A SHORT train route in Europe has received rave reviews from a famous celebrity, who said he loves watching the scenery pass by his window.
Tan France is a household name for his work on Netflix show Queer Eye, in which he, along with four others, provides advice to help people improve their life situations.
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The latest advice Tan has offered is related to his favourite means of transport – train travel, which he claims everyone should try more often than they do.
His best loved route is the train from Florence to Rome, which he described as “so gorgeous”.
In an article for Thrillist, Tan wrote: “The thing I love most about traveling by train is you actually get to see so much more of the countryside or the coastline than if you were to take a plane.
“I think that there are so many hidden gems in Europe, and you get to see them all so easily by just looking out the window. That’s one of my favourite activities, actually—just looking out of the window and watching the landscape pass by.”
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The journey is a relatively short one, lasting just over an hour and a half.
The most affordable tickets along the route can be booked online from around £22.
It’s a route that’s also loved by train travel enthusiasts Rail Ninja, who wrote: “A popular high-speed train from Florence to Rome takes you past some magnificent medieval buildings, scenic landscapes and provides you with memory-making experiences.”
However, it’s not the only train route Tan loves in Europe.
He has a real love for sleeper trains, which he encourages more people to use for journeys through the continent.
He added: “I think everyone should take a sleeper train at least once when traveling Europe. There’s nothing quite like going to sleep in one city, just to wake up in a different one.”
Tan’s travel advice also extended to comfort, snacks and entertainment.
He recommends wearing comfortable, neutral coloured, loose outfits that work everywhere.
Then, his snack of choice is pistachios and water, which he claims is “simple, but does the trick”.
A sleep mask and a laptop with his favourite films downloaded is also another essential for him to bring on any long train journey.
Sun Travel’s favourite train rides
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
This advice could come in handy for anyone looking to ride any of the several sleeper routes being launched across Europe at the moment.
Last month a new 15-hour night train departed from Brussels to Prague for the first time.
The sleeper service stops at Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Berlin and Dresden before arriving in the Czech capital, its final destination.
The new route is operated by European Sleeper and has been designed with sustainable travel in mind.
There are other journeys being planned by the company too, who hope to provide more train routes throughout Europe.
European Sleeper co-founder, Elmer Van Buuren told Euronews: “Our goal is to add a new route each year so we can continue to contribute to a more integrated and sustainable European transportation network.”
Brits who want to travel to Prague without boarding a plane can take the train too.
They will be able to take a Eurostar service from London St Pancras to Brussels, which takes just under two hours.
From there they can join the European Sleeper route through to Prague.
Meanwhile, Europe’s best train route is in the UK, according to travel experts.
And this five-day train journey will set off through the UK later this year.
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