voestalpine Travel Tip! 5 European Gems You Shouldn’t Miss
For four years in a row, we’ve shared our favourite railway journeys in our voestalpine Travel Tip! blog — from the most impressive and unique to the sunniest and most cinematic. This year, we’re highlighting five European gems. Train journeys are not only comfortable but an experience in themselves. Along the way, you’ll enjoy spectacular views — from mountains to coastlines — and discover places you would never easily reach by car. Which gem will become your future destination?
Train à Vapeur des Cévennes - France
This tourist train takes you in the summer months from Anduze to Saint-Jean-du-Gard, through a mountainous region designated by UNESCO on the southeastern edge of the Massif Central. In just 40 minutes, you cover the 13.5-kilometre route. Along the way, you’ll pass through tunnels and over bridges, including the 180-metre-long iron bridge over the Gardon and the Mescladou Viaduct, where the Gardon de Mialet and Gardon de Saint-Jean-du-Gard meet. Stop at the Bambouseraie station to visit one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in France! From late April through October, you can fully enjoy the surroundings thanks to the open carriages.
Ferrovia Circumetnea – Sicily, Italy
Citrus orchards, prickly pears, and lava fields — you’ll see them all along the line from Catania to Riposto. Sicily means Mount Etna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013. This narrow-gauge single-track line takes about three hours, circling the southern, western, and northern flanks of Etna before reaching Riposto. With no fewer than 37 stations where you can hop off, free bike transport, and charming villages to explore, it’s a true adventure. The line reaches its highest point at the Maletto plateau (1,000 metres), offering spectacular views of the craters.
Hoorn–Medemblik Museum Steam Tram – The Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the historic railway dating back to 1887 runs between Hoorn and Medemblik. Although only 20 kilometres long, it has a fascinating history. The route is full of curves, originally designed to minimize land expropriation, and today the old steam tram runs again. At Hoorn station, several locomotives are on display, including “Bello,” the only preserved local railway locomotive in the Netherlands. Upon arrival in Medemblik, you can transfer to a classic 1955 ferry that takes you to Enkhuizen, where you can also visit the Zuiderzee Museum.
Belmond British Pullman – England
Do you enjoy luxury and comfort? Then the Belmond British Pullman is perfect for you. Enjoy a one- or two-day journey to a special destination in southern Great Britain. Belmond Management Ltd. offers a variety of trips and events — from the Luminary Champagne Afternoon Tea, where you savour pastries and champagne on board, to a seaside excursion to Hastings with the Great British Seaside: Hastings experience. All of this takes place in beautifully restored 1920s carriages. Destinations and times vary seasonally, and all journeys start from the historic Victoria Station in London.
Bergensbanen – Norway
This railway is unforgettable in both summer and winter. In summer, enjoy the colourful mosses and lichens; in winter, experience a breathtaking snowy landscape. Whatever the season, this line crosses some of Norway’s most beautiful scenery. At 493 kilometres, it is the country’s most important rail connection. With 182 tunnels along the way, modern and comfortable coaches, and onboard refreshments, the trip is a highlight. Tip: split your journey into two stages, stop at Myrdal station, and transfer to the Flåm Railway. With a gradient of 55%, it ranks among the steepest railway lines in the world.
