Tripping Around By Train

Glacier Express - One of the Great Train Journeys in Europe

2009-07-21T22:49:00.000-07:00

© Photographer: V.e.r.i.k | Agency: Dreamstime.com

By Roger Mann

The Glacier Express connects Zermatt with St. Moritz and Chur. The journey across Switzerland takes seven and a half hours.

St. Moritz is a famous winter resort, but it is well worth visiting in summer as well. It lacks the picturesque character you expect from alpine town but the beautiful surroundings make up for the lack of character. St. Moritz is far from cheap but not as expensive as Zermatt.

The journey between St Moritz and Chur uses the same track as the Bernina Express. Since no tracking system is used on this part of the Glacier Express, the track had to be artificially lengthen in many places. A number of loops and tunnels have been created to make the track less steep. This is one of the most interesting parts of the journey. It includes the famous Landwasser Viaduct, probably the most photographed bridge on the whole journey.

On the way down to Chur, you will see many old castles and ruins. After leaving Chur, the track runs along the Rhine which it follows almost to the source. The Glacier Express climbs up to Oberalp Pass, the highest point of the track at 2033 metres above sea level.

The Glacier Express started to operate in 1926. But it was first in 1982, when the Furka-Basis tunnel (length 15.4 kilometres) was ready, that the Glacier Express started to run all year round. If you have time and the weather permits, it is worth taking the cable car from Betten up to the Aletsch Glacier. With 23 kilometres it is the longest glacier in Europe.

The track follows the Rhone until Visp. Visp is the lowest station on this part of the Glacier Express, 625 metres above sea level. From here the train climbs up to Zermatt, 1605 metres above sea level. This is another beautiful part of the journey.

Zermatt is a car-free town, with a wonderful view of the Matterhorn. Zermatt has three world-class ski areas, the Sunnegga, the Gornergrat, and the Klein Matterhorn. In summer, hiking is popular thanks to the many beautiful trails. The main drawback with Zermatt is the cost. Even for Swiss standards, Zermatt is expensive.

The Glacier Express is popular so it's best to book in advance. Also, on sunny summer days the panorama coaches can be a mixed blessing. You get wonderful views but very little shade, so bring a hat with you.

Generally, the east-bound service, from Zermatt to St. Moritz, is less popular than west-bound service. So if you can choose your starting point, you may prefer to travel from Zermatt to St. Moritz.

Travel the Eurail Train Network Like a Pro!

2009-07-14T20:59:00.000-07:00

By Cork Orr

Eurail trains can whisk you across countries in a matter of hours. Imagine the excitement of going to sleep in one country and waking up in another. Perhaps you can have breakfast, lunch and dinner in 3 different countries. Yep I've done it all via the European rail system or Eurail. What you've heard is true! It's a huge transportation network unlike anything else. All different types of trains and each has it's own personality. My goal is to give an overview of what it's like to travel Europe as the Europeans do - on the Eurail system of trains.

Imagine traveling without hotel reservations. You wake up this morning and say, "Where should we go today?", but instead of deciding on the attraction that you're going to see, you are deciding on the culture that you're going to immerse yourself in today. Sounds scary to many but for many adventuresome souls it's the ultimate freedom!

No tour group to meet in the hotel lobby at 7AM
No 6 hour bus rides
Leave anytime you please and stay as long as you like
Don't miss your favorite site because it's not on the itinerary - Your write the Itinerary!

Freedom to do

What you want
When you want
Where you want
How you want

You might say, "it's not that easy" and you're probably right but it's not as difficult as it sounds either and traveling without restrictions is 100 times more rewarding. It just takes an attitude adjustment and a little bit of involvement on your part.

Attitude Adjustment

Check your Ego at the Door! - Nobody cares about your Gucci bag or your rolex watch. In fact, displaying your wealth makes you a target in big cities. Most Europeans have a better fashion sense than we ever will and their stuff isn't knockoffs.

Kindness and Respect begets Kindness and Respect - There's a reason for the term "Ugly American" and we have decades of pompous Americans who think that the world revolves around them to overcome but luckily many of our European friends are more understanding than we are. Imagine this. It's "gift time" at the Clinique counter where you work or the Monday after a holiday weekend at your office and a 58 year old woman comes running up to you at 5 minutes before closing, opens her mouth and says,,,,,"Pouvez vous svp m'aider?". You look at her with a blank stare thinking "WTF? I just counted out my register and I am starving on this diet". You do everything in your power to put her off for the last 5 minutes so you can get out on time for once.

You might even walk away looking for someone who understands her. Finally, the announcement is made. You say "Sorry, come back tomorrow" and sprint out of the store. The moral? People are people everyone. They don't hate you, they just have lives besides you.

When in Rome, attempt to speak the language - One of the best tips that I can give you is to learn how to say, "Excuse me, do you speak English?" in the language of the countries that you will be visiting. That one phrase shows that you realize that you are in their country. If they speak English, great! If they don't, they will often attempt to find someone who does. If all else fails, they will generally try to determine what your awkward words and hand gestures mean.

Shut Up! - Screaming is not the European way, except perhaps in Italy. So don't go into their country in a pushy, loud, 'I'm the cat's meow" way. Example: one busy afternoon, my ex and I were sitting in our seats on the Paris metro speaking softly about something. The doors open and 4 Americans sit in the seats across from us. After a few minutes, one of them addresses us with an embarrassingly loud, "Hot damn, Americans! We're gonna take over this country!". I can't tell you how mortified we were as all of the people in the car looked up from their books or magazines at us.

Be a Cork On The Ocean - When traveling across Europe ala carte, nobody has forged the way and you aren't paying anyone to handle problems that will inevitably arise, so Chill! This trip isn't about showing your friends how many European landmarks you've taken photos in front of. It's about being an explorer, a free spirit and experiencing things that few people dare to experience. Sh*t will happen! Bank on it! But remember that what seems like today's crisis turns into tomorrow's story. With a little preparation, you can overcome about any situation that will occur. I have lost my passport while abroad, been accidentally separated from my travel partner and slept on the streets of Milan but I had a contingency plan to address each possibility and you will too if you stick with me.

Involvement on Your Part

Book Your Own Tickets - When you take a group tour, your tickets are part of a package for which you pay dearly. You're gonna have to book your own airfare and Eurail passes but I am here to help and in future articles you will learn all about how to get more for your money when booking a European vacation.

Read and LISTEN - If you're gonna do this, listen to those that have done it before. The number one thing that most people won't heed - advise on luggage and packing! My job is to share what I've learned the hard way. I may advise you to do things that you don't think are necessary. Maybe you have a friend that has talked to people that have backpacked Europe and you are tempted to listen to them. If your friend has backpacked Europe 29 times, then I'd listen to them. Otherwise, I'd stick with the plan.

Carry Your Own Bags - You need to know up front that this is not a 5 star holiday. There is no valet to carry your bags. This is adventure travel and you will need to be fit enough to walk around large cities and use public transportation. I can dispel the notion that backpacking Europe means walking across the continent and sleeping under the stars. The best way that I can explain it is that you will:

get off an airplane
get your "ONE" bag
get on a train
arrive at a cool city like Amsterdam
go to the Tourist information office (at the train station)
find a hotel
take a bus, cab (if you're splurging) or walk to your hotel
check in and drop off your bag
go sightseeing via an underground system, bus or your own two feet.

Sleep On The Train - The availability of sleeping accommodations on European trains varies from private rooms on the Orient Express to seats that recline on the Spanish state railway system. For those true adventurers, sleeping on the Eurail will allow you to:

maximize the number of countries and cities that you can visit
save thousands of dollars in hotel and restaurant costs
meet and become friends with people from all over the world
journal and plan the next days fun
make love on a train (LOL)

You're on Your Way

If you can put your mind in an open state and commit to doing the foot work that it takes to travel Europe like a free spirit, then you are already on your way because the excitement begins now. As you continue to research and plan your trip, you will feel the excitement of anticipation. Each and every day before you step onto that plane, you will learn something new. You will make preparations, shop for supplies, and make decisions regarding your itinerary. There is much to learn and in my upcoming articles, you will learn everything that you need to know including booking, packing, getting around, favorite sights, safety, suggested itineraries, Cork's favorite places and parties and lots of other stuff.

Cork

"If You're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space!"

Cork is a seasoned traveler who has visited 16 countries numerous times on her 27 backpacking adventures. With no room reservations, one backpack, a roundtrip airline ticket and a 15 day unlimited Eurail pass, she sleeps on trains, picnics in fabulous locations, and creates experiences that few people dare to try. In a series of articles, she explains everything that adventurers need to know from planning the basic itinerary to reading train timetables.

On her travel website, http://www.unique-vacation-rentals.com Cork offers advice, resources and personal assistance to people wanting the ultimate European vacation. From budget travel to luxury accommodations, Cork will design a vacation that you'll never forget. She is also available for hire as your tour guide for any size group where she will personally show you the ropes of riding the rails to your dream destinations and share her favorite sights throughout your choice of cities.

======

Get tripping around the world!

Tripping On Two Wheels

Tripping Around By Train

Tripping On A Budget

Tripping Around By Boat

All Aboard! Train Travel Around the World

2009-07-10T01:05:00.000-07:00

By Tom Fleming

Everything about trains evokes the true essence of travel. You not only see the landscape passing by, but can feel it rattling under your shoes. Trains are the best way to experience a long distance journey. Air travel is an abstraction; you're seated in a pressurized metal tube, and after a few hours of being out of touch with the world, land in a different continent. To go by bus or car means being strapped into a seat and left to the mercy of a driver. Train travel gives the passenger the freedom to roam the rumbling wagons while gazing out the window at the passing scenery. You can eat and wander about, snooze, and stare out the window. Train travel is freedom.

There's nothing like the moment when a train departs a station. Unlike the roar of a plane's take-off or the gunning of a bus's engine that marks the beginning of a journey, the departure of a train is a peaceful, unassuming start. Outside, the world begins to slowly roll by - baggage handlers wheeling their carts, travelers fleeing for their connections - and then the engine picks up momentum, the rhythm below your feet keeping pace with the passing scenery. Pedestrians wave at you, dreaming of where you could be bound. The wagon, your world, sways around you as the train takes a tight curve. Outside the clanging of a passing crossing signal grows loud, louder, before changing pitch as it quickly disappears.

Trains around the world are microcosms of the countries they serve. They reflect the economy and cultural norms of the nations they ply. To enjoy America's Amtrak you need to have money to afford the dining car and a private berth. England's train network, once the pride of the nation, is in decay, expensive and grungy. Russian trains, with a steaming samovar in each wagon, still harbor a bullying Soviet air of authority; an attendant is assigned to each wagon to scold passengers . Egyptian trains are manned by soldiers guarding against attacks by Muslim terrorists. The hustlers and touts found in every Indian city are concentrated on the nation's Taj Express that runs between Delhi and Agra eager to scam tourists out of their seats.

Train travel is slowly disappearing, a victim of the world's reliance on buses and taxis. Up until a half century ago Americans were able to reach the most remote of towns through an intricate network of spur lines. My mother could arrive to her tiny Kansas hometown from a distant college without relying on a vehicle. Now the spur lines are gone, torn up, or overgrown with weeds. Until recent years, Canadian trains allowed affordable transcontinental access, until the lines were privatized, and now a train trip through the Canadian Rockies is an expensive endeavor. In Mexico the passenger train network has disappeared, replaced by modern bus stations and affordable buses.

To enter a train station is often like stepping into a museum setting. Britain's smaller stations still harbor ladies' waiting rooms, a relic of earlier Victorian times, while in Thailand a uniformed officer in starched white linens bangs a large gong to announce an approaching engine.

Staring out a train window at the world speeding by is a hypnotizing experience. You experience the gradual cultural shift that occurs while traversing countries during a long sojourn. As a Russian train departs from Western Europe en route to St. Petersburg, the 21st century disappears somewhere in eastern Poland. Looking out a dirty window I spied leather-skinned farmers navigating horse-drawn plows. In the border town of Bialystok a gaggle of Slavic women, squat, toughened babushkas in head-scarves and heavy boots, gossiped amongst each other, or hawked snacks to passengers. Soon all sense of time disappeared as the train was swallowed into the vast birch and pine forests of Byelorussia.

Staring out the window of an Indian train, I grew fascinated with the traffic that lined up at the road crossings, waiting for our procession to pass. The train rumbled by a striped pole behind which waited bicyclists and idling motorcycles, farmers with their ox-carts old schoolbuses, the roofs crowded with sun-darkened men. A few smiled and returned my cheerful wave.

In Eastern Europe the numerous nations released under the yoke of the USSR now post their border guards and customs officials at every frontier crossing. The Russian train bound for St. Petersburg constantly stopped and started as it traversed the borders of Byelorussia, the Baltic states, and finally Russia. I studied the uniforms of the guards, the official colors, the missing buttons and frayed collars. From a neighboring compartment I could hear the protesting of a smuggler whose large stash of vodka and cigarettes had been uncovered. Later, when escaping Russia, a pair of strapping young Ukrainian guards eyed my passport curiously. 'Amerikanyets'. I had no transit visa for their country. Did I need one? They shrugged their broad shoulders. 'I dunno.'

I recall everyone who I've ever met on a train. I remember the two Norwegian girls and the young Czech man I met on a trip to Kansas. I sat in the dining car with an elderly woman who in an astounded whisper announced how she had been seated with a black man that very morning for breakfast. A dour old man still grieving for his long dead wife stared out the window as the Texas prairie rolled by outside.

In India a pair of teenaged girls stared amazed at a huge map of their country that I showed them. An Indian father traveling with his family to a wedding in Delhi tried to engage me in conversation, but his thickly accented English was incomprehensible. "What? Huh?" After a few conversations like this he finally grew frustrated at my puzzled looks and stared out the dirty window.

On a Russian train I shared a compartment with an obnoxious volleyball coach accompanying his team to a play-off in Byelorussia. When I had trouble closing the sliding door, he smirked. "Weak American."

I pointed at the stubborn door. "Russian door."

"It's an East German door. This is an East German train."

"What's the difference?"

And in northern Italy my brother and I shared a compartment with an elderly nun who resembled Mother Teresa's older sister. She was a wizened old creature, a mask of fury chiseled on her face from decades of punishing pupils. My brother grabbed my phrase book of various European languages, and began reciting random excerpts of Italian, and began asking the nun for her phone number. "Please . . . give me . . . your . . ."

The nun gave me a puzzled look as I quickly snatched the book from my brother's hands.

As the cost of fuel continues to rise, perhaps there is some hope for the future of train travel, which has proven to be an energy efficient means of getting from point A to point B. Amtrak reports increased numbers of travelers in recent months. In this world of break-neck speed communications and hyperactive schedules, a slow train ride across the frontier may be enough to save our sanity.

Travel Safe With World Nomads - Cheap, Easy and Flexible!

Best Things About Traveling by Train

2009-07-09T00:16:00.000-07:00

By Lydia Quinn

Nowadays, for short distance travel, people typically choose to go by car. For long distances, people choose planes more often than not, or sometimes ships, but more and more people are starting to travel both long and short distances by train.

There was a time when trains were the preferred method of travel. Back then, trains were the only high speed way to travel long distances, especially when the alternative was horses or horse driven wagons. People would travel across the country or across the state. Train travel back then was certainly much slower than it is now, but this may also be why train travel has always had a certain mystique about it. Trains have always had something special about them; they are more romantic than any other mode of transport and can harken back to olden days when things were much simpler and life seemed much slower.

Train travel is generally less costly, faster and more efficient than some other methods of travel. The best thing about traveling by train is that you don't have to experience any traffic jams and you are still moving along the ground. Train travel is quite leisurely, as you can do many things on the train like take a walk, go to the dining car, make friends and chat with other travelers, look at the views, play cards, read or just sleep. You can enjoy yourself much more on a train than making the same trip with a car. With a car, you must be alert at all times. With a train, you can sleep the entire time, if you wish. There's no need to worry about getting there on time, following directions, getting gas, getting lost, weather or where to stop for food either.

The very best thing and biggest advantage of traveling by train is the amount of relaxation you can have. You are able to relax by sitting in any position you want, in a padded seat. You can also take a pillow and a blanket with you to make you more comfortable during your ride. You can also get food from the food cart. This is typical for day trips. For overnight trips, the luxuries available are far more. You can purchase a sleeper cabin, which usually has a toilet and sink for washing up and a comfy bed. Sometimes you may need to share the cabin, other times it will be completely private, depending on what is available on the particular train you are traveling on.

Also, on overnight trips, you can take advantage of entertainment, fancier dining and even a bar.

Many cities of Europe are close together, so if you travel by train you get to see a lot of the sights and enjoy other benefits as well. In many parts of Europe, train travel is relatively inexpensive, especially if you take advantage of special rail passes that are available that offer unlimited travel by train on many rail lines in Europe. With these rail passes, it is possible to travel the whole of Europe quite cheaply.

Lastly, modern trains are highly environmentally friendly. Most use eco-friendly sources of power and generate much less pollution than similar travel by plane or car.

Trans-Supply is your source for transportation supplies, airport and runway, rail and railroad, traffic safety supply and construction supplies. Visit us at: http://www.trans-supply.com/

The Ghan - A Great Australian Train Journey

2009-07-08T01:50:00.000-07:00

© Photographer: Prolider | Agency: Dreamstime.com

By Miguel Scaccialupo

The Ghan is a living legend in Australian history and offers the ultimate journey through the heart of the Australian continent. Named after Afghan cameleers who originally helped open up the desert interior of Australia in the late 19th and early 20th, the Ghan is at once a luxury railway train and a 3000 kilometre railway journey that meanders from the fertile Adelaide countryside through the rusty red hues of Central Australia to the tropical splendour of the Top End.

The railway line began its colourful life as the Northern Railway in 1878, at the height of a national railway boom, in the hope of developing the pastoral and mining potential of the Australian interior. Soon becoming known affectionately as The Ghan, by 1891 the line reached from Port Augusta to the outback town of Oodnadatta in northern South Australia. Oodnadatta remained the end of the line for the next forty years.

In 1895, in an effort to advance construction of the line, it was stated that "the interior was not all desert, but had extensive areas of good land fit for cultivation and a variety of tropical products". The line was finally extended to the Central Australian town of Alice Springs in 1929, and remained there until 2003 when a major project to extend the line through to the Northern Territory capital, Darwin, was completed.

Until 1929, almost all goods to Alice Springs were transported by camel trains driven by Afghan tribesmen adept at handling these hardy 'ships of the desert'. The camel trains would meet the train at the railhead in Oodnadatta and carry goods ranging from pianos, motors, and furniture to food supplies, mail, newspapers and clothing on to Alice Springs. The arrival of the camel trains was always a time of great excitement. The camels remained a viable means of transport in Central Australia for so long because the development of motor transport was hindered by a lack of well formed roads and the reliable availability of fuel supplies.

Part of the Ghan's legendary reputation derives from the many mishaps which occurred during the early years of its operation. The 1520 km journey from Adelaide to Alice Springs passed through some of the driest and most difficult country on earth. Normally dry rivers would frequently flood after a downpour and run several kilometres wide, sweeping railway tracks, bridges and other infrastructure away in their path. Sometimes the train would not arrive for weeks or even months. At one point during the 1970's the Ghan was not sighted in Alice Springs for 3 months and essential supplies had to be flown into the town daily.

By 1980 the Ghan's route had been relocated a considerable distance to the west, and the line upgraded from narrow gauge to the wider Australian standard gauge. In the process, many new bridges and earth works were completed, and the Ghan's reputation for unreliability became history.

Today the modern Ghan is a world-class luxury railway and renowned attraction for travellers wishing to experience the real Australia in comfort. The 3000 km journey from Adelaide to Darwin via Alice Springs takes two days, and passes through just three other towns of any size, Port Augusta in South Australia and Tennant Creek and Katherine in the Northern Territory.

Miguel Scaccialupo writes regularly on Australian tour topics such as Central Australia Tours, Aboriginal Art and Ayers Rock Tours.

Three Thrilling North American East Coast Train Journeys

2009-07-07T02:08:00.000-07:00

By Barry Sheppard

The Vermonter, a luxurious Winter glide from Washington DC to St Albans, Vermont.

Your journey begins from the snow dusted Penn station, Manhattan. You cruise Northwards past the whitened landscape and by the time you reach Hartford, Connecticut the snow has softened out the rough edges in a carpet several inches thick. The carriages begin to feel the effects of the cold as the snow builds up between them and rows of pretty icicles adorn the exposed surfaces.

The line follows the valley of the Connecticut river and offers fine views of the Green Mountains on the Eastern side. The train passes frozen lakes dotted with the huts of ice fishermen trying their luck. The cosy cafe bar is full of the excited chatter of skiers on their way to the mountain runs at Ascutney, Bear Creek and Stowe. As night falls the landscape is bathed in pale moonlight and the train passes close by Naulakha, the onetime home of Rudyard Kipling and the place where he penned the stories of Mowgli and his Jungle Book adventures.

The excursion ends at St Albans. Here there is a range of accommodation available but very popular are the modestly priced Bed and Breakfast places that abound within a short taxi ride of the station. Should you wish to continue the journey there is a bus connection on to Montreal.

The Adirondack, a leisurely ride North from New York and across the border to French influenced Montreal.

The Adirondack runs all through the year and there is plenty to see in every season. However, this trip was in the chilly early Spring so there was no use for the open cars that are popular in the warmer months. The journey begins in the functional but businesslike surroundings of Penn Station. The weather of late has been warmer and the snow that has blanketed the countryside recently has begun to thaw. However, this should take nothing away from the spectacular views you are expecting as the train winds it's unhurried way North. The train hoots to signal it's departure and you wind your way out through Yonkers and into open country.

The scenery becomes more rugged as you approach Storm King Mountain crossing land that was hotly contested during the Revolutionary War. Franklin D Roosevelt had his house in these parts and the West Point Military Academy is not far away. At Hudson the views of the Catskill Mountains slide by.

The line skirts the edge of Lake Champlain, it's shores dotted with log cabins, pine woodlands and despite it being Spring, still frozen beaches. The cold obviously keeping 'Champy' the legendary lake monster out of sight today! The station at Rouse's Point marks the border into French Canada and you can begin to look forward to elegant patisseries, fine cheeses and chocolate in Montreal. Fortunately, if you have booked your accommodation at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel above the Gare Centralle and so will not even have to venture out into the cold at the end of your journey.

The Downeaster, a short but magical journey along the New England coast between Boston and Portland.

Leaving Boston's North Station behind the train runs at a leisurely pace through picturesque woodlands passing small towns and villages of white clapboard houses. Short stops at Exeter, Durham and Dover show the New England architecture at it's best. The station at Wells Beach is just a short hop from the Bush family's favourite vacation spot of Kennebunkport. You get your first glimpse of the sea at Old Orchard Beach shortly before pulling into your final destination of Portland. Once there take the time to explore the older parts of town walking across cobbled streets and sampling the delightful seafood restaurants down by the harbour.

Trips by boat out to Calender Islands are available although you can leave these delights for another time.

Barry Sheppard, an established author and filmmaker, has written over 140 articles on train travel http://www.traintraveller.com

Shanghai Trains Don't Miss the Attraction in China!

2009-07-05T20:07:00.000-07:00

Bernina Express - A Scenic Railway Journey in the Alps

2009-07-03T00:45:00.000-07:00

© Photographer: Focusphoto | Agency: Dreamstime.com

By Roger Mann

The Bernina Express is a train that runs between Chur, Switzerland, and Tirano, Italy. Since the railway was built without using a tracking system, the cogwheel track used to handle steep sections, a number of extra loops and tunnels had to be created in order to artificially lengthen the track. The journey on the Bernina Express is a 4 hour train journey, 140 kilometres (87 miles) across 196 bridges, through 55 tunnels and across the Bernina Pass, the highest point at 2,253 metres (7510 feet)

The Bernina Express runs all year. It is run by Rhatische Bahn, its whole network uses the narrow gauge (1000 mm), rather than the standard gauge (1435 mm) used by the SBB. The Chur railway station is used by both companies, so you can take an SBB train from Zurich to Chur. Chur is a good place for the railway enthusiast, with many beautiful railways in the neighbourhood. The famous Glacier Express stops in Chur on its way between St. Moritz and Zermatt. Rhatische Bahn has many interesting tracks, for example the journey up to Arosa.

The first part of the Bernina Express runs along the Rhine. Due to the strategic location of the valley, you will see plenty of old castles and ruins. Once out of the Rhine valley, the breathtaking mountain views begin. The tallest bridge is the Solis Bridge but the Landwasser Viaduct is better known. The latter has a length of 136 metres and a height of 65 metres. It has six arches and is slightly curved.

If you have time, you can stop in Filisur and take some photos of both the Landwasser Viaduct and the Wiesen Bridge, with 204 metres the longest stone bridge in Graubunden. For the Wiesen Bridge you can take the train towards Davos or walk to Wiesen. It is 1.5-2 hour walk from Filisur, and you can walk across the Wiesen Bridge. The longest tunnel is the Albula tunnel (length 5865 metres) between Preda and Spinas. It was opened in 1903. At an altitude of 1883 metres it is the highest railway tunnel in the Alps.

In 1904 the railway connected St. Moritz with Chur. Before that the journey from Chur to St. Moritz took 15 hours by stagecoach. Thanks to the railway line, St. Moritz became an exclusive winter resort. The Bernina Express from Chur does not go to St. Moritz, you need to change trains in Samedan if you want to visit St. Moritz. It is possible to take a train from St. Moritz to Tirano, this was the original Bernina Line.

Ospozio Bernina, altitude of 2253 metres, is the highest point of the railway. The lake along this part of the track is Lago Bianco. On one side of the lake, the water flows via the river Inn and the Danube into the Black Sea and on the other side, the water flows via the river Adda and the Po into the Adriatic Sea.

In the Italian speaking part of the Bernina Express, the train sometimes uses the streets of the villages and looks more like a tram than a train. The famous 360 degree spiral viaduct, the Kreis Viaduct (9 arches and a length of 116 metres), in Brusio is used to overcome the height difference within a small distance. It is a very popular target for photographers.

Tirano is small town and most tourists either take the Bernina Express back to Chur or continue by Italian train to Milan (takes 2.5 hours) In summer, you can take the bus to Lugano, a 3 hour bus ride. Although not as spectacular as the Bernina Express, it is a nice bus ride. In Lugano, you can take another scenic train journey to Luzern.

For more information about the Bernina Express, go to
http://www.scenic-trains.com/Bernina-Express.php

Three Thrilling North American East Coast Train Journeys

2009-07-01T18:53:00.000-07:00

© Photographer: Jasna01 | Agency: Dreamstime.com

By Barry Sheppard

The Vermonter, a luxurious Winter glide from Washington DC to St Albans, Vermont.

Your journey begins from the snow dusted Penn station, Manhattan. You cruise Northwards past the whitened landscape and by the time you reach Hartford, Connecticut the snow has softened out the rough edges in a carpet several inches thick. The carriages begin to feel the effects of the cold as the snow builds up between them and rows of pretty icicles adorn the exposed surfaces. The line follows the valley of the Connecticut river and offers fine views of the Green Mountains on the Eastern side. The train passes frozen lakes dotted with the huts of ice fishermen trying their luck. The cosy cafe bar is full of the excited chatter of skiers on their way to the mountain runs at Ascutney, Bear Creek and Stowe. As night falls the landscape is bathed in pale moonlight and the train passes close by Naulakha, the onetime home of Rudyard Kipling and the place where he penned the stories of Mowgli and his Jungle Book adventures.

The excursion ends at St Albans. Here there is a range of accommodation available but very popular are the modestly priced Bed and Breakfast places that abound within a short taxi ride of the station. Should you wish to continue the journey there is a bus connection on to Montreal.

The Adirondack, a leisurely ride North from New York and across the border to French influenced Montreal.

The Adirondack runs all through the year and there is plenty to see in every season. However, this trip was in the chilly early Spring so there was no use for the open cars that are popular in the warmer months. The journey begins in the functional but businesslike surroundings of Penn Station. The weather of late has been warmer and the snow that has blanketed the countryside recently has begun to thaw. However, this should take nothing away from the spectacular views you are expecting as the train winds it's unhurried way North.
.
The train hoots to signal it's departure and you wind your way out through Yonkers and into open country.
.
The scenery becomes more rugged as you approach Storm King Mountain crossing land that was hotly contested during the Revolutionary War. Franklin D Roosevelt had his house in these parts and the West Point Military Academy is not far away. At Hudson the views of the Catskill Mountains slide by.

The line skirts the edge of Lake Champlain, it's shores dotted with log cabins, pine woodlands and despite it being Spring, still frozen beaches. The cold obviously keeping 'Champy' the legendary lake monster out of sight today! The station at Rouse's Point marks the border into French Canada and you can begin to look forward to elegant patisseries, fine cheeses and chocolate in Montreal. Fortunately, if you have booked your accommodation at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel above the Gare Centralle and so will not even have to venture out into the cold at the end of your journey.

The Downeaster, a short but magical journey along the New England coast between Boston and Portland.
.
Leaving Boston's North Station behind the train runs at a leisurely pace through picturesque woodlands passing small towns and villages of white clapboard houses. Short stops at Exeter, Durham and Dover show the New England architecture at it's best. The station at Wells Beach is just a short hop from the Bush family's favourite vacation spot of Kennebunkport. You get your first glimpse of the sea at Old Orchard Beach shortly before pulling into your final destination of Portland. Once there take the time to explore the older parts of town walking across cobbled streets and sampling the delightful seafood restaurants down by the harbour.
.
Trips by boat out to Calender Islands are available although you can leave these delights for another time.

.
Barry Sheppard, an established author and filmmaker, has written over 140 articles on train travel http://www.traintraveller.com

Travel From Prague to Vienna by Train - Where to Buy Tickets

2009-07-01T00:05:00.000-07:00

© Photographer: Pooterjon | Agency: Dreamstime.com

By Roman T Jelinek

Prague is in the heart of Europe which makes it a great starting place for train trips to other major cities in Europe. A great city to visit from Prague is Vienna. It is only four hours away by train.

If you have never taken a train trip from Prague before then you might be inclined to to order your tickets online from home. It seems like the best thing to do to ensure a stress free trip.

But it is a mistake. Especially if you are taking a train from Prague to Vienna. There are two main reasons to purchase your tickets in Prague, right at the train station, and not online.

It is a Lot Cheaper to Purchase Train Tickets at the Prague Train Station

For this article I went to the Main (Hlavni) train station in Prague. I asked them for a one way ticket to Vienna. The price is 1032 CZK or about $50.00 US dollars. Compare that to a few online tickets websites that I checked. They charge around $100 US dollars for the same 2nd class ticket.

If you buy your ticket at the station the price is the same regardless of what day or what time the ticket is for. It is always around $50.00.

Eight Trains a Day leave from Prague To Vienna Every Day

People reserve tickets on a train to ensure that they have a spot on the train. They want the piece of mind of knowing that they have a seat on a specific train.

I have been to Vienna a few times. I always buy the train ticket just before I board the train. The train have never been sold out. And if there is some rare case that a train is sold out then you can always take the next one. There are 8 trains a day that leave Prague Main Station to Vienna.

If you miss a train or the train is too full then the worst that can happen is that you will need to spend a couple more hours in Prague - which is not a bad thing.

Also, by not pre-ordering your train ticket you are left with the freedom of altering your plans. You are not bound by the ticket you bought 3 weeks ago from home. Once in Prague you might decide to stay a little longer or leave a little sooner. If you wait to purchase your tickets at the station just before the train departs then you have that option. If you pre-order your train ticket then you are forced to form your vacation around the train ticket.

Buy your Prague to Vienna train tickets from the Main (Hlavni) Train Station.

I live in Prague and I never pre order my train tickets to Vienna. For more information please see travel Prague to Vienna by train Or for more general information see travel Prague

Rail Travel In Kenya; What You Didn't Know

2009-06-29T19:05:00.000-07:00

By Jackline Mwathe

Recently, a colleage in our busy office confided in me that he wanted to take a Railway travel in Kenya. What he did not know is the fact that i have visited Kenya five times for the last five years i have had a vacation. I knew he was making the best decision to tour the action packed country. Unlike in Europe or USA the Kenya railway system is not expansive and does not contribute much to the development of the this Country. Almost all Passenger and Cargo transport is done through the dilapidated road network.

One thing that you should not miss though is the Railway travel From Nairobi to Mombasa. The Railway Line is operated by Rift Vally Railways, a private company that only took the operation of the the extensive Mombasa to Kampala Railway system only recently after Kenya and Uganda ran it down for donkey years bringing cargo and passenger transport to a halt.

Most of this Railway line traverses through the Tsavo National Park, Kenya's largest national animal park, Famous for its wide range of wild animals especially elephants, rhinos and Zebras. You will experience the spectacular views of the Great Rift valley as the Railway line winds through the escarpment down to the base of Mt. Longonot, Fresh water Lake Naivasha, Mashrooming flower farms and the Flamingo inhabited Lake Nakuru. As You reach Kisumu you are treated to the Kakamega Rain Forest Reserve, A hub for beatiful bird life and indigenous trees.

Currently, the Rift Valley Railways company Ltd. operates an overnight express train service between Nairobi and Mombasa. Unfortunately you will not be able to watch wild animals but you will sure be treated to one of Kenya's greatest travel experiences. The train is devided into three classes. A seat only 3rd Class compartment which i would not advise you to book since it is pubic and not very secure and a comfortable 1st and 2nd Class compatment where you can get Dinner, Breakfast and refreshments in the form of alcoholic drinks, mineral water and Soda. Make sure to swallow a pint of Kenyas' Favourite beer 'Tusker', It comes as cold as you ordered it, though locals prefer it warm.

The train to Mombasa leaves Nairobi every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1900 hrs. From Mombasa to Nairobi, it leaves every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. It would be important to book your compartment atleast a day or so before departure time to avoid last minute frustrations since in Kenya the train stations are not computerised and virtually everything moves at snail speed.

It would be prudent to make an arrangement with your travel company in Nairobi or Mombasa for their staff to do the railway travel kenya booking for you, otherwise if you decide to do it yourself beware of conmen and cheats who will readily offload your backpack with impunity. You will be able to pay for your railway travel kenya with the Kenya Currency, US Dollars

Jackline Mwathe is a web administrator and has been researching and reporting on Vacation, Travel and Tours for years. For more information on Railway travel kenya, visit her site at http://www.bushtroop-safaris.com/

Tips For Touring Asia by Train

2009-06-29T01:30:00.000-07:00

Riding the Dragon - Train Travel in China

2009-06-25T23:25:00.000-07:00

© Photographer: Tamilsma | Agency: Dreamstime.com

By Julian Ipsen

For some it may be an adventure, for tens of millions it is daily routine: a trip on the Chinese railway. China has one of the biggest and busiest railway networks in the world linking almost every Chinese city or town. The quality of trains "en route" is diverse like the country they are crossing: some are equipped with the latest technology; some have still Mao's footprints on the carpet, all are relatively clean at the beginning of the trip.
.
The first obstacle the fearless train-traveler has to encounter is buying a ticket. During in the national Chinese holidays and the festival time the trains can be totally overcrowded. That means, not the trains but the train stations. The crowds in front of the station are a popular place for pickpockets. For a careless person the chance of arriving at the counter without a wallet is relatively high.

The western tourist should think twice about whether is worth to fight for hours just to hear a "mei you" (don't have), it may be better to pay a few bucks to a local travel agency to organize the tickets. Some online travel agencies offer special train trips where everything is taken care of. The tourist is brought directly to its cabin without having to hassle about anything involved in the purchase.

If the gods are merciful or a travel agent has been consulted the lucky traveler got a place in one of the four classes most Chinese trains offer: The two lowest classes are hard and soft sitter. The soft seating places are good for short trips of a few hours; the hard sitter only advisable if a close encounter with people from the agricultural sector is desired. The hard sleeper and soft sleeper compartments offer both clean beds with pillows and quilts. There are six hard sleepers to one compartment; two sets of three facing each other. There is no door on the compartment and 18 compartments to one carriage. The soft sleeper has 4 bunks; two bunks facing another set of two and a door that separates the compartment with the outside world.

The sanitary conditions in the trains are mediocre to bad. To begin the toilets may be clean but after a couple of hours they can be easily compared to the public toilets after the Woodstock festival. Most of the toilets are Chinese style, even though it is rumored that western style toilets are available in some soft sleeper trains. Toilet paper has to be brought from home or bought at one of the frequent train stops.

Even with these obstacles, it should not be a reason for the interested traveler take a train trip, "au contraire!" as the Chinese train is the best place to experience the real china and to get really close to its fascinating population. Some tourists even claim that the highlight of their vacation was the trip on the train and that they learnt more about Chinese culture in a few short hours than in 10 days in Beijing. Where else can you collect so many experiences and adventures for such a small price?

Julian Ipsen is living in China for several years now. He tries to share the experience and impression he gets from working at http://www.chinahighlights.com and travelling the country by writing articles and blogging.

Train Travel in Texas - Enjoy a Historical Train Ride

2009-06-24T20:16:00.000-07:00

© Photographer: Melonesaj | Agency: Dreamstime.com
.
By Wendy Pan

Texas is one of the largest and one of the most beautiful states in America. Texas is marked by several different types of geography, making train travel an enjoyable, interesting and historical activity.
.
There are the interior lowlands in Texas, which include the North Central Plains, where the National Park, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area is located. There are the Great Plains, which include the cities of Austin, Odessa, Midland and Amarillo. The Great Plains are rolling hills made of shrub and grassland. The Palo Duro Canyon and Caprock Canyon State Parks are located in the Great Plains. Traveling by train in this region is not only relaxing but also filled with spectacular views.

When aiming to travel by train in Texas, there are many options to choose from. The Texas State Railroad is a historic passenger train that runs through East Texas. The geography the railroad covers consists of pine woods where there is abundant wildlife, binoculars and cameras are encouraged. This is a great trip for the children to get to experience the beauty of Texas wildlife.

Both steam and diesel engine train excursions are available. The depots served by this train are located in Palestine and Rusk. They still maintain their original 19th century charm and coupled with hospitality southern style, an excursion on the Texas State Railroad can only prove to be an enjoyable adventure.

When you travel by train in Texas, it's always a good idea to research which railroad would best suit you and your family's idea of a fun vacation. Not only does Texas have to offer their State Railroad, but there is the Austin Steam Train to choose from as well. Here you have a choice of three different types of cars to ride in. The coach cars, which are the simplest and least expensive fares, have no heat or air conditioning in them. The excursion cars, the moderate one of the three, has both air conditioning and heat, while the lounge cars are the most luxurious with heat, air conditioning and snacks.

These trains are historic. One is pulled by a 1960 Alco Diesel Electric engine, and there is also a 1916 steam engine which has been restored. When you travel by train in Texas you can sign up for one of the big events the trains offer. There is a Halloween event in October, the Halloween Bertram Flyer for Kids. There is an onboard Halloween costume contest, candy to be trick or treated, and the telling of ghost stories. Another popular event is the Main Street Bethlehem, a Christmas attraction meant to mimic the sights and sounds of Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. There is plenty of time to eat dinner and shop, and then the town of Burnet becomes a mini Bethlehem with people dressed in period costumes and chickens, goats and even cattle roaming the streets.

Or, you could travel by train in Texas via Amtrak, which offers a service called The Texas Eagle. Amtrak offers sleeper cars, coaches, lounges, and dining cars. The Heartland Flyer runs from Fort Worth to Oklahoma City and runs two trains daily.

Whichever track you choose to travel, Texas is filled with such beautiful scenery and wildlife; you may find yourself wanting to ride them all.

.
Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about train travel in texas, please visit Texas Traveling for current articles and discussions.

Luxury Rail Tours - The Ultimate Way to Travel

2009-06-23T19:34:00.000-07:00

.
By Karen Cooke
.
Rail is one of the best ways to see the world - enabling the traveller to sit back in comfort, enjoy delicious cuisine, wine and company, while viewing the world's most magnificent scenery. A luxury rail tour allows the traveller to witness some of the wildest and most beautiful places on earth from the comfort and convenience of an air-conditioned carriage.

For the ultimate in luxury travel experiences, here are a few of the world's most stunning trains.

The Royal Scotsman

To step aboard The Royal Scotsman is to step into a different world. The Royal Scotsman evokes the nostalgia of a bygone era; the romantic age of travel when the journey was as important as the destination.

This train provides an effortless way to experience Scotland in absolute luxury with just a few fellow travellers. With a maximum of only 36 guests aboard at any one time, it is easy to see why the Scotsman is considered among the top ten of the most luxurious trains in the world.

Seen from the comfort of the Observation Car the spectacle of Scotland's great wilderness does take the breath away - from sweeping glens to towering peaks and black lochs.

Al Andalus Express

The Al Andalus Express is comparable to a luxury hotel on wheels, a comfortable vantage point from which travellers can admire the Spanish countryside. Andalusia is the birthplace of flamenco and one of the most beautiful regions of Spain. Today it is a paradise for everyone to enjoy, with its stunning olive groves, picturesque villages and ancient cathedrals.

The interior of the Al Andalus Express offers all manner of exquisite touches, refinement and services. Travelling the Al Andalus across the panoramic landscape of Andalusia is an
unforgettable experience.

The Express is made up of twelve cars: two restaurant cars, a lounge and game car; the Giralda bar car; five sleeping cars, two shower cars and a staff car.

Rovos Rail

Rovos Rail boasts international reputation for offering a world-class travel experiences. Passengers simply step aboard the wood-panelled coaches - classics remodelled and refurbished to mint condition - and enjoy fine cuisine in five-star luxury as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows.

In a series of journeys lasting from 24 hours to a fortnight, the Pride of Africa links some of Africa's greatest destinations - from Cape Town to Dar-Es-Salaam in Tanzania, from scenic splendours such as the game reserves of Mpumalanga to the stark beauty of the Karoo.

Eastern and Oriental Express

This luxury train was first built in Japan in 1972 and first operated as the Silver Star train in New Zealand. The interior of the carriage is inspired by the East. The carriage walls are decorated with wooden marquetry of Eastern designs, while the bar and restaurant cars are decorated in Chinese and Thai lacquer.

Accommodation on board the Eastern & Oriental Express includes three grades of compartments: Presidential Suite, State Compartments and Pullman Compartments. All are air-conditioned, with en suite shower rooms. During dinner the steward transforms passenger compartments from daytime seating to bedrooms.

Facilities include a 24-hour steward service, international electric sockets and 110 volt adapter for razors, personal safe and hairdryer. The Presidential Suite also features a complimentary bar.

The train's observation car provides the perfect vantage point to witness the ever-changing terrain as the journey progresses through tropical countryside and jungle, past ancient temples, rivers and rice paddies.

The Trans-Siberian Express

The Trans-Siberian Express can satisfy one's thirst for adventure without sacrificing comfort. Tour Russia and other countries of the former USSR in luxurious style. The Express does not operate a 'fixed formation' train, as the composition varies to suit the number of passengers. For this reason the choice of the cabins can vary from trip to trip.

The Express Cars are purpose-built, new carriages designed for the 21st century to offer top-class comfort and service. Each carriage has four compartments which can be configured for double, twin or single occupancy, with the lower berth converting into a sofa for daytime travel.

Each compartment features its own private shower and toilet facilities and has a wardrobe, audio system, DVD/VCR and air conditioning with individual climate control.

Live out your wildest dreams by booking a luxury rail tour today.

Karen Cooke is a professional consultant with Travel Associates, an exclusive Australian travel agency catering to the premium travel market. More helpful travel tips and suggestions are available at http://www.travel-associates.com.au

Scenic Train Tours - Better Way to Sight See

2009-06-22T21:03:00.000-07:00

© Photographer: Pitbull28 | Agency: Dreamstime.com
.

By Arman Hansen

What better way is there to sight see than to take one of the many scenic train tours that are offered practically in every country of the world. This enables a person the ability to relax, kick back, ride the rails, and simply enjoy the sights. When it comes to these packages, meals are usually included as is the hotel rooms for the overnight stays. Lets take a look at some of the most popular train tours that are given throughout the United States as well as Canada and concentrate primarily on the western region that includes the Rocky Mountains.

Lets begin with Alaska. Alaska is quite simply, beautiful. There are glaciers and mountains. Pristine waters and wildlife unseen to most people. These are some of the items that one would be able to explore when taking one of these very scenic trips. For example, The "Alaska Indulgence" tour offers a twelve day and eleven night extravaganza of views. It begins in Fairbanks and starts with a plane ride over the Arctic Circle where one will land and explore an outpost that is located in the extreme wilderness. Then, after spending the night, one will fly back to begin their train excursion.

From Fairbanks, the train will take you through breathtaking landscapes to Denali where you will stay for the next couple of days in the Denali Backwoods Lodge. This will allow a person the ability to do what they would like to do from hunting and fishing, to even panning for gold. After all, this is part of where the Klondike rush area. Consider this also, this is only day three and four of your twelve days. There is much ahead of you too. But, explaining it all would take away the surprises that lay ahead and therefore, this tour description will end here. However, we will add that there are cruises as well as more flying to look forward to.

The Canadian "Totem Rail Explorer" is also a twelve day and eleven night trip too. This includes cities such as Vancouver, Baniff, and Jasper. There is an Icefields Parkway tour included as is hotels and ferry cruises. They also add in an exclusive attractions pass which will allow one to take advantages of some of the best things that the cities have to offer. Things like the Baniff Upper Hot Springs, the Calgary Tower, the Jasper tramway, and quite a few more.

There is beauty and mystic in either of these tours. But, they are certainly not the only tours that are offered. There are many more that offer the ability to relax and take in the sights in both Alaska as well as Canada. Also, the western continental United States offers many of these scenic train tours too. So, consider these when the sightseeing bug bites and you will most definitely be glad that you did. Find out more tips about scenic train tours at http://traintours.relatedtips.com

Train Trips in Thailand

2009-06-17T02:13:00.000-07:00

© Photographer: Oxygen64 | Agency: Dreamstime.com
.
By Tom Aikins
.
Most people are familiar with the River Kwai Death Railway as being Thailand's scenic rail trip option. However it is really the infamy of the line that escalates this trip in the eyes of the visitor. Admittedly spectacular in parts and with beautiful scenery along the Kwai Noi River to Namtok at the end of the line, it is but a small segment of the SRT system and by no means the only memorable sector to be found.

The River Kwai services leave from Thonburi station with additional services from the main Hualom-phong station during the November festival time. The Thonburi station affords splendid views of the river and is close to the Royal Barge sheds as well as being an architectural wonder with its clock tower facade.

Whether you have an interest in railways or not, trains are still an immensely pleasurable way to view the Thai countryside and are also cheap. The rail fare to Nam Tok, at the end of the Kwai line is still only 60 baht for a one way ticket and the Wongwian Yai service can still be found at around 20 baht round trip.

On local trains and many of the long distance expresses, vendors still ply their wares at the various stops along the line and many will be already aware of the new Korean-manufactured sleeper carriages available on most routes. Sleeper fares are still a real deal and more comfortable than ever and all first class carriages now have a shower area at the end of each carriage.

The Korean rolling stock is but the latest progressive foreign intervention into the State Railway with Japanese Kawasaki train units and British Rail "Sprinter" trains having upgraded the quality of train services within the last 10 years. Of course, the whole system was German-built, being a dream of King Chulalungkorn to link the hinterland to Bangkok and create a united "Thai Land" as well as fortifying links to the weak border points. It has recently celebrated its operational centennial with services duplicating the original public service to Korat.

The climb to the Korat Plateau, after the lineside temple views at Ayutthaya and especially Lopburi, is another of the lesser-noticed scenic sectors of the system. Here the route skirts Khao Yai National Park and the slow ascent affords excellent views of the lush central plains disappearing into the distance to be replaced by the comparatively flat and bare Isaan rice bowl.

For scenic mountain ascents the Doi Khun Tan National Park has by far the best to offer. Most travellers will see it at its best if being an early riser (0600-0700) on the Express Sleeper from Bangkok to Chiangmai.

The morning light hits the deep forested valleys in an array of color that is difficult to find elsewhere in the region and the basically uninhabited area adds to the slow switchback trundle of the train up the mountain. The climax of the ride is the final ascent to Doi Khun Tan station through a 2km tunnel, finally arriving at, in this writer's opinion, the most beautiful, well kept station in the Kingdom. Basketed blossoms on the platform and green peaks in the backdrop give it a special feeling, especially when experienced in the atmosphere of Lanna's cool morning air. The tunnel itself claimed many lives during its construction over a century ago and a plaque in respect of those workers can be seen at the southern portal. Many will argue the point that Hua Hin, with its Royal waiting room, is the more pleasant (and certainly more photographed) station, but Doi Khun Tan, with its inaccessibility, is a credit to the people that created it and those who currently man it. It really is only visited by those hiking into the National Park and for that reason alone has far fewer visitors than the Hua Hin version.

Sprinter train travellers on the Chiangmai day service from Bangkok will see Doi Khun Tan in the evening twilight, which can be almost as rewarding. The Sprinter service has become popular since its introduction, allowing train travellers to see all of the countryside between the two major cities during daylight. A similar situation exists with the Surat Thani to Bangkok sprinter service where travellers are able to view the coastal section from the south in daylight, previously missed with only the overnight sleeper services available. Sprinter trains, with their large viewing windows and airline-style reclining seats are a comfortable and affordable way to view the countryside. There are no traffic jams and one isn't constantly watching for oncoming traffic!

The only criticism of the international express, and indeed all sleeper trains within the kingdom is the fact that first class sleepers have berths situated across the car. As trains tend to rock from side to side, actual sleep is only usually achieved in second class where berths are configured lengthways along side the carriage windows. The result in first class, despite the privacy of a double cabin, is one of being shunted up and down the bed in a traditional railroad manner. Check out the disembarking sleeper passengers when you are at journey's end. The upper class travelers always seem to have that extra jaded style to their morning arrival.

First class berths on the E & O Express are configured correctly i.e. lengthways and the luxury of this service far surpasses the SRT public trains and perhaps most other services in the world. The train is not a remnant of a bygone age, as are the sister trains in Europe, but a converted version of New Zealand's Silver Streak, Christchurch to Greymouth train of the 1980's. It blends well as a replica, but the minimum $1400 for the one way 2 night trip to and from Singapore is, to most, still expensive. Far easier to experience the train on the frequent Saturday night 5 hour dinner specials from both Bangkok and Singapore at $150 (6,450 baht) per head. Look out in the local press for departure dates.

For those looking for the alternative experience and not requiring E & O luxury, steam excursions ply the local Bangkok routes on the King's Birthday and Chulalungkorn Day as well as during the Kwai festival. The Ayutthaya specials usually cost around 100 baht for the round trip, a figure unheard of for European rail enthusiasts.

Thai Rail passes still exist but the complications of reserving seats and berths in advance can sometimes outweigh the good value from these visitor's special deals. No matter, as long as one observes the 60 day advance purchase regulation and recognizes the popularity of train travel at holiday times, it is a very rewarding and value for money means of seeing the kingdom. Not only that, the punctuality is what may be expected of an originally German built system, as with the new reliable Skytrain.

http://tomaikins-lifeinbangkok.blogspot.com

Disneyland Paris Trip - Train Travel to and From Paris

2009-06-17T02:02:00.000-07:00

By Kay M Savage

Disneyland Paris is, for many, a dream destination especially if you have a young family. Train travel is one of the easiest ways to get to the park and the French have made it easy to travel to and from Paris by train with trains running approx every 15 mins.

The station for Euro Disney is positioned just outside the main entrances to the parks so once you get off your train it is a stones throw from the magic of the parks and you are already slap bang in the atmosphere of Disney. The train station is also next to the bus station so it is easy to transfer to a shuttle if you are staying on site or get a local bus to the area in which you are staying. I understand there is also a service where if you are staying in a Disney Hotel your luggage can be taken to your hotel for you meaning you are able to enjoy the parks straight away!

City trains travel to and from central Paris to Euro Disneyland throughout the day at roughly 15 minute intervals from the following five large central Paris RER A Stations: Charles de Gaulle Etoile (at Arc de Triomphe), Auber (at Galeries Lafayette shopping center), Chatelet Les Halles (massive underground shopping centre and largest underground/subway station in the world), Gare de Lyon and Nation station. The Station at Euro Disney is called Marne La Vallee / Disney

You will need to buy Zone 1 -Zone 5 ticket which will cover both the underground and over ground parts of your journey. A one way ticket costs approx €6.45 and can be purchased by automated machine (different languages can be chosen) and can be paid for by coins or a chip and pin card. If there are several of you travelling or you intend to make multiple journeys they you would be advised to but a book of ten tickets as this will give you two free tickets. On our case there was a party of 5 adults on a day trip to Paris so we purchased a book of ten tickets which made the total cost of the journey €51.60 rather than €64.50. €10.32 per person rather than €12.90 a good saving.

French trains are very reliable and the trip from Disneyland Paris to the centre of Paris only took 40 mins each way with the trains running on time. This was much easier than trying to drive into the capital.

This tip for your visit to Disneyland Paris is just the starting point Click here for more valuable information to help you get best value and maximum enjoyment from a holiday at Eurodisney

http://disneyparisadvice.blogspot.com

Canada Train Tours - Exciting Packages, Explore What They Have to Offer

2009-06-11T23:20:00.000-07:00

By Arman Hansen

There are many Canada train tours that offer the ability to sit back, ride the rails, and appreciate the beauty and majesty of the Rocky Mountains. This is a little used and widely known way to see many of the sights for anywhere from four to twelve days. And, the longer the package, the more specials there are along the way. Therefore, let's discuss some of these packages and explore what they have to offer.

There are a few different "Classic Rail" vacations that are available from Baniff to Jasper to Calgary. And all of them are simply spectacular and offer the ability to stay in hotels along the way. And, there is a choice of either the "RedLeaf" or the "GoldLeaf" service. The difference between the two is the amenities. GoldLeaf is the nicer version and includes a glass dome coach with full length windows, reclining seats that rotate, and a picture window dining car with four person seating. That is where similarities end. Each are quite special in their own little ways.

The most popular is the seven night eight day Western Explorer adventure. This specific package includes seven nights hotel accommodations, Icefields Parkway tour, a lake shore stroll at The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Yoho Park, a ranch visit, a helicopter sightseeing tour, and an exclusive attractions pass that will include the Vancouver Lookout, Vancouver Trolley City, the Royal BC Museum at Victoria, the Baniff Gondola and Baniff Upper Hot Springs in Banniff, the Jasper Tramway with transportation included, and the Calgary Tower. This is one of the best ways to see exactly what Canada has to offer.

Another great trip is the "Taste of the West" package. This is a brand new package for two thousand and nine and is a culinary delight. Not only are there many views of the Rocky Mountains but, there are also gourmet meals and wine tasting too. And, this package also includes the exclusive attractions pass that is offered above.

The "Totem Rail Explorer" is a rail and a sea ride. This is an eleven night and twelve day opportunity to get away from it all. Cities such as Vancouver, Victoria, Jasper, Baniff are included as well as ferries at Prince Rupert and Port Hardy. Butchart Gardens is only one of the many highlights of the tour. Coincidently, the exclusive attractions pass as well as the National Parks pass is included. However, only four breakfasts, four lunches, and one dinner is included in the package. Therefore, one will be required to purchase their own most of the time.

For some of the best sightseeing in the western portion of Canada, the Canada train tours offer many different packages for many different tastes.

Find out more tips about exciting Canada train tours at http://traintours.relatedtips.com

The Best Australian Luxury Rail Tours

2009-06-11T23:09:00.000-07:00

By Karen Cooke

Much of Australia's vast continent is uninhabited due to the harsh climate of the outback. Driving across the desert can be a hazardous and demanding task. It is for this reason that luxury rail tours provide the perfect alternative to driving. Travellers can visit the heart of the outback in perfect air-conditioned luxury.

The Indian Pacific

The transcontinental Indian Pacific is one of Australia's unrivalled luxury train journeys and a relaxing way to enjoy the finest of the Australian outback, from Sydney to Perth, in a journey lasting 65 hours.

The journey covers 4,352 kilometres, and includes stops at three great Australian cities - Sydney, the nation's Pacific Ocean City; Adelaide, South Australia's charming capital and Perth, the most dynamic city of the west.

The Indian Pacific also passes through rustic country towns that speak of a bygone Australian era. The coal mining town of Lithgow; Bathurst, site of Australia's first gold rush; Broken Hill, the jewel of the outback and Kalgoorlie, the 'Queen of the Golden Mile.'

However, most people travel the Indian Pacific to experience the mysterious Nullarbor Plain. The Nullarbor boasts the longest straight stretch of railway track in the world - 478 kilometres without a curve.

The Ghan

The Ghan was established 75 years ago when a railway line replaced camel trains that ferried supplies and people to sparsely-populated central Australia. The camels were controlled by immigrant teams, mostly from Afghanistan - hence the name.

The Ghan traces the explorers' routes to the mysterious Red Centre, passing through harsh, forbidding country with all the comfort and style of a fine hotel.

Connecting Adelaide in the south and Alice Springs in the centre, the Ghan has recently been extended to serve Darwin. Travellers can now ride in comfort through the Outback to the Alice - the gateway to Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) rock formations, and the Northern Territory.

The starkly beautiful landscape of the Outback is the prime attraction when taking this 20 hour, 1559 km trip. Heading out of Alice Springs, the train passes indigenous campgrounds and then confronts a vast silent emptiness.

The Overland

The Overland commenced service in 1887, pioneering inter-capital rail travel between Melbourne and Adelaide. The name comes from the term 'overlander,' meaning an adventurer who traverses the country.

Today, this historic train continues to provide a convenient way to travel between these two great cities. The Overland offers a Daylight Service between Adelaide, gateway too many of Australia's best wine producing regions and Melbourne, Australia's cultural capital.

With Gold Kangaroo service travellers can choose between a Twin and Single Sleeper Cabin. Travellers can enjoy the stunning vistas of these lush regions from the comfort of daytime lounge seating that converts to a bedroom at night.

The Sunlander

Train travel on The Sunlander enables passengers to discover a multitude of Australia's best coastal destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands. The Sunlander features a range of accommodation options including the premium Queenslander Class.

In terms of national rail travel, the Sunlander is one of Australia's longest running and most beautiful tours. For fifty years, The Sunlander has weaved its way along Australia's incredible northeast coast. And with large panoramic windows on all sides guests can capture the true sense of life along the east coast as The Sunlander travels along the lush coastline.

With regards to accommodation options, the choices are sensational. Roomettes feature a single lounge chair that converts into a sleeping berth at night, as well as most of the features of the Twin Sleepers, including wash basin and toilet, full length mirror, power point and reading lights.

The Spirit of the Outback

Twice a week, the Spirit of the Outback offers a unique train travel experience between Brisbane and Longreach, via Rockhampton, giving travellers an insight into the history and culture of early Australia.

Analogous of the country through which it passes, the Spirit of the Outback reflects the history of Central Western Queensland, celebrating a vast tradition of passenger train travel.

The train enables travellers to marvel at some of the outback's harshest landscapes from the comfort of an air-conditioned carriage.

The journey to Brisbane takes a little over 24 hours, hugging Queensland's coastline past cattle stations and sugar cane plantations until the Spirit reaches Rockhampton.

From Rockhampton the train heads to Blackwater, where more than 5 million tonnes of coal is mined every year. Then onward to Emerald and the sapphire fields of Anakie, following the Tropic of Capricorn to Longreach - a region where history runs thick with Aboriginal cave paintings, stockmen and bushrangers.

Karen Cooke is a professional consultant with Travel Associates, an exclusive Australian travel agency catering to the premium travel market. More helpful travel tips and suggestions are available at http://www.travel-associates.com.au

Europe Train Travel Tips

2009-06-11T22:59:00.000-07:00

By Larry Christopher

If you want to really see Europe, train travel is by far the best choice. There is no better way to see a place than a leisurely train ride where you can see everything, from the countryside to the mountains to the dazzling lights of European cities.

Furthermore, Europe is made for train travel. Trains conveniently link every city from Athens to Helsinki (and everything in between).

There are many ways to organize a European railroad trip. There are Eurail passes that cover the entire continent, as well as more limited ones if you only want to visit certain parts of Europe. Which you should choose depends, of course, on your schedule, preferences and budget.

There is no "best time" to visit Europe, as there are advantages to going in every season. Summer is most convenient for many people, though it will be crowded and more expensive. Winter is great if you like sports like skiing. Fall and Spring offer both moderate temperatures and fewer crowds. But there are unlimited activities throughout the year in Europe.

If you plan a train trip to Europe, the most challenging thing is choosing the right train ticket or pass, as there are many choices. If you only get to visit Europe rarely, or if this is a once in a lifetime trip, you should see as much as you possibly can.

The great thing about Europe is that you have many countries close together with distinct language and cultures (even if most of them use the same currency now).

If you are traveling to Europe from another continent, you may want to fly into London and take the Eurostar to Paris. England and other parts of the UK are not part of the same train system as continental Europe, so your Eurail passes will not be honored there. Still, a trip to Europe is not complete without seeing London.

You can visit Eastern Europe as well as Western, though you will have to get a separate train pass for some of these countries. There is one pass that allows you to go to Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic.

If you get a train pass in Europe, make sure that any train you board will honor it. Not all trains do, and if you find yourself on a train that does not accept your pass you will have to pay for an extra ticket.

When visiting Europe, train travel is the way to see the most scenery, meet the most people and absorb as much as possible of the continent's myriad of natural and cultural sites.

The best deals on Europe Train Travel!

Train Travel in Ireland

2009-06-11T22:44:00.000-07:00

By Seth Miller

Train travel in Ireland is a very pleasurable way of taking in all the lovely sights that Ireland has to offer. The Irish rail authorities, known as the Iarnród Éireann, have an efficient network that connects most major towns and cities of Ireland. A system of railway passes allows passengers to travel in a very economical manner.
The purchase of an Emerald Card allows unlimited travel on buses and trains of specific networks. Options for different time periods are available. Then there is the Irish Explorer Pass that allows unlimited travel on trains only. It has limited features and is priced accordingly. One can pay a little extra and opt for an Irish Explorer pass that is valid for both trains and buses.

The Irish Rover pass is a very versatile pass that allows the holder to use various transport services in a wider area. Prices are determined by the options taken.

Several different kinds of train tours have been put together for tourists. There is the Mystery Rail Tour, which takes you to some of Ireland's lovely countryside, an inland or coastal village, a magnificent castle, and plenty of mountains. The destinations are changed for each tour, hence the name Mystery Tour. This kind of a trip takes a half day.

The imposing Bunratty Castle can be approached by train, chugging over the unique mid-western coast and along the River Shannon. The cliffs of Moher, Burren, and Galway Bay can be seen on this trip.

Dublin?s Georgian south inner city sights can be a real treat to the senses. The coastal suburbs, the yachts, and other developments that have happened over the years can be witnessed while on a train tour through these regions.

The Wexford, Waterford, and Kilkenny counties offer breathtaking views that make a train trip through this area worth all the expense and effort.

Armed with a little bit of information and the relevant railway passes, one can tour Ireland using the extensive railway network for a very pleasurable tour.

Ireland Travel provides detailed information on Ireland Travel, Ireland Budget Travel, Ireland Travel Deals, Ireland Travel Packages and more. Ireland Travel is affiliated with Very Last Minute Travel Deals.
.
==============
.
Discover the best of Europe with a Eurail Pass. Great value from $22 per day.

India Train Travel - From Rough and Ready to Rich and Romantic

2009-06-09T20:59:00.001-07:00

By Tim Roseland

India's railway network connects its greatest cities with its remotest villages, and traveling across India by train will give you a great opportunity to see sites not accessible any other way. Traveling by train during your stay in India can be one of the high points of your journey, but only if you plan carefully and know what to expect.

Booking passage on second-class non--air-conditioned trains will let you view the passing scenery through open windows, free of the film which covers the windows in air-conditioned cars. Purchasing a seat in air-conditioned car, on the other hand, will keep you comfortable even in the peak of India's hot season. India's trains, especially those which travel to the smaller villages, have a reputation for being late, so you will have to get used to delays.

If you find yourself waiting to get a connecting train, however, take time to observe your surroundings and immerse yourself in the chaos around you. You will see food vendors offering snacks like deep thought pride whole wheat bread and hard-boiled eggs as borders with massive piles of luggage balanced on their heads guard in and around the crowds. You should always stay close to your own luggage when traveling by train in India, to the point of chaining it to the rack in your sleeping compartment. Chains are available for sale on the platforms at urban railway stations.

While larger railway lines include meals in the cost of a ticket, if you are traveling a smaller line to be much better off by bringing along your own package snacks, bottled water, sandwiches, and juice. You will also be very glad you bring sanitary hand wipes are and your own toilet paper.

India, of course, has some world class luxury train service in addition to its ordinary commuter trains. These luxury trains include some of the most famous names in the world: Palace on Wheels; the Fairy Queen; the Royal Orient; Kalka Shimla; and Deccan Odyssey. Each of these magnificent trains follows a different route, but all of them offer exceptional service, dining, and luxurious accommodations. The most famous of them, Palace on Wheels, has 14 opulent sleeping compartments with baths along with two full-service restaurants and a bar.

The Palace on Wheel's "Week in Wonderland" trip, starting at $4900 per person double occupancy, makes a round-trip beginning in Delhi and progressing through (among other cities) Jaipur, Udaipur, Bharatpur, and Agra before returning to Delhi. The fare includes meals, accommodations, and all sightseeing. The Fairy Queen, which began operating in 1855, is the world's oldest steam locomotive.

The most legendary of all Indian train journeys, however, is the the 15 day trip taken by the private train the Viceroy of India, which runs between Mumbai to Calcutta four times each year. Tickets on the Viceroy of India run $9995 for Viceroy Class, or $14,995 for the Maharaja Suite.

The Deccan Odyssey is a 21-power luxury train which follows a seven day route along Maharashtra's coast in western India, leaving from Mumbai and passing along the beach after unspoiled beach until arriving at the Goa. The trip includes a visit to Pune and the opportunity to explore the Ajanta and Ellore caverns. The Deccan Odyssey travels by night and stops for sightseeing during the day. The price of the journey includes five-star meals, an on-board Ayurvedic spa, a gym, and much, much more.

You can get almost all the information you need regarding train travel in India by visiting the website at http://www.indianrail.gov.in, where you'll find railway routes, ticket availability, and prices for all the country's trains. You cannot, however, book your tickets online. For that, you will need to use the services of your hotel or travel agent.

myroadtotravel was created in late 2007 as way for my wife and I to do what we love most...Travel. We love to share our experiences with others and have recently created our first blog http://www.myroadtotravelblog.com to help us do just that. Through this blog, we offer travel tips, our own personal experiences/adventures and photos from our vacations. Please stop by and give us your feedback and remember, for all your travel booking needs please visit us at http://www.myroadtotravel.com