Travelling by rail is one of the great pleasures of life. The pace is lovely, you don’t have to hassle with big security lines, you can gaze out the window at wonderful scenery, and you usually get on and off the train in the middle of great cities; not out in the boondocks miles from town.
I had a fabulous train trip all around Europe in 1979, including a journey between Rome and Florence when I met my wife, but also trips within England and Scotland, across France, and also Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and The Netherlands. I’ve taken the train many times since, including trips within Italy and Portugal, quick hops between Zurich and Lausanne, and also on the Caledonia Sleeper between London and Edinburgh (see my review here).
Closer to home, I’ve twice been lucky enough to ride the Rocky Mountaineer from British Columbia to Banff, which is superb, and also the Canyon Spirit (formerly Rockies to Red Rocks( tour from Denver to Moab, Utah, which was excellent.
I’ll be attending a Railbookers convention in Vancouver in November, which should be great. Here’s their latest press release.
The Belvedere Palace in Vienna.. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Europe’s famous rivers attract millions of travelers each year, drawn to the cities, towns and landscapes found along waterways like the Rhine and Danube. With low water levels affecting travel along some of Europe’s rivers this summer, Railbookers is highlighting another way to experience these regions: by train.
Railbookers’ Famous Rivers by Rail collection features five independent vacations following the Rhine and Danube through some of Europe’s most popular destinations. Instead of simply passing through, travelers stay in cities and towns along the route, with time to get out and explore before continuing their journey by train.
“People have always been drawn to Europe’s great rivers, but you don’t have to be on the water to experience everything that makes these regions special,” said Frank Marini, President and CEO of Railbookers. “By train, you can spend a few days in places like Vienna, Budapest or Cologne, explore beyond the riverfront and then continue on to the next stop. It’s a different way to experience these destinations, and we take care of putting the trains, hotels and sightseeing together for you.”
The collection is especially timely this summer, as low water levels have led to changes on some European river sailings. For travelers interested in the destinations along these rivers, traveling by train offers another way to build a vacation around the places and scenery that draw visitors to the Rhine and Danube each year.
A canal in Amsterdam. Adrien Olichon/Unsplash Photo
Featured journeys include:
- Blue Danube by Rail
This 13-day trip travels from Prague to Budapest, stopping in Regensburg, Salzburg and Vienna along the way. Travelers get time in each destination before continuing by train through Central Europe. (Jim here: this would be a fabulous journey. Prague and Budapest are both beautiful capitals while Salzburg might be the prettiest spot in Europe. Vienna is also a gem, with tons of interesting sites that go far beyond prancing horses and classical music.) - Gems of the Danube by Rail
An 11-day journey from Budapest to Munich, with stops in Vienna and Nuremberg. The trip combines two of the Danube’s best-known cities with time in Germany, all connected by rail. - Rhine and Danube by Rail
Experience both rivers in one 13-day trip from Amsterdam to Budapest, with stops in Cologne, Nuremberg and Vienna. It’s a chance to see several of the cities and regions connected to Europe’s two most famous rivers in a single journey. - Romantic Rhine by Rail
Travel from Amsterdam to Basel with stops in Cologne, Heidelberg and Strasbourg. Along the way, travelers experience the historic cities, castles and Rhine Valley scenery that have made this part of Europe a favorite for generations. (This one also sounds great. I’ve never been to Cologne or Heidelberg, nor Strasbourg.) - Swiss Alps and Rhine Castles by Rail
This trip starts in Basel and travels through Lucerne, Strasbourg and Cologne before finishing in Amsterdam, combining Switzerland with the Rhine Valley. Travelers get a mix of Alpine scenery, historic cities and the castles and towns found along the Rhine. (Basel is a terrific, underrated city, and Lucerne is lovely as can be. Amsterdam, of course, is one of the world’s great cities.)
Lucerne, Switzerland. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Beyond these featured Rhine and Danube trips, Railbookers also offers vacations around other famous European rivers, including the Seine in France and the Douro in Portugal. Railbookers also specializes in pre- and post-cruise extensions, for travelers seeking to experience more of Europe beyond the port cities.
As with all Railbookers vacations, travelers can choose their own departure dates and customize their trip with additional nights, destinations, sightseeing and accommodation options. Railbookers’ Rail Experts take care of bringing the trains, hotels and experiences together, so travelers don’t have to plan each piece themselves.
For more information and to explore the Famous Rivers by Rail collection, visit Railbookers.com.
MICHELIN GUIDE FOR THE SOUTHWEST U.S.: LAS VEGAS AND ARIZONA SHINE
Las Vegas restaurants earned 24 distinctions in the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Southwest selection, further affirming the destination’s position among the world’s great dining capitals. From globally celebrated concepts to exceptional homegrown and neighborhood restaurants, the honors reflect the depth, diversity and innovation of Las Vegas’ culinary scene.
Restaurant de Joël Robuchon received two Michelin stars, while Restaurant Guy Savoy, é by José Andrés and L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon received one star.
Seventeen Las Vegas restaurants were given “recommended” status, while another three received Bib Gourmand recommendations.
Dining at Lom Wong restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona. Chais Renea/MICHELIN photo
Arizona’s culinary industry received well-earned recognition today as 19 restaurants were selected for the first-ever MICHELIN Guide Southwest. The honors highlight Arizona as a premier dining destination defined by rich cultural roots, regional ingredients and world-class talent.
Arizona shined in the highly-competitive Bib Gourmand category by securing 7 of the 18 total designations – the most for any individual state – for high-quality, high-value dining. Grand Canyon State chefs also stood out with multiple individual recognitions for rising culinary talent, sustainable leadership and wine program curation.
