voestalpine travel tip! 5 sunny railway routes you have to see!
Last year was dubbed as the “European year of railway”, with the aim to promote travelling by train as a safe and sustainable means of transportation. In addition to safety and sustainability, travelling by train has many more advantages. For example, you can simply relax and enjoy the view, there is plenty of room to stretch your legs every now and then, you can use the phone or go on the internet, and the seats are often a lot more comfortable than the seats on a plane. This time in voestalpine travel tip!, five sunny railway routes within Europe.
The Cinque Terre-train, Italy
The villages Manarola, Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare, Corniglia, and Riomaggiore form Cinque Terre. Because most of these villages have a no-car policy, it is best to discover Cinque Terre by train. You can easily visit all five villages that have been built against the rocks, with outstanding views guaranteed. Although the train travels through quite a few tunnels in the Italian mountains, you can still enjoy a breathtaking view, with mountains on one side and Mar Ligure, part of the Mediterranean Sea, on the other side. Do note that different types of trains pass these tracks, so be sure to hop on board of one of the all station services instead of an inter-city service.
The Bohinj – Jesenice – Nova Gorica, Slovenia
This 89 km long railroad track might not be one of the most well-known railways, but it’s definitely one of a kind! On route, you’ll go over at least 65 bridges, pass through 28 tunnels, as well as pass by several historical art galleries. The Solkan bridge is among the mentioned 65 bridges and is the longest stone railway bridge in the world, with an 85-meter span arch. This bridge also provides a passageway over the emerald green river Soča. You can also see the well-known lake of Bled. Beautiful ravines, gorgeous alpine meadows, and 17 small authentic train stations are also on route and definitely worth seeing. Do put Solkan bridge, Soča river, and the Boinj railway in Google to check out gorgeous photos online. Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to take a train from Amsterdam straight to Slovenia. However, you can take the train with multiple crossovers via Germany and Austria. Be sure to carefully check the possibilities beforehand.
Barcelona-Zaragoza-Madrid, Spain
As the name already suggests, you travel from Barcelona via Zaragoza and straight through the inland to the capital of Spain: Madrid. After all the impressiveness of Barcelona (Sagrada Familia, Camp Nou, and Park Güell), this train will take you from the beach to the inland of Spain in roughly twelve hours. During this journey, the train makes a stop-over of three hours at Zaragoza. This city is well-known for its folklore, local cuisine, and many sights, such as the Basílica del Pilar, La Seo Cathedral, and the Aljafería Palace. These buildings are part of the Mudéjar architecture of Aragon and rightfully so put on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Visit Palacio Real, also known as the Royal Palace, the Retiro park or dare to dance in Kapital, a discotheque with seven floors and a rooftop terrace!
Linha do Douro, Portugal
For this railway route, your journey starts at the Sao Bento station in Porto. Within three hours, you will travel 160 km to the heart of Pochino. This picturesque area consists of a lot of unique villages as well as a rich history. On the way, you’ll pass Ponte de Dom Luís I, a double deck metal arched bridge over the river Douro. This river will also provide you with beautiful views on her graceful riverbanks. Do you have some time left? Be sure to get out at Pinhao. This station is beautifully decorated with Portuguese tiles and the perfect place to acquire some decorated sardine cans and port wine gifts. A lot of trains use this railway route to Peso da Regua, so double check your final destination beforehand.
Venice-Simplon Oriënt Express, Europe
Indulge yourself in luxury during this journey with the Venice Simplon-Oriënt Express. This train might very well be the most famous luxury train in the world. This route connects a few European cities, such as Venice, Paris, and London. You can also take this train to Prague, Budapest, and Istanbul. Enjoy the seventeen carefully restored train carriages from the 1920’s and ‘30’s. The Venice Simplon-Oriënt Express also contains three unique restaurant coaches and a bar on board where you enjoy your beverage whilst listening to live piano music. The schedule of this voyage is always so that the Alps and Dolomites are always passed through in daylight.
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