As well as our vast array of city breaks and Christmas markets, we also offer some fantastic rail journeys in many different parts of Europe. Whether you only choose the train as a means of reaching your destination or opt for a trip on which the train journey itself is the highlight, there are so many reasons why this is the perfect form of travel.
Unlike going to the airport or forcing yourself to remember which side of the road to drive on, travelling by rail is almost entirely stress-free. There's no need to arrive at the station hours before your train leaves, luggage constraints are usually a lot less strict and there are generally fewer people that you are required to wave your passport at before you can get on board. As long as you find the right platform in time, there's so much less to worry about.
Travelling by train definitely allows you to take the scenic route. In fact, certain famous railways pride themselves on the breathtaking views that they offer through the windows and indeed this is often the main reason why they are so popular. Trains such as the Glacier Express, the Grand Alpine Explorer and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express are able to travel in places where cars and planes simply can't, giving passengers a continually changing view that is truly inspiring.
The beauty of rail tours is that they don't require you to do anything other than sit back and relax. Even if you are just using the train to get from one city to the next, there is no need to worry about directions, traffic jams or unfamiliar road laws as the train does all the hard work for you. This leaves you with time to read through those travel guides, catch up on some emails or simply admire the scenery we spoke about earlier.
If you regularly have the chore of experiencing train travel in this country, you may wonder whether it is ever fast or efficient. However, anyone who has taken a rail journey on the continent will know that they do things far better than we ever will. Not only do the best trains travel at almost 200 mph, they are very rarely late and cost significantly less than your average journey in the UK. Of course, some rail routes are purposefully crafted so that you can linger longer amidst the perfect scenery, but even these have a sense of efficiency about them that us Brits are not used to.
It may be the case with our steam train tours more than your everyday train journey, but there is something nostalgic about getting from a to b by rail. The smell and sight of the steam billowing out of the engine, the soothing sound of the wheels thundering down the track and tooting of a familiar horn all create a feeling of days gone by that's inimitable by other forms of transport. Then, of course, there are trains such as the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express that offer a luxurious service that harks back to a time when train travel was all the rage and only used by the upper classes.
If you would like to explore Europe from the plush seat of a train, we have a wide range of rail holidays available. Call us today to discuss the different options or submit an online enquiry.