Knowing you want to travel - easy. Choosing when - that's the hard part. When considering the timing for your next getaway, why not look to special international events for inspiration? After all, meaningful cultural experiences are the foundation of any fantastic vacation. While these experiences can come in the form of trying the local cuisine or participating in ceremonies, we look for events that scratch beneath the surface and celebrate a region's traditions. Each part of the world is unique in these offerings, making them a joy to uncover again and again.
Vacations By Rail has a selection of itineraries built around these bucket list events around the world, allowing you to soak up heritage and tradition regardless of where - or when - your travels take you. These tours can keep you in the United States or take you abroad to countries where traditions have been cultivated over centuries. Explore by train to discover destinations filled with intrigue, or enjoy a luxury experience on Europe's waterways by choosing a cruise vacation with focused inspiration. Here are some of our favorite options at every time of year.
Celebrations of Springtime:
Springtime Tulips & Keukenhof Gardens
Witness the reawakening of nature in the most colorful way: amongst the rainbow-hued tulip fields of the Netherlands. This cruise vacation begins in the capital, Amsterdam, where you have a chance to tour its cultural sites and drift along the canals before our luxurious ship sets sail for Belgium. Enjoy time in Ghent, the fairytale town of Bruges or the Ypres Battlefields, a key battlefront of the First World War.
Your cruise then heads back into the Netherlands, where you can delve into history at the Hartenstein Airborne Museum or Netherlands' Open-Air Museum, explore one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, or ride the Medemblik Steam Train through the Dutch countryside. Arriving back in Amsterdam, we end our trip surrounded by the artistic tulip displays of Keukenhof Gardens - an idyllic ending to a lovely vacation.
Tours Featuring Summer Festivals:
Calgary Stampede, Canadian Rockies & Glacier
"The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth" beckons on this memorable rail vacation that ventures through Montana's Big Sky Country and the soaring Canadian Rockies before arriving in Calgary for the Calgary Stampede. For more than 100 years, this event has been one of the most beloved international events, and this is your chance to witness the magic.
An overnight rail journey on the iconic Empire Builder takes us from Chicago to Whitefish, Montana, at the edge of Glacier National Park. Tour the park's astounding natural displays aboard vintage Red Jammer buses before crossing the border into Canada and seeing the endless beauty of Banff National Park, including Lake Louise. Leaving nature behind, we travel along Icefields Parkway toward Calgary for the pinnacle of this vacation. Enjoy two days of Calgary Stampede festivities, from the Grandstand Show to the Stampede Rodeo, ending your vacation with excitement you will treasure for years to come.
Edinburgh Tattoo & The Highlands
Come along for a getaway featuring one of Scotland's most beloved festivals, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This show is one of the most intriguing bucket list events around the world, as it is an all-encompassing experience with pyrotechnics, showmanship and the traditional sounds of drums and bagpipes.
Spend four days exploring Scotland while based in the sleepy town of Dunblane. Situated along the Allan Water River and filled with 11th-century architecture, Dunblane is as charming as it is conveniently located for our adventures. Head north to Aviemore for a scenic train ride through Cairngorms National Park on the Strathspey Steam Railway, enjoy a tasting of authentic Scottish gin at the Kinrara Distillery and step back in time while touring the 12th-century Stirling Castle. The highlight of the journey comes as we travel into Edinburgh to Edinburgh Castle, where we take our seats for an evening to remember at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Cultural Experiences to Treasure This Fall:
The Rhine Valley in Flames
A week-long cruise vacation along the stunning River Rhine, this expedition is a showcase of European culture. Uncover incredible cities throughout Germany during a week spent drifting down the river aboard a luxurious ship. Join the river in Cologne, enjoying time to tour its sites before continuing along the Rhine to ride the Drachenfelsbahn in Königswinter and stroll the streets of Koblenz.
Docking in Oberwesel, prepare for a dazzling evening of fireworks, music and illuminated boats from an excellent vantage point during the Rhine in Flames event. This bucket-list-worthy event takes place throughout the summer and into the early fall and is one of Germany's oldest fireworks celebrations. After witnessing the colors reflected off the water, we continue along the Rhine, cruising through the Rhine Gorge and to destinations like Rüdesheim, Heidelberg, Speyer and the border city of Strasbourg. From ancient riverside cities to scenic railways and an awe-inspiring annual event, this trip offers something for everyone.
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta by Rail
Travel aboard Amtrak's California Zephyr to experience rugged scenery, vivid colors and fantastic traditions of the American West, including the spectacular Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. A classic overnight rail journey takes us from Chicago to Grand Junction, Colorado, where the explorations begin. We head across the border to Moab to visit Arches National Park and then spend a day amidst the ancient scenery of Mesa Verde National Park. Before departing Colorado, we also spend a day riding the incredibly scenic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Arriving in New Mexico, we dive into the West's settlement history while touring Sante Fe and then head to Albuquerque, where the highlight of our vacation awaits. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta begins bright and early and has events well into the evening when hundreds of colorful balloons illuminate against the dark backdrop of night at the Night Glow. Cultural explorations and outstanding views await in the West.
Journeys With Winter's Bucket List Events:
German Christmas Markets of the Rhine
Is there anything that captures the spirit of the Christmas season more than Europe's Christmas markets? We think not, so we built a festive cruise vacation that presents some of the most charming options along the Rhine River. This four-night cruise follows a picturesque round-trip route from Cologne and sails through the stunning Rhine Gorge and to delightful ports of call, including Rüdesheim, Koblenz and Bonn.
Every day brings a new chance to explore with plenty of time in each location. Step ashore to capture the season's splendors while admiring the lights and decorations of bedecking city squares, and shop for gifts while perusing unique markets along the river. In addition to free time to explore, soak up the joyous spirit while sipping mulled wine, joining a gingerbread-making demonstration and touring cities along our route. Christmastime brings bucket list events around the world, and seeing Germany's markets is the perfect way to dip your toes into European traditions.
Vacations By Rail's travel expertise opens your eyes to events around the world. Witness celebrations that look to history or nature while enjoying fantastic hotel amenities, select meals in local establishments and tours that highlight your location's heritage. Choose from this selection, or find the itinerary that piques your interest by looking at our catalog of seasonal events tours, specially curated to create once-in-a-life moments near and far.
