5 Tantalising Beach Holidays by Rail
In the summertime, living is easy at beaches across the continent. There’s nothing quite like pristine sands, quaint harbours, azure waters, and a good scenic train ride to make the most of the warmer months. Holidays by the coast are all about relaxation – so taking to the rails is really the only fitting method of transport when getting there! From Monaco to Malaga, the tracks can take you to pretty much anywhere you’d like to soak up some sun. We can tailor-make holidays to any of your favourite beach cities – just give us a call! All you need to do is pack some comfortable shoes to truly explore the hidden gems and local haunts of your region of choice. Here are 5 favourites to get you started!
1. CINQUE TERRE
The pastel-hued patchwork of traditional style buildings, clifftop villages and deep blue seas of the Cinque Terre are famous all over the world. Get there in the most scenic way possible, skirting the stunning Swiss Alps by train after spending a night in Geneva en route. Stay in the sleepy sea town of Sestri Levante, once home to Hans Christian Andersen, explore the picturesque bays and the use the cliffside retreat as a base to explore the area. There are five beautiful and contrasting villages to explore in the Cinque Terre, let us know which one is your favourite! It's never too early to start planning your adventure to Cinque Terre Via the Alps.
2. NICE AND CANNES
Discover two dazzling gems of the Cote d’Azur in one scenic holiday – all made possible by train! Ride the rails through gorgeous French countryside and along stretches of the shimmering Mediterranean towards Nice. Spend your time strolling down the palm tree lined Promenade des Anglais, relaxing in a sun-drenched café or exploring this historic Vieux Nice (Old Town) before catching a local train to Cannes. Here, take a walk along La Croisette, the vibrant seafront street, or simply sit back and enjoy the glitz, glamour and super yachts of the French Riviera. Perfect! There's a reason a holiday by train to Nice and Cannes is at the top of our list.
3. NAPLES AND SICILY
Why limit yourself to one beach when you could explore several? Taking the train makes multi-city breaks a complete doddle – so you could be sipping limoncello in Napoli and exploring the delights of Sicily before you know it. Discover the Arabic influenced churches and sunny palazzi of Sicilian capital Palermo before heading to the coast in Taormina, whose landscape is dominated by the peak of Mount Etna. Take a dip in the crystalline waters or head across to the simply breathtaking Isola Bella – an idyllic nature reserve off the coast which can be reached by footpath in low tide. Start your journey and explore the wonders of Naples and Sicily!
4. GALICIA
For a trip with sultry Spanish flair, serene coastline and multiple cities worth of exploration, how about a holiday to verdant Galicia, along Spain's northwest coast? Explore La Coruna’s famous Orzan beach to the fascinating history of Santiago de Compostela, the harbourside bliss of Pontevedra and charming port of Vigo, this is certainly a summer trip with a twist! Head over the Portuguese border at the end of your trip to Porto – and how about adding on a trip to the beaches of Lisbon? Sounds good to us! Explore Galicia by rail on your next holiday.
5. AMALFI COAST
A scenic Italian gem who’s reputation no doubt precedes it – but did you know you can explore the blue waters and sandy beaches of the Amalfi Coast by taking the train? Roll through the Simplon Pass in the Swiss Alps on board the train before heading down to Sorrento – the perfect base for your adventures! Explore the beauty of the city, swim in the warm waters and make your way to the colourful houses of Positano, the volcanic spas of Ischia or the islands of the Bay of Naples with ease. Sorrento is also tantalisingly close to Capri – why not take a ferry over and explore the famous Blue Grotto? Plan your trip to the Amalfi Coast via the Alps, you won't regret it.
