Put all chocolate box impressions of Sweden to one side: the notion of a gentle dusting of snow across a smattering of cabins is a lie.

From modern masterpieces travelling faster than anything else on land, to heritage locomotives that get you from A to B in sumptuous style, there have been countless trains throughout the decades that have won the hearts and minds of their passengers, and we thought we’d share with you our top contenders, in no particular order!

The incomparable 'Floating City' of Venice is many things: iconic; ancient; unique in a multitude of ways. Yet, there are many intriguing facts about the unmistakable city on the lagoon that are rarely spoken beyond its canals. Today, we're taking a sneak peek at some of the secrets of Venice, with a list of our Top 10 favourites.

In a difficult list to compile and with minor spoilers for some films, here are our favourite film scenes featuring trains and railways:

100 miles away from the iconic white cliffs of Dover across the English Channel, lies the oft forgotten archipelago of the Channel Islands. While still officially British territories, they are closer to France than their mother country, floating just fourteen or so miles off the historic beaches of Normandy. The very nature of its geography reveals part of why it isn’t as popular a holiday destination as somewhere such as Cornwall; with its official title as the UK’s sunniest destination (even though it isn’t officially part of the UK), you’d think it’d be swarming with adventurous staycationers, but no.

As our ferry is slammed into the Adriatic by the force of a rogue wave, we are all relieved to catch a glimpse of the approaching shoreline and the sail boats dotted around the harbour of Split, signalling our imminent arrival into this ancient city.

Less than 100 miles below the Arctic Circle, the Kemi Snow Castle pushes the boundaries of possibility, with annually re-constructed architecture that melts each summer, only to be re-built once more. For over 20 years, this wondrous Finnish hotel has been a cyclical fixture of winter travel, offering an icy escape amidst the spectacular landscape of Finland. Whilst the structure changes every year, core rooms are retained, including the hotel, a restaurant with a chill bar, and a chapel, where couples flock each year to get married in a unique, if frosty, style.

If you’re looking for the calmer climes and mild hues of autumn for your next adventure, but aren’t yet sure where to go, we’ve collected our Top 10 favourite destinations for autumn escapes, to give you some food for thought.

China has an abundance of history, dating back centuries. From age-old inventions, including fireworks, sophisticated methods of navigation at sea, and sublime ancient architecture that has come to be revered throughout the modern world, Chinese innovation is as old as its extremely long past, so a short history here is often hard to come by. However, with rail travel being a relatively modern phenomenon (especially in the broad scope of some 5,000 years of Chinese history), our favourite method of travel is one area which can be described briefly – and here we have our take, in 4 snapshots.

Summer is here again, and what better way to spend some time than unwinding with a book? We love a great summer read, especially when it serves to transport the reader away to a faraway world. From sandy beaches and turquoise waters, to bustling distant cities we yearn to explore, the best summer reads give food for thought, as well as indulging a spot of wanderlust. Here are our Top 5 Summer Reads for the intrepid traveller.

The summer is here, which means Bank Holiday break season is upon us. Across the land, British people are planning their Bank Holiday weekends away, from the simple pleasures of time in a nearby beer garden, to weekend escapes to the continent and adventures closer to home. With that in mind, we’re looking at our Top 10 ideas for a great Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK.

There's nothing better than a room with a view, and what better view than some of the world's greatest natural features? Lakes and mountains are some of the most popular natural wonders, offering a peaceful escape and unforgettable landscape views, which is why many holidays incorporate mountain vistas and lakeside stays. For a scenic escape, check out our Top 10 destinations for lakes and mountains.