Even hard-working dental professionals need to slow things down every now and then. What are your plans for your next holiday? The trend toward slow travel points toward a growth in leisure train travel. So, how about going by train this year? Let’s find out what the world of railways has to offer.

The slow travel movement

More and more people are taking the train to their destination rather than flying. But the train can also be part of the holiday itself. In today’s fast-paced world, many travelers are looking to slow down. The “slow travel” movement, increased concern over the climate impact of air travel, and the trend toward more experiential ways of traveling show that not all travelers are interested in getting from A to B as quickly as possible.

Inspiring and astonishing train rides

Of course, we can’t ignore this global trend. And the most important question remains: where should you go? Well, just pick one of the most astonishing train rides in the world.

 

Glacier Express – Switzerland

The Glacier Express is the railway connecting two of the most renowned mountain resorts in the Alps, Zermatt and St. Moritz. This day-long trip goes via a total of 91 tunnels and 291 bridges as it rolls through southern Switzerland’s alpine fields, past beautiful green mountain lakes and picture-perfect little villages.

The Ghan – Australia

Australia’s Outback is one of the planet’s most mysterious yet inspiring places, and The Ghan offers you the opportunity to experience the landscape close up. The route goes from Darwin in the north to Adelaide in the south, a total distance of 2,979 kilometers. A trip on this amazing railway also offers several shorter and longer stops, allowing for off-train tours, including a laid-back boat tour of Nitmiluk Gorge and sightseeing in the desert town of Alice Springs.

Rocky Mountaineer’s First Passage to the West – Canada

Covering the beautiful scenery of southern British Columbia, the Rocky Mountaineer’s First Passage to the West is one of the most picturesque train rides in Canada, if not the world. On this journey you’ll experience breathtaking sights, such as the wild waters of Fraser Canyon’s Hell’s Gate and steep tracks running alongside the Thompson River.

Golden Eagle – Russia

You haven’t really experienced train travel until you’ve ridden the Trans-Siberian Express. But, why do it the conventional way? The Golden Eagle is a two-week journey including stops for daily tours along the way as the train runs along Lake Baikal, hauled by a Soviet-era steam locomotive, and makes a detour to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.

 

The Flåm Railway – Norway

Just an hour long, the Flåm Railway may not be the longest, but it’s definitely among the most scenic. In fact, it’s one of Norway’s top attractions and is frequently acclaimed as one of the world’s most beautiful train rides. One of Europe’s steepest rail routes, the railway rises 862 meters from its starting point in the tiny village of Flåm in the Sognefjord area. It passes by deep ravines, thundering waterfalls and soaring peaks to the mountaintop station of Myrdal.

Maharajas’ Express – India

Often called “the Orient Express of the Orient,” the Maharajas’ Express is one of the most exclusive train rides in the world. Carrying just 88 passengers, the train takes you on a journey from Delhi and Mumbai that last three to seven nights through colorful Rajasthan to India’s most photo-worthy destinations: Agra (home of the Taj Mahal), Jaipur, Udaipur and Ranthambore where you can see Bengal tigers in the wild. This is the most thrilling way to experience “the real India.”

Wherever or however you choose to travel, we wish you a pleasant and well-deserved break from your busy, daily work in your clinic, laboratory or university class room.