Traveling by rail is one of the best ways to see Europe. (Photo: train image by jeancliclac from Fotolia.com )

Seeing Europe by train can be one of the best ways to see this magical continent. Europe's rail system is vast; you can easily ride from one side of Europe to the other in only a few days. Knowing that many travelers want to see as much as possible during a short vacation, travel companies offer tour packages that are centered around Europe's trains.

Alpine Interlude

Vacations by Rail offers an in-depth tour package of Europe called the Alpine Interlude. This 12-day, 11-night tour begins in scenic Zurich, Switzerland, where travelers meet their tour group for dinner. Day two is spent on a train traveling toward the Swiss Alps on the way to Interlaken, Switzerland, with a stop in Bern for lunch. The tour group spends the night in Interlaken before climbing the Alps on a cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe. That night, the group returns to Interlaken.

On day four, you continue on the train through the Alps to Liechtenstein, then on to Telfs, Austria, for the night. Day five is spent sightseeing, with a stop at Linderhof Palace in Bavaria. After the Linderhof trip, you spend some time in Oberammergau, Bavaria, before going back to Telfs to spend the night. Days six and seven are spent traveling and sightseeing around the picturesque town of Strassen, Austria. Days eight and nine allow you to climb the Grossglockner-Hochalpenstrasse ("High Alpine Road") before traveling by train to Salzburg. Finally, you finish the next three days traveling to Vienna by way of the Austrian Express railroad, with majestic views and sightseeing trips in and around Vienna.

7 Day Rome &amp; Venice by Rail

Tour Vacations to Go offers a package for those wishing to see the Italian countryside, including the major cities of Rome and Venice. You spend three full days in Rome seeing all of the major sights. The second full day brings you to the Colosseum, the Forum and the Vatican.

Day five of the trip is spent on a standard-fare train ride from Rome to Venice. When you reach Venice, you have the rest of the day to yourself. Day six of this tour includes many of Venice's notable sights, such as St. Mark's Square. To top off Venice, you get a gondola tour on the Grand Canal.

EE Railtours offers a rail-tour package for those interested in seeing the Eastern European country of Bulgaria. This tour involves a flight to Sofia to meet with your group for dinner and a show. The second and third days of the tour are spent seeing the sights near Sofia, including the Rila Monastery just to the south. Day three involves a trip by car to Bansko to see several of its famous museums before hopping the train to Dobrinishte. The trip to Dobrinishte involves riding on a narrow-gauge track preserved from many years ago. Day four is spent mostly on the train, with stops in Jakoruda and Avramovi Kolibi before taking the fast train to Plovdiv.

You spend most of day five sightseeing around Plovdiv before getting back on the train toward Kazanluk. After seeing the sights in Plovdiv, you ride back to Sofia by way of coach. The final day of the tour is spent sightseeing in Sofia before going home on day eight.

Starting in 2003 as an online editor for a respected collegiate publication, Brent Desserich has written for a number of online publications as a freelance writer. He holds a bachelor's degree in aeronautical science and an associate degree in air traffic control.

Desserich, Brent. "Train Tours of Europe." Travel Tips - USA Today, https://traveltips.usatoday.com/train-tours-europe-19297.html. Accessed 14 October 2018.
Desserich, Brent. (n.d.). Train Tours of Europe. Travel Tips - USA Today. Retrieved from https://traveltips.usatoday.com/train-tours-europe-19297.html
Desserich, Brent. "Train Tours of Europe" accessed October 14, 2018. https://traveltips.usatoday.com/train-tours-europe-19297.html
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