A spectacular new train journey that takes passengers through three European countries over 15 days is launching from London, giving passengers a front row seat to some of the continent’s most picturesque landscapes.
It comes as demand for rail holidays and slow travel surges, with almost half of UK travellers expressing interest in long-distance journeys with stopovers and sleeper services.
And if you’re considering a trip to Portugal this year, you might want to consider an alternative way of travelling to the country – and discover numerous hidden gems you would otherwise miss by flying.
The Linha do Douro route, widely regarded as one of Europe’s most scenic railways, is a 160km journey connecting Porto in the west to Pocinho in the Alto Douro region.
For much of the journey, the train follows the Duoro River as it courses through the heart of Portugal’s wine-growing region, passing lush vineyards, historic towns and traditional quintas (wine estates).
This year, however, the route is extending to the UK – giving passengers the opportunity to embark on an epic 15-day rail adventure with stopovers in nine cities across three countries.
Departing London St Pancras, the trip begins with Eurostar tickets to Paris Gare du Nord, offering sweeping views of changing scenery as the train moves from the UK into mainland Europe.
From Paris, passengers hop on a connecting train to the southern French city of Nîmes, where they’ll spend two nights in accommodation that is included in the cost of the ticket.
A new train journey that takes passengers through three European countries to Portugal (pictured) over 15 days is launching from London
Widely regarded as one of Europe’s most scenic railways, the Linha do Douro route is a 160km journey connecting Porto in the west to Pocinho in the Alto Douro region
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From Nîmes, travellers continue on a six-and-a-half hour journey to Madrid, where they’ll spend a further two nights, before heading to the university city of Salamanca, located just 90-minutes away.
After a two-night stay, passengers hop on a bus to Porto, Portugal’s largest city, where they’ll spend a further three nights exploring its medieval UNESCO World Heritage Site, its striking waterfront and the ‘world’s prettiest bookstore.’
The final leg includes a rail journey along the original Linha do Douro route from Porto to Pocinho.
As for the return trip, the route transports passengers back to London through Spain and France, stopping in the Spanish cities of Vigo and San Sebastián, and Hendaye and Bordeaux in France.
Tickets for the Duoro Line train trip don’t come cheap, costing £1,595 per person, but it’s worth noting the package includes accommodation and train tickets at almost every stop across three countries.
Meanwhile, an operator’s first passenger train has crossed a historical route from Settle, in the Yorkshire Dales, to Carlisle for the first time in 10 years.
The 7.54am Avanti West Coast departure on January 1 was the first intercity passenger service to use the 73-mile-long railway in more than a decade.
Avanti West Coast is running trains on the line, which is known for its picturesque views across the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines via the Ribblehead viaduct, until January 15.
Departing London St Pancras, the trip begins with Eurostar tickets to Paris Gare du Nord
On the rail trip, travellers will head to Madrid, where they’ll spend a further two nights, before moving on to the university city of Salamanca (pictured), located just 90-minutes away
The final leg includes a rail journey along the original Linha do Douro route from Porto (pictured) to Pocinho
As for the return trip, the route transports passengers back to London through Spain and France, stopping in the Spanish cities of Vigo and San Sebastián, and Hendaye and Bordeaux (pictured) in France
The diversion is due to the West Coast Main Line being blocked between Preston and Carlisle.
The route is usually only used by Northern trains operating between Leeds and Carlisle but Avanti is using it as a diversion while work to replace the Clifton Bridge takes place over the M6 near Penrith.
The Settle to Carlisle line does not have overhead power lines, meaning Avanti is using bi-mode Class 805 Evero trains, which operate on diesel.
Andy Mellors, managing director at Avanti West Coast, said: ‘We are running services on the Settle to Carlisle route to keep customers moving by train across the North West, and give them the best travelling experience possible.’
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