5 incredible lesser-known destinations — and how to get there by train

Strasbourg, the capital city of France’s ever-fascinating Alsace region, is like a bottomless jewelry box – around every cobblestoned corner, there’s glittering new facet to admire. The city is busy during the summer and December, but you can access an unexpected upgrade by going in the spring, when the flower boxes begin to bloom, and autumn, when the sycamore trees that line its canals turn to gold.

• Despite the fairytale feeling of Strasbourg’s winding lanes and half-timbered buildings, the city is larger than meets the eye. Unexpected Upgrade Tip: Ride the tram to the Orangerie district, where local-favourite cafes and restaurants offer a quiet afternoon break.

• ·Strasbourg is an ideal place to try Alsatian specialties (hello, flammekueche!) as well as international cuisine. Don’t miss the couscous at Le Jasmin, a Tunisian restaurant beloved among locals.

• Searching for a piece of Strasbourg to bring home with you? You’ll find locally made Christmas ornaments, candles, upcycled accessories and beyond at L'In Ô Sens.

Often said to be Germany’s sunniest city, Freiburg im Breisgau gives travelers a taste of Black Forest village life with all the perks of a thriving university town. It’s a place to slow down and engage the senses — soak up the scent of pine, the feeling of the mountain breeze and the sound of cathedral bells as you explore all Freiburg im Breisgau has to offer.

• Start your visit with a trip to the Münstermarkt, a market open from Monday to Saturday in the shadow of Freiburg’s cathedral. There, you can sample local specialties (cheese, vegetables, meats and more) from over 100 vendors and connect directly with the region’s farmers and makers.  
• Dive into Germany’s bread-making traditions by visiting Freiburg’s bakeries. Brotbruder is an especially meaningful (and delicious) place to add to your list — the bakery donates excess breads and baked goods to a local food bank. 
• Take time to venture out of the city and into the nearby Black Forest. From Freiburg’s center, travelers can hike on the Schwabentorsteg path to Schlossberg; from there, you can pause and take in the view or take a network of trails further into the forest. 

From the lush hills of the Black Forest, you’ll venture on to the jagged, snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps. Though best known as a ski destination, Engelberg is an idyllic escape for off-season travelers in search of postcard-like views of the Alpine countryside and bracingly beautiful mountain walks.

• Engelberg’s electricity-powered cable cars provide travelers quick and easy access to the upper reaches of the mountains towering above the town.
• Unexpected Upgrade Tip: The Alpine Cheese Trail, a self-guided path accessible from Engelberg’s town center, takes visitors past seven local dairies, where you can purchase cheese to save for later or enjoy as a trail-side snack.  
• Fuel up — and snag a souvenir or two —  before your next train ride with a visit to Roastery Engelberg, a local cafe with an attached shop that sells books and stationary.  

Experience a different side of the Alps as you travel from Switzerland into Austria. Kitzbühel, situated in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps, is home to a picturesque, inviting Old Town that seems to welcome visitors home after a day spent exploring the mountains that loom above.

• Hut-to-hut hiking, one of Europe’s most quintessential outdoor experiences, is a breeze in Kitzbühel. Take the Hahnenkamm cable car up the mountain and spend a day walking from hut to hut. Unexpected Upgrade Tip: Sample a different locally-produced Tyrolean specialty at each stop before returning back to Kitzbühel. 
• Back in town, visit shops dedicated to preserving and celebrating traditional craftwork, such as Hans Frauenschuh. The shop produces handprinted leather goods, an art form special to the Ausseerland region of Austria. 
• On your last night in town, cozy up for dinner at Huberbräu-Stüberl, an inn that specializes in Tyrolean dishes made with regionally-sourced ingredients. 

After your train crosses the border to Italy and winds through the legendary Brenner Pass, you’ll arrive in Bressanone, your final stop. Bressanone, also known as Brixen, is a place where Austrian and Italian culture converge in the enchanting Eisack Valley — a memorable place to wrap up your Eurail adventure.

• People have lived in Stufels, the oldest neighborhood in Bressanone, since the Neolithic period. Today, travelers can explore art galleries and local shops dotted across the ancient district.  
• Beekeeping is a treasured part of Bressanone’s agriculture (fun fact: the roof of Brixen Tourism is home to thriving bee colonies). Unexpected Upgrade Tip: shop local and pick up a jar of honey or two at farms such as Hoferhof Plose, Binderhof and more.  
• Not ready for your trip to come to an end? It’s easy to venture on from Bressanone. Take a local bus deep into the Dolomites or continue by train 30 minutes south to nearby Bolzano, South Tyrol’s largest city.  

When you travel responsibly, you upscale your stay in ways you would never imagine.

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