Treasures of Europe

A world in a city is a common way to describe the capital of England and its 9 million inhabitants. A cultural melting pot of over 230 nationalities, London is the financial, political and cultural capital of the UK and has a history dating before the Romans in A.D. 43.

Since 1994, the Eurostar Train has been connecting London and Paris in 2.25 hours. Starting at St Pancras Station in London, the high-speed train comfortably takes you through the countryside of England, under the English Channel, and ends its journey at Gare Du Nord in Paris.

This French capital is one of the world's greatest cities and certainly one of its most beautiful. The Eiffel Tower, Arch of Triumph, Louvre and Orsay Museums, the Champs Elysees, Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur, and many others are all iconic symbols of the "City of Light", renowned for fabulous dining, high fashion, and the French savoir faire. One can keep returning to Paris over a lifetime and still not see everything it has to offer.

Enjoy a quintessential French dinner aboard one of the renowned river cruises that float on the River Seine. Toast with Champagne and sip fine French wines as you sail alongside iconic Parisian monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame.

The "Train à Grande Vitesse," or TGV, is France's high-speed rail service, operated by SNCF Voyage, the long-distance branch of the country's national rail operator. These trains operate at some of the highest speeds in conventional train service in the world, regularly reaching 200 miles per hour on some lines. There are two classes of service, both offering comfortable seating, foodservice, and exceptional pre and post travel services.

This city of 80,000 people is in north-central Switzerland in the canton of Lucerne and sits on the shores of Lake Lucerne. The town began with a Benedictine monastery in the 8th century and gained importance from its location on trade routes. The most famous sights in Lucerne are the wooden Kapellbrucke (Chapel Bridge) across the Reuss River, the Hofkirche (Church of St. Leodegar) and the Swiss Museum of Transport. The city celebrates Carnival every year beginning the Thursday before Ash Wednesday. Mt Pilatus, with the world’s steepest cog railway, is visible from Lucerne.

Venice is the regional capital of the Veneto region in the northeast section of Italy. Venice has a unique design like no other city, built on over a hundred different islands in the center of the Venetian Lagoon. Early Venetians built their city on the islands to escape barbarian invaders. The islands of the city are separated by numerous small canals and connected by hundreds of small bridges. The city is famous for its romantic gondola-filled canals and ornate palaces that line the Grand Canal. The famous glass factories of Venice are located on Murano Island. Today the Murano Islands are home to a dwindling number of glass factories, whose artists are producing handmade Murano Glass.

Florence is the regional capital of Tuscany and home to countless Renaissance masterpieces. The city developed great wealth during the late Middle Ages and was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance that produced great artists like Michelangelo, Raphael, Brunelleschi and many others. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with numerous museums, stunning architecture and charming piazzas. The city offers something for everyone from culture, to great food and excellent shopping (like their famous gold or leather).

Rome is the capital of modern Italy and the historical home of one of the great civilizations in history, the Roman Empire. The historical city was founded in 753 BC and has grown to a size of over 3 million inhabitants today. The city is home to major monuments like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and many more. The city was built on the seven ancient hills along the Tiber River. Today it is a collection of neighborhoods with vibrant shops, restaurants and museums just waiting to be explored.

Founded in the early 16th century, the Vatican Museums house some of the most important masterpieces of the Renaissance. Interconnected palaces lead visitors through collections of ancient sculptures, frescoed maps, and tapestries. The finale is the highlight of any visit, the Sistine Chapel, which contains Michelangelo’s masterpieces: the painted ceiling and “The Last Judgement.” St. Peter's Basilica is an example of late Renaissance architecture. Completed over the course of 120 years, it is one of the largest churches in the world and an important holy site for Catholics. The church is built over the burial site of Saint Peter and contains the tombs of numerous popes. The church is known for its mosaic decorations and grand dome.