Europe’s Top 5 Scenic Rail Journeys

Railbookers, custom made rail vacation specialists, share their top recommendations for scenic rail journeys in Europe. For more information call 1-888-829-3040, or visit www.railbookers.com. Railbookers are also offering a 5% discount on 2016 vacations when booked before August 31 2015.* Swiss Lakes and Mountains Switzerland is a treasure trove of scenic railway journeys. In the summer months the verdant pastures roll lusciously from the edge of the tracks into the horizon, in the winter the country unfolds like a veritable Narnia. Travel from Montreux to Interlaken on the Golden Pass Line. Rise up over Lake Geneva, gaze in wonder at the Swiss Riviera, travel through a mountain tunnel and coast through resorts like Gstaad and Châteaux d’Oex. Hit the high point (over 4.000 feet) before Zweisimmen and snake through the Simme Valley. Perhaps layover in Interlaken and take a route to Europe’s highest railroad station at the summit of Jungfraujoch. Norway in a Nutshell This is a route with no ‘off season’: snow-dusted in winter, set ablaze by autumn hues, sleepy in the spring and sparkling in the summer. Norway in a nutshell combines the Bergen Railroad, the Flam railroad, the Aurlandsfjord, the Nærøyfjord and the Stalheimskleiva road. Hard to pronounce, easier to enjoy, the route is possible in a day but turning it into a vacation with a night or two in Oslo is well worthwhile. From Oslo it is full steam ahead over the Flam railroad, descending deep into the fjord along the world’s steepest regular-track railroad. You drop over 2,000 feet in an hour as the panorama shifts from grand mountains to sparkling waterfalls – it’s a short journey, but there will not be a second to take your eyes off the window! London to Fort William Arrive at London's Euston station after a days sight-seeing, doze off after a “wee dram” of whiskey and wake up the next morning across the border. It is civilized, time-effective and harks back to a different, more romantic era. And then there is the scenery. Fall asleep traversing London’s suburbia and wake up seemingly in the middle of nowhere, the sun glinting through the blinds and deer bounding past the window. After exploring Fort William, the real treat begins. Often voted one of the world’s most picturesque rail journey, you will catch glimpses of crofter’s cottages, tiny churches, the pristine coastline and deep green mountain panoramas, before crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct famous for its starring role in the Harry Potter movies. Germany’s Rhineland Catch the train from London to Brussels and change onto a high speed train to Cologne before crossing into Germany. Board a train winding down the Rhine Valley through luscious greenery to Koblenz, abundant with palaces, churches, fountains and a real ‘old world’ charm. Cruise down the river or take a daytrip to historic Rudesheim, before heading up the Moselle. The tracks are paved through the heart of the Rhineland-Palatinate and trace the river banks along the Moselle Stretch from Koblenz to Trier – Germany’s oldest city – which boasts a UNESCO-listed Cathedral and a picture perfect market square. After you have explored, continue on to the fairytale landscapes of Luxembourg to complete your vacation. Munich to Verona via the Brenner Pass Combine some of Europe’s most stunning cities with rail travel as scenic as any of Europe has to offer. The Bavarian capital of Munich plays host to every charming Alpine cliché imaginable, which of course means you will find the finest surrounding mountain passes. There are fast trains that will take you from here to the Austrian skiing capital of Innsbruck, but why sacrifice scenery in favor of time when you are on vacation? Skirt around the bases of the Alps, meander past glittering lakes and glide through the resort town of Garmsich-Partenkirchen on the regional train instead. Lap up the snow dusted, mountainous views before taking to the tracks once more, this time past the vineyards and mountains of the Brenner pass to Verona.

Get On Board With These Top 10 Scenic Train Rides Around The World

While train travel may seem mundane to the daily commuter, there are some rides that are far beyond the every day. The travel experts at Cheapflights.com, the online leader in finding and publishing travel deals, have gone in search of the ultimate opportunities for travel with a view and compiled their Top 10 Scenic Train Rides Around the World. See the world from a different vantage point aboard these luxury train excursions. From ever-changing landscapes to lavish accommodations and fine cuisine, these train rides offer a journey that is its own reward.

Discover the world aboard these extravagant train excursions. Whether traveling in the U.S. or Canada, Europe, Africa, Asia or Australia, there’s a train ride waiting for you. Below are five such gems to make our list:

-          Maharajas’ Express, India - A world class luxury train, the Maharajas’ Express offers five scenic train journeys departing from Mumbai or Delhi with stops to explore the sights and sounds of India from exquisite palaces to breathtaking landscapes. The interior of the train is inspired by the personal carriages of the Indian Maharajas. The opulent, nostalgic elegance of the guest carriages, dining car, lounge and safari bar is further complemented with sleek modern amenities to give you the best of the two worlds.

-          Venice Simplon Orient Express, Europe - With glamorous restored vintage cars from the 1920s, the Venice Simplon Orient Express has history. Today, the train criss-crosses Europe with itineraries that include Venice, Krakow, Dresden and Prague. With upscale dining in three gorgeous restaurant cars, opulent vintage décor and, of course, the ever-changing European panorama rolling by outside, it’s a step back in time to the golden age of train travel that will leave you in awe throughout the trip.

-          California Zephyr, United States - While it may not offer the same level of luxury as some of the other trains on the list, theCalifornia Zephyr provides an unmatched way to see the western United States. Running between Chicago and San Francisco, this two-night journey packs in an impressive array of incredible views. From the Midwestern plains of Nebraska to the soaring heights of the Rockies and Sierra Nevada Mountains, the scenery will keep you entranced throughout the journey. However, if you decide to get some shut eye, the California Zephyr offers Superliner Sleeping Cars. You can also take in the sights from the glass-walled Observation Car or enjoy a drink with fellow passengers in the lounge. About 23,000 miles of America will roll by in the blink of an eye, and you will hardly want the journey to be over when you reach your destination.

-          The Ghan, Australia - From Adelaide to Darwin, The Ghan is a visually gratifying way to see Australia’s stunning and varied landscapes. With a Platinum or Gold Class cabin, your all-inclusive experience covers all meals and drinks on board throughout your journey. And with locally produced gourmet flavors prepared by top chefs, you will enjoy many an evening at the Queen Adelaide Restaurant with the added option of a nightcap in the lounge car. Each journey offers the opportunity for off-board excursions in the Australian outback, including stargazing in the remote town of Manguri and a relaxing cruise on the Katherine River.

-          Royal Scotsman, United Kingdom - The Royal Scotsman departs from Edinburgh, Scotland, with a variety of itineraries throughout Scotland, England and Wales. With a traditional elegance, luxury accommodations and the perfect vantage point to take in the Highlands, the Royal Scotsman is a relaxing way to tour the countryside. The observation car is the ideal place to sink into a comfy armchair or duck out onto the open-air veranda to view the countryside, villages and castles rolling past. Live entertainment adds to the ambiance, as do gourmet dinners of locally produced regional specialties served in a mahogany-paneled dining car.

Rounding out the list of memorable train experiences are: Belmond Hiram Bingham, Peru; Eastern & Oriental Express, Southeast Asia; TranzAlpine, New Zealand; Pride of Africa, South Africa; and Royal Canadian Pacific, Canada. To read Cheapflights.com’s complete Travel with a view: Top 10 scenic train rides around the world, visit www.cheapflights.com/news/travel-with-a-view-top-10-scenic-trains-rides-around-the-world.

About Cheapflights.com, part of the Momondo Group
Momondo Group is an online travel media and technology company that is driven by the belief that an open world is a better world.  The group now serves travel search and inspiration to over 17.5 million visitors a month – plus 8 million travel newsletter subscribers – via its Cheapflights (www.cheapflights.com) and momondo (www.momondo.com) brands. Skygate began the sourcing of complex air-travel data in 1992, while Cheapflights pioneered the online comparison of flight deals for users in 1996 and momondo launched meta-search in the Nordic countries in 2006. The Group has offices in London, Copenhagen and Boston with a consumer base across more than 30 core international markets but users all over the world.