There hasn't been this much excitement about locomotion in Europe since George Stephenson's Rocket was breaking records in the late 1920s. It's a perfect storm. The climate crisis has combined with a host of other factors to make train travel more popular than ever, and many railways are now recording higher passenger numbers than before the pandemic.
There are many reasons for this: the value placed on slow travel, environmental awareness, flight shame, airport queues and new rail services are just a few. Added to these is a new wave of ticket offers. Anxiety over climate change has led many progressive governments to offer lower prices on public transport, and some of these are available to visitors. In Germany, the £43 D-Ticket confers free use of local public transport for a month; in Spain, short- and medium-distance RENFE trains are free in 2023. For the latter, a small deposit (£9-17) is required, which is then refundable after 16 trips; and while a tourist is unlikely to use the pass enough to earn the refund, the saving made on two journeys can be enough to justify the outlay. Proof positive that travellers like the idea of exploring by train is the selling out in 2023 of the six-day itinerary of the new Le Grand Tour luxury train in France, despite its eye-watering cost. Developed by the Puy du Fou themepark team, this Belle Époque-style train travels 4,000km and takes in some of the country's most famous sights.
A rival at the top end of the market will be the Orient Express La Dolce Vita in Italy, for which a start date has yet to be announced. Created by Accor Hotels, the train's interiors are inspired by Italian decor from the 1960s and '70s. Eight one- and two-night itineraries are planned.
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