On the fast track to Europe’s hotspots
EVERY week, our Holiday Hero NEIL SIMPSON takes an in-depth look at a brilliant holiday topic, doing all the legwork so you don’t have to. This week: Train trips across Europe.
NERVOUS about crowded airports and planes? Then try the train for your next holiday.
Specialist tour companies are busy booking a mix of small-group tours and independent train trips to the most colourful corners of Europe, with travellers enjoying plenty of room on board and the chance to stretch their legs with a trip to the buffet car.
Amsterdam is on the itinerary of a fully escorted, flight-free trip to the Netherlands in April. It includes a perfectly timed visit to the bulbfields of Keukenhof, where 1,000 varieties of tulips, crocuses and daffodils will be in bloom.
The five-night break starts in style with refreshments at Art Deco Searcy’s restaurant in London’s St Pancras Station. It also includes heritage steam train trips, a canal ride in Amsterdam and a visit to the home of Delft Blue pottery. From £1,209pp (railtrail.co.uk).
The South of France and the sunflowers of Van Gogh await independent rail travellers on a self-guided train trip with tickets, accommodation and a full itinerary organised by Inn Travel.
After leaving London on Eurostar, travellers join a TGV train in Paris to spend time in Narbonne, Nimes and Arles, where Van Gogh painted some of his most famous works.
The six-night itinerary also focuses on the region’s Roman temples, arenas and aqueducts. From £975pp (inntravel.co.uk).
Another bespoke travel organiser, Tailor Made Rail, can build train tours to cities from Scandinavia to Greece. Journeys can be upgraded to First Class and include sleeping cars on night trains.
One blockbuster Italian itinerary sees travellers cross France and stay in a hotel in Chur, in the Swiss Alps. From there you pass St Moritz
on the panoramic Bernina Express train before heading to the shores of Lake Como, where guests are taken to their hotel by boat.
The seven-night Lake Como Via The Bernina Express itinerary is from £899pp (tailormaderail.com).
Barcelona and the sunny cities of Seville and Madrid are in reach on a luxurious, fully independent train trip organised by Great Rail Journeys. After leaving London on Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, a nine-night itinerary includes a private transfer to Paris Gare de Lyon for the fast train to Spain.
Another private transfer takes you from Barcelona station to your hotel, where you will be met next morning by a private, Englishspeaking driver for a city tour.
Transfers, train tickets and city tours are arranged in Madrid and Seville. From £1,695pp.
The company also offers dozens of small-group tours if you prefer to travel with others. Its nine-night Highlights Of Tuscany tour includes Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena and the Chianti region. From £1,595pp (greatrail.com).
Proving that distance is no object on trains, Responsible Travel can arrange tickets right across Europe to Split in Croatia. The six-night journey has overnight stops in Munich and Zagreb and you can return by train or air. From £950pp (responsibletravel.com).
Prefer to plan your own tour? There’s advice, timetables and help making reservations at seat61.com, thetrainline.com and raileurope.com.