10-day London & Southern Iceland Experience

Iceland is a land of contrasting characteristics – fiery with active volcanoes and icy at the same time with glacier mountains – no wonder they call it the land of fire and ice. Iceland offers not only a range of extraordinary landscapes and natural wonders, but also tons of fun activities.

London adds to the magic of this European expedition, complementing Iceland’s natural beauty with the magic of modern technology and architecture. It is one of the world’s major cities, and is a business, financial and arts hub. It is also the most populous city within the EU.

Highlights
Exploring Iceland through a self-drive trip is a cinch thanks to Iceland’s easy-to-navigate roads. Filled with natural beauty, it is a welcome change from the usual city sights. Expect to see geysers, waterfalls, fjords, glaciers and thermal springs.

Your trip will take you to the deeply symbolic Thingvellir National Park, the famed black beaches of Vik, the spectacular scenic harbour town of Hofn and of course, the beautiful capital city – Reykjavik.

London will be your quick urban fix as you traverse through the cosmopolitan city and indulge in a plethora of museums, shops and cultural monuments. Located within this city are four world heritage sites and iconic monuments such as the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye.

The Trip
Reykjavik to Vik
Your trip begins with a 180km scenic drive down to Iceland’s southernmost village – Vik. Along the way, you will get to witness some of Iceland’s most beautiful natural sights.

First of which is Glymur – Iceland’s highest waterfall, situated at the head of a fjord (a long sea inlet, nestled between high cliffs). If you are feeling adventurous, you can take a short hike (350m) to get up close to the waterfall.

Next up on the list, and a definite must see is the UNESCO world heritage listed Thingvellir National Park. This national park is steeped in history, having served as an assembly ground for the whole of Iceland from 930 to 1798.

We then move on to Strokkur Geyser, one of Iceland’s most famous and reliable geysers. Erupting every five to 10 minutes, you are guaranteed a chance to see this magnificent geyser in action.

Next, be enthralled by one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders – Gullfoss (Golden Falls). Split into two drops, at 11m and then again at 21m, the sheer opulence of this waterfall, can hardly be described by words.

This portion of the trip concludes at Vik, which is renowned for its black beaches. The black beaches of Vik are often described as one of the world’s top ten most beautiful beaches.

Vik to Hofn
From the highest to the largest, this second leg of your trip takes you to Skogafoss, Iceland’s largest waterfall (25m wide, with a 60-foot drop). Legend has it that treasure is buried in a cave behind the waterfall.

Ease off at the picturesque Skaftafell National Park and enjoy a picnic lunch or barbecue. After lunch, spend some time taking pictures of seals on icebergs at the Glacier Lagoon. You even have the option of taking a boat ride out.

Spend the night at the scenic harbour town of Hofn, which oddly enough, means harbour.

Hofn to Reykjavik
It’s time to kick things up a notch as you take a super jeep tour to Joklasel for a snowmobile ride on Europe’s largest glacier on your way back to Reykjavik.

Reykjavik
At Reykjavik, you have the option to either spend the day sightseeing on your own or joining a whale watching expedition.

Finally, end your trip at the Blue Lagoon, as you rejuvenate in the natural thermal spa. It’s the perfect end to a perfect holiday.

London
It’s now time to cross the Atlantic Ocean into one of the world’s most advanced and populous cities – London. Explore the city at your own pace via bus and tube as you watch the changing of the guard, take that quintessential photo with the Big Ben and soak in the multiculturalism that makes London such a colourful city.

Options
If you haven’t had enough, you can choose to extend your time in Iceland by visiting the northern part of the island, or choose to continue to Amsterdam, London or Greenland. Check with us for more details.

*Price Conditions

Romancing Europe’s Rail (France & Switzerland)

One of the most visited countries in the world, France offers everything from the bustling city life of Paris to great beaches, scenic mountains and world-class vineyards. Whether you are looking for a driving holiday, a ski vacation or a summer beach escape, France is definitely a destination worth considering.

Switzerland may be one of the most orderly countries in the world, but is by no means boring. From its unique mix of European cultures, to its breathtaking alpine scenery, to its modern cities, you’ll find no time is enough time to spend discovering this country of cheese, chocolates and watches.

Highlights
This trip will showcase the full potential of rail and take you to places that neither planes nor helicopters nor cars can access.

The trains will start with the French Tres Grande Vitesse (TGV), on the newly commissioned LGV Est line from Paris to Reirns and Zurich, travelling at 300km/h. A switch to the local Swiss trains highlight the unrivalled precision and efficiency of Swiss rail.

You will then have a chance to explore the narrow-gauge rails that take you to the mountains. At more than 10,000ft above sea level, some of these trains are a quarter way to airliner cruising altitudes. You will also enjoy a journey on the world’s slowest trains that take you from grassy meadows to snowy mountains, while you lunch in a panoramic glass cabin.

The Trip
Day 1 (Singapore to Paris)
Depart for Paris.

Day 2-3 (Paris)
Explore Parisian central landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde with the Egyptian Obelisk, the Louvre Museum with all the great art works of the world and the Notre Dame – home to the fable of the hunchback.

Day 4 (Chateau de Versailles)
Take a train and explore the most magnificent palace in the world built by Louis XIV in the 17th Century with its formal gardens and mazes.

Day 5-7 (Chur)
Get on the LGV Est line from Paris onboard the TGV travelling 300 km/h to Zurich. From there you will change to a local Swiss train for the town of Chur. Chur is the oldest town in Switzerland and the town is perfectly preserved. Take time to explore the medieval cobblestone streets and visit the 12th Century cathedral.

From Chur you will have the opportunity to explore the following rail journeys:

1. The narrow-gauge Rhaetian Railway starts from Chur and sweeps through mountain tunnels and viaducts, passing by waterfalls and gorges as it climbs the Albula Pass. The ascent levels off and circulates into the Engadine Valley before finally arriving at the Bernina Pass at an altitude of 7,000ft. The train winds around snow-capped mountains and finally arrives at the town of Poschiavo in the Italian-speaking canton of Switzerland.

It is a beautiful and picturesque town and you will have plenty of time to eat and shop before returning on the same train. There is also an opportunity for you to get off at the exclusive and ritzy ski town of St. Moritz before resuming on the train back to Chur.

2. Lake Lucerne is another location that demands a day to itself. The train from Chur takes you to the lake town of Lucerne and from here you can choose to explore the mountain railways, the lake cruises, or simply take in the sights and atmosphere.

Day 8-10 (Brig)
Brig is a historic town that is best situated to explore Switzerland from. And day 8 is, as the cliché goes, “all about the journey”. Departing from Chur on the Glacier Express, billed as the slowest express train in the world, you will take eight hours to reach your destination. It will nevertheless be an enjoyable ride, with the train featuring panoramic cabins with large windows and partial glass roofs.

Lunch is taken aboard the train itself. Watch the meadows flit as your ride starts to wind and climb the mountain woodlands. Enjoy the use of the famous tilted glass on the train, specially designed to compensate for the tilt angle of the train ascending and descending the mountains. The train reaches its maximum altitude of 6,700ft before coming down the Rhone Valley to arrive at Brig.

From Brig you will have the opportunity to explore the following day trips via rail:

1. Take a narrow gauge railway to the mountain resort of Zermatt. Like St. Moritz, it is winter-home to the wealthy and there are excellent reasons why it is so. The Matterhorn overlooks Zermatt and from here you can also take another train to the Gornergrat, situated at an altitude of 10,000ft.

2. Another suitable day trip will be to the town of Montreux, perhaps the most beautiful town on the banks of Lake Geneva. Enjoy views of the dazzling opal of western Switzerland from a paddle steamer cruise.

3. You may decide instead to travel to Interlaken. From here you can enjoy a lake cruise, or take a mountain railway ride to the highest railway station in Europe, the Jungfraujochat, at an altitude of over 11,000ft.

Day 11-12 (Reims)
From Brig, board the TGV service to Paris. Upon reaching Paris Est station, you will change trains to get to Reims – just under an hour away.

View the great cathedral where all the kings of France were crowned, visit the oldest Champagne house in the world, the estate of Ruinart, and walk through its underground chalk labyrinth, which store the slowly maturing champagnes. At the end of the tour, compare the youthful fragrance of the latest vintage with the smoky oakiness of 1996 Grand Cru. The house is renowned for their Blanc de Blanc Chardonnay Champagnes, so be sure to stock up on some bottles.

Day 13 (Paris to Singapore)
Board the TGV to Paris and take a private transfer for the Charles de Gaulle Airport, where you will board your flight for Singapore.

Day 14 (Singapore)
Arrive in Singapore.


Inclusions:

International flights
Accommodation x 11 nights
1st-class rail
All maps, suggested itineraries & activities, and destination information
theTravelPlanner concierge service
Luxury Option Inclusions:

International flights on SIA (returning from Zurich)
Luxurious accommodation x 11 nights
1st-class rail
All maps, suggested itineraries & activities, and destination information
theTravelPlanner concierge service

A 21st Century Castle Adventure (Germany, Austria & Prague)

Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic may be situated next to each other, yet each country offers distinctly different sights, cuisines and experiences. From the castles of Bavaria, to the rich cultural heritage of Austria, to spectacular medieval churches in Prague, you’ll come away enriched by the experience.

Highlights
This 16-day trip kicks off from the city of Frankfurt where you will follow loosely the historical castle route down towards Fussen. Departing from the original route, you will visit the historical spa town of Baden-Baden to try your hand at the roulette table in the town’s famous casino. Continuing your journey, you will visit the castle that inspired Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle – Neuschwanstein, and stop by Berchtesgaden, to check out Hitler’s home at the Eagle’s Nest.

Passing through the town of Salzburg and Vienna in Austria, you will end up in the romantic city of Prague, where the famous astronomical clock and Charles Bridge await.

The Trip
Day 1
Your trip begins in the town of Frankfurt. While more commonly regarded as a financial centre, there are many sights to dazzle the visitor. Here you can visit the numerous museums and art galleries, take pictures of the city’s stunning architecture (Saint Bartholomeus’ Cathedral, Römer, Saint Paul’s Church and Alte Oper), or hit one of the nightclubs for a night of fun.

Accommodation in Frankfurt is at a luxurious 5-star hotel, which is linked to the airport via a glass-covered walkway.

Day 2
Your adventure on the autobahn begins as you start your drive out of the city towards the town of Heidelberg. In this medieval city, you can take the cable car up the mountain to see Heidelberg Castle. Attractions at the castle include the gigantic 18th-century Grosses Fass (one of the world’s largest wine barrels) and the pharmacy museum.

Back in the city, stroll along the major street of Hauptstrasse to do some shopping or watch the mimes in action. A pleasant way to end the day is by crossing the Neckar River on the Alte Brücke and walking through Schlangenweg to get to the Philosophen Weg (Philosopher’s Way). This will give you a spectacular view of the city basked in the golden rays of sunset.

Accommodation for the next two nights is at a cutting-edge boutique hotel in Heidelberg, where each room is named after cities around the world. Even the elevator uses city names, rather than floor numbers.

Day 3
Moving on to Schwetzingen, 15 minutes from Heidelberg, and you will come upon a baroque-styled castle, surrounded by hedgerows and French gardens. The prized produce of this town are its award-winning Welde Pilsener and asparagus.

The next stop is the 2000-year-old town of Speyer, which was not too long ago featured in the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The must-see sight here is the UNESCO World Heritage Speyer Imperial Cathedral, which dates back to 1061.

If automotive technology is more your thing, then you’ll love the Speyer Technik Museum. Here, you can find an impressive collection of historic racing cars, steam trains and aircrafts, among others. The museum also sports a giant 22m x 27m IMAX dome theatre.

Day 4
Day 4 brings you to Baden-Baden – a famous spa town built on top of long-renowned thermal springs that even the Romans knew about. Attractions at this town include the Casino Spielbank, for spotting the rich and famous; Trinkhalle, for a chance to sample a large variety of beers; and Castle Hohenbaden and the Ruins of the Roman Baths, for a glimpse into the town’s illustrious past.

And while it has a reputation for being a playground for the rich, the fact doesn’t change that Baden-Baden offers some spectacular surrounding views thanks to its prime location on the western foothills of the Black Forest.

You will put up for two night at a luxurious hotel nestled in 18ha of parkland, north of the Black Forest area. Enjoy first-class service, tastefully decorated interiors and an excellent view of the Rhine Valley below.

Day 5
Day 5 offers a good mix of history and technology. First stop is at the Altes Schloss, or old castle. First built in 1330, it was expanded into a Renaissance-style residence for royalty in the 1500s. It unfortunately suffered some damage during World War II. Now rebuilt, it houses a museum collection, the crown jewels and Celtic treasures.

Moving forward in time, the Mercedes Benz Museum is a stunning piece of futuristic architecture. It features video displays and actual cars of every significant Mercedes ever made – from passenger cars to trucks to sports and racing cars.

Day 6-7
Leaving Baden-Baden, you will head to Füssen, located approximately five kilometres from the Austrian Border. People normally pass through this town enroute to the famed Neuschwanstein and Hohenswangau Castles. Neuschwanstein Castle is the castle that inspired Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle, while Hohenschwangau is the childhood residence of King Ludwig II of Bavaria.

The highlight here is the private dusk tour of Neuschwanstein by horse carriage, culminating in a four-course Bavarian dinner, in the style served to the former royal residents of the castle.

Your accommodation in Fussen (2 nights) is in a wonderful house-turned-hotel. Run by the Schoell family for over a hundred years, here you will experience Bavarian hospitality at its best.

Day 8-10
From Germany to Austria, your first stop will be in the town of Salzburg. Best known as being the birthplace of Mozart, this charming baroque city has its roots stemming back to 700AD. It is a picturesque town, and musical lovers will enjoy the fact that this was the town where “The Sound of Music” was filmed.

This strong musical legacy is today continued through a city full of music academies.

Not far from Salzburg is Berchtesgaden, where you can visit picturesque Konigsee Lake and Hitler’s former residence – Eagle’s Nest (only open in summer).

Continuing your exploration of the surrounding areas, visit the town of Lofer, a stunning alpine village located close to Salzburg. This is the perfect place to enjoy lovely walks through narrow streets among quaint houses, surrounded by beautiful snow-capped mountains. You can also enjoy good discount outlet shopping here on good quality clothes such as Geiger Loden.

Accommodation for the next three nights is in a villa-style hotel with a rooftop-sauna, steam bath and sun terrace.

Day 11
Day 11 is spent in the Austrian capital of Vienna, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourist attractions include the imperial palaces of Hofburg and Schonbrunn, the world’s oldest zoo – Tiergarten Schönbrunn, and a giant ferris wheel, or riesenrad, located in the Prater Amusement Park.

Spend one night in Vienna.

Day 12 - 14
It’s time to ditch the car and head out by train to Prague.

A mention of Prague, and one conjures up romantic notions of a town full of medieval architecture. Two of the best known include the Tyn Church located in the Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock, which dates back to 1410.

St. Vitus Cathedral another sight worth seeing as it is the country’s most important church and an excellent example of gothic architecture. However the best way to see Prague is to walk aimlessly through the small town, stopping at whatever catches your eye.

Accommodation in Prague (2 nights) is at an innovative design hotel based on a concept embracing innovative thinking and creative architecture. Designed by leading British architects and designers Jetico & Whiles, you will experience personalised service combined with the highest standards of comfort and amenities.

Day 15-16
After spending a full day in Prague, it’s time to take a night sleeper train back to Frankfurt for your flight back to Singapore, thereby marking the end of your little European adventure.