Feel the love in Europe
Europe is a fountain of romance with streams of adventurous, beautiful and down-right charming places to visit with your other half. And the most romantic way to see it is cuddled up aboard a warm, comfy train.
Get a Eurail pass and hit Europe's rails and simply hop on and off trains in up to 24 European countries and be free to plan your route on the go. With Eurail the traveling is all part of the experience with time to unwind together as magnificent scenery flashes past the window!
Romantic stop-offs on your Europe train trip
Stuck for ideas of what to do to make your love feel special? We've come up with some things to do with your loved one while exploring Europe with a European train pass. For example, if you go for the Global Pass - Choose 10 days within 2 months, you'll have enough travel days to see all the great places below, plus make plenty of other stops in between. Remember to fill in the travel day on the travel calendar of your pass before boarding the first train of each day!
Sleep in a castle: Ashford Castle, Ireland
Ashford Castle, IrelandLive like royalty by swapping a few nights in a hotel for a luxury stay at a real Irish castle. There are castles dotted all over the Emerald Isle, but one of the most majestic is Ashford Castle, located a short bus ride from Galway train station. You'll wander around the 800-year old castle and its grounds feeling as if you've traveled centuries back in time.
Next stop: Epernay, France. Take a train from Galway to Rosslare Harbour via Dublin (7.5hrs). From Rosslare sail with Irish Ferries (book in advance and get a 30% discount with your pass) to Roscoff (18.5hrs). Make the following connections in France: Roscoff-Morlaix-Paris Montparnasse-Paris Est-Épernay (6hrs; reservation: €3).
Take a champagne tour: Épernay, France
ChampagneJust over an hour by train from Paris and you're in the heart of France's Champagne region. The town of Épernay is a favorite for those wanting to discover the secret of perfect champagne production and sample some of the bubbly stuff for yourself. Along the famous Avenue de Champagne, you'll find some of the world's most famous producers like Moët & Chandon and Mercier.
To reach Chamonix, your next destination, take this route: Épernay-Paris Est-Paris Lyon-Annecy-St-Gervais-Chamonix (Mont-Blanc) (8hrs; reservation: €3)
Hike in the Alps: Chamonix, France
French Alps, FranceWhy not head to Chamonix, one of Europe's most beloved mountain towns. It makes a great base from which to explore the surrounding landscape. There are 200 miles of marked walking and hiking routes (various levels of difficulty), taking you through some of Europe's most impressive scenery. Or, take the Montenvers rack railway to the Mer de Glace (1,913 m), France’s largest glacier.
Take this route: Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)-Vallorcine-Martigny-Visp-Zurich-Chur (7hrs). The Bernina Express route begins from Chur.
Travel the Bernina Express: Switzerland
Bernina Express, SwitzerlandDiscover why this is one of the world´s most epic scenic train routes on board the panoramic coaches of the Bernina Express train. You'll pass through 55 tunnels and chug across 196 bridges taking you through the dazzling mountains and glaciers of the Swiss Alps. Eurail pass holders get a discount. Advanced reservations may be required.
Leave the Bernina Express at St. Moritz and connect as follows: St . Moritz-Chur-Sargans-Innsbruck (5hrs; reservation: €3.50)
Hot air balloon: Innsbruck, Austria
Alps, SwitzerlandWhy not surprise your partner with a breathtaking experience of a lifetime aboard a hot air balloon. Soar through the skies above Innsbruck in the west of Austria and get a birdseye view of the mountain ranges that outline the little alpine city. And once you come back to earth, you'll be presented with a celebratory glass of champagne!
Travel to Venice from Innsbruck by EuroCity trains (EC) connecting in Verona (5hrs; reservation 2nd: €11 / 1st: €11).
Glide through the Venetian canals: Venice, Italy
Venice, ItalyIt doesn't get much more romantic than taking to the Venetian waterways on board a traditional gondola and being whisked around the Grand Canal by a dashing Italian gondolier. Continue the evening with a sumptuous canal-side candlelit dinner for two in this amorous European city – it will be a night you'll never forget.
From Venice take an ÖBB bus to Villach and connect to a train to Zagreb (8hrs). From Croatia's capital there is a direct bus to the park.
Relax at Plitvice National Park: Croatia
Plitvice National Park, CroatiaIf an escape into nature is your favorite romantic retreat, Croatia might have just what you're looking for. Plitvice is Croatia's largest national park and is home to azure lakes linked by cascading waterfalls. Enjoy a romantic picnic among paradise, take a dip in the mineral-rich waters and simply soak up the peace and quiet.
