France by train: Paris-Bordeaux-Provence round trip
The high-speed train (TGV) from Paris-Montparnasse to Bordeaux is so fast that the Fontainebleau forest, the Loire’s chateaux, vineyards and medieval towns flash past in a blur. On a train tour of France, it’s best to take the more-relaxed TER trains and a few steam locomotives for the views. [theguardian.com]
Asia: A journey into Yangon’s vibrant daily routine
On Yangon’s 46 km Circular Railway, each of the 38 stops provides, quite literally, a different window into the bustle of the Myanmar capital’s social life, and the three-hour round trip connects leafy suburban areas and satellite towns to the bustling city centre. [bbc.com]
Japan: In the loop: Tokyo seen from commuter train line
For most Tokyoites, the Yamanote loop line is an incredibly punctual and efficient transportation system for commuting. For tourists, it offers a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people in many of the city’s neighborhoods. [apnews.com]
India: Deccan Queen chugs into the ninth decade of its reign
The iconic Mumbai-Pune Deccan Queen entered its 90th year of operations this month, with several passengers taking the train to celebrate its birthday. The first long-distance train to be hauled by an electric engine, it remains the only train in India to still have a dining car. [thehindu.com]
Europe: Sweden by train: from Stockholm to Oslo
When most people think of Scandinavian travel, they picture fjords, mountains and dramatic Arctic landscapes. But for a slice of authentic Nordic life, consider the lesser-explored central part of Sweden connecting its capital, Stockholm, and Norway’s first city, Oslo. [theguardian.com]
The World’s 10 Most Photogenic (And Most Instagrammed) Train Journeys
With the growing trend towards ‘slow travel’ and environmental concerns about air travel, classic train journeys are enjoying a growing popularity. And in these modern times, what more modern way to measure the trend than by its popularity on Instagram? [forbes.com]
