Compare London & Cardiff by Rail by Great Value Vacations vs European Experience (2024) by Costsaver
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
4 | Great
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 7 days | 14 days |
| Price From | $ 1,844 | $ 3,025 |
| Price Per Day | $ 263 | $ 216 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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N/A |
| Flights & Transport | NA | No |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
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| Description |
Immerse yourself in class, culture, and history on this incredible 6-night journey through England and Wales! Enjoy scenic train rides between countries, and gaze out the window at stunning landscapes and small villages as you pass. Your trip will start and end in London, home of Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower Bridge, and tons of other postcard-worthy sites. Stroll through bustling Trafalgar Square, mosey around antique-shop-lined Notting Hill, or see a colorful musical in London's West End! Treat yourself to afternoon tea, or wander around buzzing Borough Market. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to grab a pint of ale and fish n' chips at a traditional pub. The mid-section of your trip will be spent in cultural Cardiff. Step into a storybook at Cardiff Castle, enjoy cool vibes at the Pierhead, and take in beautiful views of Cardiff Bay. Take advantage of this city's art and food scene. Check out Cardiff's world-renowned restaurants and visit the city's unique museums and galleries! With an included 24-Hour Hop-On/Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour, you'll be able to experience Cardiff front to back. |
Get out of that armchair and experience the beauty of Europe with her centuries-old history, vibrant cities and splendid landscapes. You’ll tick many bucket-list boxes on this 14 day trip that takes you from London to Paris, from the Swiss Alps to Italy, through the canals of Venice and St. Mark’s Square and on to Austria and finally through the Rhineland to Paris. |
Day 1 Welcome to London!
Touch down in the city of class and sophistication: London! Upon arrival, make your way to your first accommodation. Once you check-in and get settled, head out and explore the city! Treat yourself to a celebratory dinner of fish n' chips - with a pint of local ale, of course.
Day 2 London - Cardiff, Wales
Rise and shine! Enjoy an energizing breakfast, then hop aboard a scenic train ride from London, England, to Cardiff, Wales. Keep your eyes focused out the window, as you will be passing through some stunning landscapes! Make your way to your Cardiff accommodation and get settled. Take a walk through the city center and get to know the area!
Day 3 Cardiff
Start off with a lovely breakfast. Today, you might want to activate your 24-hour Cardiff City Sightseeing Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus Tour. See everything from Cardiff Castle and Mermaid Quay to Principality Stadium and unique museums! Enjoy a fun-filled day of sightseeing in Cardiff.
Day 4 Cardiff
Seize the day! After breakfast, use the remaining hours of your Sightseeing Bus Pass, then stroll around Cardiff Central Market. Nosh on some yummy Welsh cakes, then snag some locally made souvenirs! Pay a visit to beautiful Cardiff Castle, then get some fresh air in nearby Bute Park. Take a walk along the River Taff!
Day 5 Cardiff - London
Say "see ya" to Cardiff and board your train back to London! After a scenic ride, make your way to your hotel and check-in. Spend the rest of your day leisurely exploring England's cool capital. Treat yourself to classy afternoon tea, enjoy a ride on the London Eye, or climb St. Paul's Cathedral for an incredible view. Tonight, consider seeing a show on London's vibrant West End!
Day 6 London
Make the most of your last day in London! Be sure to get selfies on the Tower Bridge and in an iconic red phone-booth. Check out the Tower of London, feel like royalty at Buckingham Palace, and say hello to Big Ben! Looking to explore beyond the city center? Discover the beautiful pastel-painted houses of charming Notting Hill, indulge in delicious bites at artsy Camden Market, or take a photo crossing iconic Abbey Road!
Day 7 Depart England
Squeeze all your souvenirs into your suitcase and head to the airport. Find your gate, then spend your flight home replaying wonderful memories and dreaming about your next adventure!
Day 1: Arrive London
Keep it real on the vibrant streets of London, where old meets new and best of British icons jostle for your attention. Don't resist the urge to hit the streets straight out of the starting gate after checking in. There's something for everyone as you'll come to discover exploring the capital's culture, history and scenic spaces. Delve into London's royal heritage, stroll along the Thames or admire treasures from across the globe in one of its museums before retiring to your neighborhood 'local' for a pint or two.
Novotel London Brentford, Ibis Excel London
Day 2: London free day
What a treat! A full free day in London to do as you please. The British capital wears its diversity with pride - an epicenter attracting people from all over the world who are helping to shape its vibrant cosmopolitan spirit. Dive right in and visit all the iconic sights and some hidden surprises, from the British Museum to the London Dungeon. When night falls, head to the bright lights of Soho or pop in to Brick Lane for a curry. You won't be left empty handed when it comes to grabbing a plate of what London is serving up.
Novotel London Brentford, Ibis Excel London
Breakfast
Day 3: London – Paris
Greetings from your Travel Director this morning. For now, London bids you safe travels as you continue south through the Kent countryside to Dover and then on by ferry to Calais. Next stop is Paris, another capital that doesn't hold back and doesn't expect you to either. Take a walk through its grand past, dynamic present and exciting future, from the maze of streets that once nurtured great artists in Montmartre to the Eiffel Tower.
Ibis Alésia Montparnasse 14éme, Hampton by Hilton Clichy
Breakfast
Day 4: Paris Sightseeing and Free Time
Audrey Hepburn described it best when she said: 'Paris is always a good idea.' We’re sure you’ll agree. Hit its grand boulevards on a city sightseeing tour with your Travel Director. See the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Élysées then spend the rest of the day discovering the city on your terms. Don’t resist the urge to tread in the footsteps of Picasso and Dalí and visit Montmartre this afternoon, exploring its maze of streets and Artist’s Square. There’s time to shop for artwork and savor some local specialties before considering a real highlight this evening – an optional dinner and cabaret performance.
Ibis Alésia Montparnasse 14éme, Hampton by Hilton Clichy
Breakfast
Day 5: Paris - Lucerne Region
Journey through the idyllic French countryside before arriving in Lake Lucerne. You’ll want to put the 'heart' of Switzerland in your pocket and take its history, culture and epic landscapes with you.
Ibis Kriens, SwissEver Zug
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Lucerne orientation and free time
Turn the page to a land of fairy-tale landscapes and medieval history. You have a full day to see the sights and explore Lucerne, starting with a morning orientation including the Chapel Bridge and the Jesuit Church. No visit to Lucerne is complete without a visit to the Lion Monument, built to commemorate the brave Swiss Guards who died defending Louis XVI during the French Revolution. You may be tempted to do some souvenir shopping, but an Optional Experience into the mountains will be hard to resist. Ascend Mount Pilatus by a cog-wheel railway then embark on a scenic lake cruise.
Ibis Kriens, SwissEver Zug
Breakfast
Day 7: Lucerne - Florence
Your journey heads south to the city of Florence - home to various masterpieces of Renaissance architecture and outstanding fine arts. Enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers tonight as you prepare to soak up the beauty of the city, surrounded by Tuscan hills, that has remained unchanged throughout the centuries.
Miro
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Florence – Rome
Enjoy your day in Florence before heading to Rome. Admire the city skyline from Piazzale Michelangelo. There’s time to explore Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo and Giotto's Bell Tower or shop for the bespoke Italian leather goods and fine gold jewelery for which Florence is justifiably famous. You could choose instead to join an Optional Experience revealing the Renaissance heritage of a city which attracted artists, physicists, astronomers and philosophers like Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo.Next, travel to Rome. If Rome was a person, she would be confident, alluring and complex. You’ll get to know her, and her quirks, over the next two days. You’ll find reminders of an ancient world, a holy empire and the Renaissance around every turn. You could choose to join a Local Specialist for an optional guided stroll through Rome’s piazzas. Linger in your favorite square, or perhaps enjoy a scoop or three of the local gelato and soak up the effervescent energy of a city that knows how to enjoy life.
Raganelli, Ergife Palace
Breakfast
Day 9: Rome Sightseeing and Free Time
You could spend a lifetime exploring Rome and just scratch the surface, but with your Local Specialist on hand you’ll dive right into the city’s heart and soul. Head to Vatican City to watch the pigeons and people tread on holy ground, then visit St. Peter’s Basilica and see Michelangelo’s priceless 'Pietà'. The rest of your day is free to explore the City, this evening why not consider an optional dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Raganelli, Ergife Palace
Breakfast
Day 10: Rome – Venice
Journey on to Venice, which bewitches in all her Byzantine glory, softening even the hardest of hearts with her opulence. Highlights include a cruise on a private launch to St. Mark’s Square and views of the magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge's Palace. The talents of master craftsmen are the star of the show later as you visit their glassblowing workshop, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. There’s even time for an optional Gondola and Grand Canal cruise – grand palazzi, churches and ornate bridges line your journey.
Hotel San Giuliano
Breakfast
Day 11: Venice – Innsbruck
Today you continue along the Inn Valley to the Austrian Tyrol and its capital, Innsbruck, where you can 'ooh and aah' at the impressive ski jump and view the famed Golden Roof, constructed from 2,657 copper tiles. Admire the fascinating crystal installations and browse for precious gifts and souvenirs at the Swarovski Crystal Worlds Store. This evening, an Optional Experience could see you enjoy a lively evening of entertainment during a traditional Tyrolean evening.
Bon Alpina
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Innsbruck - Munich - Rhineland
Your first stop today is Munich where you can admire the Glockenspiel in the Marienplatz and the Hofbräuhaus. Continue onto the main cultural center of the Rhineland.
Achat Hotel Bad Durkheim
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13: Rhineland - Cologne - Amsterdam
Suitably inspired by its spires, you’ll board a lazy river cruise down the Rhine past terraced vineyards and fairy-tale castles. Your experience of a lifetime ends in the free-thinking capital of the Netherlands. Immerse yourself in Amsterdam's gezelligheid as you soak up the buzz of the city's canals, gabled houses and festive squares. There's no better way to see the capital than from its waterways, so choose an Optional Experience in a glass-topped boat winding through Amsterdam's historic canal ring.
Ibis Schiphol
Breakfast
Day 14: Depart Amsterdam
Say farewell to your Travel Director and traveling companions at the end of an amazing holiday.
Breakfast
