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These are the reasons why many tourists choose train routes to explore.
According to a travel report on the Canadian website Canoe, at least eight breathtaking train routes await tourists in 2013.
The Jacobite Railway (Scotland)
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| The Jacobite railway line passes through some breathtaking stretches of road - Photo: westcoastrailways.co.uk |
For fans of multi-part fantasy novelsHarry PotterIn author K. Rowling's work, the route of The Jacobite train (also known as the Poudlard Express) will take them to the world of...Harry PotterTraveling through the most beautiful landscapes of the Scottish Highlands served as the backdrop for these films.
The tourist train travels along the long, scenic valley floor of Scotland before crossing the majestic Glenfinnan Viaduct, a frequent filming location... Many travel experts have not hesitated to call The Jacobite "The Greatest Railway Journey in the World".
The route passes through England's highest mountain, Loch Nevis, Europe's deepest lake, the shortest river, the Mallaig Road in Glenfinnan, home to some of the world's most beautiful fishing villages and beaches shimmering with silver light, as seen in many films...
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (India)
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| The Darjeeling Himalayan railway line in India - Photo: Fotolia |
While railway routes in India are less popular with tourists due to safety concerns and a lack of amenities, the Darjeeling Himalayan railway, running from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling in Bengal, was honored with inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1999.
Since its first appearance in 1881, this steam-powered train has carried millions of passengers across the rugged mountains of the Himalayas, traversing vast tea plantations in its small size, often referred to by the world as "the toy train".
The construction of this legendary steam train was considered a feat of engineering, as it traversed seemingly insurmountable terrain. However, today visitors can no longer see the steam locomotives, as this 130-year-old train has gradually been replaced by diesel locomotives.
Machu Picchu Railway (Peru)
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| A stop on the Machu-Picchu railway line in Peru - Photo: Fotolia |
Due to the considerable distances between regions in South America, trains are a very popular mode of transportation. Not to mention that the railway lines pass through breathtaking landscapes that are nothing short of paradise on earth, such as the scenery along the shores of Lake Titicaca.
With the tourist train route connecting the ancient Inca city of Cuzco to the village of Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu, despite the high ticket prices, tourists still scramble to buy tickets. The luxuriously designed tourist train on this route will take visitors through many unique attractions such as local villages, winding through the narrow Pomatales gorge, and to the Sacred Valley of the Incas...
Along this route, visitors also have the opportunity to admire the magical transformation of the diverse ecosystem in the area before reaching Machu Picchu.
The Rocky Mountaineer railway line in western Canada
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| The Rocky Mountaineer railway line in western Canada - Photo: cruisespecialists.com |
Through the windows of the Rocky Mountaineer train, which takes passengers from Calgary to Vancouver, the magnificent scenery of the mountains from Alberta to British Columbia is captured in a panoramic view. Currently, the Rocky Mountaineer operates four routes exploring the wild beauty of the Canadian West through British Columbia, Alberta, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, and Calgary.
Visitors will be able to admire the masterpieces of nature, such as the majestic shapes of the towering rock formations of the Canadian Rockies (a mountainous region of North America belonging to Canada), and the picturesque towns in the area... In 2013, Rocky Mountaineer launched a new three-day scenic rail route called the Coastal Passage, from Seattle to the Canadian Rockies.
Since its inception, the Rocky Mountaineer scenic rail line has garnered "World's Leading Rail Experience" awards in 2005, 2006, and 2007, as recognized by the magazine.National GeographicRecognized as a "world journey" in 2007...
The Trans-Siberian Railway passes through Russia, Mongolia, and China.
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| The Trans-Siberian Railway runs through Russia, Mongolia, and China - Photo: Fotolia |
The railway line is 9,288km long, running from Moscow to Vladivostok. Visitors will not regret experiencing the fascinating blend of East and West through more than 990 stations (the tourist train only stops at 50 stations).
On the Trans-Siberian Railway, from the characteristic birch forests of the land of birch trees to the frigid deserts of Siberia, these scenes unfold through the train windows before giving way to the endless steppes of Mongolia. And during this six-day journey, travelers will forever remember the impression of traveling along the length of China's magnificent Great Wall...
Route of the Orient Express (Italy)
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| The route the Orient-Express train travels in Italy - Photo: Fotolia |
According to many travelers, the Orient Express is truly a railway cruise ship, combining unparalleled elegance and luxury. On its route from Venice, Italy, to London, England, the train travels across Europe with stops in Vienna (Austria), Paris (France), Prague (Czech Republic), and Istanbul (Turkey).
Besides the five-star services, the picturesque landscapes along this route will make travelers feel that the 31-hour train journey will seem too short...
Coast Starlight Railroad (USA)
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| The Coast Starlight train on the route between Los Angeles and Seattle in the US - Photo: posterlounge.co.uk |
Those who love exploring the West Coast of the United States often choose trains as their mode of transportation. And the 2,216km Coast Starlight Railroad, from Seattle to Los Angeles, passing through Washington, Oregon, and California in 35 hours, is always a top choice.
The large windows allow visitors to freely admire the coastal landscape, the towering cliffs against the backdrop of the vast Pacific Ocean. Not only that, visitors can also take in spectacular views such as the snow-capped Cascade Range and Shasta Mountains reflecting brilliantly against the blue sky, lush green forests, and fertile valleys stretching along the coastal road...
Stops in dozens of cities along the route will allow travelers to relax with short sightseeing trips before arriving at the idyllic beaches of Santa Monica.
The Old Patagonian Express (El Viejo Expreso Patagonico) in Argentina
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| The route that The Old Patagonian Express tourist train runs along - Photo: flick |
This historic railway line, known locally as La Trochita (referring to its narrow gauge), is now operated by Patagonia Express for tourists. The La Trochita train is famous for its many rare features and significant historical and cultural value.
The first rarity is that the train still runs on special steam locomotives dating back to the early 1920s. But it is the train's unique 402km journey (starting from Ingeniero Jacobacci to Esquel) as it traverses the extraordinary landscapes at the foot of the Andes in Chubut and Río Negro provinces that truly captivates visitors from all over the world.
In 1999, the Argentine government declared the La Trochita train a national historical monument of Argentina.
DAN THY (According to Canoe)
