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.

With the unique iconography, the rosy nostalgia and the inherent romance, rail travel and trains have long been a deep well of inspiration for the cinematic industry. From Bond to Potter, Wes Anderson to Alfred Hitchcock, all manner of trains have appeared in all kinds of film including thrillers, romances and comedies. 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.