Value Views: Stretch Your Holiday Budget Further With Scenery-Packed Rail Tours

Discover Laura Hamilton’s travel itinerary and why railway travel is the perfect way to explore Europe’s most stunning destinations.

Holidays are important. They give us time to relax, recharge, see new places and immerse ourselves in local culture. Even though they're important we might only have one a year so of course, it needs to be memorable for all the right reasons.

From astonishing natural wonders and elaborate examples of architecture to villages that are more than worthy of an afternoon's explorations, here are some of our favourite extraordinary sights throughout the continent.

Majestic mountain peaks have some of the most spectacular backdrops in the world. The best way to soak up their natural beauty is undoubtedly travelling through them by rail.

Free time is built into every holiday, so you can hunt out that off the grid restaurant, or just let your feet lead you down an appealing side street. 

From wild moorland and floral meadows to ever-dramatic coastlines, the very best of England's natural beauty is often framed by a train window. Here's three of our favourite English railways.

As winter snows thaw, welcome spring at one of France or Italy's largest street parties - Venice and Nice carnival - or soak up the colours of a million freshly opened tulips at the Keukenhof Gardens

There’s a reason why summer travel is historically so popular and that’s the weather. As an island nation with no guarantee of sun, it’s fantastic we have so many destinations to choose from that ensure we get our fill of vitamin D.

'Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness' begins the famous ode, 'To Autumn' by John Keats, in which he extolls the virtues of finding beauty in unexpected places.

Discover the world in winter and step into a snow-globe world of seasonal beauty.

Cruise the scenic Seine and explore the world of the Impressionist artists

Explore the beauty right on your doorstep with steam train trips through Wales. Enjoy some of the country’s most beautiful spots, while learning about the history of the railways.