2019-20 Escorted Small Group Tours by Rail

2019 – 2020

EUROPE Escorted Small Group Tours by Rail All stops 3 or 4 nights • 4 and 5 star hotels • First Class rail travel • Full luggage handling • Australian Tour Director

NY TOUR MA NOW WITH S NO SOLO TRAVELLER BOOK EARLY SUPPLEMENT OBERAMMERGAU FOR EARLYBIRDS

PASSION PLAY

2020

WELCOME

We are a boutique Australian-based tour company specialising in historical and 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 Principal, Mr Stan Klan, a published historian and former history teacher, who has been introducing people to his beloved Europe since 1977.

TRAVEL ON EUROPE’S GREAT TRAINS

MEALS

Europe’s trains are the finest in the world – from the high-speed French TGV streaking across the continent at 320kph to quaint Swiss mountain trains. A rail journey permits you to meet the locals, to stroll down to the restaurant car and bar, or simply to take in the ever changing scenery vineyards, alps and lakes. All rail travel is in First Class reserved seats, except on some local trains where seats are not reservable or where only standard class is offered.

Nothing on a group tour causes more angst than the question of meals: pit-stops for re-fuelling before dashing out to a concert or to do some more exploring? Or a gourmet experience every night? Should expensive wines be costed in, the non-drinkers subsiding the drinkers?

3 NIGHTS MINIMUM STOPS Travellers quickly tire of whistlestop coach tours which move on to a new hotel every night. On the Great Trains of Europe Tours, every stop is at least 3 nights, giving you time to unpack and start feeling like a local.

QUALITY CENTRAL HOTELS Were you ever on a tour where your hotel was a motorway chain motel an hour outside Venice or Paris? On the Great Trains of Europe Tours we use centrally located hotels – on the Grand Canal in Venice, in the heart of Paris’ Montparnasse on the Left Bank, next to the KuDamm in Berlin.

In cities we use 4 star boutique or 5 star hotels and the highest category historic village inns available in the countryside.

LUGGAGE TRANSPORTED ON AHEAD Have you tried a rail journey but found loading your luggage a pain? No problems on the Great Trains of Europe Tours: your luggage is collected from your hotel on departure morning and is transferred on ahead to await your arrival in your new city.

LIMITED GROUP SIZE The maximum number of participants on each tour is limited to 25 paying guests. This makes the groups small enough to avoid the “herd mentality” yet big enough to offer a variety of new friends.

FULL SIGHTSEEING PROGRAMME How much to include? How to provide for first timers who want to see everything and also for those experienced travellers who want to have a more leisurely time? The eternally popular “must see” sights are included in an orientation sightseeing tour on arrival in each new city.

On the Great Trains of Europe Tours we include in the tour cost the first evening meal in each new city or village, at a local trattoria or bistro.

Drinks are at your own expense. On the other nights your Tour Director either recommends restaurants at different price levels or accompanies you to dinner.

QUALITY ASSURANCE – A PERSONAL TOUCH All tours are personally escorted by an Australian historian who has more than 35 years experience in introducing people to Europe: he is not only the Tour Director; he is also the Company owner, guaranteeing a level of quality control few companies can match.

WHO TRAVELS ON THE GREAT TRAINS OF EUROPE TOURS? While all are welcome, the tour member profile is usually in the 40+ age bracket, but families are most welcome on all tours. Selected tours are identified as Family-Friendly: the programme and pace are especially suitable for families with children, and children under 12 sharing a room with adults stay free. In this brochure the Winter Wonderland Tour with White Christmas is especially designated as family friendly.

Advice of any mobility or dietary issues will be appreciated at the time of booking. If you cannot walk 500 metres and climb 25 stairs without assistance, your booking will be accepted only along with a booking from a designated carer.

Our tour members (some up to their 8th tour with us) 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.

While the majority of our tour members are Australians and New Zealanders, we have also welcomed (and become friends with) Americans, Canadians, South Africans, Malaysians and Brits. All are welcome.

All tours are conducted in English.

On some tours, clearly explained and optional excursions are offered. We’ll need to know your choices before departure. Freedom to do your own thing, or a full sightseeing and activity programme. On the Great Trains of Europe Tours, the choice is yours.

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EASTERN EUROPEAN CAPITALS

LEGENDARY SILK ROAD

WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT GREAT TRAINS OF EUROPE TOURS? • • • •

Leisurely pace – all stops 3 or 4 nights Quality, centrally located 4 & 5 star hotels and historic village inns First Class rail travel in reserved seats Full luggage handling between stops

• All tours personally escorted by an Australian historian, who is the company owner (35 yrs experience as a tour director) • 98% departure record • Small groups • Many repeat customers (up to 8th tour) happy to give personal recommendations • Consider the environment – diesel bus or electric train?

Testimonials....................................................................................................................

“The tour was a great success: a big ‘thank you’ for being such a good and enthusiastic Tour Leader, going to the limit and beyond the call of duty. Dealing with the luggage was a masterstroke… the memories of the tour will be replayed in our minds many times.” Brian and Brenda Bowers, SA. “Excellent hotels in the middle of it all, good value for money, sympathetic and knowledgable Tour Leader. Stan, your 5 minute thumbnail sketch of Jewish history at the Ghetto in Venice was a tour de force.” Anne and Michael Ford, Minlaton, SA. “I have taken 5 Great Trains of Europe tours in the past 3 years. Stan’s tours are the group tours for those who don’t like group tours – well organised but not regimented, flexible with plenty of free time; no rush, no bustle.” Jackie Wood, Melbourne, VIC. “Thanks a lot Stan, your humour and personality truly made it a great holiday. No fuss, and we didn’t have to worry about a thing.”

Wendy Ryan, Oakey, Qld.

“Thanks, Stan, for a most enjoyable tour. You have tempted me to return to study some more history (after 50 years).”

Scott Walker, Brisbane, QLD.

How did the Great Trains of Europe Tours begin?

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In 1977 I was a beginning teacher of History at a grammar school on the Gold Coast. One day half the class were missing: they were on a Geography excursion. “Why can’t we have a History excursion, sir?” one student asked. “OK,” I replied, “let’s go to Europe”.

We were studying the Causes of the First World War at the time. At the end of the lesson, two boys asked, “Did you mean that, Sir, about an excursion to Europe?” I had travelled Europe as a student and undertaken some post graduate study there, so why not?

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Great Trains of Europe Tours (ABN 75 325 010 987) is an accredited travel agent (ATAS #12982). We are members of IATA (Licence #96836610) and the Concorde Independent Agents’ Network.

Stan Klan

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For the next thirty years in five schools as History teacher and School Principal, the European (magical) History Tour was a feature of our lives. I retired early and licensed my own travel agency and tour operator business “Great Trains of Europe Tours” and so continue my lifelong passion for Europe, her history and culture, and her great trains.

FOOTSTEPS OF THE KNIGHTS

OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

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Day 3: CHUR – Bernina Express One of the world’s great rail journeys today on the Bernina Express across the Alps to Tirano in Italy. So stunning is the scenery that one section of the route has been classed a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Retrace your steps home to Chur. [B] Day 4: Glacier Express to INTERLAKEN Join the world’s favourite little red Swiss mountain train, the Glacier Express.

Enjoy breathtaking views from your panorama car as you cross the Alps to your lakefront hotel in the village of Interlaken, your home for 3 nights. [B] Day 5: INTERLAKEN – Golden Pass Panorama Today the GoldenPass Panorama train takes you from the Bernese Oberland to Lake Geneva. You have time in Montreux for lunch on the lakefront esplanade or on a steamer on the lake.

Home to Interlaken. [B] Day 6: INTERLAKEN A quiet day to take a steamer across the lake and into Thun, or a train into Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city and financial capital, nestled on Lake Zurich. [B] Day 7: To LUCERNE Skirt the lake to Brienz where you ascend the Brienzer Rothorn (steam train on summer departures) for magnificent views to the Eiger. Arrive in lakeside Lucerne for some shopping time before dinner. [B] Day 8: LUCERNE – Pilatus Trains boats and cable car – to the top of Pilatus for unsurpassed views to Lake Lucerne below. [B] Day 9: LUCERNE – Rigi Kulm Your final day and one of the best saved till last. Using Europe’s first ever cog-wheel railway, climb to the top of the “Queen of the Mountains” for 360 degree Alpine views. [B] Day 10: Auf Wiedersehen The tour ends after breakfast.

Transfer to the airport or take the TGV and Eurostar back to London. A Paris stopover can be arranged. [B] Travel on: Bernina Express, Glacier Express, GoldenPass Panorama, Brienzer Rothorn (steam in summer) First Class rail seats Quality hotels BOX: 9 buffet breakfasts FACT 10 DAYS

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THE DEPART ANY DAY OPTION

DATES DON’T SUIT? LIKE A SHORTER TOUR? SOMETHING MISSING? INDEPENDENT TOURING – DEPART ANY DAY Some tours offered by Great Trains However, the Independent Touring of Europe Tours are also available as advantages are: independent (unescorted) tours.

There are a few differences between an escorted tour and an independent, “Depart Any Day” tour:

• You don’t have a Tour Director, rather you use local tour guides or the detailed selfguided touring notes provided; • You do not have your luggage transported on ahead from hotel to hotel, rather you take care of it yourself; and…

• You save 25% on the advertised escorted tour cost; • You can start your tour any day of the year; and…

• You may cut and paste. For example you may choose the last 6 days of the Swiss Mountain Rails Tour followed by the first 4 days of the Winter Wonderland Tour. Ask for a costing.

• You do not have any evening meals included.

A Tailored Itinerary – just for you?

With more than 35 years experience in introducing people to Europe, we are uniquely placed to help you arrange an individual itinerary, providing rail travel and accommodations.

Your request might be as simple as “the first 12 days of the Off the Beaten Track Tour, but in April rather than in September” or as complex as “three weeks in February through the great opera houses of Europe with opera bookings in each city”.

Recent examples of individual itinerary requests include:

All these customers are now friends and have requested assistance in planning their next European holidays.

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A 3 week family visit to Italy and Switzerland by train, staying in small villages, but also must visit Pompeii, Florence and the Bordeaux vineyards.

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A family of three from London to Paris on Eurostar, 3 nights in a 4 star boutique Left Bank hotel in Paris, the high-speed TGV to Grindelwald in Switzerland for a 4 day White Christmas, a Glacier Express day, Cisalpino train on to Venice for New Year in a Grand Canal-front hotel, then on to Rome.

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Day 2: CHUR Every day on the Great Trains of Europe Tours begins with a full buffet breakfast. Commence your love affair with the great trains of Europe today on a rail journey to Switzerland’s highest town Davos, famous from the nineteenth century as a “Wellness” centre, and now a very trendy ski resort in Winter. [B]

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Day 1: To SWITZERLAND You may join the tour either in London, at Zurich Airport or in Switzerland’s oldest town, Chur.

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OUR MOST POPULAR "DEPART ANY DAY" TOUR PERFECT FOR A PRE OR POST CRUISE TOUR. Offered only as an unescorted, self-guided tour.

EASTERN EUROPEAN CAPITALS

LEGENDARY SILK ROAD

DEPARTS

DAYS inc flights

COST TWIN SHARE from

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Amsterdam May 5th 2019

20 Days

$AU 12,950

6,7

Bucharest August 21st 2019

22 Days

$AU 15,950

8,9

St Petersburg August 14th 2019

8 Days

$AU 5,950

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Beijing September 27th 2019

20 Days

FROM $AU 16,950

10-12

TURKEY POST-TOUR: Visit Turkey, Istanbul, Troy and Gallipoli

Istanbul October 16th 2019

8 Days

$AU 4,900

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FOOTSTEPS OF THE KNIGHTS: A pilgrimage in the footsteps of the Knights Hospitaller to mark the 50th anniversary of the Australian foundation of the Order of St John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller.

Tel Aviv May 25th 2019

22 Days

$AU 14,950

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THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY: with Dutch & English Gardens and the Chelsea Flower Show

Amsterdam May 5th 2020

21 Days

$AU $13,950

14,15

Zurich June 11th 2020

14 Days

$AU $9,900

16,17

THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY: with Off the Beaten Track — the Hill Villages and Market Towns of the South of France, the Swiss & Austrian Alps

Paris September 3rd 2020

21 Days

$AU $13,950

16,17

THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY: Italy’s Cultural Capitals, Swiss Mountain Trains

Zurich September 26th 2020

21 Days

$AU $13,950

16,17

WINTER WONDERLAND TOUR: Swiss & Austrian Alps, and the Romantic Cities of Paris, Venice and Prague.

Paris December 28th 2019 December 28th 2020

20 Days

$AU 10,950

18,19

Grindelwald December 21st 2019 December 21st 2020

8 Days

$AU 2,500

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DEPARTS

DAYS inc flights

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Amsterdam May 5th 2019

7 Days

$AU 4,500

6,7

BLOSSOMS & BULBS: England’s Gardens and Chelsea Flower Show

London May 12th 2019

12 Days

$AU 9,000

6,7

FOOTSTEPS OF THE KNIGHTS: Excluding Israel. Join in Rhodes

Rhodes June 1st 2019

15 Days

$AU 10,950

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THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY: Swiss Mountain Rails

Zurich June 11th 2020

14 Days

$AU 9,990

16,17

ESCORTED TOURS INDEX – 3 Week Tours BLOSSOMS & BULBS: Springtime Gardens – Dutch Bulbfields, Chateaux Gardens of France, English Villages and Gardens, and the Chelsea Flower Show.

EASTERN EUROPEAN CAPITALS Visit 7 of the Eastern Europe’s historic capitals, Bucharest, Sofia, Belgrade, Budapest, Krakow, Prague and Berlin.

RUSSIA'S CAPITALS PRE-TOUR: See the sights in St Petersburg and Moscow

THE LEGENDARY SILK ROAD: From the Great Wall of China to the Walls of Constantinople with 7 nights aboard the Orient Silk Road Express.

THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY: with Swiss Mountain Rails

WHITE CHRISTMAS PRE-TOUR: In a Swiss Alpine Village for Christmas

SHORTER TOURS BLOSSOMS & BULBS: Blossoms & Bulbs of Holland and France

FOOTSTEPS OF THE KNIGHTS

SHORTER TOUR OPTION Is 3 weeks too long?

OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

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NO SOLO TRAVELLER SUPPLEMENT FOR EARLYBIRD BOOKINGS

...on the right track in Europe since 1977

...with The

Chelsea Flower Show

BLOSSOMS & BULBS Dutch Bulbfields, Chateaux Gardens of France, English Villages & Gardens May 5th 2019: AMSTERDAM The tour commences at check-in to our city-centre hotel, our home for four nights. We rest from the flight, or take an afternoon canal cruise to get our bearings, before meeting our fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink and Dinner. [D] May 6th: AMSTERDAM Every day on the Great Trains of Europe Tours begins with a full buffet breakfast. We spend a full day in one of the world’s finest bulbfields, the Keukenhof Garden, with 80 acres of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other flowering bulbs, shrubs, ancient trees, exhibitions, gurgling streams, flower parades, and seven themed gardens.

Little wonder we need all day to visit the Keukenhof! There are restaurants and tea shops. [B] May 7th: AMSTERDAM We head into the countryside today (who will be first to see a windmill?) to the Gardens of the Dutch Baroque Palace Het Loo, the Royal Palace from the 1680s until 1982. Established by LeNôtre, the gardens feature perfect symmetry, axial layout with radiating gravel walks, parterres, fountains, basins and statues. [B] May 8th: AMSTERDAM For early risers an optional excursion this morning to the world’s largest flower markets at Aarlsmeer, where more than 19 million blooms are sold every day. In the afternoon we visit the historic and beautiful Dutch city of Delft, home of Vermeer, and imagine what Amsterdam might have looked like centuries ago. [B] May 9th: PARIS A great rail journey today. Our luggage is taken on ahead as we take our reserved First Class seats in the sleek Thalys train, for Paris at 300kph. On arrival we settle in to our 4 star hotel on the Left Bank. On our city sightseeing tour we begin our acquaintance with the City of Lights. [B,D] May 10th: PARIS A quiet morning to stroll in the nearby Luxembourg Gardens or to visit a museum. Monet’s water lilies are on view in their original context at l’Orangerie. See them in real life this afternoon on our visit to Giverney and Monet’s Garden. We enjoy the flower garden called Clos Normand and the water garden with its famous Japanese Bridge covered with wisteria, the weeping willows and the famous nympheas (water lilies). [B] May 11th: PARIS A high-speed French TGV train today into the Loire Valley and the Garden of Villandry, created by Dr Joachim Carvallo, from 1906, in complete harmony with the Renaissance architecture of the chateau.

Great horticultural skill was deployed, especially in the use of vegetables.

An arbour of grape vines leads to a great parterre, conceived as a Garden of Music. On the other side of the canal is a Garden of Love. [B] May 12th: NORTH YORK MOORS Another of the great rail journeys of the world as we farewell Paris and join the 300kph Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel. Customs requires that we travel with our luggage today.

In London we join British Rail in the tracks of the Flying Scotsman to the 6

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mediaeval city of York. We see the Minster and visit the Shambles, then transfer to our inn in the North York Moors village of Pickering. A pub dinner tonight. [B,D] May 14th: NORTH YORK MOORS This morning we visit the gardens of Castle Howard, laid out by Sir John Vanburgh in the early 18th century.

Castle Howard is the palace of the Flyte family in Brideshead Revisited.

We lunch (with Claude Jeremiah Greengrass?) in the village of Goathland, “Aidensfield” in the TV series Heartbeat. Here we join the historic North York Steam Railway home to Pickering. [B] May 15th: NORTH YORK MOORS This morning we visit historic Harewood House. Its garden is classic Capability Brown – forming an idyllic rural setting. We move on to the spa and garden town of Harrogate for a cream tea or a stroll around its famous gardens. Can you spot Agatha Christie? She “disappeared” here in 1926. [B] May 16th: LAKE DISTRICT We journey this morning through the Yorkshire Dales, immortalised in James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small novels and television series. A village pub lunch stop, then on to the Lake District where we settle into our Lakeside hotel. [B,D] May 17th: LAKE DISTRICT This morning we visit a very special Lakeland garden, Holehird, which specialises in Lakeland flora and offers sweeping views of Lake Windermere. A bit of whimsy on the way home: we drop in on Beatrix Potter’s garden, Hill Top – watch out for the fierce bad rabbit. [B] IRELAND

May 18th: LAKE DISTRICT We take a magical rail journey today through some of the Dales’ and England’s finest scenery on the historic Settle to Carlisle Railway. A pub lunch, an afternoon cream tea and visits to some more of the Yorkshire Dales’ picturesque villages. [B] May 19th: COTSWOLDS Our British Rail journey south today brings us to the Peak District of Derbyshire, to visit the gardens of historic Chatsworth House, dating from 1687. Another Capability Brown garden, Chatsworth has been famous for its beauty since Jane Austen’s day. We move on in the late afternoon to the Cotswolds where we stay in a village inn in the pretty riverside village of Bourton-on-the Water. [B,D] May 20th: COTSWOLDS This morning’s sightseeing takes us to picturesque Cotswold villages of honey-golden stone: Lower Slaughter, Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Campden. After a village pub lunch we visit one of England’s favourite gardens – Hidcote Manor, designed and developed by Major Lawrence Johnston, who scoured the world to secure rare and exotic species for this extremely pretty garden, a series of “outdoor rooms”. [B]

EASTERN EUROPEAN CAPITALS

LEGENDARY SILK ROAD

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SHORTER TOUR OPTION Is 3 weeks too long?

This tour can be taken as a shorter option!

Please refer to Tour Index for more information

May 21st: COTSWOLDS Today we visit Stowe Landscape Gardens, covering 750 acres and including 40 listed historic monuments and temples. It is considered one of England’s most important landscape gardens and the greatest names in English garden design were involved in its creation from Bridgeman in the 1710s to Vanbrugh, Kent, Gibbs and “Capability” Brown.

Afternoon tea in the Cotswold village of Burford, serious about antiques. [B]

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May 22nd: LONDON Back on British Rail today we journey through more of the Cotswolds’ rolling hills, as our luggage is taken on ahead to await our arrival in our London hotel. We enjoy London’s sights this afternoon. The Oxford Street shops are only a bus ride away from the hotel. A West End Show tonight? [B]

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May 23rd: LONDON The Oxford Street shops or Harrods this morning before an afternoon excursion to the Royal Horticultural Society’s Wisley Garden, where keen English gardeners have gone to be inspired for over 100 years. Spread out over 240 acres, Wisley is a lovely, peaceful place for a stroll as well as a demonstration garden full of practical garden design ideas and cultivation techniques. [B] May 24th: LONDON A full day today at the Chelsea Flower Show, arguably the world’s greatest and best known. Our Farewell Dinner tonight. [B,D]

HIGHLIGHTS RAIL JOURNEYS

Day 20: HEADING HOME Our tour ends this morning after breakfast. [B]

• • • • •

SCOTLAND

3 Lake District

4

ENGLAND

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AMSTERDAM

NETHERLANDS

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Cotswolds

A full day at CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW LATVIA

High-Speed Thalys English Channel Eurostar Tracks of the Flying Scotsman North York Moors Steam Railway Settle to Carlisle Historic Rail

LITHUANIA

GARDENS

3 North York Moors

WALES

ESTONIA

3 LONDON

Chelsea Flower Show

GERMANY

blossoms & bulbs BELGIUM

• Hidcote Keukenhof Gardens • Wisley Het Loo Monet’s Garden Villandry SIGHTS Castle Howard Harewood • “Heartbeat Country” Holehird • Herriot’s Yorkshire Dales Chatsworth POLAND • Lake District Stowe • Cotswold Villages

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INCLUDED FEATURES: • First Class rail travel in reserved seats CZECH REPUBLIC

• 4 star city-centre hotels • 3 or 4 star historicSLOVAKIA village inns • 6 dinners • Full luggage handling [not on Eurostar] • Local expert garden guides [where permitted] AUSTRIA • Full-time Australian Historian Tour Director HUNGRY who is the Company Principal

3 PARIS

FRANCE SWITZERLAND

ITALY

ROMANIA

SLOVENIA

CROATIA BOSNIA YUGOSLAVIA

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OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

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NO SOLO TRAVELLER SUPPLEMENT FOR EARLYBIRD BOOKINGS

EASTERN EUROPEAN CA 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the tearing down of the Iron Curtain.

Our tour – 5 star hotels and First Class rail – visits 7 of the Eastern Europe’s historic capitals, with the option of a pre-tour to Russia’s two capitals, St Petersburg and Moscow.

August 21st 2019: BUCHAREST Our tour commences with check-in at our 5 star hotel in the Romanian capital. Those joining the tour from the “Russia’s Capitals” pre-tour arrive in the afternoon. Our Welcome Dinner, tonight. [D] August 22nd: BUCHAREST Our Bucharest city sightseeing commences at the magnificent Palace of the Parliament is renowned for being the largest administrative building in the world by weight and size, coming in ahead of the United States Pentagon. The Romanian communist dictator, Nicolae Ceaușescu, in an act of supreme irony called it “The People’s Palace”. [B] August 23rd: BUCHAREST A visit out of Bucharest today, to Bran Castle, one time home of Vlad the Impaler, universally recognised (perhaps erroneously) as Dracula.

Back to Bucharest this evening. Garlic for dinner? [B] August 24th: SOFIA We cannot travel by train from Bucharest to our next capital, Sofia, so today we transfer to the airport for the one hour flight, arriving early afternoon. On arrival we check in at our 5 star hotel in the Bulgarian capital, which Bill Bryson called “the most European of all cities”. [B,D] August 25th: SOFIA Our sightseeing this morning is on foot, as the old city heart is very compact. Highlights will include the National Archaeological Museum, the National Theatre, the Russian Church of St. Nikola, the Parliament Square, and Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral with the most valuable collection of Bulgarian icons. Bulgars have Slavic origins, they use the Cyrillic script, and Eastern Orthodox Christianity is strong here. [B] August 26th: SOFIA A visit today to a UNESCO listed cultural treasure — the Rila Monastery — the most famous and fascinating monastery in Bulgaria, given its architecture, wall paintings and ancient history, and its location at 1,147 meters above sea level. The monastery offers great views. Back to Sofia this evening. [B] August 27th: BELGRADE We commence our love affair with the great trains of Europe today. A EuroCity train has us across the Bulgarian – Serbian frontier and into the Serbian (and former Yugoslavian) capital of Belgrade by early evening. Today’s rail journey (and the next one in 3 days) follows the route of the historic Orient Express. Move over Agatha. [B,D] August 28th: BELGRADE Belgrade was a target of conquerors for centuries. It was ruined and rebuilt almost 40 times. Today we have a unique opportunity to compare variations in culture and architecture in different parts of Belgrade under AustroHungarian Empire, with those under the rule of Turkish Ottoman Empire. [B] August 29th: BELGRADE Belgrade is one of four European capitals on the Danube River, and today we take a river cruise to the municipality of Zemun, situated along the right bank of the Danube. It has Hapsburg architecture and a feel identifiably different from Belgrade’s. [B] August 30th: BUDAPEST As our luggage is taken on ahead, we join our Our EuroCity train to Budapest, the second Hapsburg capital for much of the 19th and the early 20th centuries. Like Prague in 1968, Budapest rose in revolution against the Communists in 1956, but were crushed mercilessly. [B,D] August 31st: BUDAPEST Budapest is made up of two cities: hilly Buda with its castle on the Western Bank of the Danube, overlooking the stately buildings and broad boulevards of Pest on the Eastern Bank. Our 5 star hotel is situated on the Pest side in a pedestrian shopping area. This morning’s sightseeing takes us to the

8

BLOSSOMS & BULBS

Buda side, to the Fisherman’s Bastion and St Matthias Church, then back to Heroes’ Square and St Stephen’s. [B] September 1st: BUDAPEST St Sebastian’s and the Gothic Parliament Building (the largest in Europe) are both close by our hotel. The Budapest Opera House is, in my humble opinion, one of the grandest in the world. Then the day is yours for a leisurely lunch and the galleries or the shops. Budapest has many fine coffee houses, testament to more than a century of Turkish occupation. Another quirky Turkish touch continues – the thermal spa baths! [B] September 2nd: KRAKOW Our Eurocity train today passes through Slovakia and into Poland to our base for the next 3 days, the old city of Krakow. Okay, Krakow wasn’t the capital of Communist Poland, but it is Poland’s cultural cradle and was its historical capital from 1038 until 1791. It still stands substantially intact from the 13th century, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. [B,D] September 3rd: KRAKOW Our city sightseeing tour includes the historic Market Square and Wawel Hill with its palace and tiny cathedral, and the graves of Polish kings. This is where Pope John Paul II served as archbishop. Lunch in one of the many restaurants on Market Square? It is possible to visit nearby Auschwitz – not fun, but possibly we owe it to humanity to visit. [B] September 4th: KRAKOW There is an excursion today to Warsaw. Our sightseeing includes the reconstructed ancient centre, the Market Square, the monument to the Warsaw Uprising and the remains of the Warsaw Ghetto. Home to Krakow tonight. [B] September 5th: PRAGUE After a short EuroCity rail journey today we arrive in the early afternoon in magical Prague. Our luggage awaits our arrival in our luxury hotel, located in the historic heart, which is "pedestrians only" and traffic-free. An afternoon stroll includes the nearby Old Town Square which has a building from each century from the 14th to the 20th. Enjoy the view over afternoon coffee in an outdoor café. [B,D] September 6th: PRAGUE This morning we begin to discover this magnificent city: the Castle, the Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square and the Jewish Quarter feature in our sightseeing. [B] September 7th: PRAGUE There is no planned sightseeing today, but your Tour Leader is on hand to advise. Enjoy your free day in this beautiful city, shopping or enjoying the music. Prague is rich in Mozart associations and is the centre for world famous Bohemian crystal. There may be an opera performance. [B] September 8th: BERLIN En route to Berlin today we break our journey in the historic Saxon capital of Dresden, to explore this stately city which is still being rebuilt from its near-total destruction one night in February 1945. We arrive in Berlin in the late afternoon and cross to our 5 star hotel on the Ku’Damm the main shopping street of old West Berlin. [B] September 9th: BERLIN Today’s sightseeing introduces us to the city which divided Europe for 45 years — the Brandenberg Gate, the Reichstag, Unter den Linden. Will the Berlin Philharmonic be in town? [B] September 10th: BERLIN A free day for more sightseeing today in the city with a greater concentration of museums than London, and one of the world’s great zoos.

Visit the greatest department store in the world (in your Tour Director’s humble opinion), KaDeWe, a short walk from our hotel. Our farewell dinner tonight. [B,D] September 11th: FAREWELL Our tour ends after breakfast this morning. [B]

EASTERN EUROPEAN CAPITALS

LEGENDARY SILK ROAD

RUSSIA'S CAPITALS

PRE-TOUR ADD-ON TO THE EASTERN EUROPEAN CAPITALS TOUR:

APITALS

AUG 14th ST PETERSBURG Our tour commences on arrival in St Petersburg, the Imperial capital of the Czars. You are transferred to our luxury 5 star hotel. Meet your fellow explorers over welcome drinks and dinner. [D] AUG 15th ST PETERSBURG This morning’s city sightseeing includes the Winter Palace, St Isaac’s, the Admiralty and the Peter and Paul Fortress. In the afternoon we visit the fabled Amber Room in the Catherine Palace just outside St Petersburg. [B]

HIGHLIGHTS:

Explore Eastern Europe’s Capitals with 3 nights in: • Bucharest • Sofia • Belgrade • Budapest • Krakow • Prague • Berlin

BOX: T C A S F 22 DAY ATION:

ES: RTUR 9 A P E 1 D 21st 20 ntent August Only CBeorlin). d n a L T: rest, leave in re COS Bucha win shsa t n o s (Join in r r pe ive airfare ,950 pe tit $AU 15 about compe ent $2,000. ro Single 2018 er 31st OctobESTONIA

AUG 19th MOSCOW Our city sightseeing tour this morning focuses on Red Square, once the site of executions and Soviet military parades, but still the focal point of Moscow life. We visit both Lenin’s tomb and St Basil’s cathedral. The afternoon is free to explore, to shop, or to ride the world famous Moscow Metro. [B]

RUSSIA

First Class rail travel in reserved seats LATVIA Economy Class flight Bucharest to Sofia 21 nights in 5 star luxury city-centre hotels with buffet breakfasts 7 dinners LITHUANIA Full luggage handling Full time Australian Tour Director who is the tour Company Principal

FLY ON TO EASTERN EUROPEAN CAPTITALS TOUR

POLAND 3

KRAKOW LITHUANIA 3

CZECH REPUBLIC

BERLIN

AUSTRIA

ERLAND

BUDAPEST

3

ITALY

SLOVENIA

GERMANY

POLAND

PRAGUE

CZECH REPUBLIC CROATIA

AUSTRIA BOSNIA

BUDAPEST

ITALY

SLOVENIA

DURAT

ROMANIA

KRAKOW

SLOVAKIA

3 BELGRADE

BUCHAREST

3

UKRAINE

HUNGRY

3

PRE-TOUR RUSSIA’S CAPITALS

ROMANIA

SERBIA

3

CROATIA

3

SOFIA

BUCHAREST 3 BULGARIA

Eastern European Capitals BELGRADE

BOSNIA

First class rail travel in reserved seats 7 nights in 5 star luxury city centre hotels with buffet breakfasts 2 dinners Full luggage handling Full time Australian Tour Director who is the tour Company Principal

BOX: FACTION: 8 DAYS

PRE-TOUR RUSSIA’S CAPITALS

3

FRANCE

SWITZERLAND

MOSCOW

HUNGRY

BELGIUM

3

• • • • •

UKRAINE

BELARUS

3

INCLUDED FEATURES:

FLY ON TO EASTERN EUROPEAN CAPTITALS TOUR

SLOVAKIA

NETHERLANDS

PRE-TOUR ADD-ON RUSSIA'S CAPITALS

RUSSIA

LATVIA

3

PRAGUE

AUG 21st To BUCHAREST We join our flight today to Bucharest to commence the Eastern European Capitals Tour. [B]

3

BELARUS ESTONIA

3

AUG 20th MOSCOW Today’s sightseeing is dedicated entirely MOSCOW to the Kremlin, Moscow’s fortress dating from the fifteenth century and containing cathedrals, palaces, museums (Faberge eggs) and the 200 ton Tsar bell. [B]

3

ST PETERSBURG

GERMANY

AUG 18th MOSCOW Today we take one of Europe’s great rail journeys on the new 200kph Sapsan train (lunch on board) to Moscow, the Russian capital, until the time of Peter the Great and again since 1918. We move to our 5 star hotel near the Kremlin. [B,D]

PE t fo plemen BIRD S EARLY om without sup

INCLUDED FEATURES:

BERLIN

AUG 17th ST PETERSBURG The Hofburg Palace and its fabulous gardens are half an hour by hydrofoil down the Gulf of Finland. We visit it today. [B]

lem ppPETERSBURG Enquireroom suST re 3 gs befo L Single r bookin CIA :

Day Visits to: • Warsaw • Dresden • Dracula’s Castle • • • • • •

AUG 16th ST PETERSBURG Today we visit one of the world’s greatest art galleries, the Hermitage. Its collection, from Old Masters to the Impressionists and Moderns, is widely considered to be among the world’s best. [B]

DUR

E: RTUR DEPA 14th 2019 T AUGUS share. : T S on twin Petersburg.)

CO per pers St 50 tour $AU 5,9 tent only. (Join $700. in

nt on Land c m suppleme roo L: IA C Single E P t for BIRD S out supplemen 2018 Y L R A E ith st w 1 r m e o b ro m Single before Septe s booking

MACEDONIA

SERBIA

ALBANIA

3

SOFIA

BULGARIA

Eastern European Capitals TURKEY MACEDONIA

GREECE ALBANIA

GREECE

FOOTSTEPS OF THE KNIGHTS

TURKEY

OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

9

LEGENDARY SILK ROAD September 27th 2019: To BEIJING Join your flight today to China’s capital, Beijing.

On arrival you are transferred to your centrally located 5 star hotel. Overnight: First Class hotel [D]

September 28th: BEIJING Today we are introduced to the ancient (and modern) city of Beijing – highlights include the Temple of Heaven as well as the famous Tiananmen Square. For centuries the doors to the former Emperor's Palaces have been closed to the public. Today the glorious halls and mysterious temples of the Forbidden City are open for us. A traditional Chinese dinner of Peking Duck tonight.

Overnight: First Class hotel [B,L,D] September 29th: BEIJING — Great Wall of China The Great Wall of China is the 8th Wonder of the World; today you can experience it up close, both on foot and from a cable car. Construction began in the 7th century BC with sections of the 1,500 mile long wall dating from the 3rd century BC, and most from the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644).

On the way back to our Beijing hotel, we visit the famous Ming Tombs (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Sacred Way. Overnight: First Class hotel [B,L,D] September 30th: To XIAN On the tracks today. We join China’s high-speed bullet train, taking our reserved First Class seats for our journey at 300kph from China’s modern capital, to her historic capital, the walled city of Xian. On arrival we are transferred to our 5 star city-centre hotel. Overnight: First Class hotel [B,L,D] October 1st: XIAN – Entombed Warriors This morning there is a city sightseeing tour of Xian, including the 7th Century Wild Goose Buddhist Pagoda and the 14th Century Great Mosque. The afternoon is free for the markets or, for the more athletic, a bicycle ride around the city walls – 14 kilometres. Overnight: First Class hotel [B,L,D] October 2nd: XIAN Yet another wonder of the world today – the Entombed Warriors of Xian. 8,000 life-size soldiers, and 130 chariots with 520 horses, stand guard over the grave of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, since 210–209 BC. Overnight: First Class hotel [B,L,D] October 3rd: To ALMATY We skip the next bit of the Silk Road today, as there is no train. Instead, we join our international flight to Almaty in Kazakhstan where, on arrival, we are transferred to our centrally located hotel. Overnight: First Class hotel [B,L,D] October 4th: ALMATY This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of this green metropolitan city at the foot of the mighty Ile Alatau Mountains. Highlights include the Zenkov Russian Orthodox Cathedral, built entirely of wood, the Wedding Palace, the Almaty Circus and the Central Mosque. After a Kazakh welcome lunch, we board our private train, the Orient Silk Road Express. Overnight on board the Orient Silk Road Express [B,L,D] October 5th: TURKESTAN We arrive after breakfast in the city of Turkestan and visit the 1394 Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, one of the most significant examples of Timurid architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards our private train continues its journey, crossing the Kazakhstan — Uzbekistan border towards Tashkent. Border formalities are completed in the comfort of our compartment.

Overnight on board the Orient Silk Road Express [B,L,D] October 6th: TASHKENT Our private train, the Orient Silk Road Express, arrives in the early morning at Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent. During our city sightseeing of this green oasis in the steppe, we see the Madrassa Kukeldash, the Kavoj and Amir Timur monuments. This evening we attend a concert in a music hall, and then reboard our private train. Overnight on board the Orient Silk Road Express [B,L,D] October 7th: SHAKHRISABZ Through mountainous territory, we follow the route of the trade caravans, also the route and the armies of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Tamerlane. A traditional ceremony offers us first-hand insight

10

BLOSSOMS & BULBS

into the region’s unique folklore, before continuing to the green city of Shakhrisabz, Tamerlane’s birthplace, where we visit the brutal Mongol leader’s great palace. Back on board, we head for the magical city of Samarkand. Overnight on board the Orient Silk Road Express [B,L,D]

October 8th: SAMARKAND On arrival in Samarkand we settle into our First Class hotel for a 2 night stay. During the rule of Tamerlane, Samarkand was considered the world’s most beautiful city, and it still speaks of all the magic of 1,001 Nights.

Today we learn why. It is also historically important, as the site where many Uzbek women burned their veils (burkhas) in 1917, with the arrival of the Soviet system.

Overnight: First Class hotel [B,L,D] October 9th SAMARKAND Our day’s sightseeing in this fascinating city includes a tour of a silk carpet manufactory, a visit to an Uzbek craftsman’s family to see paper being made from mulberry bark, stops at the Ulug Beg Observatory and the ruins of the Bibi Khanum Mosque, and viewing the interior of the palace-like Gur Emir Mausoleum. Overnight: First Class hotel [B,L,D] October 10th: SAMARKAND The morning is yours to explore Samarkand or spend as you please. We re-board the Silk Road Orient Express at noon and depart for Khiva. Overnight on board the Orient Silk Road Express [B,L,D] October 11th: KHIVA Today we visit the oasis of Khiva, an exotic fairy tale from 1001 Nights – in stone. Its palaces, mosques, minarets, mausoleums and madrassas (Muslim religious schools) represent one of the best preserved ensembles of medieval oriental urban architecture in the world. Overnight on board the Orient Silk Road Express [B,L,D] October 12th: BUKHARA On arrival in Bukhara (also called Sherif — the noble one) we transfer to our First Class hotel and then commence our city sightseeing of just a few of its thousand architectural monuments recalling the golden age of the Great Silk Route, including the almost fifty-metre tall Kalyan Minaret. Exotic spices, furs and especially silk were stored and traded then in the city’s caravanserais. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Overnight: First Class hotel [B,L,D] October 13th: BUKHARA This morning we continue to explore Bukhara’s ancient oriental architecture — the splendid Mir-e-Arab Madrassa, the Samanid Mausoleum, and the massive Ark Citadel. Our private train continues its journey in the evening.

Overnight on board the Orient Silk Road Express [B,L,D] October 14th: MERV We farewell the Silk Road Orient Express this morning on arrival at the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site of Merv. Here are the remnants of what was once one of the world’s largest and most magnificent cities: gigantic walls and ramparts simply standing in the middle of the desert next to the imposing ruins of ancient buildings such as the Tomb of the Sultan Sanjar and the Maidens’ Castle. We have lunch with a local family in their home’s picturesque courtyard.

Overnight: First Class hotel [B,L,D] October 15th: NISA & ASHGABAT This morning we are driven to the ancient Parthian city of Nisa, then after lunch we take a guided tour of the modern-day Turkmenistan capital of Ashgabat and the National Museum in Ashgabat, where you view artefacts excavated from the ruins at Nisa and gain insight into the development of a culture shaped by various peoples, ethnicities and religions. Overnight: First Class hotel [B,L,D] October 16th: To ISTANBUL (Constantinople) The traditional Silk Route further West requires passage through Iran, Iraq and Syria, so we bail out and take a flight to its historic terminus, Constantinople (Istanbul) where, on arrival, you transfer to your homeward flight or, if you choose to join your Tour Director on an 8 day Add-on tour of Istanbul, Troy and Gallipoli, we transfer to our First Class hotel. [B]

EASTERN EUROPEAN CAPITALS

LEGENDARY SILK ROAD

TURKEY

ISTANBUL, TROY & GALLIPOLI POST TOUR: 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS OCT 16th ISTANBUL On arrival in Istanbul Airport from our Silk Road journey, we are transferred to our First Class citycentre hotel. [D]

D

OCT 17th ISTANBUL Istanbul has a long and eventful history, reflected in its 3 names – Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul.

Today we see modern Istanbul, the city spread across the two continents of Europe and Asia. [B,D] OCT 18th ISTANBUL We begin our exploration of the Byzantine and Ottoman city at the Hippodrome and nearby twin shrines of Hagia Sophia, the greatest church in Christendom for a millennium, and the Blue Mosque. We then visit the historic underground cisterns constructed under Emperor Justinian in the sixth century. Free time in the afternoon for the Spice Market, which has been selling spices from the East since mediaeval times. [B]

Although the term Silk Road (or Silk Route) was coined only in the 1870s by the German cartographer Ferdinand von Richthofen, there has been a trading route between China and Europe since the third century BC, with silk from the East being but one of the commodities traded. 1,500 years later Marco Polo may or may not have followed the route. We don’t have 20 years to spare to make the journey, so we commence with the high-speed train from Beijing to Xian, then fly on to Almaty in Kazakhstan to join our private train, the Orient Silk Road Express, for a 13 day journey (6 nights spent on board) along the historic route through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. We skip the next section of the Silk Road — through Iran, Iraq and Syria — and fly on to finish our journey in Istanbul, ancient Constantinople, the terminus of the historic Silk Road.

CHINA INCLUDED FEATURES: • 6 nights bed and buffet breakfast in international 5 star hotels • All meals according to programme • Guided sightseeing and entrances as per itinerary • First Class seats on the high-speed Beijing to Xian train • Xian to Almaty Economy Class flight • Airport arrival and departure transfers.

BOX: T C A S F 20 DAY ATION:

SMARAKAND

HARA 2

STAN

OCT 21st GALLIPOLI The “holy of holies” for Australians and Kiwis today. Our sightseeing today is a roll call of those places seared into our national psyche – Anzac Cove, Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine. Back to our Gallipol hotel tonight.[B,D] OCT 22nd TROY — ISTANBUL An Ancient history excursion today to Classical Troy, long believed to be a Greek myth until unearthed in the 1860s by the German archaeologist Dr Heinrich Schliemann. In the afternoon we make our way back to our Istanbul hotel.[B,D]

MONGOLIA

2

1

FLIGHT FROM XIAN

KYRGYZSTAN

3

TASHKENT

1

TAJIKISTAN

CHINA

SHAKHRISABZ

BEIJING 3

FLIGHT TO ALMATY

ndary Silk Road RUSSIA 1

OCT 20th To GALLIPOLI By coach today we skirt the Sea of Marmara south-west into European Turkey towards the Dardenelles. Here is the town of Gelibolu situated on the peninsula of the same name. We all know it as Gallipoli. [B,D]

see C (Join in Please ly Content n O Land tinople). : , and n Beijing FARES Consta AL AIR apital city to stralian city.

N IO T A c u INTERNny Australian the same A From a tanbul back to$2,200 from Is MY CLASS: $5,200 ECONOESS CLASS: RUSSIA BUSIN

ALMATY

TURKESTAN 1 1

We spend the afternoon in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops. [B]

DUR ES: RTUR 2019 A P E h D are in sh ber 27t pp tw ge 12 0 a p 5 Septem n 9 o , U 16d Costs detailsleave in A $ , From abins an Beijing

ORIENT SILK ROAD EXPRESS: • 7 overnights on the private train according to the booked cabin category • 5 overnights in First Class hotels • All meals according to programme • Sightseeing programme including all entrance fees according to programme • Guided transfers to and from all airports and train stations according to programme • Multi-lingual Tour Director • Experienced local guides • Doctor on board KAZAKHSTAN • Ashgabat to Istanbul Economy Class flight.

STAN

OCT 19th ISTANBUL This morning we visit the Topkapi Palace, the royal palace of the Ottomans, founded in 1459, just 6 years after the invasion of Christian Constantinople by the Turks. Since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War 1 it has served as a most important museum with fine art and ornamentation from the Ottoman era. The harem room is of more than appropriate interest to most tourists.

MERV

OCT 23rd FAREWELL Our Turkish holiday ends this morning after breakfast. [B]

NORTH KOREA

INCLUDES 7 nights in First Class hotels (best available JAPAN in Gallipoli) with breakfasts, 5 dinners, all entrances and sightseeing per itinerary.

SOUTH KOREA

3

XIAN

AFGHANISTAN

CHINA PAKISTAN

NEPAL BHUTAN

UKRAINE

INDIA

VIETNAM

BURMA

SMARAKAND

THAILAND

BUKHARA 2

TURKEY

TURKMENISTAN

1

FLIGHT FROM XIAN

KYRGYZSTAN

3

TASHKENT

1

TAJIKISTAN

ul.)

IstanbBEIJING tour in . ly. (Join 0 n o 0 t 9 n $ onte ent Land c supplem

CHINA

SHAKHRISABZ CAMBODIA

1

E: RTUR DEPA 16th 2019 r Octobe 4,900 $AU re. : T S a CO twin sh

2

LAOS

KHIVA 1

DURAT

ALMATY

TURKESTAN 1

UZBEKISTAN

ISTANBUL

BOXY:S / 7 NIGHTS A FACTION: 8 DMONGOLIA

KAZAKHSTAN

BANGLADESH

1

RUSSIA

on per pers

The Legendary Silk Road ASHGABAT

SYRIA

IRAQ

IRAN

1

MERV

room Single

AFGHANISTAN

3

NORTH KOREA

SOUTH KOREA

XIAN

PHILIPPINES

CHINA

JORDAN

PAKISTAN

3

FLIGHT TO ALMATY

MALAYSYA

NEPAL BHUTAN

EGYPT

INDONESIA

SAUDI ARABIA

BANGLADESH

INDIA

FOOTSTEPS OF THE KNIGHTS

VIETNAM

BURMA

OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY

LAOS

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

11

LEGENDARY SILK ROAD CABINS & COSTS

September 27th 2019 to October 16th 2019

ALADDIN CATEGORY CABIN:

This category features two lower beds (67cm x 184 cm), a small table and storage space. Each car has eight compartments and one shower facility. Combined toilet and washing facilities are located at both ends of each car.

SULTAN CATEGORY CABIN:

This category features two beds, with an upper berth measuring 80cm x 174cm and the lower one a more generous 110cm x 184cm. The compartment also offers comfortable seating, a larger table and a small closet. Each compartment has its own lavatory equipped with toilet, washing basin and integrated shower with shower curtain. Every car of this category contains only six compartments.

SCOTLAND

IRELAND

ENGLAND

KALIF CATEGORY CABIN:

NETHERLANDS

WALES

POLAND

This category is the highest available on the Orient Silk Road Express, and has the same cabin layout as the Sultan category, except that each cabin has its own en suite bathroom. Each compartment features closet, safe and en-suite bath with separate shower cabin. Every car of this category, offering the highest level of comfort available on the Silk Road, contains only four compartments and offers space for a maximum of just 8 guests.

BELGIUM

GERMANY

CZECH REPUBLIC

SLO

FRANCE

HU

AUSTRIA SWITZERLAND

SLOVENIA

CROATIA

SCOTLAND

BOSNIA

SER

5

TWIN SHARE

SINGLE IN HOTELS TWIN ON TRAIN

SINGLE THROUGHOUT

Aladdin

$16,950

$18,750

$20,950

Sultan

$20,950

$22,750

$24,950

CABIN CLASS

IRELAND

ROME

ITALY

ENGLAND

WALES

NETHERLANDS

In the Footstep BELGIUM

GERM 5

Kalif

$22,950

$24,750

ORIENT SILK ROAD EXPRESS: • 7 overnights on the private train according to the booked cabin category • 5 overnights in First Class hotels • All meals according to programme (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner) • Sightseeing programmeme including all entrance fees according to programmeme • Guided transfers to and from all airports and train stations according to programme • Multi-lingual Tour Director • Experienced local guides • Doctor on board • Ashgabat to Istanbul Economy Class flight.

12

INCLUSIONS & COSTS: We have a strictly limited allocation of cabins in the top 3 classes Aladdin, Sultan and Kalif on the Orient Silk Road Express.

Tour costs do not include costs associated with arranging visas for the 5 countries visited, but Great Trains of Europe Tours is delighted to assist you with obtaining the necessary visas.

INTERNATIONAL AIRFARES: (Based on airfares quoted at 10th March 2018). From any Australian capital city to Beijing, and from Istanbul back to the same Australian city.

Economy Class: $2,200 Business Class: $5,200

BLOSSOMS & BULBS PRE-CHRISTMAS MAGIC TOUR

MALTA

FRANCE

$28,950

Based on $US exchange rates at 10th March 2018, $1 AUS = $0.78 USD. Tour Costs in Australian dollars.

ALBA

TUNISIA

SWITZERLAND

PAYMENT DETAILS: A deposit of $5,000 per person guarantees your seat (unless your preferred class of cabin is sold out prior), with the final payment due 6 months in advance.

Travel insurance is mandatory and Great Trains of Europe Tours will be delighted to quote for your travel insurance.

Direct deposit details for payments: Bank: Heritage Bank, 400 Ruthven St, Toowoomba, Queensland 4350 AUSTRALIA BSB: 638 060 Account No: 11109734 Account Name: Great Trains of Europe Tours

EASTERN CAPITALS WINTEREUROPEAN WONDERLAND TOUR

In LEGENDARY SILK ROAD MOROCCO AND THE SOUTH OF SPAIN

TUNIS

...on the right track in Europe since 1977

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE KNIGHTS ITINERARY

their own independent state. They fortified the island and withstood attacks by the Sultan of Egypt in 1444 and by the Ottoman Turks in 1480. We begin our sightseeing today, the walls and the gates. [B]

May 25th 2019: TEL AVIV You are welcomed on arrival in Tel Aviv Airport and transferred to a beachside hotel in Tel Aviv. Meet your fellow pilgrims over dinner tonight. [D]

June 3rd: RHODES Sightseeing today includes the Grand Master’s Palace, the Armouries and St Catherine’s Hospice. [B]

May 26th: GALILEE We drive north today to the Galilee region where Jesus spent most of his life, visiting Nazareth & Cana on the way to our hotel on Lake Galilee. [B,D]

June 4th: RHODES A scenic drive today down the West Coast of the island of Rhodes. [B]

May 27th: GALILEE Today we cross Lake Galilee on a fishing boat to the Mount of the Beatitudes, then visit the ST PETERSBURG Mount of Transfiguration and Caesarea Philippi. Back to 3 our hotel on Lake Galilee. [B,D]

June 5th: To MALTA Our flight today from Rhodes to Malta requires two connections, in Athens, then Rome.

We arrive tonight in Malta’s capital, Valetta. [B]

May 28th: JERUSALEM Heading south today, we visit ESTONIA the site where Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, and on to Jerusalem. We pause for a spectacular view of Jerusalem from Mount Scopus, and a visit to the Garden of LATVIA Gethsemane, before arriving in our Jerusalem hotel. [B,D]

June 6th: MALTA Until 1530 Malta was an extension of Sicily. It was the Spanish Emperor Charles V who bequeathed Malta to the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, who ruled over Malta from 1530 to 1798 for the annual rent of one Maltese Falcon.

Malta’s capital, Valetta, was purpose built as the capital by the Knights Hospitaller, so every part of the city has significant OSJ associations. We commence our discovery of the city on today’s walking tour. [B,D]

RUSSIA

May 29th: JERUSALEM Today we visit the Temple Mount and the Western Wall. We explore the colourful LITHUANIA MOSCOW bazaars, and walk the Via Dolorosa (Stations of3 the Cross) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, said to be built on the spot of Jesus’ Tomb. In the afternoon we visit Jesus’ birthplace, in the nearby village of Bethlehem and visit the BELARUS Shepherds’ Fields, the Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity. [B,D] FLY ON TO EASTERN EUROPEAN CAPTITALS TOUR

May 30th: JERUSALEM It is fairly certain that the first OSJ hospice was opened in Jerusalem in 1048 next to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We visit the OSJ’s historic ST PETERSBURG sites in Jerusalem today. [B,D]

D

UKRAINE

OVAKIA

May 31st: TEL AVIV The Knights Hospitaller were ESTONIA removed from Jerusalem when it fell again into Muslim UNGRY hands. They relocated to Acre, and we visit Acre today, then to our beachside hotel in Tel Aviv. [B,D] ROMANIA

RBIA

LATVIA were June 1st: To RHODES Acre fell in 1291 and Christians expelled from the Holy Land, effectively marking the end of the Crusades. The knights moved briefly to Cyprus then, in 1309, to the island of Rhodes. We LITHUANIA follow their footsteps today on our flight to Rhodes. [B,D] BULGARIA June 2nd: RHODES The knights remained in Rhodes for 213 years. Here they established a community, practically

MACEDONIA

BELARUS

ANIA

ps of the Knights

MANY

LEBA NON

2

GALILEE

2

ROMANIA 3 JERUSALEM

SLOVENIA

LIBYA

CROATIA JORDAN

EGYPT BOSNIA SERBIA

5

FLY ON TO EASTERN EUROPEAN CAPTITALS TOUR

• 21 nights 4 star hotel accommodation, with full buffet breakfasts • 10 dinners • Economy Class airfare from your Australian capital city • Economy Class airfares Tel Aviv – Rhodes – Malta – Rome IRAQ • All sightseeing and entrances per itinerary • All tipping and porterage • Transport in air-conditioned coaches or First Class rail BULGARIA • Local expert guides • The services throughout of an Australian Christian historian Tour Director, who is also the Tour Company Principal and a member of OSJ.

SYRIA

SLOVAKIA

TEL AVIV

June 9th: MALTA After worship at the cathedral this morning, we enjoy a leisurely Sunday afternoon, taking a

$14,950 per person twin share. Single supplement $1,500 includes:

HUNGRY

AUSTRIA

RUSSIA

OPTION A: 22 days including Israel.

TURKEY

CZECH REPUBLIC4 RHODES

June 8th: MALTA On today’s sightseeing we wander through St. John's Co-Cathedral, built to serve as the heart of the Order, with eight chapels, one for each langue and view the stunning Baroque architecture and Italian artwork. There are two paintings by the Italian master Carravaggio. St John’s Co-Cathedral is one of the world’s MOSCOW 3 truly stunning cathedrals.

[B]

COST:

GREECE

POLAND

June 7th: MALTA Surrounding the Grand Harbour in the South of Malta, the three walled towns known as the Three Cities — Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea — offer a fascinating glimpse into Malta’s maritime history. Home to the Knights of St John, there are churches, grandiose palaces and imposing bastions. There were knights on Malta from 8 different European national or language 3 groups, called langues, and each built their own auberge (hostel) at nearby Birgu. Three still stand, and we see them today. [B]

UKRAINE

BULGARIA

ROME

Meals: Throughout Israel, and on the first night in each other stop, dinner is included in the tour cost. In Rome the included dinner is on the last night, a Farewell Dinner. On other nights, the Tour Leader will suggest or accompany tour members to local authentic restaurants.

MACEDONIA

ITALY

ALBANIA

GREECE

TURKEY n the Footsteps of the Knights

SIA

MALTA

4 RHODES

June 10th: To ROME We join our flight this morning to Rome, the Eternal City, and this afternoon we begin an exploration of the classical sights – the Colosseum, the Forum, the Pantheon. [B] June 11th: ROME Catholic Rome today. We cross to Vatican City and visit St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s masterpiece. [B] June 12th: ROME An excursion today on Italy’s flagship train, the high-speed Frecciargento, to Amalfi, the very birthplace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. It was a group of pious merchants from Amalfi who set up a hospital in Jerusalem sometime between 1060 and 1070 AD to care for Christian pilgrims. On a pilgrimage visit to Jerusalem, Gerard Thom of Amalfi stayed at the hospital, and became leader of the community, a religious community based on the Benedictine rule. And so the OSJ was born. [B] June 13th: ROME The last day of our tour. A free day for the shops of Rome. It will be possible to make an excursion today to the beautiful hill village of Assisi, home of everybody’s favourite saint, Francis. Our Farewell dinner tonight. [B,D] June 14th: FAREWELL Our tour ends after breakfast.

There is a shuttle to the airport for your homeward (or onward) flight. [B]

Faithful to the historic mission of the Order of St John of Jerusalem – Knights Hospitaller “to care for the poor and the sick in the name of Christ”, we will donate $200 from every booking for this tour to the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia.

OPTION B: 15 days excluding Israel, commencing Rhodes on June 1st.

$10,950 per person twin share. Single supplement $1,200 includes: • 14 nights 4 star hotel accommodation, with full buffet breakfasts • 3 dinners • Economy Class airfare from your Australian capital city • Economy Class airfares Rhodes – Malta – Rome • All sightseeing and entrances per itinerary • All tipping and porterage • Transport in air-conditioned coaches or First Class rail • Local expert guides • The services throughout of an Australian Christian historian Tour Director, who is also the Tour Company Principal and a member of OSJ.

from the tour cost and arrange your own airfares. Costs are based on exchange rates and airfares valid at January 31st 2018.

PAYMENT DETAILS: A deposit of $2,500 per person guarantees your seat, with the balance due 3 months before departure. The tour size is strictly limited to 20 persons, so early booking is essential.

Travel insurance is mandatory. Please ask for a quote.

TOUR LEADER: The Tour Director is Stan Klan, of Toowoomba, a Church Historian, a former School principal, and the owner/operator of Great Trains of Europe Tours.

FOOTSTEPS OF THE KNIGHTS BLOSSOMS & BULBS

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK TEL AVIV

2

LEBA

NON

5

Airfare upgrades: Australia – Tel Aviv and Rome – Australia only [not available within Europe] Premium economy — $2,500. Business — $ 6,000 Should you wish to purchase the tour as land content only, commencing in Tel Aviv on May 25th and ending in Rome on June 15th (or commencing SYRIA Rhodes on June 1st and ending in Rome on June 15th), deduct $1,500

beach-front drive in the south of the island. [B]

2

GALILEE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY LITERARY BRITAIN

IRAQ

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND OBERAMMERGAU PASSION

13

...on the right track in Europe since 1977

...with The

Chelsea Flower Show

DUTCH & ENGLISH GARDENS AND THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY Tick off 2 of your bucket list items in one tour: the Chelsea Flower Show and the Oberammergau Passion Play May 5th 2020: AMSTERDAM The tour commences at check-in to our Amsterdam city-centre hotel, our home for four nights. Rest from the flight, or take an afternoon canal cruise to get your bearings, before meeting our fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink and Dinner. [D]

May 13th: LAKE DISTRICT This morning we visit a very special Lakeland garden, Holehird, which specialises in Lakeland flora and offers sweeping views of Lake Windermere. A bit of whimsy on the way home: we drop in on Beatrix Potter’s garden, Hill Top — watch out for the fierce bad rabbit. [B]

May 6th: AMSTERDAM Every day on a Great Trains of Europe Tour begins with a full buffet breakfast. We spend a full day in one of the world’s finest bulbfields, the Keukenhof Gardens, with 80 acres of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other flowering bulbs, shrubs, ancient trees, exhibitions, gurgling streams, flower parades, and seven themed gardens. There are restaurants and tea shops. [B]

May 14th: LAKE DISTRICT We take a magical rail journey today through some of the Dales’ and England’s finest scenery on the historic Settle to Carlisle Railway. A pub lunch, an afternoon cream tea and visits to some more of the Yorkshire Dales’ picturesque villages. [B]

May 7th: AMSTERDAM We head into the countryside today (who will be first to see a windmill?) to the Gardens of the Dutch Baroque Palace Het Loo, the Royal Palace from the 1680s until 1982. Established by LeNôtre, the gardens feature perfect symmetry, axial layout with radiating gravel walks, parterres, fountains, basins and statues. [B] May 8th: AMSTERDAM A visit this morning to the world's largest Flower Market at Aarlsmeer, then to the Dutch city of Delft, home of Vermeer, and imagine what Amsterdam might have looked like centuries ago. [B] May 9th: To NORTH YORK MOORS One of the great rail journeys of the world as we farewell Amsterdam and join the 300kph Eurostar through the Chunnel. Customs requires that we travel with our luggage today.

In London we join British Rail in the tracks of the Flying Scotsman to the mediaeval city of York. We see the Minster and the Shambles, then transfer to our inn in the North York Moors village of Pickering. A pub dinner tonight. [B,D] May 10th: NORTH YORK MOORS This morning we visit the gardens of Castle Howard, laid out by Sir John Vanburgh in the early 18th century.

Castle Howard is the palace of the Flyte family in Brideshead Revisited.

We lunch (with Claude Jeremiah Greengrass?) in the village of Goathland, “Aidens field” in the TV series Heartbeat. Here we join the historic North York Steam Railway home to Pickering. [B] May 11th: NORTH YORK MOORS This morning we visit historic Harewood House. Its garden is classic Capability Brown — forming an idyllic rural setting. We move on to the spa and garden town of Harrogate for a cream tea or a stroll around Harrogate’s famous public gardens. Can you spot Agatha Christie? She “disappeared” here in 1926. [B] May 12th: LAKE DISTRICT We journey this morning through the Yorkshire Dales, immortalized in James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small novels and television series. A village pub lunch stop, then on to the Lake District where we settle into our Lakeside hotel. [B,D]

14

BLOSSOMS & BULBS

May 15th: To the COTSWOLDS Our British Rail journey south today brings us to the Peak District of Derbyshire, to visit the gardens of historic Chatsworth House, dating from 1687. Another Capability Brown garden, Chatsworth has been famous for its beauty since Jane Austen’s Day. We move on in the late afternoon to the Cotswolds where we stay in a village inn in the pretty riverside village of Bourton-on-the-Water. [B,D] May 16th: COTSWOLDS This morning’s sightseeing takes us to picturesque Cotswold villages of honey-golden stone: Lower Slaughter, Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Campden. After a village pub lunch we visit one of England’s favourite gardens, Hidcote Manor, designed and developed by Maj. Lawrence Johnston, who scoured the world to secure rare and exotic species for this extremely pretty garden, a series of “outdoor rooms”. [B] May 17th: COTSWOLDS Today we visit Stowe Landscape Gardens, covering 750 acres and including 40 listed historic monuments and temples. It is considered one of England’s most important landscape gardens and the greatest names in English garden design were involved in its creation from Bridgeman in the 1710s to Vanbrugh, Kent, Gibbs and “Capability” Brown. Afternoon tea in the Cotswold village of Burford, serious about antiques. [B] May 18th: To LONDON Back on British Rail today we journey through more of the Cotswolds’ rolling hills, as our luggage is taken on ahead to await our arrival in our London hotel. We enjoy London’s sights from a double-decker bus. The Oxford Street shops are only a bus ride away from the hotel. A West End Show tonight? [B,D] May 19th: LONDON The Changing of the Guard this morning before an afternoon excursion to the Royal Horticultural Society’s Wisley Garden, where keen English gardeners have gone to be inspired for over 100 years. Spread out over 240 acres, Wisley is a lovely, peaceful place for a stroll as well as a demonstration garden full of practical garden design ideas and cultivation techniques. [B] The kiss of the sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer God's heart in a garden, Than anywhere else on earth.

EASTERN EUROPEAN CAPITALS

LEGENDARY SILK ROAD

IREL

NO SOLO TRAVELLER SUPPLEMENT FOR EARLYBIRD BOOKINGS

BOX: FACT DAYS

May 20th: LONDON A full day today at the renowned Chelsea Flower Show, arguably the world’s greatest and best known. [B]

ION: 21 DURAT ES: RTUR

DEPAth, 2020 ntent MAY 5 Only Co unich) d n a L M : COSTmsterdam, leave in e.

A in shar in (Join erson tw fares. p r e p ve air ,950 $AU 13about competiti t $2,000.

May 21st: To INNSBRUCK We join our short flight to the Continent today and settle in to our hotel in the village of Igls, overlooking Innsbruck. [B] May 22nd: To OBERAMMERGAU Pack an overnight bag, for our transfer to the village of Oberammergau where we arrive in time for lunch and settle into our overnight accommodation, returning to the theatre in the village for the first half of the performance this afternoon. Prepare for an inspirational experience as we relive the last week of the earthly life of Jesus. There is a break for dinner and then we return for the climax of the performance. We are transferred to our overnight accommodation, inspired but emotionally drained. [B,L,D]

en Enquire om supplem ft. o r le e see le g Sin LYBIRD s: Pleas il ta e OR EAR D F it T s N o E p M De ST 2018 UPPLE OM S R 31 GLE RO RE DECEMBE NO SIN O F E B GS BOOKIN

May 23rd: INNSBRUCK This morning we return to our hotel in the village of Igls, for a relaxing afternoon. [B]

HIGHLIGHTS

May 24th: INNSBRUCK An exploration of the city of Innsbruck today, and a ride to the top of the Alps for a breathtaking view from 7,000 feet. Our Farewell Dinner tonight. [B,D]

• Oberammergau Passion Play • Chelsea Flower Show

RAIL JOURNEYS

May 25th: FAREWELL Our tour ends after breakfast. There is a transfer to Munich Airport for those flying home today. [B]

DEPOSIT DETAILS:

EARLYBIRD SPECIAL FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS:

$1,000 per person initial deposit is required immediately to confirm your seat. A further $2,500pp deposit is required 12 months before departure.

Solo travellers booking and paying the $1,000 initial deposit before December 31st 2018 will be guaranteed a single room without the single supplement.

Balance will be payable 4 months before departure.

GARDENS • • • • • • • • •

SCOTLAND

3

LAKE DISTRICT

3 NORTH YORK MOORS

LAND

4 AMSTERDAM

ENGLAND WALES

COTSWOLDS

3

LONDON

Chelsea Flower Show

LATVIA SIGHTS

Keukenhof Gardens Het Loo Castle Howard LITHUANIA Harewood Holehird Chatsworth Stowe Hidcote Wisley

• • • •

RUSS

“Heartbeat Country” Herriot’s Yorkshire Dales Lake District Cotswold Villages

BELARUS

INCLUDED FEATURES:

NETHERLANDS

3

ESTONIA

• English Channel Eurostar • North York Moors Steam Rail • Settle to Carlisle Historic Rail

• All stops 3 nights minimum • 4 star city-centre hotels and historic village inns with BELGIUM buffet breakfasts GERMANY • One dinner at each stop CZECH REPUBLIC • First Class rail travel throughout, with full luggage handling FRANCE SLOVAKIA • An Economy Class flight from London to Innsbruck MUNICH • All sightseeing and garden entrances with local guides OBERAMMERGAU 1 AUSTRIA • Full day entry to Chelsea Flower Show 3 INNSBRUCK • Entrance to a performance of Oberammergau Passion Play SWITZERLAND HUNGRY POLAND

blossoms & bulbs

UKRAINE

ITALY

ROMANIA

SLOVENIA

CROATIA BOSNIA YUGOSLAVIA

FOOTSTEPS OF THE KNIGHTS

OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

15

...on the right track in Europe since 1977

OBERAMMERGAU PASSI Seeking God’s protection from the Plague which was decimating the population of Europe in the 1640s, the citizens of the tiny village of Oberammergau in the Bavarian Alps in Germany made a solemn vow to perform a Passion Play every decade. Passion Plays – depicting the passion (suffering), death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – were common features of mediaeval Christian piety, and were often performed by travelling troupes of players and evangelists.

BOOKING DETAILS:

While 2020 is still someway off Passion Play tickets are scarce and numbers strictly limited.

More than 90% of the tickets have already been allocated by the Play organisers.

The villagers have kept their promise for almost four centuries, with performances every decade year. In 2020 people will travel from all over the world to witness more than 2000 villagers keeping the ancient vow, in four performances a week across five months of Spring and Summer.

Payments are in 3 stages: 1. $1,000 per person initial deposit is required immediately to confirm your seat.

Great Trains of Europe Tours have been accompanying pilgrims to the Passion Play since 1990, and we are delighted – again in 2020 – to offer three European tours which include the Passion Play.

2. A further $2,500 per person deposit is required 12 months before your chosen tour departs.

Entrance tickets for the Passion Play are available only in conjunction with one night’s accommodation in Oberammergau and surrounding villages, so we are forced on these tours to depart from our usual practice of 3 nights at every stop.

3. The balance will be payable 4 months before departure.

Travel insurance is available 18 months before departure and airfares 11 months before departure.

All tours will be led by Great Trains of Europe Tours principal, Christian historian Mr Stan Klan of Toowoomba, Queensland.

Bookings are now open.

SEE ALSO Dutch & English Gardens and Chelsea Flower Show with Oberammergau Passion Play, Departing May 5th 2020. Page 14 & 15 No Single Supplement Earlybird Special.

Solo travellers booking and paying the $1,000 initial deposit before December 31st 2018 will be guaranteed a single room without the NETHERLANDS single supplement.

PO BELGIUM

GERMANY

CZECH REPUBLIC

MUNICH OBERAMMERGAU

FRANCE

AUSTRIA

INNSBRUCK

SWITZERLAND

off the beaten path ITALY

16

BLOSSOMS & BULBS

EASTERN EUROPEAN CAPITALS

LEGENDARY SILK ROAD

ION PLAY 2020 JUN

SWISS MOUNTAIN RAILS TOUR & THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY.

11

$9,900

Commences Zurich June 11th, ends Munich June 24th, 2020.

14 DAYS

Enjoy 10 days in the Swiss Alps, riding Switzerland’s world famous mountain trains, including many must-ride trains — Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Golden Panorama Express, Jungfrau Express and the Rothornbahn steam train. Then follow 4 days in the Austrian Alps, including a performance of the once a decade Oberammergau Passion Play.

COST: $9,900 per person twin share — single supplement $1,250 — includes 14 days in 4 star Swiss and Austrian Alpine chalets and hotels with buffet breakfasts and one dinner at each stop. First Class rail travel throughout in reserved seats, and entrance to a performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play.

SEPT

03

LAST 6 SEATS

21 DAYS

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK: THE HILL VILLAGES AND MARKET TOWNS OF THE SOUTH OF FRANCE, THE SWISS & AUSTRIAN ALPS, WITH THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY.

$13,950

Commences Paris September 3rd, ends Munich Sept 23rd 2020.

Enjoy 3 days in the City of Romance, Paris, then take the high-speed TGV train to the South of France for 4 days in a beautiful village in the Dordogne, followed by 4 days in the beautiful Provence region. A change of pace, then, with 3 days in a lakeside village in the Swiss Alps, and 4 days in an Austrian Alpine village, including the Oberammergau Passion Play, and finally a visit to Munich where the tour ends.

COST: $13,950 per person twin share — single supplement $2,000 — includes 21 days in 4 star citycentre hotels and historic village inns with buffet breakfasts, one dinner at each stop, First Class rail travel throughout, all sightseeing and entrances with local guides, and a performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play.

SEPT

ITALY’S CULTURAL CAPITALS, SWISS MOUNTAIN TRAINS AND THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY.

24

$13,950

Commences Zurich September 26th, ends Rome October 16th 2020.

21 DAYS

Enjoy a week of breathtaking Alpine scenery on Switzerland’s legendary mountain trains, then 3 days in the Austrian Alps including the Oberammergau Passion Play, before heading south of the Alps to Italy’s 3 cultural capitals: Venice, Florence and Rome.

COST: $13,950 per person twin share — single supplement $2,000 — includes 21 days in 4 star citycentre hotels and historic village inns with buffet breakfasts, one dinner at each stop, First Class rail travel throughout, all sightseeing and entrances with local guides, and a performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play.

A fully detailed itinerary of each tour is available from

Tour Leader Stan on 0488 423 848 or online at www.greattrainsofeurope.com.au FOOTSTEPS OF THE KNIGHTS

OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

17

...on the right track in Europe since 1977

Family Friendly Tour

KIDS STAY FREE! Ask for details

WINTER WONDERLAND Swiss and Austrian Alps and the Romantic Cities of Venice, Prague and Paris December 28th: PARIS Settle into our 4 star Left Bank Hotel. Meet your fellow tour members for Drinks and Dinner. [D]

December 29th: PARIS Every day on a Great Trains of Europe tour begins with a full buffet breakfast. Our morning sightseeing includes the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees and Notre Dame ending up at the Louvre to say hello to Mona Lisa. An afternoon optional excursion is available to the Verasailles Palace of Louis XIV. [B] December 30th: PARIS Department stores, fashion boutiques, a long lunch?

There is an optional excursion offered today to the Somme Battlefields of WWI. Here we visit sites sacred in Australia & NZ’s national history. [B] December 31st: PARIS A final free day in every true romantic’s favourite city. Join the crowds tonight on the Champs Elysees to celebrate the dawning of the New Year. [B] January 1st: INTERLAKEN Farewell Paris this morning. We begin our love affair with the Great Trains of Europe on her fastest – the French TGV – reaching 320kph towards the Alps and Interlaken with stunning views of the Eiger and Jungfrau. This is our home for 3 nights. Interlaken hosts a huge street party on New Year’s Day culminating in spectacular fireworks. [B,D] January 2nd: INTERLAKEN Enjoy a late and leisurely brunch before deciding whether to do nothing or to do very little. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for some mountain railway or cable car rides to the peaks of the surrounding Alps. [B] January 3rd: INTERLAKEN Today we take one of the Great Rail Journeys of the World – the tiny red Glacier Express through the Alps as we enjoy breathtaking views from the panorama car. [B] January 4th: To VENICE Another of Europe’s great rail journeys today. The Swiss—Italian Cisalpino takes us through the Alps past the Northern Italian lakes via Milan and on to the City of Canals, Venice, another of Europe’s truly romantic cities. Our 4 star hotel overlooks the Grand Canal. Settle in, watch the lights come on as the waterbuses chug past. [B,D] January 5th: VENICE This morning we begin to explore the art and history of Venice. Byzantine St Mark’s is considered by many to be the most beautiful church in the world and the historic Doge’s Palace and its Bridge of Sighs are “must sees”. [B] January 6th: VENICE There is time for a gondola ride and a visit to an outer island – Burano for exquisite lace, Murano for world famous Venetian glass. Art lovers will want to see the Tintoretto paintings in the Scuola di San Rocco, the Titian in the Friary Church and the collection of Venetian Renaissance art in the Accademia Gallery. [B] 18

BLOSSOMS & BULBS

January 7th: VENICE or Day Trip to Florence Either another quiet day today exploring the bridges and canals of Venice or join Italy’s flagship train the Eurostar Italia for a visit to Florence, the cradle of Western civilisation and birthplace of the Renaissance. [B] January 8th: To INNSBRUCK Farewell Italy, as we head back towards the Alps. After lunch we join our Eurocity train for Innsbruck as our luggage is taken on ahead. We are not staying in downtown Innsbruck but in the beautiful Alpine Village of Igls perched 15 minutes above. Thaw out with a glass of gluhwein in front of the roaring log fire. This is our home for 4 nights. [B,D] January 9th: INNSBRUCK Choices today: skiing or join your Tour Leader in an exploration of Innsbruck, the Imperial city of Hapsburgs. We commence by riding a tramcar through snow-decked forests, to Innsbruck below.

Explore the mediaeval quarter and take a ride up the Hungerberg railway for a panorama of the Alps. [B] January 10th: INNSBRUCK or Day Trip to Salzburg Today you may choose to ski, to potter about the village, to sit in front of the log fire or to take the tram back down into Innsbruck to the shops. There is an optional excursion

by Austrian Railjet train to Mozart’s birthplace, Salzburg. [B]

January 11th: INNSBRUCK Another quiet day in our Alpine haven – a good book in front of the log fire? Alternatively, your Tour Leader will assist you if you wish to make a visit to nearby Munich or the fairy-tale castle of Neuschwannstein. [B] January 12th: To PRAGUE Our luggage is collected and taken on ahead as we bid farewell to the Alps and join a EuroCity train for another of Europe’s great romantic cities – Prague. Our hotel is in the historic centre. [B] January 13th: PRAGUE Today there is a visit to Prague Castle overlooking the city. Here is also the cathedral church of St Vitus, incorporating the chapel built to house the relics of Good King Wenceslas, murdered here a thousand years ago. A free afternoon for the shops or to enjoy the music. [B] January 14th: PRAGUE or Day Trip to DRESDEN A free day – continue your exploration of this city or join an optional excursion to Dresden, one of Europe’s cultural wonders now emerging from the ashes of World War II bombing and 44 years of communism. [B] January 15th: PRAGUE Enjoy a last free day in magical Prague. Understand why Mozart loved it. Crystal and garnet are popular with shoppers. Our Farewell Dinner tonight. [B,D] January 16th: HOMEWARD BOUND The tour ends after breakfast this morning. [B]

EASTERN EUROPEAN CAPITALS

LEGENDARY SILK ROAD

WHITE CHRISTMAS PRE-TOUR ADD-ON TO THE WINTER WONDERLAND TOUR:

Why not enjoy a White Christmas in a beautiful Swiss Alpine village (with opportunities to visit Christmas markets) before embarking on the Winter Wonderland Tour?

On arrival on December 21st there is an airport transfer to the picturesque Swiss Alpine village of Grindelwald, nestled under the North Face of the Eiger. Our hotel is rated 3+ stars and oozes Swiss charm. There are breathtaking Alpine views and a roaring log fire. We have reserved superior standard rooms with private facilities for our tour members.

Every morning there is a buffet breakfast, and every evening a four course dinner is provided for our tour members. This includes the festivities of a special Christmas Dinner, as Swiss tradition dictates on the night of Christmas Eve. There is a beautiful church 50 metres away with a midnight service on Christmas Eve should you wish to attend.

Grindelwald is a snow sports fan’s heaven. But if you are not a snow bunny, there are a million other things to do.

Grindelwald is a hub for the Swiss mountain train networks and there are many gondolas and cable cars to the Alpine peaks all around. It is an easy train ride to the cities of Berne, Basel and Zurich with their Christmas markets.

The village itself offers excellent shopping and a wide variety of restaurants and coffee shops for lingering lazy lunches, before returning to the hotel to read or snooze in front of the log fire. On December 28th (is it all over so soon?) you are escorted on the rail journey to Paris to commence the Winter Wonderland Tour.

KIDS STAY FREE — White Christmas & Winter Wonderland Children under 12 sharing adults’ room travel free. Children aged 12 to 17 sharing adults’ room travel at 50%.

HIGHLIGHTS

BOX: FACT : 20 DAYS TION

• 4 nights in each of Europe’s Most Romantic Cities: Paris, Venice & Praque • New Year’s Eve in Paris • 3 nights in the Swiss Alps • 4 nights in the Austrian Alps • Ride the Glacier Express

DURA

INCLUDED FEATURES: • • • • •

First Class rail travel in reserved seats 4 & 5 star city-centre hotels 6 dinners Full luggage handling Full-time Australian Historian Tour Director who is the Company Principal

: URES 9 T R A DEP ER 28th 201 B DECEM ER 28th 2020 B ntent M DECE OnlyguCeo). d n a L EE T: leave in Pra COS AY FR T ris, a S P in S (Join KID are bout twin sh n o s r Ask a e rp res ,950 pe ve airfa $AU 1e0about competietint $1,500 Enquir om supplem ro Single

 7 nights accommodation in a superior standard room with private facilities in a 3 star hotel in the Swiss village of Grindelwald.

T TOURIN G DEN GR EN EP

DEPART ANY DAY — INDEPENDENT TOURING

T TOURIN DEN G GR EN EP E D

INS OF EUROP RA EI N TT EA

 7 buffet breakfasts, 7 four course dinners (inc. Special Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve).

INDEPENDENT

The Winter Wonderland Tour is available as an unescorted tour, departing any day of the year at a SAVING of 25% of the group tour cost. We provide hotel accommodation, rail travel and detailed sightseeing notes.

GREAT TRAINS OF EUROPE TOURS

 Transfer from Zurich or Geneva Airport to Grindelwald on Dec 21st; escorted rail transfer from Grindelwald to Paris on Dec 28th to join Winter Wonderland Tour.

TOURING SAVE 25%

S OF EURO AIN PE TR IN D AT

NOTE: Your hosts are on hand to provide sightseeing suggestions and assistance, but there are no escorted activities during this relaxing week.

NETHERLANDS

Dresden BELGIUM

4

PARIS

GERMANY

POLAND

4 PRAGUE

winter wonderland CZECH REPUBLIC

Salzburg

FRANCE SWITZERLAND

3 Interlaken Glacier Express

AUSTRIA

4 Innsbruck

4 VENICE

BOX: FACTION: 8 DAYS DURAT

E: RTUR 9 DEPA ER 21st 201 B 0 DECEM ER 21st 202 B M E C E D are : twin sh COST er person

00 p 0 $AU 2,5 plement $60 adults’ room p g u s n ri le a g h aring s Sin der 12 to 17 sh n un d 12 Childre . Children age ee t 50%. a l travel fr e v a room tr adults’

ITALY

FOOTSTEPS OF THE KNIGHTS

OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

19

BOOKING CONDITIONS Great Trains of Europe Tours (ABN 75 325 010 987) is an accredited travel agent (ATAS #12982). We are members of IATA (Licence #968366100) and the Concorde Independent Agents’ Network.

Costs: All costs in this brochure are expressed in Australian dollars and are based on airfares, and land transport and accommodation costs, and Australian dollar exchange rates effective as at June 1st, 2018. Exchange rate fluctuations in the price of any service provided, beyond the control of Great Trains of Europe Tours, may be passed on to travellers, right up to the date of departure. Please note that some city taxes or bed taxes cannot be pre-paid by agents, and must be paid by the tour member at check-out.

A deposit of $2,500 per person will guarantee a place on your chosen tour (unless already filled, in which case you will be advised of your place on the waiting list. With a maximum tour size of 25 travellers, tours often fill early).

Full final payment is due 90 days before commencement of the tour. Please make payment by cheque to “Great Trains of Europe Tours” or by bank transfer as follows: Heritage Bank, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.

BSB 638-060 Account Number 111 097 34.

Great Trains of Europe Tours currently does not accept payment by credit card.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation at any time after the deposit is paid will result in the forfeiture of the deposit. Any booking cancelled between 90 days and 45 days before departure will incur a 50% cancellation charge on land content and up to 100% on airfares, depending on the airfare used. Bookings cancelled within 45 days of departure will incur a 100% cancellation charge. Travel insurance will cover cancellation because of illness, death in the family etc. Travel insurance is therefore considered mandatory.

Travel Insurance: A condition of joining a Great Trains of Europe tour is either the purchase of travel insurance through Great Trains of Europe Tours, or documentary evidence of a sufficient level of travel insurance purchased elsewhere.

European Rail Travel: The standard of rail travel in Europe ranges from small and basic local trains to luxury high-speed international trains. On rare occasions European rail companies may change timetables, classes of travel available or rolling stock within the period of validity of a travel brochure.

Descriptions of trains & routes provided in this brochure are accurate at the time of printing and provided in good faith. It is not possible to request rail seating either facing or with back to the direction of travel. Many European trains change direction during a journey.

Baggage allowance: Porterage of one suitcase per person is included in tour cost.

Coaches: When itineraries take us away from rail routes and coaches must be used, a seating rotation system applies.

Hotels: European hotel rooms – even in 4 or 5 star hotels – are often smaller than in Australian hotels.

Single rooms, particularly, can be very small. Should a traveller who has requested a single room wish to have a quote for the cost of single occupancy of a double room, please ask. Tea and coffee making facilities are rare in European hotels, as are inroom security safes. In some European countries, government environmental agencies restrict the use of air-conditioning in hotels to the summer months.

Travellers sharing a room on a twin share basis will be asked their preferences re a double bed or twin beds, but no guarantee can be given that your request will be met. Hotel star ratings, where provided, are those of the country in which the hotel is situated, and vary from country to country.

Other Important Advice: All tours will proceed if a minimum of 12 travellers have paid deposits by 90 days before scheduled departure. In the highly unlikely (unprecedented) event that there are insufficient travellers for a tour, you will be offered either (i) a full refund of all monies paid, (ii) a modified cost structure for a smaller group, or

P: 0488 423 848 E: greattrains@bigpond.com PO Box 4553 TOOWOOMBA EAST 4350, Qld AUSTRALIA W: www.greattrainsofeurope.com.au ABN 75 325 010 987 ATAS # A12982 IATA # 96 8 36610 33144 931

(iii) a place on an alternative Great Trains of Europe Tour. Each tour is sold as a package and there can be no refund for any element of the tour (e.g. a meal or an excursion) not utilised by the traveller by her / his own choice. Tour costs have built into them the costs associated with researching tours, communicating with overseas suppliers, brochure preparation and marketing. Great Trains of Europe Tours does not claim or imply that some of the inclusions in our tours may or may not be available at a lower price direct from the overseas supplier.

Travellers are reminded, however, that purchases made direct with overseas suppliers are generally not covered by Australian Travel Agents licensing protections or the Australian Travel Compensation Fund. Most photographs used in this brochure were taken by the Tour Leader on past tours, but some have been provided by hotels, rail companies or Tourism Boards. Photographs are indicative only and we cannot guarantee that a traveller on a Great Trains of Europe tour will personally see all of the places depicted in them.

Great Trains of Europe Tours reserves the right to decline any reservation or booking request, and may at the Tour Directors discretion terminate any person’s involvement in the tour due to disruptive or anti-social behaviour.

Great Trains of Europe Tours does not accept responsibility for any injury, damage, loss, delay, change of schedule or other events which are beyond our direct control such as, but not limited to war, terrorism, civil disturbance, industrial action, acts of government or of God, or mechanical failure such as aircraft, trains or coaches.

Great Trains of Europe Tours cannot be held responsible for changes to provision of services by local European suppliers, but we will do all in our power to provide an alternative service of equal standard to that advertised, or make a cash refund of the difference on the spot.

Contract: The contract between the traveller and Great Trains of Europe Tours, entered into by your signing the Booking form, shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Queensland.