|
If you're looking for a holiday that you'll remember for a lifetime, you might be interested in taking a rail tour to the Alps. This beautiful mountain range in Europe is one of the most popular attractions on the continent, with many tourists heading to France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany to visit them every year. As popular with skiers and snowboarders as it is with walkers and nature enthusiasts, the Alps offer something for everyone, no matter where your interests lie. And those who have always wanted to travel in style may find that taking a train journey through the region not only fulfils all your ambitions but will allow you to get some of the best views of the Alps that you can hope to achieve. If you want to see the region in its full glory, hop on the Eurostar in St Pancras, London then join the Trans Europ Express line. This will take you through to Germany where you will pass historic cities, including Cologne. You may want to explore this area further as there are plenty of gothic buildings and interesting attractions to discover. After finishing sightseeing, you'll be able to jump aboard the Trans Europ Express 'Rheingold' train, which will take you through the Alpine regions to some of the most breathtaking sceneries you've ever seen in your life. Journeying through Bavaria, you'll be able to discover the green hillsides and rolling meadows of the Alpine slopes. But holidaying in this German region will also give you the opportunity to spot its beautiful - and rather magical-looking - castles. Looking like they've just been taken out of a fairytale, the extravagant forts that stand on mountaintops have an element of mystery and fantasy surrounding them, making them fascinating to marvel at as you travel past them. Make the most of the atmosphere while here and toast your evenings in the area with a visit to local bars. You'll be able to sample locally-brewed beer and absorb the Bavarian spirit as you listen to oompah bands play. After Bavaria, the railway line will take you to Austria, which is another of Europe's beautiful destinations. Remaining in the Alpine region, this will be an opportunity to see the difference between the range in the two countries. Stay in Kitzbuhel and you'll be able to experience living high up in the mountains. But if you fancy seeing what life is really like for villages on the slopes, you can venture further into the hills. Take a coach and explore the area more, winding through narrow roads. This will give an excellent opportunity to see the highest mountain in Austria, the Grossglockner. You are sure to be able to take in some spectacular views of the surrounding hillsides, valleys and drops as you span the 360-degree panorama. Don't forget to bring your camera as there are bound to be great picture opportunities here! Indeed, this is likely to be a sight you'll never want to forget. And you might even find you snap photos of things you don't expect to see, including the indigenous creatures, such as marmots, that roam the peaks, lakes and gushing rivers. The journey continues on to Austria's Tyrol, set in the foreground of the country's beautiful Alps. Take a look at some of the region's mountain lakes, including Lake Achensee, the largest body of water in the region. And what's more, you can visit it by cog railway, adding to your overall experience of a train journey through the Alps. This trip continues around the Austrian countryside before making its way back to Germany, finishing in Heidelberg. While you're sure to be sad your adventure is coming to an end at this point, you'll still be able to take in the impressive sights of the changing landscape until you board the Eurostar back to London. What's more, you're bound to spend the rest of your time recalling the breathtaking scenery you saw and the photos that captured the stunning views, which you'll keep forever. Looking for a different way to see the Alps? Then you might want to take a look at rail tours where you can journey through Europe by train. Great Rail Journeys has a number of Germany and Austria touring holidays you can choose from, including the Trans Europ Express, which lets you see the best views of the Alps.
Related Articles -
Rail tours, Austria touring holidays, Trans Europ Express,
| 
