The phrase “Now this is the way to travel” is seldom heard outside of a train. Not in our experience anyway. Rail travel calls to mind a simpler, better time and offers point A to point B trips no plane or car can match.

Scenery, sophistication, relative comfort and relaxation and the opportunity to mingle with remarkable people are the hallmarks of train travel. Tough to replicate any of that in a plane or car. With that in mind, we present the first ten of our twenty unforgettable train rides.

Strasbourg-Vienna

Though technically still possible to retrace the original Orient Express line from Paris to Istanbul, one has to get off and hop on a few times to complete the journey. One leg that conjures up all the pop culture romance of the trip is from Strasbourg to Vienna. Ten hours of sheer bliss.

Toronto-Vancouver

VIA Rail is a crown corporation that offers intercity train travel within Canada. At over 80 hours long, the Toronto-Vancouver line is one of the most popular on the network. Sleeper car service is plush, with access to 360-degree panoramic views as the train speeds past the Prairies and Rocky Mountains.

Chihuahua-Pacific Railway

A far superior way to enjoy Mexico than any all-inclusive resort (in our humble estimation), the Chihuahua-Pacific Railway, or El Chepe, takes visitors on a memorable journey from the port of Los Mochis to the city of Chihuahua. The surefire highlight? The wobbly heights of remarkable Copper Canyon.

Grand Canyon Railroad

What can you say about a rail line that starts on Route 66, in the tiny town of Williams, Arizona, and ends on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon? Quintessential Americana, all the way. Luxury Parlor service for the 270 minute round trip starts at $180 per ticket.

Swiss Alps Glacier Express

A leisurely alpine journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz makes the Glacier Express pure heaven. This is the way to experience the Swiss Alps.

West Highlands of Scotland

A tour of the West Highlands of Scotland aboard The Royal Scotsman is luxury incarnate. Though the landscape is famously rugged, the round trip journey which begins and ends in Edinburgh is most definitely not. Budget $8,000.00 USD for two.

LGV Méditerranée

Travel from Paris to Nice and indeed, throughout the Côte d’Azur, Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon, in style and in less than six hours to boot. The LGV Méditerranée beats air travel by a mile and offers much better views of France.

Black Forest Railway

The 150 km train ride between the diminutive Rhine towns of Offenburg and Singen shepherds you up and down the spectacular scenery of the Black Forest. With hairpin loops and scores of mountain tunnels, the experience is unforgettable.

The Brenner Pass

We can never get enough alpine scenery and so, a reverent nod to the Brenner Pass. A mountain pass of the Alps on the border of Italy and Austria, Brenner is infamous for traffic congestion and worse yet, reckless lorry drivers. The best way to reach Italy from Innsbruck is thus by train, via the only transalpine rail route without a major tunnel.

Discover the best hotel rates in destinations all over Austria.

Warsaw-Tallinn

Unfortunately, this line is still a pipe dream. Still, maybe a full-court publicity press will help speed up the massive Rail Baltica project, a multi-billion Euro operation that will hopefully link up Berlin with Helsinki (via underwater tunnel of course), with stops in Warsaw, Vilnius, Tallinn and Riga. The Warsaw-Tallinn route looks to be a lock and should be complete by 2013, knock wood.

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If you still have some days left in your vacation this January and you want to spend it somewhere else than home, we have found five traditional festivals going on in Europe this January. From England to Switzerland, you can find something new to take part in, no matter where you are.

1. Bommel…

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After an evening of partying we’d all like to sleep late on New Year’s Day. There is, however, a dedicated crowd of people who are committed to making sure the New Year gets all of the attention it deserves.

These are the people who put on New Year’s Day parades around the world – with music, floats, and competitions that rival no other.

Comerica Bank New Year’s Parade – Dallas, TX

The Comerica Bank New Year’s Parade will be held in Dallas, Texas at 2:30pm on January 1, 2010. Held in the Metroplex area, the parade is one of the best family-friendly New Year’s events in Dallas. The parade is just one part of a string of events designed to entertain both locals and visitors who are in town for the Cotton Bowl Classic.

The day’s events begin with a performance by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra as they put on their New Year’s Concert at Meyerson. Tickets are required for this event. The opening ceremony for the parade will be held at 2pm at Ross Avenue and Harwood and the parade itself will begin at 2:30pm. Afterwards, at 4pm, visitors can enjoy the post-parade Pep Rallies held in Victory Park. Dress warm and, if you’re from out of town, make sure you book your Dallas hotel as far in advance as possible.

The London Parade – London, England

The New Year’s Day Parade and Festival in London is one of the most planned and well attended events in England each holiday season. January 2010 will mark the 24^th anniversary of the parade, which begins at 12 noon each year.

The parade itself begins in Piccadilly and will feature more than 10,000 performance artists representing at least 20 different countries. The parade, which also features clowns, acrobats, huge balloons, marching bands, and other forms of entertainment, is usually broadcast around the world via satellite. It is expected that more than ½ million people will flock to the streets of London to watch the parade crawl along its 2 mile route.

The London Parade is one you should see at least once in your lifetime. Reserve a London hotel room, pack your bags, and enjoy your holidays in a romantic foreign destination.

The Philadelphia Mummer’s Parade – Philadelphia, PA

The Mummer’s Parade, as it is affectionately called, has been held every year in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania since 1901. In the beginning, the costumes worn by performers were very simplistic but have, over the past 100+ years, evolved into some of the most elaborate and ornate costumes in existence.

Parade participants truly love what they do. While there are prizes valued at more than $400,000 awarded to the best Fancy Brigades, the amount of money put into costume design and choreography could never be matched by any prize package. Competition divisions include comics, Fancies, String Bands, and Fancy Brigades.

Sadly, budget cuts in Philadelphia have limited the amount of money the city contributes to this annual tradition. The city has in the past donated more than $1 million for the event but in 2009 gave only $300,000. They are not slated to make any contributions in 2010, leaving all financial obligations for police presence, costumes, and prizes up to the Mummers and their supporters and sponsors.

Shake off those hangovers, bundle up in your warmest clothing, and hit the streets for some of the most entertaining New Year’s Day parades and accompanying parties you’ll ever witness. What an awesome way to ring in the New Year with friends and family!

Spending New Year’s Eve in the Seoul Special City, South Korea, is sure to be an experience you won’t forget. With over ten million people, the celebrations in Seoul include upwards of a hundred thousand in the streets, dancing and having a great time to ring in the new year. With over…

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The vast, diverse capital of India has a wonderful panoply of attractions to enjoy. Like the rest of urban India, Delhi is a busy, frenetic hive of activity and a dynamic metropolis to boot.

This may present a formidable challenge to those of us who shudder at the thought of travel to a city of close to 16 million people. Yet to the intrepid visitor, Delhi charms and cajoles with landmarks old and new, phenomenal, affordable cuisine, museums, arts and culture galore. A splendid capital city not entirely devoid of social and infrastructure problems, Delhi has dozens of must-see attractions. We present ten of our favorites for your perusal.

10. Bahá’í House of Worship

The incredibly progressive Bahá’í House of Worship is more famously known throughout Delhi as the Lotus Temple. A relative newcomer on the cityscape, the thoroughly modern house of worship has become a top photo op in the capital city and has won many architecture awards.

9. Connaught Place

The veritable heart of Delhi is also the pulse point of the financial district. Home to many corporate headquarters, Connaught Place is a notable remnant of British rule and has many Georgian landmarks to show for it.

8. Akshardham

Delhi is awash with gorgeous temples and places of worship and the Akshardham Hindu complex is no exception. The vast majority of tourists to the city make a pilgrimage to Akshardham and no wonder. The complex is magnificent and the most comprehensive in the Hindu world.

7. Chhatarpur Temple

The Chhatarpur, or Adya Katyayani Temple complex, ranks second in size in India and was built in 1974. The vast shrine area covers almost a quarter of a square km and features many inherent temples and spiritual landmarks.

6. Lodi Gardens</strong

The fact that the Archaeological Survey of India protects Lodi Gardens in Delhi is proof enough that the park has many vital treasures to explore. The history of Lodi dates back to the late 15th century, when the mausoleum of the last Sayyid dynasty ruler was built. Since then, the serene calm of the Gardens has been ground zero for beauty and recreation in Delhi. With a lot to see in the premier city park, devote a few hours here.

5. National Museum

A National Museum is seldom not a go-to attraction in a capital city. The Delhi version is exceptional and quite immense. The museum has exhibits on just about every aspect of India’s prolific cultural legacy, from artifacts to artwork, jewelry to manuscripts.

4. Raj Ghat Memorials and National Gandhi Museum

Two landmarks in one form one of the best must-see attractions in Delhi. The eternal flame of Raj Ghat marks a prominent memorial to Mahatma Gandhi but tributes to other major figures throughout India’s history, from Jawaharlal Nehru to Indira Gandhi serve to inspire and educate visitors as well. The National Gandhi Museum rounds out this must-see area of Delhi.

3. Qutab Minar Complex

We end our look at Delhi with three excellent UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The first is the incredible Qutab Minar Complex, which dates back to the 12th century. The exemplar of Indo-Islamic architecture receives more annual visitors than the Taj Mahal.

2. Tomb of Humayun

A foremost archetype of Mughal design ingenuity, the 16th century Tomb of Humayun is a red sandstone marvel. Subject to a superb restoration effort which endures to the present day, the mausoleum is one of the most remarkable in the world, if not India.

1. Red Fort Complex

The Red Fort, or Delhi Fort, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. Construction on the popular capital city landmark began at the behest of Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in the early 17th century. The complex is massive and was once home to more than 3,000 people. As a result, book a few hours to fully explore the must-see attraction.

Check out superb hotel deals in the capital of India.

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Winter Holidays are just around the corner and if you plan on spending them flying down the slopes, in a traditional winter setting, there’s no better place than charming little Bad Kleinkirchheim. Sporting 185 km of impeccable slopes, it’s one of the most popular ski resorts in Austria.

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The largest city and the capital city of Ireland is also the capital city of the Irish Pubs in the world. Visiting Dublin without getting to drink a beer in a pub is like visiting Italy without eating a pizza. And if you want to make sure your Irish experience is the best you can [...]

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