As the summer weather starts to get a bit shaky and we regret ever complaining about the heatwave, you’d start to think about perhaps extending your summer with another holiday next season.

With France advancing to the finals of the World Cup, they have a lot to celebrate.

Monday the 28th of May saw the USA celebrate Memorial Day, an annual American holiday which serves to honour the memory of the military men and women who died while serving in the US Armed Forces.

What can be said about trains? They're fast, efficient, fairly stable modes of transport. Fantastic for commuting or transporting lots of heavy goods, and great at getting people to the heart of a destination with a fairly small amount of fuss furore.

Journeying across the world by rail is indisputably one of the more relaxing ways to travel; an extraordinary experience which makes the journey an unforgettable part of your travel adventure.

Azure coastlines of sparkling beauty on the French Riviera, the dusky allure of Spanish Andalucía’s golden cities and the timeless romance of Italy’s Amalfi Coast

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:

Summer is nearly upon us and, of course, the idea of a nice city break becomes all the more enticing. What better way to melt your worries away than to lose yourself in the warm climes and immersive culture of a European city? Here, and in no particular order, are laid out some of the Top 10 city breaks that can be found in Europe.

Join us as we explore the French Fête des Lumières, the all-night Spanish celebration of Christmas Eve, and the practical jokes of the Day of Innocent Saints – Spain’s version of April Fools’ Day.

Stroll through the ages with Rail Discoveries’ escorted rail tours and experience the timeless tales behind the narrow alleyways and lofty parapets of France’s medieval cities.

Tantalise your taste buds along the Moselle Wine route, one of the best rail journeys for oenophiles.

For many, France is synonymous with fromage. Don’t miss these five regional cheeses when travelling on your holidays to France by train.