I don’t know about you, but I LOVE traveling by train- whether it is in Alaska out to Denali National Park, in Canada across the gorgeous Rocky Mountains on the Famous Rocky Mountaineer or in Europe through France, Italy or Switzerland. Train travel, done right, is an elegant and relaxing way to truly see the beauty of a country.
You know what’s even better than taking a train trip? Taking a train trip with an amazing cruise added on- all with seamless travel! Yes, that is now a possibility all over the world. John and I are so excited to add this fabulous travel partner, Vacations By Rail, to the stable of travel opportunities we have for our luxury travel clientele.
Think about this, the major expense of going to Europe is the airline tickets- not the cost of the cruise. So, whether our clients are considering a Med cruise or a river cruise in Western Europe, we always suggest our clients consider either doing a longer cruise, doing a back-to-back cruise (at the conclusion of one cruise, you stay on the ship and cruise on to the next itinerary- seeing different parts of the world, but only unpack once). Now, for many destinations in the world, we can offer you a choice of a cruise followed by a train trip- all done seamlessly by the same company.
Here are a few examples. (If you can sense my excitement- you are right! This is so cool- a real a game changer for those who love to cruise.)
Love Switzerland, the Alps and the Rhine river- this may be the perfect itinerary for you:
“Glacier Express and the Majestic Rhine Cruise”:
· Day 1: Chur- your trip begins in the lovely Alpine town of Chur, high up in the mountains and considered the oldest town in Switzerland. You will check into your hotel and then spend the day enjoying the village, the outdoor cafes and the gorgeous views of the alps.
· Day 2: Zermatt- take the iconic Glacier Express to Zermatt, the home of the mighty Matterhorn for a 2-night stay.
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Day 3: ride on the scenic Gornergrat Mountain Railway. This cog railway trip ascends the Gornergrat, to its summit - the second-highest railway in Europe. As you reach the top, stunning views of glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and valleys below are revealed. After lunch surrounded by the views of Gornergrat, return to Zermatt and discover more of this wonderful resort on a guided tour. Strolling through the traditional streets surrounded by wooden chalets and shops selling traditional Swiss products, the guide shares the history of Zermatt, giving you a deeper understanding of the beautiful resort. The rest of your day is at leisure to enjoy the scenery and tranquility. John and I visited Zermatt years ago- it is breathtakingly gorgeous and worth your time to visit.
· Day 4-10: Basil- board the luxury river ship, Amadeus Star, for a 7-night Rhine River cruise that takes you from Basil to Amsterdam with stops in Strasburg, Heidelberg, Speyer, Koblenz and Cologne.
· Day 10- Arrive in Amsterdam and spend the afternoon either touring the city or take the Medemblik train to see the tulip farms, windmills and charming villages found in the Hoorn countryside.
This is just one itinerary of dozens you can take combining either a river cruise or ocean cruise with train travel.
Here are a few more itineraries for 2024 and 2025- seriously, this is AWESOME!
Dreaming of a trip to Europe?
French Riviera and Rhone River Cruise- 12 days. Prices starting at $5,395 pp.
Imperial Cities and Delights on the Danube: 10 days. Prices starting at $2,895.
Springtime Tulips and Keukenhof Gardens- 8 days. Prices starting at $2,595 pp.
Want to stay closer to home?
· Fall Colors of Eastern Canada Cruise and Rail: 13 days. Boston to Quebec City. Prices starting at $3,495 pp.
· Rocky Mountaineer and Alaska- by land and sea: 16 days. Prices starting at $6,625 pp.
· Eastern Canada Rail and Cruise- Boston to Quebec City on Holland America then take the train to Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. Prices start at: $2,764
Enjoy looking over these itineraries. Call, text or email soon- many of these itineraries are on sale for 2025 until August 7, 2024- $500 off per couple!!
Until next time- your next adventure awaits!
Blessings to you and your family,
Jackie and Jackie