Best European train trips

Europe: a patchwork of tiny nation-states in the birthplace of the modern world. Visiting them all by car would take way too long (even though you’d be traveling on such famous roads as Germany’s autobahn system!), so why not take a train journey instead? Check out this list of the best European train trips out there and start planning your next vacation now!

The Orient Express

How could one forget the Orient Express, made famous by Agatha Christie’s renowned murder novel? Although the original Orient Express Company no longer exists, a similar train journey, the Venice-Simplon Orient Express, runs a similar service from Paris to Istanbul, traveling much the same route. The trains run on this service look rather antiqued, adding to the charm and ambience of the trains themselves. If you’d like to see Europe from east to west, the Orient Express is a brilliant option.

The Trans-Siberian Railway

While this journey starts in eastern Europe and ends up in the furthest reaches of eastern Asia, making it technically more than just a European train trip, this journey is not to be missed by those interested in extended train travel. The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest continuous railway in the world, and despite this, fares are not too expensive, with cheap fares to be had for as little as 250 euro. Several lines branch off the main Moscow-Vladivostok line, such as the railways to Beijing, China, Pyongyang, North Korea, and Ulan Bator, Mongolia, although the main line is the most famous.

The Danube Express

If you’re looking to travel to as many eastern European nations as possible while remaining on the same train route, the Danube Express is an option to consider. This train journey takes eight days to complete and begins in Budapest, finishing in Istanbul. You’ll get to visit many tourist attractions along the way that many back home will never have heard of, despite being a very interesting experience for visitors. For example, if you’ve never heard of Vlad the Impaler, it might be high time for you to visit Sighisoara in Romania. On top of all this, you’ll get to visit the very center of Transylvania – definitely something special to tell those back home!

Eurostar

Remember the English Channel’s Channel Tunnel opening way back in 1994? If you do, and have never traveled on the Eurostar train, there has never been a better time to do so than right now. The Eurostar rail network offers countless opportunities to travelers – visitors to Europe have the option of visiting locations such as London, England, Paris, France (with a connection to the famous Disneyland Paris), and Brussels, Belgium. The train comes complete with food and drink to purchase, although this is at a rather expensive price. If you do go, make sure you sit in a frontwards-facing seat, as sitting in a backwards-facing one can make train riders quite dizzy after a while!

Which train journey you choose is up to you, but regardless of which one is your final choice, it is guaranteed to be a journey you will never forget!

Best train trips – Asia

Asia is a diverse continent, full of mystery and surprises. Although it is possible to experience much of Asia’s charm by simply visiting the center of a number of its cities, to truly experience the continent it is a good idea to embark on a train journey. You’ll get to experience more of the country or countries you are traveling to, and in many cases see the countryside you wouldn’t have seen otherwise! Take a look at these amazing train journeys and start planning your next trip now!

Qingzang Railway, China

If you have never been to Tibet before, the Qingzang Railway has made doing so much easier. Although you might need to get a permit to travel to Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region (part of China), all the paperwork is well worth it. On the way to Lhasa you will experience breathtaking views of land more than half the distance above sea level of the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, and nearly the height above sea level of the tallest mountains in Africa and Europe. A trip to Tibet is something you will never forget – getting there on the Qingzang Railway just adds to the experience.

Shinkansen Bullet Train, Japan

If you have ever seen television shows set in the future, such as The Jetsons, you have probably noticed that many of the forms of transport used by these futuristic humans do not make contact with the ground – that is, they hover. Although this might seem like a distant vision to many of us in the Western world, this form of transport has already been implemented in Japan! The Shinkansen Bullet Train network in Japan had its first Maglev running in 2003, and within its first year smashed through the highest speed achieved by the TGV high-speed service, clocking in at 581 kilometers per hour. If you’d like to experience the high speeds of Japan’s Maglev service, hop on a plane to Japan and check when the next train departs. You’ll never forget the experience of going so fast!

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Way back in the 19^th century, when India was still a colony of the United Kingdom, an 86 kilometer long railway was built from Darjeeling to the city of Siliguri in West Bengal. Since then, the train network was dubbed the ‘Toy Train’ owing to its toy-like appearance. In 1999, the railroad was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and had been a very popular tourist railroad since its construction. If your childhood memories include fond recollections of reading about Thomas the Tank Engine, you’ll love traveling on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – it’s like the storybook series, only a little more historic!

If you are planning on taking a railway trip in Asia, make sure you do your research before you take the plunge and book your train journey. Although most residents of the Asian continent are kind and welcoming, the continent’s bustling cities can be difficult to navigate, meaning that a guided tour may be the best option for those unfamiliar with the continent.

Top 5 weekend getaway ideas

If you’re an eight hours a day, five days a week worker, you will know how valuable the weekend can be. The weekend gives us a welcome respite from the busy nature of the working week, and allows us to make more time for family and friends. However, it’s often a great idea to make a regular weekend special by going on a getaway just for those precious two days. Check out this list of five of the United States’ best weekend getaway offerings!

A weekend at a spa resort

Imagine waking up to a fantastic cooked breakfast buffet before heading off into a secluded mountain hut for a day of pampering and relaxation. If this is your idea of a weekend in paradise, a spa resort weekend might be the getaway for you. Several different offerings are available, from the glitz and glamour of Miami’s numerous spa resorts right on the beach to the Midwest’s best lakeside resorts. So, if you’re looking for a bit of private relaxation while being endlessly pampered, check out a spa resort weekend!

A weekend ski trip

If you live in America’s north, chances are that a ski field is a short car ride away. Even if you don’t, with airfares as cheap as they are nowadays, it’s possible to leave Friday night for locations such as Aspen or central Vermont and arrive back in time for work on Monday morning. Experiencing the exhilaration of a ski trip will help you to forget about the stresses of work and family life – definitely a weekend getaway option to consider!

A weekend culture trip

No matter where you live in the United States, chances are that you live on the doorstep of a world of culture. Residents of New England are often just a short ride away from New York, a fantastic place to explore for a weekend – you can tour the Big Apple’s Broadway shows or check out the city’s museums! If you live anywhere near Washington, D.C., take a weekend tour around the city to discover such famous landmarks as the White House, Capitol Hill, the National Mall and all those memorials you see all the time on TV.

A weekend beach trip

As much as it might not feel like it during the New England winter, the United States boasts some of the best beaches on mainland North American soil. If sunbathing is your thing, take a visit to such sun soaked towns as Miami, Florida, or San Diego, California. Although you might want to think further afield for vacations longer than a couple of days, these places are great for those seeking a weekend of sun paradise.

A weekend road trip

Road trips can be summed up by the old adage, “it’s not the destination but the journey!” In many cases, the thrill of crossing three states on America’s Interstate highway system can provide as much of a break from working life as a beach or spa vacation. Why not get away from it all for a couple of days by taking your car out for a spin?