LaVerne Ferguson-Kosinski - Europe by Eurail 2014: Touring Europe by Train

Three sample rail-tour itineraries are presented in response to readers requests for sample itineraries combining several base cities and day excursions into a rail-tour package. These itineraries are similar to those used in previous tour programs and are considered route-tested.

The base cities and day excursions in these itineraries are described elsewhere in this edition. Each itinerary may be completed with a 15-day Eurail Global Pass/Global Pass Saver or a 15-days-in-two-months Eurail Global Pass Flexi/Global Pass Saver Flexi.

Gateway cities are an important pretrip consideration. We have included airport information in base-city descriptions for your assistance. When suggested gateways are cities other than the rail-tour base cities, we have included rail schedules to assist in your planning, but as stated previously in this edition, our rail schedules are for planning purposes only. Europe by Eurail and its publisher cannot be held responsible for the consequences of either schedule or train changes occurring after press time or for inadvertent inaccuracies.

The following rail-tour schedules have been compiled on the basis of what we consider to be the best trains running at the best times; however, in almost every case, there are several other trains departing at other times that may be more convenient for your purposes. For this reason you may want to consult other schedules by contacting one of the companies listed in the Appendix.

Hotels suggested for the itineraries have been selected for their convenient locations near the railway stations and/or close to public transportation. Hotel price ranges are quoted in euros or local currencies for planning purposes only and are subject to change without prior notice. To convert the rates to U.S. dollars, consult the Foreign Exchange listing in the financial section of your hometown newspaper, contact your bank, or visit www.oanda.com and go to the cheat sheet for travelers page (you can print the rates for the countries on your itinerary and carry them with your other travel papers); another great site is www.xe.com/ucc/ for universal currency exchanges.

Confirm hotel rates either through your travel agent or directly with the hotel. Most of the hotels listed have U.S. representatives through whom your travel agent can make reservations at no additional cost to you.

Europe la Carte

A rail tour using the Europe by Eurail base cities Munich, Bern, and Paris is an adventure through the very heart of Europe.

Base Cities

Munich: Germanys fun capital. Plan ample time for shopping and sightseeing before beginning your exciting rail adventure. Allow for jet lag, too.

Bern: Medieval elegance in the heart of Switzerland. An all-weather shopping center. Save the sunny days for Berns eye-filling day excursions.

Paris: The City of Light and everyones second city is the only one of its kind. Mix Pariss pleasures with its unusual array of day excursions.

Gateways

Open Jaw: Munich inbound, Paris outbound. Discuss with your travel agent for professional advice. Other gateways include:

Frankfurt: ICE 721 to Munich departs 1554 and arrives 1910 or ICE 725 departs 1754 and arrives 2109. Return to Frankfurt on ICE 728, departing 0650 and arriving 1004 or ICE 724, departing 0850 and arriving 1204.

Amsterdam: ICE 105 to Munich departs at 0804; arrives Mannheim at 1224. Change to ICE 595, departing 1230 and arriving Munich 1528. Return to Amsterdam on ICE 125, departing Munich at 1234; arrive Frankfurt 1630. Change to ICE 723 Frankfurt to Amsterdam, departing 1654 and arriving 2020.

Paris: Depart Paris Est on TGV 9571 to Stuttgart Hbf at 0725; arrive Stuttgart at 1104 and change trains to ICE 1091 departing at 1112; arrive in Munich Hbf at 1327. Return to Paris on ICE 598, departing Munich at 1028; arrive Stuttgart Hbf at 1247; change trains to TGV 9574, departing 1254 for arrival in Paris at 1634.

Base-City Hotels

Munich: Drei Lowen, 1 block from the station, is convenient, as is Best Western Hotel Cristal. Balance of hotels listed are clustered nearby. Hilton and Sheraton properties in suburbs have easy tram connections to city center.

Bern: Schweizerhof, on the station plaza, is tops in location, restaurant, and price. Hotel Baeren and Hotel Bristol are more economical and three minutes walk to station. Other hotels listed are also within a short walk of station and maintain highest Swiss standards.

Paris: For economy and excellent location for rail travelers, choose Hotel Albert 1er, situated between Gare du Nord and Gare de lEst. Holiday Inn Paris-Bastille, 1 short block away from Gare de Lyons rail, Mtro, and RER connections, has an excellent neighborhood-restaurant section.

Europe a la Carte 15-Day Rail Itinerary

Tour Tips: Make seat reservations immediately on arrival in Munich. At minimum, reserve all base-city legs. Reservations are obligatory on TGV and many EuroCity trains.

European Escapade

A more than passing acquaintance with some of Europes most fascinating sights and cities. From gateway Luxembourg, you travel to Bern, Amsterdam, and Paris, with shopping in Brussels.

Base Cities

Luxembourg: Fortress city, steeped in European and American history. Virtually a tax-free city; save some money for Luxembourg shops.

Bern: Medieval settings in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Berns arcaded walkways make shopping and sightseeing easy even in bad weather.

Amsterdam: Canals, cheese shops, diamond cutters, and Rembrandts finest masterpieces await you.

Paris: City of Light. Mix Pariss pleasures with an array of action-packed day excursions.

Gateways

Discuss all gateway possibilities with your travel agent because the tours circular itinerary provides a wide selection, including all of the base cities in this itinerary plus Brussels. Depart Brussels Central for Luxembourg at 0733 on EC 91 for arrival in Luxembourg at 1036; EuroCity or InterCity service returns you to Brussels at end of tour.