10 glamorous railway journeys around Europe

Now that fully vaccinated Britons have been cleared to visit amber-rated countries from July 19 without the need to quarantine on return, a whole host of European destinations have suddenly become more feasible for summer holidays. Among these, some of the finest, most scenic rail journey trips around the valleys, to the cities, and through the mountains are back up and running. Itineraries have been planned, carriages have been prepared, and dining carts (and bars) have been stocked. Here's our pick of the best railway journeys around Europe.

Best luxury railway journeys around Europe

1. Glamour on the rails

Big birthday celebration or anniversary to catch up on? The world’s most glamorous train, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, is back on track with new departures this year providing tantalising hints of the grand tour of yore. Put on your glad rags and clink glasses as you marvel at the train’s Art Deco sumptuousness on a journey from Paris to Florence, the city of Michelangelo’s David and the medieval magnificence of the Ponte Vecchio.

Belmond (020 3117 1300; Belmond.com) offers Paris to Florence on the VSOE from £1,885; combine with a stay in the lovely Villa San Michele. Planet Rail (01347 825292; planetrail.co.uk), offers Florence to Paris on the VSOE, first class rail travel to Florence from London and stays in Zurich and Florence. From £2,550.

2. The high life in Switzerland

Take a deep breath and aim high with a tour of Switzerland that takes in some of the world’s most spectacular train journeys. This nine-day jaunt will see you taking your place on the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express, a steam driven haul to the top of Mount Rothorn and a funicular ride to the Grandhotel Giessbach. Enjoy the snow-capped panoramas so beloved of Queen Victoria, outings on crystal clear lakes – and the freshest air in Europe.

Great Rail Journeys (01904 734154; greatrail.com) has a Mountaintops of Switzerland tour from £2,960 with travel by Eurostar from London, first class rail travel in Switzerland and stays in three mountaintop hotels.

3. Living the steam in the Harz Mountains

For lovers of steam trains (come on, we know you’re out there) this journey up the Brocken is considered one of the all time greats. Pass streams, forests and fairy-tale towns as you climb to the highest point of the Harz range to take in some spectacular panoramas. The tour also transports you back to medieval times via the cobbled streets and half-timbered houses of Goslar and Quedlinburg. Wunderbar!

Rail Discoveries (01904 734812; raildiscoveries.com) has a six-day Harz Mountains tour from £799 including a trip on the Brocken Railway, rail transport from the UK, hotel accommodation and guided tours.

4. Iberian inspiration

Grab your 1913 copy of Bradshaw’s Continental Railway Guide and follow in Michael Portillo’s train tracks in a multifaceted journey that begins in the historic Spanish town of A Coruña and winds up in Lisbon. Along the way take in the drama of the pilgrim route in Galicia, the beauty (and tipples) of Porto, the university town charms of Coimbra and the glories of the Portuguese capital, complete with iconic tram lines. NB, Don’t miss the sensational azulejo tiles in Porto’s São Bento station.

Railbookers (03300 375305; railbookers.co.uk) offers a nine-day A Coruña to Lisbon tour from £849. Includes flights to and from the UK, all rail travel, accommodation and a Douro river cruise.

5. Art Nouveau nirvana

Make tracks to Mitteleuropa on an 11-day tour taking in the glories of Budapest, Prague and Vienna. In addition to these central European superstars, this trip includes stops in Munich and Regensburg. Enjoy Art Nouveau nirvana, day trips on the Danube, slices of Sachertorte and, oh very well, a glass (or three) of some very fine Czech beer. Na zdravi! (It gets easier after the third glass).

Budapest, Vienna and Prague with Tailor Made Rail (020 3322 7741, tailormaderail.com) costs from £999 with rail travel from the UK and stays in selected hotels along the way.

6. A Costa Verde adventure

Go green in every sense on a tour that sweeps you through southwestern France and into northern Spain’s Costa Verde, a more temperate part of the country that is perfect for those that don’t like it hot. Star draws here include the foodie haven of San Sebastian, Bilbao of Guggenheim fame and the historic port of A Coruña. The journeys afford spectacular views of the Picos de Europa mountains; the rack railway up to La Rhune on the French side of the border is a special treat.

Ffestiniog Travel (01766 512400, ffestiniogtravel.com) has a 15-day Green Hills of Spain and La Rhune tour from £2,692 including train travel from the UK and all accommodation.

7. Experience the glories of Gaul

So, Asterix, what did the Romans ever do for us? Well there were those rather splendid amphitheatres in the cities of Arles and Orange, the spectacular Maison Carrée temple in Nîmes (the “Rome of France”), oh and a very impressive (and rather handy) 2,000-year-old aqueduct in nearby Pont du Gard. Not convinced? You better go and visit them yourself on this self-guided jaunt by train through some of the most history-rich places in southern France. By Toutatis! Count me in!

Inntravel (01653 617000; inntravel.co.uk) presents a six-night Provincia Nostra by Rail from London from £925, including travel and accommodation.

8. Slovenia calling: Alps and Adriatic

This self-guided journey by rail through Slovenia takes you from the Julian Alps to the beautiful Lake Bled, the delightful capital Ljubljana and on to the country’s sliver of land touching the Adriatic and the Venetian-era port town of Piran. A lesser known European treasure.

Inntravel (01653 617000; inntravel.co.uk) offers a seven-night exploration of Slovenia by train from £1,045, including travel and accommodation. Flights or train travel from the UK arranged at additional cost.

9. Norwegian would-be-goods

Pining for the fjords? This five-day itinerary gets you there courtesy of some of the loveliest rail journeys in Scandinavia, including the legendary Flam. Enjoy train trips from Oslo to Myrdal, Bergen to Oslo (much of it above the tree line) and a ferry journey into the Nærøyfjord. Mountains, waterfalls, woods and fjords. I’m feeling better already.

Railbookers (03300 375305; railbookers.co.uk) offers Norway in a Nutshell from £1,099 including flights, accommodation and rail, coach and boat transport.

10. Majorca by rail and sea

Now here’s one for true lovers of travel adventures: a journey by train and ferry to the perennially popular island of Majorca. Take the Eurostar to Paris; TGV to Valencia and then an overnight ferry across to Palma. Vary it on the way back by sailing by day to Barcelona. Sample paella in Valencia, ramble through Barcelona’s Las Ramblas and on Majorca head for the hills by train courtesy of the vintage Tren de Sóller from Palma to Soller.

Tailor Made Rail (020 3322 7741; tailormaderail.com) offers a 10-day package including accommodation along the way from £1,299.