Slow travel: Europe's most beautiful trains

The Legendary Trains That Will Take You on a Journey.

Among all modes of transport, the train has always been my favorite. The traveler naturally acclimates to their new environment without rushing time. I remember being mesmerized as I traveled up the railway line that borders the Rhine in Germany. Until then, I had mostly preferred David Bowie, but on that occasion, I let myself be lulled by the Goldberg Variations and Handel's Water Music. It seems that I needed the passing landscape to learn how to listen! I invite you to take a seat aboard legendary trains that will show you scenic views and promise some thrills!

The Orient Express has plenty to entertain its guests with its library, spa, and Côte d’Azur, Etoile du Nord, and Oriental restaurants.

The Orient Express.

This luxury train has had on board Lawrence of Arabia, Coco Chanel, and Marlene Dietrich. It is the Orient Express immortalized by the detective novel of Agatha Christie with its 17 blue and gold cars. Initiated by Belgian industrialist Nagelmackers, it is directly inspired by Pullman night trains. In 1977, it ceased operation, and then an American tycoon, James Sherwood, acquired it and transformed it into the Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express whose flagship route would be Paris-Venice, culminating with a night in a Venetian palace! Overall, it serves London, Munich, Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest... Rightly, it is sometimes described as a palace on wheels with its mahogany woodwork, tweeds, or damask sheets.

By day, the compartments transform into exquisite lounges. The jewel of the train? The Grand Suite! The Orient Express has plenty to entertain its guests with its library, spa, and Côte d'Azur, Etoile du Nord, and Oriental restaurants. Additionally, it features a Champagne bar and a Wagon-bar known for its cocktails. Did you know? Initially, the legendary train did not connect to Istanbul; it wasn’t until 1919 that it did. Ambassadors and spies were then forced to complete their journey by steamboat!

Mont Blanc.

Between Saint Gervais and Chamonix in just 40 minutes you will have ascended 500 meters. From Le Fayet you will board the Mont Blanc tramway. This Strub rack railway will hoist you to the highest peak in France. It connects to the Les Houches stations in summer where you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama. In winter, it takes you to the Nid d'Aigle, perched at 2600m. It is quite likely that you will then witness the departure of seasoned alpinists embarking on the ascent of Mont Blanc!

Another option is to go to the Mer de Glace in Chamonix by the funicular train from Montenvers which has excellent viewpoints over the glaciers. However, skiers will tell you, the most spectacular thing was to ski down, in winter, the Mer de Glace called the « white valley » ! Once there, you will have the opportunity to visit the Ice Cave carved by human hands. You probably know, the glacier recedes by 70m each year, so it must be carved anew each year. Curious children will find their delight at the Glaciarium which will answer all their questions.  Finally, book in advance at Le Panoramique, a gourmet restaurant, and indulge in its evocatively named desserts: Mont Rose, Mont Blanc…

The Belmond Royal Scotsman.

If you were touring Scotland from an observation car or perhaps a veranda? It is entirely feasible onboard this luxury train from the Belle Epoque era. During a 2 to 4-day journey, you will watch the Scottish landscapes unfold: lochs, bridges, castles, peat, watchtowers... Skyfall was filmed there as well as Chariots of Fire and The Da Vinci Code! First, you will witness the train's departure accompanied by the sound of bagpipes. You will soon cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct where scenes from Harry Potter were shot, and you will travel through the wild lands of the Highlands! You will leave behind the white sands of Loch Morar and head towards Kyle of Lochalsh facing the Isle of Skye.

Then you will join the lawlands and you will finish your loop by Edinburgh. Yet, what does this floating palace look like? In Edwardian style, the train is reminiscent of British clubs with a subdued atmosphere. As for the menu, it's your choice: either you will opt for the salmon fished locally, or the game from the region. The names of the dining cars are evocative, and you might choose the Swift car! To complete this cozy atmosphere, there is a bar at your disposal that serves excellent malts, a library where you will head in the evening. You will be surprised to learn that the train has an unexpected service… a spa!

The Pyrenean Crossing.

Yellow, here is the color of the Trans-Pyrenean. This train connects the high plateaus of French Catalonia from Villefranche-sur-Conflent to Latour-de-Carol. Along its route, it uses 650 structures including tunnels bored through rock. Plunged into darkness, you will play at scaring yourself as in a ghost train! Then, you will ascend while crossing the Séjourné Viaduct. Perched 89 meters above the ground, you will experience the throes of altitude since it stretches over more than 200 meters in length... It goes without saying that it represented a real technical feat in 1907.

However, you are not yet at the end of your emotions because soon the Gisclard suspension bridge appears. At mid-height of the Têt valley, your little train snakes above the void. Then the landscape changes completely: now you cross vast spaces. Spread at your feet is the plain at the foot of Pic du Canigou. The highest eastern peak of the Pyrenees chain rises to 2784 m! For my part, I experienced a night in a refuge following an extraordinary climb. Many summer visitors engage in horseback riding or indulge in electric biking! Then will follow the Cambre d'Aze, the Carlit which Henry Russel, a Franco-British Pyreneist, recounted the legends. Finally, you will reach a glacier: the Puigmal on the Spanish side.

Yellow, this is the color of the Trans-Pyrenean. This train connects the high plateaus of French Catalonia from Villefranche-sur-Conflent to Latour-de-Carol.

The Bernina Express.

Between the Swiss Alps, mountain lakes, and palm trees in Italy, you are traveling from the north of Europe to its south. The stretch between Valposchiavo and Tirano has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your first stop, Chur, once an episcopal city, will delight you with its houses covered in frescoed facades. Gradually, the atmosphere will become more mysterious, and who knows, a mist might settle in.

Here are the Viamala Gorges, the Adula River, and the Solis and Landwasser viaducts. Then we begin the ascent of the Alps crossed by the helical tunnels that form a 360°. Your head will spin, you will feel like reliving a rollercoaster! At Ospizio Bernina, you will embrace a panoramic view of the glaciers skimming 4000 m! What a striking spectacle the crystal-clear waters of Lago Bianco that follow. Imagine, its waters will flow north into the Black Sea and south into the Po and the Adriatic! And here is the quaint Alp Grüm station, it feels like being in the setting of an electric train. Soon we reach Lake Poschiavo in the Italian-speaking part and the circular viaduct of Brusio before ending by the medieval village of Tirano between mountain and lake.