Gondolas moored on a Venice canal in the mist at dawn

Route 02 · Continental Europe Expedition 1 of 2

Central Europe

History · Travel · Friendship

Expedition 1 · From London to Venice through the heart of Europe

From London to Venice · Route 02-A

The first expedition of the Continental Europe route, travelled entirely by rail: from London to Venice via Calais, Bruges, Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Strasbourg, Zürich, Munich, Salzburg and Vienna.

A journey in which places and history take on a new dimension through friendships and shared experiences.

The expedition begins in London and crosses the English Channel through the Channel Tunnel, the rail link that brings the train to Calais without ever leaving the track. From there the journey heads north through Bruges, Brussels and Amsterdam.

Tower Bridge in London over the Thames beneath a grey sky — Starting point: LondonDocumenttemporary image

The continental axis continues through Cologne and Frankfurt am Main, turns towards Strasbourg and Zürich, and heads east again through Munich, Salzburg and Vienna. The expedition ends in Venice, the connecting city that opens the second chapter of the same route.

Line of cars waiting for the ferry in front of the cliffs of Dover — Crossing the English ChannelLandscapetemporary image

Calm Alpine lake with mountains wrapped in low cloud — Descent towards the lakesLandscapetemporary image

Visual chronicle

Cobbled street in the historic centre of Brussels with gilded façades — Brussels, the first stop on the ContinentPersonal presencetemporary image

Twin spires of Cologne Cathedral seen from the bank of the Rhine — Cologne and the RhineLandscapetemporary image

Cartography

Map of the continental route from London to Seville via Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and SpainOriginal map retains Spanish labels

Next expedition

Southern Europe

From Venice to Paris · Route 02-B

Read the journey