Planet Rail
Charming Cities of Andalucia by First Class Rail
13 daysfrom $2,664
Rail Escape
South West Europe: From London to Madrid
Explore South West Europe on our 13-day rail tour from London to Madrid. Enjoy seamless travel and rich cultural experiences.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: London
Arrive in London
Welcome to England's iconic capital! After checking into your hotel for three nights, get oriented by taking a walk through one of London's beautiful royal parks like Hyde Park or St. James's Park. In the evening, you could explore the lively Covent Garden area.
- Day 2overnight: London
Sights of Central London
Use a hop-on, hop-off bus tour to see London's top attractions at your own pace. Be sure to hop off at Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guard ceremony. Other highlights could include the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, and Trafalgar Square.
- Day 3overnight: London
London Museums
With another day in London, devote some time to its world-class museums. Possibilities include the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Victoria and Albert Museum, or any others that pique your interest based on the incredible collections.
- Day 4railovernight: Paris
Travel to Paris
After breakfast, depart London and take the high-speed Eurostar train through the Channel Tunnel to Paris. Upon arrival, check into your Paris hotel for three nights. Spend your afternoon strolling along the iconic Champs-Élysées and seeing the Arc de Triomphe up close.
- Day 5overnight: Paris
The Louvre and Eiffel Tower
No visit to Paris is complete without seeing the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower. Start your day at the Louvre to admire legendary works like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Then head to the Trocadéro for fantastic views of the Iron Lady herself.
- Day 6overnight: Paris
Montmartre and the Left Bank
Spend the morning in the charming Montmartre neighborhood, strolling through Place du Tertre and seeing the iconic Sacré-Cœur Basilica. In the afternoon, cross to the Left Bank's Latin Quarter to visit Notre-Dame Cathedral and browse the bouquiniste bookseller stalls.
- Day 7railovernight: Barcelona
Travel to Barcelona
Leave Paris after breakfast and take a train to the Catalan city of Barcelona, Spain. After checking into your hotel for three nights, you could begin exploring by wandering down the iconic Las Ramblas pedestrian boulevard.
- Day 8overnight: Barcelona
Barcelona's Architecture
Today, experience the incredible architectural heritage of Barcelona by visiting some of the iconic works by Antoni Gaudí like the unfinished Sagrada Familia basilica, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló. You may also enjoy walking through the atmospheric Gothic Quarter.
- Day 9overnight: Barcelona
More of Barcelona
With another day in Barcelona, you can see other top sights like the hilltop castle of Montjuïc offering panoramic city views, the lively La Barceloneta beachfront neighborhood, or the whimsical architectural wonders of Casa Milà (La Pedrera).
- Day 10railovernight: Madrid
Journey to Madrid
Leave Barcelona after breakfast and take a high-speed train to the Spanish capital of Madrid. After arriving and checking into your hotel for three nights, set out to explore sights like the Plaza Mayor and the Puerta del Sol.
- Day 11overnight: Madrid
Day Trip to Toledo
Take a half-day excursion to the nearby historic city of Toledo, known as the 'City of Three Cultures' for its harmonious blend of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim influences over the centuries. Be sure to see sights like the Toledo Cathedral and the El Greco Museum.
- Day 12overnight: Madrid
Madrid's Museums and Parks
Spend your final full day experiencing some of Madrid's incredible museums like the Prado Museum housing masterpieces by Goya, Velázquez and more. You could also stroll through the beautiful Retiro Park and explore the lively Malasaña neighborhood.
- Day 13
Depart Madrid
On your final morning in the Spanish capital, visit any sights you may have missed before departing. You could squeeze in some last-minute shopping or simply relax at a cafe while doing some prime people-watching.
Included
- Welcome Package with travel essentials and detailed itinerary information
- First-Class Rail Travel throughout (some regional trains second-class only)
- 4-Star Plus Hotel Accommodation in all cities, near train stations
- Daily Breakfast at all hotel accommodations
- Airport Transfers on arrival and departure
Not included
- International Airfare
- Excursions, Activities and Entrance Fees
- Meals Beyond Breakfast
- Local taxes or fees (e.g. hotel tourism taxes)
- Personal Expenses
- Tips and Gratuities
- Local Transportation
