As a student, I would often find myself waiting on the platform at Essen railway station, on my way to university, weighing up whether or not to throw caution to the wind and jump on the train to Westerland/Sylt instead. Whenever I saw the train, the lyrics to the famous German song “Westerland” by Berlin punk band Die Ärzte – a somewhat sarcastic homage to this most touristic and middle-class of German seaside resorts – would run through my head. “Oh I have such a yearning, That I think I’m going insane,” it goes. Sod university, I’d think. “Take me back to the North Sea…” Alas, I never did jump on the train. I was a student after all and I couldn’t afford a holiday anywhere, let alone to the wealthy island of Sylt, where Westerland is located.

Making its way through the wilderness of the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve, the short route between the towns of Almere and Lelystad has been voted the most scenic route in the country. It is also an easy half-day trip from Amsterdam Central station.

Slowly crossing the serene South African landscape, watching the sunset with a glass of wine in the lounge bar, taking in the vast plains stretching to the horizon… The Premier Classe train from Johannesburg to Cape Town is an overland adventure that will transform your visit to South Africa into an unforgettable experience.

Visit the birthplace of modern design on this tour of the best Bauhaus sites across eastern Germany. The pioneering principle of the Bauhaus school – namely functional elegance – continues to shape the world we live in today, from the utilitarian design of our homes to the modular furniture we fill them with.

Many believe the Bernina line to be one of the finest stretches of railway in all of Europe and even the world. Winding its way slowly through the Swiss Alps, the route dazzles passengers with views of glaciers and streams, crystalline lakes and snow-capped mountains.

Relaxing, eco-friendly travel without the queues and security checks of an airport? Here are our top reasons why you should ditch flying and travel the 500 km between Berlin and Frankfurt by train.

From lowering your carbon footprint to skipping the queues at airport security and avoiding Berlin’s uninspiring airports, the advantages to train travel between Amsterdam and Berlin are countless. Here are our top 5 reasons why you should forget flying and board the train.