Rhône River Cruise in Provence
If you have the chance to visit France, you should try to travel down the Rhône River from Lyon to Avignon. Instead of rushing to explore, choose to enjoy the slow rhythm of a river cruise, letting the beauty of Provence gradually appear along the way.
Along the Rhône River from Lyon to Avignon
As the boat glides past vineyards and lavender fields, you can almost smell the famous rosé in Tain-l'Hermitage, where you stop to taste local wines and cheeses. Medieval villages along the riverbank feel like stepping into another world. Every moment on deck, with the chirping of cicadas and the shimmering sunset on the water, deepens your sense of French charm.
Serenity on a sunset ferry ride in Istanbul
Watch the brilliant sunset on a ferry in Istanbul
The best way to experience, see and enjoy Istanbul is by taking the public ferries that run across the Bosphorus Strait, connecting the two sides of the city – one European, one Asian. Sit outside if possible on a simple wooden bench, enjoy a cup of freshly brewed tea, and ideally, accompany it with a sesame bread –simit, and enjoy the view as the ferry glides by. You can check the ferry route from Eminönü, near the Golden Horn, to Üsküdar at sunset, when the Blue Mosque and the city skyline are set against a fiery sunset.
Magical moments on a train in Northumberland
Amidst the vastness of Northumberland
Serenity's Sunset Cruise in Northumberland lets you watch the sunset as you cruise around the stunning coastline near Bamburgh. If you're lucky, you might spot local seals and dolphins swimming alongside and playing around the ship.
Train travel in Sicily
Port of Sicily
Traveling by train from Palermo to Messina is a great way to see the spectacular northern coastline of Sicily. You can board the train from Palermo Centrale station and stop for lunch in Cefalù, one of Italy’s most beautiful coastal towns. The train journey to Messina is easy, with frequent departures from the Trenitalia line. Stopping in Messina, the sunset over Porto di Messina will let you know the journey has been well worth it.
Relax in Rotterdam and Utrecht
A street corner in Rotterdam and Utrecht
Take the Eurostar from London to Rotterdam for a slow-paced Dutch holiday. The ideal route is to explore the modern, convenient and friendly centre of Rotterdam, before catching the train (about 30 minutes) to the beautiful city of Utrecht. Here, visitors can travel by canoe or small boat on the canal system that winds through the streets: the old buildings, the facades covered with flowers. Another option is to travel by bike and explore the surrounding area. Utrecht is blessed with parks close to the city and a network of cycle paths that will take you there. Consider Amelisweerd, where you can swim in the river, walk in the woods or visit a museum, before cycling back into the city.
From snow-capped mountains to sun-drenched vineyards through the train window
The Bernina train runs on the Landwasser Bridge in Filisur, Switzerland
The Bernina Express from Chur, Switzerland to Tirano, Italy, offers a breathtaking journey through the Alps. The slow pace of the train and the large panoramic windows make it easy to take in the majestic natural scenery: glaciers, meadows, and the famous Landwasser Viaduct. As you cross the border from Switzerland to Italy, the landscape changes dramatically, from snow-capped peaks to sun-drenched vineyards.
The poetic slowness of Poland
Wrocław Glowny Railway Station, Poland
The slow pace of local trains in Poland is quite normal. The train route from Wrocław to Jelenia Góra stretches over 122 km, with 27 stops. In the poemThe Whitsun WeddingsLarkin's quote: "All sense of haste disappears," is also the feeling passengers have when the train has just left one stop and is slowing down to stop at the next. Some passengers get off, others get on, as if they are participating in a slow relay race with added luggage. There are no weddings there, but there are many flowers - an indispensable gift for visitors to Poland - carried by girls and old women on the train.
Night train Munich - Venice
Venice is connected to other cultural sites in Europe by rail.
Take the night train from Munich to Venice, arriving early in the morning before the heat sets in. Here, you can wander the alleys to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum and admire its unique collection of works by artists such as Picasso, Mondrian and Rothko. Have lunch at one of the outdoor restaurants. Then take the afternoon train to Milan, where you can explore a glamorous city by day and night.
Vineyards and volcanoes near Naples
From the port of Malfa, Salina offers a view of the Aeolian islands.
Salina Island is located in the middle of the Aeolian Islands. In the evening on the island, visitors can enjoy wine.malvasiain the vineyards and overlooking the Stromboli volcano in the distance. The ferry ride back to Naples is a treat: watch the sun set behind you, illuminating the island of Lipari and the mainland as the ferry glides over the mirror-like Tyrrhenian Sea. You’ll rest at sea and wake up the next morning to chaotic but beautiful Naples, ready for a full evening at the Teatro San Carlo.
Train Adventure in Asturias, Spain
The fishing village of Cudillero in Asturias, northern Spain.
The Feve narrow-gauge train is northern Spain’s best-kept secret. It’s not easy to find timetables online, so travelers rely on notices in small ticket office windows to find out when trains leave. Empty stations are the highlight of the journey as the train navigates curves, bridges and crossings, with dizzying drop-offs on either side. The train travels northeast from the Asturias capital of Oviedo to Ribadesella, with its beautiful beaches, promenades and brasseries along the coast. Another route takes the train to the pretty Cudillero region, where houses are stacked around the port, filled with the aroma of fish dishes and cider. Asturias is truly a land worth stopping at least once in a lifetime.
