As the threat of climate change continues to grow, people are starting to rethink the way they travel. Ecotourism is again an option. People's desire for a sustainable way to travel has also grown stronger, so train travel has become more and more attractive. Train travel is not just a way to travel, it is also full of exciting experiences.
Towns and cities, resting at night with the tumult of the train, from one city to another, isn’t it a different kind of romance? This article will recommend 6 of the world's most travel-worthy train routes.
1. Canada: Rocky Mountaineer
The Rocky Mountaineer Railroad Line was established in 1990 and has carried more than 1 million passengers to date. The train travels through the Canadian Rockies, through Banff National Park, and into the wilderness north of Whistler. The Rocky Mountaineer's railroad project has been hailed as an engineering marvel, as it involved blasting through two mountains, building a spiral tunnel and erecting railroad tracks at Kicking Horse Pass. Then follow the mighty Fraser River through Hell's Gate. Imagine the challenges engineers and designers faced when building the Rocky Mountaineer route. Passengers can sit in the train and enjoy the beauty of mountain lakes, listen to the beautiful sound of waterfalls pouring down from granite cliffs, observe grizzly bears foraging on hillsides and golden eagles hovering in the sky, while savoring the specialties of Canada in the dining car dishes.
2. Ecuador: Tren Crucero
The topography of the Andes Mountains in Ecuador is varied. The 4,828-meter-high ridge extends into a plateau, cracks out canyons, and shelters the ancient towns shrouded in clouds. The "cruise train" built here is even praised as the world's steepest railway. The train departs from Quito, the capital of Ecuador, and travels 451 kilometers for 4 days before arriving in the coastal city of Guayaquil. The elegantly decorated carriages are lined with armchairs, and the last carriage also features panoramic glass windows and a terrace so that passengers can enjoy unobstructed views. From Cotopaxi National Park to Chimborazo, Ecuador's tallest peak, there are countless highlights on the journey.
3. United States: Coast Starlight
The Coastal Starlight is another Amtrak railroad trump card, known as the ultimate full-service sleeper train. The train journey departs from Seattle, travels through Portland, the San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Barbara, and ends in Los Angeles. It connects major cities on the West Coast and takes 35 hours to complete. It is the most beautiful scenic train line on the West Coast of the United States. Along the way, you will see different scenery of the western United States, from the endless sea, lush forests, fertile plains, to the majestic snow-capped mountains.
4. Portugal Douro Railway Line
19th-century steam trains powered by diesel locomotives climb the gorges along the banks of the River Douro. During the one and a half hour trip, you can see the famous vineyards and charming villages of the Douro River, with houses covered by vines and olive groves. The train stops at Pinion midway, and the station is decorated with blue and white glazed bricks, reflecting the scene of the Douro River and the harvest of grapes.
5. Norway's Bergen Railway Line
The highest railway line in northern Europe overlooks Norway's most pristine glacier fjord. The 7-hour trip will pass through the mountains between Oslo and Bergen, as well as Europe's largest wilderness reserve, the barren Hardanger Mountain Plateau, and finally arrive at the flowery Hanseatic city of Bergen. 90% of the energy used by Nordland Railway comes from hydropower or other renewable sources.
6. Bernina Express in Switzerland and Italy
The train travels along the world's most famous alpine narrow-gauge railway, from the Alpine glaciers of St. Moritz, Switzerland, to the palm-fringed Italian city of Tirano. Railway lines do not have racks, gears and cables. During summer, visitors can enjoy a 2-hour drive in an open-top car. There is no window blocking, it is a good opportunity to take pictures. The zig-zag turn of the train will cause passengers at the rear to see the front of the train coming towards them.
