Rail Travel
Rail travel is not only an economical way to get around a country
or region, but it is also a wonderful way to explore an area and
get to see and experience the local people and their culture.
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Hints & tips for travelling around
Europe
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Possible routes
The possibilities are endless and very much depend on the time at
your disposal.
Route 1: Across to Amsterdam; from Amsterdam to Cologne;
from Cologne to Berlin; from Berlin to Prague; from Prague to Vienna,
onto Budapest and finally down to Istanbul.
Route 2: Calais via Paris to Marseilles and down the Italian
coast stopping at Pisa, Rome & Naples.
Most railway stations have a number of small hotels and pensions
that are within walking distance of the station. Alternatively grab
a bus timetable from the local information point and head away from
the station either into the centre of the town/city or out into
the surrounding countryside. In high season it is worth ringing
forward to secure a place for the night, particularly if you are
on a tight budget and after a coveted place in the local youth hostel
or popular inter-railer's hotel.
Plan your trip around stops that cater to your interest - be it
the art galleries of Paris or the history and sights of Rome. As
a general rule it is worth staying at least 2/3 nights in every
place, so that you get a chance to explore the area and get a feel
for the place. In addition, avoid arriving in any place late at
night, railway stations are not always situated in the nicest parts
of town and it can be difficult to get accommodation late in the
day.
Try out the local cuisine in the different countries that you travel
to and if you are about to embark on a long rail journey it is worth
your while to head to the local supermarket and pack up a picnic.
The food and drink served on trains can be good but it is usually
verging on the inedible or just not available.
Unlike the luxury of travelling by car, what you buy is what you
carry - unless of course you radiate back to a central point and
leave your purchases in a station locker!
By Rail around Russia and Across the USA
A possible route
Northwest Russia - St Petersburg to Moscow in 9 days stopping at
Petrozavodsk, Murmansk, Arkhangelsk & Vologda.
A trip to Moscow wouldn't be complete without seeing the Red Square,
The Kremlin and the other famous sights but how about a day trip
by rail on a tour named Lenin's Funeral Tour! In St Petersburg enjoy
the splendor of a city modeled on Amsterdam and known as the 2nd
Venice. Key sights include Revolution Square, St Isaac's Cathedral
and The Peter & Paul Fortress.
Superb cuisine is not something that Russia is known for and it
has been said that the best meals are served well away from restaurants
in people homes. However, western food is available is most tourist
areas and their Vodka is world famous - so don't leave Russia without
trying some!
Possible routes
1. The Coast Starlight - from Seattle to Los Angeles via Portland
& San Francisco. One of the most scenic railway routes in the US
passing snowcapped mountains and miles of beautiful coastline.
2. The Ultimate coast to coast ride from Orlando in the East to
Los Angeles in the West, via New Orleans, Houston and Phoenix.
Both of these railway trips are an experience within themselves,
but it is worth breaking the journey to sample the different cities
on the way. Stop in San Francisco and spend a couple of days wandering
around the city, eating Clam Chowder down on the wharf or getting
away from the city heat in Golden Gate Park. Or break your journey
from East to West, with a few days in New Orleans, chilling out
in the French Quarter listening to blues jazz or taking a paddle
steamer up the Mississippi river.
The US has some fabulous regional cuisine and no more so than in
the New Orleans area where you can sample Cajun combinations such
as Oyster Po-boys, Alligator sausages and Jambalaya. Wherever you
are, ask for the local specialities, which might include a clam
chowder or barbecued ribs of steak.
Call us on 0845 299 4450 for further details
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