Let’s compare your European holiday to a holiday meal. Of course you have your main entrée, which is the focus of the dinner, but ever notice how much the side dishes are enjoyed? When you make your travel plans, think of your railpass or train tickets as the main entrée, as you will need it to get around in Europe. Now you need to add some side-dishes to your plans. Did you know Rail Europe offers some great products that can be the perfect compliment to your railpass?
We have many options available from museum passes to escorted city tours. And let’s not forget, to complete a meal you need just the right wine…if you’re not exactly an oenophile, you may want to consider a wine tour on your next trip to Paris. In this issue of Explorer, we’ve chosen a few of our favorite “sides” to share with you.
Some of the most popular travel destinations include cities in England, France and Switzerland. With this in mind, we have chosen products for each of these countries!
When people visit England, London is typically at the top of the “cities to visit” list. It’s understandable seeing as London has so much to offer visitors. There literally is something for everyone in this great city. Once you arrive, we suggest acquainting yourself with your surroundings and what better way to do that than with the Total London Experience?
This full-day guided tour will take you to all of London’s major sites. You’ll get to watch the prestigious changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace and snap some great photos of Sir Christopher Wren’s St. Paul’s Cathedral, site of royal weddings and home of the whispering gallery. You’ll be taken to Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Drive past Downing street, where the British Prime Minister takes residence.
This tour includes a quaint pub lunch in Covent Garden, a cruise on the River Thames and concludes with a flight on the London Eye. A terrific tour that includes an experienced guide on a luxury air-conditioned coach. All entry fees are taken care of in the price of the tour you simply meet at one of the hotels or bus station near VIctoria Station for pickup and your journey begins! Don’t forget your camera!
Once you’ve seen London, you may want to venture outside of the city. One of our favorite tours is the Bath, Stonehenge and Salisbury tour. Some of the most sought after places are included on this tour.
Visit Bath for a panoramic tour. This city was chosen as the first city in England to be designated a World Heritage site. Thanks to the hot spring water that flows, Bath got its name out there. You’ll have the chance to visit the Roman Bath’s on your tour as well as some free time to explore Bath Abbey.
Salisbury has one of the nicest medieval Cathedrals in all of Britain. The spire that rises from the cathedral is the tallest in England, at an impressive 404ft. It truly is an impressive display of architecture and design. After seeing the cathedral you can visit the Chapter House to see the Magna Carta. You’ll certainly get your fill of architectural design on this tour! The Chapter House is one of twelve remaining Octagonal Chapter Houses.
Stonehenge has mystified millions of people for centuries. 40-ton rocks that had been dragged through a desolate plain to Salisbury Hill to this day puzzle scholars and visitors. The history behind these stones is unclear. Whether Stonehenge was a religious temple, astronomical clock or a burial ground has never been proven. As you visit the site, let your imagination be your guide to the mystery and legend that surrounds Stonehenge.
Aside from these two tours, we have several other “sides” for England, be sure to check them all out!
Moving on to France, we have several add-ons for Paris. We’ll start with the Paris Dinner Cruise. Some people choose one really nice evening out in each destination they travel to, if you’re that kind of traveler, we strongly recommend this cruise!
You step on board the boat at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and begin your 2 1/2 hour cruise down the Seine River. Cruising down the left bank, seeing all the sights while enjoying a full-course dinner served at your seat. The atmosphere is great, live music surrounds you during the entire cruise. The cruise turns around the Statue of Liberty and brings you back to the Eiffel Tower. Usually the tour ends at the top of the hour so the Eiffel tower is illuminated in light, a truly magical ending to a perfect evening.
If you were planning on taking a sightseeing tour of Paris, as well as treating yourself to a nice meal in a fancy French restaurant, then this is the perfect “side” for you, it combines the best of both worlds! You get a panoramic tour of the sights and a fantastic meal.
If you’re a museum hopper, you may want to consider saving yourself time and money with the Paris Museum Pass. You simply cannot visit Paris without going to the Louvre or Notre Dame. The Museum pass is available in several day validities to fit your schedule. It provides you access to 70 museums and monuments in Paris. With this pass, you do not need to pay admission fees at the participating museums and you will not need to wait in line to enter.
There are more Paris add-on products available from Rail Europe, you’re sure to find something of interest for your trip.
Last stop for this issue is Switzerland. As you know, Switzerland is home to some of the most impressive mountain peaks in the world. You can get tickets to go up to the top of some of these peaks. The Jungfraujoch excursion will take you, by train, to the highest railway station in Europe. You will stand at an elevation of over 11,000 feet, take a look down below and capture the amazing scenery set before you.
There are a few different Mountain Peak excursions available, choose the one that interests you and fits your itinerary!
Luggage can sometimes be a bit of an issue when traveling. When your travels take you to Switzerland, may we suggest you look into Fast Baggage? The best way to travel light and worry-free. Fast Baggage makes it possible for your luggage to be transferred from a number of train stations in Switzerland to your destination. This is a great idea especially when making trips up to the tops of various mountains! No need to worry about lugging a heavy suitcase along with you. Simply grab your camera and send everything else on the train!
This has been a look into some of the add-on products Rail Europe can offer you on your next trip. These sides, like any good side dish, can help make your trip truly unforgettable!
Tags: add-ons, England, France, Switzerland, tours
As a destination planner for letting the Train take the strain this is a site i would recommend for any destination.
Traveling by train is a very nice way to travel in Europe. I am really getting used to it as you will find a train connection to every town, city or even village you would like to visit.
I find traveling by train saves me so much time when I go off on my mini European adventures! I’m the type of traveler who has a rough idea of what I want to see and do, but don’t actually commit until I’m there. Taking trains helps me to travel in this style, simply showing up at a station and hopping on the next departure! Adding train travel into my plans is like adding an extra adventure into my itinerary, meeting new people, talking to locals, I love it all!