Introducing Great Trains of Europe Tours

If you think that there has to be a better way to see Europe than from the inside of a tourist coach hurtling down the motorway, lunching at motorway cafes, and making whistlestop overnights in plastic “look alike” motels, then we invite you to join us on the Great Trains of Europe Tours.

We are a boutique Australian-based tour company specializing in historical / cultural tours of Europe, travelling on Europe's great trains. We offer only a limited number of tours each year, all personally led by the company owner / manager, Mr Stan Klan of Toowoomba, who has more than 30 years experience as an historian / tour guide. Travel Agent enquiries welcome.

Great Trains - Travel on Europe's Great Trains:

Europe's trains are the finest in the world - from the High Speed French TGV streaking crossing the continent at 300kph to quaint Swiss mountain trains. Travelling by train permits you to meet locals, to stroll down to the restaurant car and bar, or simply to take in the ever changing scenery - vineyards, alps and lakes.

On the Great Trains of Europe Tours, we travel in reserved First Class seats (except on second class only local trains) and take the most scenic routes. No 12 hour days on the motorway!

Trains featured on upcoming tours include great “name trains” such as the English Channel Eurostar, the French TGV, the German ICE, the Eurostar Italia, the Britrail 125, and the Cisalpino, as well as scenic trains such as Switzerland's Glacier Express and Jungfraubahn, and the historic North York Steam Railway and the Carlisle to Settle train through the Yorkshire Moors and Dales in England.

Leisurely Pace - 3 nights minimum stops:

Travellers quickly tire of relentlessly packing up every morning to move on to a new town, just to unpack again for another night. On the Great Trains of Europe Tours, every stop is at least 3 nights, giving you time to unpack, to get your bearings and to start feeling like a local. You don't feel that you are “living out of a suitcase.”

Quality Central Hotels:

Were you ever on a tour where your accommodation was a motel on the motorway outside Venice or Amsterdam? Do you remember dining in the hotel coffee shop because it was just too much hassle working out the buses and trams to get you into town? You might just as well have been in Dubbo or Rockhampton.

On the Great Trains of Europe Tours we use centrally located First Class hotels, offering buffet breakfasts. They are all in walking distance of the main sights, or close by an underground station. Hotel star ratings vary from tour to tour, but are clearly described in the “Included” panel for each tour.

Group Size:

The maximum number of participants on each tour is limited to 35 guests. This makes the groups small enough to avoid the “herd mentality”, yet big enough to offer a variety of new friends.

Luggage transported on ahead:

Some people have tried rail travel but have found loading and unloading of their luggage a major problem, particularly when making a tight connection. No problems on the Great Trains of Europe Tours. Your luggage is collected from your hotel room on departure morning and is transferred on ahead to await your arrival in your new city. Because of Customs regulations on the English Channel Eurostar, we must travel with our own luggage.

Tipping / Porterage:

No need to keep dipping into your pocket for tips and no embarrassment at not knowing how much to tip. All tips are prepaid. Porterage on one suitcase per person is included on arrival and departure at all hotels.

THE EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE

Escorted by Australian historian / tour guide:

On all Great Trains of Europe Tours, the tour leader is the company owner, Mr Stan Klan of Toowoomba, on the spot with you to sort out your problems.

Throughout his career as a history teacher, published historian and independent school principal, Stan has combined his love of history with his love of travel and has organized and led, usually annually, an historical / cultural tour of Europe.

Full sightseeing program

How much to include? Why pay for what you don't want to see? How to provide for those who want to see everything and also for those who want to have a leisurely time?

Our experience over 30 years of tour guiding is that everyone's taste is different. Those sights and experiences which are quintessential to the European adventure and which have proven universally popular with tour groups over the years are included and pre-paid on the Great Trains of Europe Tours. There is an orientation/sightseeing tour included on arrival in each new city. On some tours, clearly explained and costed optional excursions are offered. We'll need to know your choices before departure.

Meals:

Nothing on a group tour causes more angst than the question of meals: for some, meals are merely pitstops for re-fuelling before dashing out again to do some more exploring; for others dinner is not only the evening's entertainment, but the highlight of the day, as they linger over several courses, matching each with an appropriate local wine.

We know that we cannot please everyone so, on the Great Trains of Europe Tour we include in the tour cost the first evening meal in each new city or village, at an authentic local restaurant (sometimes in our hotel) providing the cuisine of the region we are visiting. Three courses plus house wines or beers are included. In the final city of any tour, the included dinner is not on the night of arrival, but on the last night, and is our Farewell Dinner. On the other nights your Tour Leader either recommends restaurants at different price levels or accompanies the group to dinner. As indicated above, full buffet breakfasts are included on all tours.

When sightseeing programs extend across lunchtime, there is plenty of time allowed for lunch. If a train journey runs across lunchtime there is restaurant car or a buffet service on the train. On the Rocky Mountaineer, all meals are included on board.

Who Travels On The Great Trains Of Europe Tours?

While all are welcome, the tour member profile is usually in the 35+ age bracket, but with a sprinkling of younger singles and couples. Families with house trained children are also welcome. There is some walking involved, but basic mobility and fitness are sufficient. There are many tour members on their first trip to Europe, but some are up to their fifteenth or twentieth overseas trip. What do they have in common? They have an interest in history and art but don't want in-depth lectures from professors; they love food and wine but don't take too kindly to 'pompous git' experts; they enjoy new experiences and have a sense of humour.

Some folks are now onto their fourth Great Trains Tour with us. Thank you for your loyalty and votes of confidence. Repeat tour members find it useful to have the convenience of luggage handling, group transit between cities, like-minded travelling companions and discount group rates in hotels, but may prefer to be left to pursue their own interests in each new city, rather than join the organised group visits. This is perfectly acceptable. Freedom to do your own thing, or a full sightseeing and activity program: on the Great Trains of Europe Tours, the choice is yours.