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The power of train travel

Posted by Annie Fitzsimmons in urban insider on April 25, 2013

I blame luggage for all my troubles on trains - whether I’m whizzing down to Washington, D.C. or wending my way through Wallonia. I try to avoid elunking (02) other passengers with my elbow as I navigate tight aisles and haul my wheeled carry on over my head, but it’s not easy.

Despite these challenges, traveling by train is by far my favorite mode of transport - especially when I’m in Europe. Trains are more civilized there, and more convenient. The extensive network of interconnected tracks makes it a breeze(01) to zip around the continent.

On a recent trip to Europe, I boarded a Thalys train in Amsterdam to discover a vibe that was refined and polished, and fellow passengers who were courteous and quiet. As I opened my laptop to take advantage of the free WiFi, a full breakfast was served to me in my Comfort 1 seat. When I arrived relaxed and calm in Brussels two hours later, I didn’t want the journey to end.

Though there are plenty of low-cost flights available in Europe (which can be good choices for longer distances), why deal with airport security and extra luggage fees if you don’t have to? And you can learn so much about a place on a train by watching the landscape change - from the snow-capped mountains in Switzerland to the hills and rivers of Austria.

(Adapted from the National Geographic site.)

According to Anne’s opinion, people in the world should try