Europe by Train

Highlights

• 9 Meals (7 breakfasts and 2 dinners)
• Airport transfers when air is provided by Mayflower
• $45 in Mayflower Money

Itinerary

Get Ready for a Dream Vacation!

If you thought the glamour of Europe was out of reach, you’re in for a treat! Join us for the vacation of a lifetime as we tour the glittering cities and beautiful countryside of England, France and Belgium. Discover a treasure trove of historic sites and architectural wonders as you tour Europe’s most vibrant capitals. Browse world-class museums, shop for designer haute couture, and immerse yourself in Old World ambiance. Then sit back, relax, and take in panoramic vistas of lush countryside as you speed by rail to your next exciting destination. A truly indulgent international experience can be yours.

Hail, Britannia! – Three Days in London

The city of Shakespeare and Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens and Winston Churchill, London is rich in history, but it’s also a cosmopolitan capital on the cutting edge of culture. We begin our European adventure in this remarkable city with a tour of London’s highlights, seeing Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square and Tower Bridge. Each stop on your tour is like a step back in time!

Once you’ve gotten the lay of the land in this vibrant city, you’re free to explore on your own and discover the charm and style that makes London a top destination of travelers worldwide. Or if you crave a bit of the royal touch, join us for an optional tour of Queen Elizabeth II’s residence at Windsor Castle, a stately structure built in the 11th century. Enjoy a free day in London or take an optional full day excursion: visit Stratford upon Avon - birthplace of William Shakespeare; the Cotswolds regarded as one of the most scenic areas of England with thatched rooted cottages; and the university city of Oxford.

Paris – Immerse Yourself in the City of Lights

From London, we hop aboard the Eurostar for a high-speed train ride under the English Channel and into the French countryside. Everywhere you look, you’ll see picturesque tableaux familiar from art, history and film, from the colossal Arc de Triomphe to the gothic arches and glorious stained glass windows of the Cathedral of Notre Dame.

All of Paris is yours to explore! Stroll down the Champs-Elysees and browse the many stylish shops that line this famous avenue, or take a break in a sidewalk café for a cup of creamy café au lait and a pastry. Travelers with a taste for luxury can join our guide for an optional tour of the opulent Palace of Versailles, which served as the royal residence for France’s kings and queens for more than a century.

Exploring the Continent: Brussels, Belgium

We board our high-speed Thalys train and head northeast to Brussels, capital of Belgium, which is over 1,000 years old and today the administrative center of the European Union. A city tour of this most beautiful European city will begin in the medieval square, The Grand Place, which is surrounded by ancient guild houses magnificently decorated with soaring gables, ornate façades and incredible carvings. Here you will see the historic Town Hall, a Gothic masterpiece and the Maison du Roi as well as the Manneken Pis statue (the popular symbol of Brussels.)

While in Brussels you may also opt to tour Bruges and Ghent which has some of the best preserved Renaissance architecture in Europe. While in Bruges, enjoy the sights of many bridges, palaces, the Old Market Square, and some of the artwork in the Memling Museum. Ghent is a traditional Flemish university town, where Emperor Charles V was born. In the St. Bavo Cathedral you will have time to admire the superb Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, a masterpiece by Jan van Eyck.

Don’t miss out on this chance to experience the splendors of Europe! Join us for an unforgettable journey you’ll remember for a lifetime!

Accommodations

Days Two through Four

Thistle Kensington Gardens Hotel, London, England

Days Five and Six

Mercure Gare de Lyon, Paris, France

Days Seven and Eight

Scandic Grand Place Hotel or NH Brussels City Center, Belgium

Dates & Rates

2012 Departure Dates	Per Person Twin	Single Room Add
October 30	$1,729	$735

Call for air rates and schedules from your city to London, England and from Brussels, Belgium

Destination Map

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