Win a copy of Platform Europe + an Interrail Pass! (closed)

I really loved the Istanbul-Sofia connection. It was a night train, but they provide you with blankets and some small breakfast included in the small top up needed for a place reservation! The journey was very comfortable and the ever changing scenery was perfect company when I woke up. It is also part of an historic travel route so i feel like every traveller should have done this once ;) 

Next on my wish list would be a 3 weeks train journey from the Netherlands to the north of Italy, combining some of the most beautiful rail stretches in the Alps and Italy (Bernina, Centovalli, Gotthard Express) with several days staying at some of the most beautiful lakes (Iseo, Maggiore) and a few days visiting a few cities for a little cultural touch (Bologna, Genua)

My favorite track was and is the Prague Semmering, which my two boys loved when they were little. Now they are grown up and I finally have time to travel. So far I have only taken the train from Prague to England once, visiting northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands. When I save up, I would like to visit southern France, Spain and Portugal...

The Prague Semmering is the nickname for a railway line which runs from Prague Main Railway Station on weekends. It is reminiscent of the famous Austrian Semmering mountain railway, thanks to its viaducts, arches and beautiful views of Prague. The line was built in 1868–1872 and is still one of the architectural gems of the Czech railway network.

My favourite train journey is the route from Paris to Barcelona, because it took me to one of the most exciting chapters of my life: my semester abroad. It was the perfect way to begin that experience. Watching France slowly turn into Spain, seeing the landscapes change and feeling the excitement grow with every stop.

I also love slow travelling through the south of France with its beautiful scenery and elegant TGV routes, as well as my favourite train journeys through Italy. Italy was my very first Interrail trip when I was 18 years old and cities like Venice, Rome, Milan and Naples made me fall in love with exploring Europe by train.

Train beetween Milan to Paris, some incredible view of Alpes 

Hi there!

The train journey that is next on my wishlist is travelling to Norway or Greece with interrail. Norway would be more realistic when it comes to 7 days of traveling. Norway has lots of beautiful sceneries and I hope I can do this travel soon during my gap year because I graduated university! I want to travel during this year before I’m attached to holiday days and stricter schedules. This time is the perfect opportunity to travel this route and I’d like to get inspired by the Platform Europe.

I would go hiking; check out the local shops; take it all in, the country, the sceneries, the people, the nature and the culture, from foods and history! Best to do by train, just relax , travel slow no rush and sit back do some research while in the train and see more of the beautiful country.

Loves!

Around the Alps with Interrail – unforgettable experiences

In recent years I’ve travelled a lot around Europe with Interrail. The background is that my wife and I used to take many holiday trips by car. After she passed away five years ago, I wanted to return to some of the places we had been—and also see something new. However, doing a road trip alone didn’t appeal to me, so the solution was: Interrail!

In October 2025, I was ready for my third Interrail trip: around the Alps!

• And of course: a bit of planning gives structure and a rough sketch—which can, naturally, be adjusted along the way. And that’s exactly the freedom Interrail gives you.

The trip started in Munich, and the first destination was clear: visiting the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest) in Berchtesgaden. It’s an advantage to arrive early, so I stayed overnight in Bad Reichenhall nearby (so easy with Interrail). The next morning at the station, I had a colourful encounter with some locals who were heading to the Oktoberfest in Munich. Visiting the Kehlsteinhaus was truly fascinating.

From there, the journey continued to Lucerne in Switzerland, to once again see and walk across the magnificent wooden bridge, the Kapellbrücke (nostalgia—wanting to see it again).

After that, I travelled on a panoramic train across the Alps to Bolzano in Italy. The goal was clear: to visit Ötzi and see the Ötzi exhibition at the Archaeological Museum. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! There is something very special about encountering, so directly, these long lines of time—our existence here on Earth.

A wonderful trip then continued through northern Italy, with Menton in France as the destination (nostalgia—wanting to see it again; we’ve spent a lot of time in Menton).

I had a fun experience in Ventimiglia while I was waiting on the platform for the train to Menton. A young man came over and asked a few questions about the onward train. He was an American student. We got talking, and he wondered where I had been. I told him about visiting Ötzi, and he wanted to hear more. He already knew a lot about Ötzi, but he was curious about one thing: how exactly did Ötzi die? I could tell him—this was described in detail in the exhibition. I also showed him a video I had taken at the exhibition, where the topic was explained thoroughly. He was very pleased to learn that.

After a few days in Menton, I took the train back to Munich. I rounded off this circular trip with a guided walking tour in the centre of Munich. Very interesting.

By the way, I record quite a few videos on my travels (with my own commentary) and share them along the way with family, friends, and neighbours back home.

We’re celebrating the release of Platform Europe, the latest book written by our longtime friend Bart Giepmans. Bart is an author, travel journalist, photographer and a passionate advocate for exploring Europe by train.

He is a true champion of slow travel and spends much of the year discovering Europe by rail, embracing historic stations, meaningful encounters and the stories found along the tracks. He wrote and photographed most of the journeys featured in Platform Europe!

😍Win a copy of Bart’s beautiful book AND a FREE Interrail Global Pass (7 days in 1 month)!

Participation is open to all persons 16+ living in Europe. The giveaway ends on 28 April 2026 at 12 pm CET. Five winners will be randomly selected and contacted via the community DM on 28 April 2026. The winners will receive 1x Interrail Global Pass for 7 travel days within 1 month (2nd class) and 1x Platform Europe book. The book will be shipped free of charge.

📄 Read the full Terms & Conditions, here.

How to enter the giveaway

Whether you are an experienced rail traveller or still dreaming about your first trip:

💬 Tell us your favourite slow travel train route – or the train journey that's next on your wishlist – and why.

Share your answer in the comments below to enter the giveaway👇

My favourite is from Bratislava to Prague as the journey was fun and hassle free. The information at Bratislava station to find the right train was amazing as well as the snacks on offer. Great views from the train, old style but comfortable, the time passed very quickly

J’ai envie de visiter toutes les alpes en train. Puis d’aller voir la mer en Italie ou dans les balcans. J’aime les petites gares de trains en montagnes.