Dreamy views, eco-friendly credentials and comfy cabins – it’s easy to see why train travel has proven so timeless. Since the British first harnessed steam power in the 18th century, the humble train has been a European icon. And now, with Contiki’s brand new train trips, you can make tracks for some of Europe’s coolest cities while enjoying the classic friendships, memories and experiences you can only find with Contiki.
It’s speedy
London to Paris? 2 hours. Vienna to Budapest? 3 ½ hours. Train travel is much faster than driving, and, though planes obviously have trains beat when it comes to whizzing from A-B, when you factor in security, check-ins and generally hanging around at the airport looking bored, trains are one of the fastest ways to get around the continent.
It’s eco-friendly
Cars, planes and trains all produce CO2, but trains are a far more efficient way of moving large amounts of people at a time, and ultimate produce much less. Contiki’s coaches are all equipped with innovative Euro-6 engines that sometimes emit cleaner air than they take in, but rail travel uses less energy per person and is the best option around if you want to reduce your carbon footprint even further.
It’s beautiful
Europe’s a spectacular continent, but you need to get off the highway to see the best of it. The train routes these new trips take are some of the most beautiful in the world – like the famous journey from La Spezia to Nice, on which you’ll wind past stunning beaches, plunging mountainsides, lush woodlands and glittering waters. Believe us when we say you won’t be able to stop gazing out of the window.
The destinations are pretty special
The trains are cool, but these trips aren’t just about the journey. The new itineraries read like a best-of for some of Europe’s most stunning cities. Rome, Nice, Barcelona, Vienna, Budapest, Berlin, London and Paris are some of the big-hitters that these trips explore. When you throw in stop-offs like Cinque Terre, Montpellier and Prague, you’re looking at some serious sightseeing in a relatively short space of time. You just need to decide which route is for you – Barcelona to Rome, London to Berlin or Berlin to Budapest? Decisions, decisions.
And the experiences aren’t bad, either
We know that travel is all about the experiences. You know, the ones that you’ll still remember in 20 years’ time! Which is why these latest trips deliver plenty of cultural deep-dives. From flamenco shows in Barca, patisserie walking tours in Paris, e-bike tours in the vineyards above Nice, included hiking and train passes in Cinque Terre, Base Flying in Berlin, exclusive access to the A’DAM swing in Amsterdam… well, you get the idea. These trips are packed with things to do and see, and all while enjoying all of those locomotive luxuries. See you in summer?
Ready to make tracks from Rome to Barcelona? Check out our newest trip.
