Milan To Amsterdam Rail Express

Welcome to the first day of this Milan to Amsterdam Rail Express tour. Arrive in Milan this morning and say ciao to Italy! Meet up with the tour leader and tour group at the hotel. Start the day with a guided tour of the city. Join a Milan local to explore this fashionable city which is full of amazing attractions and a buzzing atmosphere! Then, enjoy some authentic Italian cuisine at a local restaurant for lunch. The rest of the day is free to spend as you choose. Discover more of Milan which is famous for design, football and more.

Take a guided tour of Milan: Take a tour of Milan with a local guide. Visit the mesmerising Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, stand in awe at the impressive structure of the Duomo Cathedral and so much more!

Welcome lunch: Get a taste of authentic Italian cuisine and get to know your new travel buddies with a welcome lunch at a local restaurant in Milan.

It’s the second day of the tour and that means it’s time to travel to Switzerland. Marvel at the spectacular scenery from the comfort of the train as it travels from Italy through the Swiss Alps. Today’s first stop is Spiez - a scenic town surrounded by green hills, lakes and vineyards. Enjoy famous Swiss efficiency when switching trains! Next stop, Interlaken. Along the way, enjoy the picturesque pastoral scenery of Switzerland as you travel. Arrive in the Swiss mountain village and head to the hotel which is home base for the next two nights. Enjoy an included dinner with the group tonight.

Scenic train journey through Switzerland: You could not ask for a more beautiful journey than this one. See spectacular lakes, mountains and lush forests along the way to Interlaken.

Enjoy a free day in the Swiss Alps today! Spend your time in any way you choose. The Swiss mountain village is in the perfect position for leisurely relaxation or a bit of exploring! Today you could choose to visit Jungfraujoch, the highest train station in Europe, which offers incredible scenery. Admire the views and take in the impressive glacier. Back at lower altitudes, why not stroll the streets of local villages and absorb the atmosphere? Tonight, choose to join an optional group dinner and sample an authentic Swiss fondue!

Continue this European holiday by rail and travel onwards to Germany. Today’s first stop is Freiburg im Breisgau. Known as the capital of the Black Forest region, you can be sure to expect some truly picturesque surroundings! Embark on an orientation tour before enjoying some free time to explore and grab some lunch. Marvel at the city’s medieval architecture and the Dreisam River which flows through the city. Then, travel onwards to the hotel for the evening in Offenburg. Enjoy a free evening to relax or head out and see the city. Offenburg is renowned for its wine and gastronomy, making it the ideal place for a unique culinary experience!

Orientation tour of Freiburg: Discover this German city in the heart of the breathtaking Black Forest region on an orientation tour with your tour leader. Freiburg lies at the foot of Schlossberg (Castle Mountain) and is decorated with cobblestone streets, stunning medieval architecture and stunning natural scenery all around.

Visit Offenburg: Enjoy a free evening in the historic city of Offenburg which dates back to Roman times. Thanks to its close proximity to the Rhine Valley, Offenburg boasts an impressive culinary scene. This makes it the perfect spot to grab a delicious dinner with a glass of local wine!

Today is set to be filled with unforgettable experiences as the tour departs Germany and travels to France. Today’s first stop is the enchanting city of Strasbourg, capital of the Grand Est (formerly Alsace) region. Look forward to some free time to explore this city which is full of fairytale architecture. Be sure to check out the astronomical clock at the Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame! In the afternoon, travel to Metz. Arrive, check into the hotel and set off on an orientation tour. Learn more about the history of this picturesque city and see top sights including the Gothic Metz Cathedral and the medieval German’s Gate. Enjoy some free time before tonight’s included dinner.

Explore Strasbourg: Thanks to its close proximity to Germany, Strasbourg features a unique blend of French and German cultural and architectural influences. Enjoy some free time to explore this city which is the capital of the Grand Est (formerly Alsace) region. Admire the extraordinary architecture and sweeping views of the Rhine River!

Discover Metz: Embark on an orientation tour of Metz with your tour leader before enjoying some free time to explore on your own. Metz is a true hidden gem which boasts plenty of historic sights, museums and gardens. The Saint-Etienne Cathedral, nicknamed “God’s Lantern” is a must-see sight as it features the largest expanse of stained glass windows in the world! Three of these windows were painted by famous modernist painter Marc Chagall.

The “City of Lights” is on the itinerary today! Catch a high-speed train to Paris - one of the most popular travel destinations in the world! Arrive at Gare de l’Est station and enjoy an included lunch with the group. Next, get ready to set off on a walking tour of Paris with your tour leader! Paris is home to bucket list monuments including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées and more. Experience the romance and beauty of Paris as you stroll the picturesque streets. The walking tour ends in the city’s Latin Quarter. Afterwards, enjoy free time to experience Paris. For a night of beautiful sights, join the Evening in Montmartre optional excursion.

Paris orientation tour: Traverse through this breathtaking city on foot, guided by your tour leader, spotting sights such as the Eiffel Tower, the River Seine, the reconstruction of Notre Dame and so much more! Plus, enjoy an included visit to Sainte Chapelle. This historic royal chapel was the residence of the Kings of France until the 14th century and is located on the Île de la Cité in the River Seine.

Paris is filled with incredible landmarks, museums, galleries, restaurants and more which you get to explore on a free day in the city! Join your tour leader for the Paris Shopping & Art optional tour which includes visits to some of the city’s top spots including the Louvre, Fragonard Perfume Museum, Galeries Lafayette and a lunch cruise along the River Seine. Alternatively, explore on your own and revel in the great culture and history of Paris. Visit top attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and Sacré-Cœur. Stroll along the Champs-Élysées or even take a cruise along the River Seine. Before the day is over, be sure to sit down for a bite of famous French cuisine! Tonight, choose to join the fabulous Parisian Cabaret optional.

Say au revoir to Paris! The rail express tour continues to Brussels, Belgium’s capital city. This beautiful city is filled with history, art, culture and stunning architecture! Arrive in Brussels and embark on an orientation tour of the city centre. See highlights including the Park of Brussels, the Grand Palace and the Brussels Town Hall. Afterwards, enjoy free time to discover more of the city. You could do some shopping, visit one of the many museums (featuring exhibitions on everything from artworks by Magritte and musical instruments to comic book characters!) or take a trip to the quirky Atomium for panoramic views of the city!

Brussels orientation tour: Explore the de facto capital of the European Union on an orientation tour guided by your Expat Explore tour leader. While it may be the headquarters of the European Union, Brussels is definitely not all business and no pleasure! You will be introduced to the main sights, including the Mont des Arts Garden, Grand Place - Grote Markt, the iconic Manneken Pis, the European Parliament building and much more.

Spend a few more hours in Brussels this morning as the tour continues to the Netherlands after lunch. Arrive in Amsterdam, check into the hotel and freshen up before it’s time to travel into the city centre for a canal cruise. This is the perfect introduction to Amsterdam! Sail along the canals and view the city from a unique perspective. Cruise past famous landmarks while learning about Amsterdam’s fascinating and eclectic history. After the canal cruise, enjoy a farewell dinner with the group on the last night of the tour. Look forward to a great meal in a historic restaurant!

Amsterdam canal cruise: Sail along Amsterdam's stunning canals and enjoy a perfect introduction to Amsterdam.

Farewell dinner in Amsterdam: Enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers in a beautiful, historic restaurant, dating back to 1885, situated in a  building designed by famous architect Pierre Cuypers who also designed the Rijksmuseum.

After 10 days, seven countries and several fantastic experiences, this Milan to Amsterdam Rail Express tour wraps up this morning. Enjoy one last breakfast with your fellow train buddies this morning before the tour officially concludes. Share your favourite memories and be sure to swap contact details with your newly-made travel friends! We hope you have enjoyed this rail tour of Europe!