy the city's authentic cuisine tonight. Overnight Paris.

• Breakfast

Look forward to a day of scenic travel as we leave Paris after breakfast, heading by rail for Switzerland. Relax into your seat as the train takes us through picturesque French countryside dotted with small villages and slate-roofed churches.

In Basel, just beyond the French-Swiss border, we switch trains and continue into the heart of this mountainous country. Our destination is Lucerne, a beautiful town nestled on the banks of the lake that shares its name. Surrounded by snowy peaks, Lucerne has an enchanting medieval center with fairytale alpine architecture.

After checking in to our historic hotel in the Old Town, you have time to settle in or explore Lucerne's charming center. Connecting the historic quarters on either side of the Reuss River, the city's covered footbridges date back to the Middle Ages. This evening, we gather for dinner in the hotel's restaurant. Overnight Lucerne.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Embracing our striking surroundings after breakfast today, we uncover the beauty of the Swiss Alps from two excellent vantage points: the sparkling waters of Lake Lucerne and the summit of Mount Pilatus.

Sailing across picturesque Lake Lucerne in the morning, we soak up incredible views of the Alps, particularly Mt. Pilatus and the Stanserhorn. The ancient towns on the lakeshore add an idyllic touch to the vistas. Disembarking in Alpnachstad, we continue to the top of the iconic Mt. Pilatus on the steepest cogwheel railway in the world. Traveling at a gradient of up to 48 percent, the cherry-red carriages convey us on a 45-minute journey, passing through tunnels and showcasing the changing alpine landscapes. At the top, the views are breathtaking. More than 70 mountain peaks are visible on a clear day, and you can admire them from the observation deck or one of the hiking trails.

We descend the mountain by cable car and cogwheel railway before returning to Lucerne by rail. Back at our lakeside base, you're free to continue exploring and find a place to enjoy dinner independently. Overnight Lucerne.

• Breakfast

From the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland to the gleaming canals of Venice, today's journey delivers exquisite scenery. After a short rail transfer, we board a train to Italy, passing through the 35.5-mile Gotthard Base Tunnel on our way to Venice.

The "Floating City" has long been one of the most attractive and popular locations in Italy. Its enchanting buildings, many of which are more than 800 years old, are spread across 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon. Even today, the easiest way to get around is by taking a boat or gondola along the city's extensive canal system - or you can explore on foot, crossing bridge after ornate bridge.

On arrival this afternoon, we transfer by boat to our hotel on Venice Lido, a narrow island separating the Venetian lagoon from the open sea. After checking in to your room, you can enjoy the hotel's amenities or explore the stunning surroundings. There are plenty of opportunities to relax and soak in the views of the Adriatic Sea before dinner this evening. Overnight Venice.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today brings an introduction to the captivating landmarks of Venice on a guided tour.

Setting out after breakfast, we travel by boat from the Lido to the cultural heart of Venice - Saint Mark's Square, a historic piazza surrounded by magnificent buildings. From here, an expert guide accompanies us on a two-hour walking tour of the city's atmospheric streets. Starting from the less-visited backstreets, we view the exterior of the house where the composer Vivaldi was born and the church where he was baptized. We also see the splendid Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George before circling back to Saint Mark's. After passing the famous prison and the evocative Bridge of Sighs, we see the Doge's Palace, Saint Mark's Basilica, and the world's oldest coffee house, Caffè Florian.

The rest of the day is free for you to sightsee at your own pace. You can continue to explore for as long as you would like, then transfer back independently using the Vaporetto boat service. Overnight Venice.

• Breakfast

Venice's Baroque palazzos disappear behind us this morning as we travel by train into central Italy. A showcase of Italian landscapes lies ahead as the train passes small villages and great cities, eventually making its way into the rolling hills of Tuscany.

On arrival in Florence, we embark on a walking tour, exploring the renowned sites and beautiful squares of the "Jewel of the Renaissance." We pass landmarks including the terracotta-tiled exterior of the famous Duomo (cathedral), the medieval Piazza della Signoria and the courtyard of the Uffizi Gallery, ending our tour at the Ponte Vecchio - an iconic bridge over the Arno River with rows of shops on both sides.

After the tour, you're free to continue exploring this fascinating city. You might like to find a restaurant in which to sample Steak Florentine, the region's most iconic dish, or enjoy a gelato or glass of wine in a romantic piazza. Overnight Florence.

• Breakfast

Enjoy a free day to continue your explorations of majestic Florence. Come face-to-face with world-famous works of art at the Uffizi Gallery (booking in advance is advised) or visit the Galleria dell' Accademia to see Michelangelo's statue of David.

Despite the city's many galleries and museums, much of Florence's art can be found throughout the city. As you wander the romantic streets, look for Renaissance frescoes in churches and palazzos. For a chance to relax and soak up the atmosphere, you can savor an Italian coffee or a pastry in one of Florence's many historic squares.

Later this afternoon, we visit the gorgeous Tenuta Torciano, a sprawling estate near the medieval town of San Gimignano. Built in 1720, the winery has been in the same family for 13 generations. As we tour the vineyards, surrounded by quintessential Tuscan landscapes, we learn about centuries of winemaking. Afterwards, we enjoy a vacation highlight as we indulge in dinner paired with wines made on the estate. Overnight Florence.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Florence after breakfast, a scenic train journey reveals Tuscan views of vineyards, olive groves and romantic villages enroute to Italy's ancient capital.

Arriving in Rome, we check in to our hotel before immersing ourselves in a city whose history spans millennia, beginning with the ancient Romans. Our walking tour begins outside the astounding Colosseum, where we experience close-up views of the amphitheater's exterior. Our tour continues past other iconic sites, including the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. Toss a coin into the iconic Trevi Fountain and make a wish before our tour concludes in Piazza Navona, home to some of the city's most impressive fountains.

In the evening, you're free to enjoy the city's ambiance independently. Rome's alluring attractions include museums, fantastic architecture and landmark sites. You might like to climb the famous Spanish Steps, where you can wander through the immaculate gardens at Villa Borghese Park. Rome's culinary scene is just as captivating as its history, and the city offers many eateries in which to taste local favorites like pizza, pasta carbonara and cacio e pepe. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast

We begin our day in Vatican City, a holy city revered by lovers of art, religion and architecture.

On a four-hour guided tour, we encounter the wonders of the Holy See and center of the Roman Catholic religion. Prepare to gaze in awe at the gorgeous Sistine Chapel and the world's most well-known fresco, Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam. Our visit also includes admission to the Vatican Museums, including the Gallery of Maps, where we explore the various artifacts and significant artworks housed throughout the museums. There's also the chance to view the grand Pinecone Courtyard, the centerpiece of which is a 13-foot-tall bronze pinecone sculpture dating from the second century.

Continue exploring Rome on your own this afternoon, perhaps strolling amongst Roman ruins, uncovering the gems of the city's galleries and museums, or relaxing in a shaded piazza. In the evening, we visit a local restaurant for a farewell dinner, savoring traditional cuisine and Italian wine while celebrating our extraordinary expedition. Overnight Rome.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A continent of iconic cities and spellbinding scenery, this tour has taken us to many of Europe's most famous and spectacular destinations. From the timeless landmarks of London to the romantic sites of Paris, we uncovered the capitals of the UK and France on guided tours, as well as a dinner cruise along the Seine. In Switzerland, spectacular alpine wonders were revealed as we sailed along Lake Lucerne before boarding the world's steepest cogwheel railway to the summit of Mount Pilatus.

Arriving in Italy, we marveled at Venice's grand palazzos and picture-perfect canals before admiring the Renaissance treasures of Tuscany in Florence. Our final stop was Rome, where we experienced history come to life as we strolled among relics of ancient Rome and basked in the beauty of the Sistine Chapel.

After breakfast this morning, your grand tour of four European countries reaches its conclusion. Making your way to Rome's international airport, you can begin your journey home.

• Breakfast