All Aboard The Polar Express
Hop on a train and take an unforgettable journey in comfort through these stunning winter wonderlands!
Swiss Alps
Discover the beauty of Switzerland aboard the Glacier Express. But don’t let its name fool you – this journey is anything but high-speed.
Passengers will spend eight hours travelling through the Swiss Alps from Zermatt to St Moritz. With breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, you’d better remember a camera!
You’ll pass over the Landwasser Viaduct and through the Landwasser Tunnel, two of the most iconic sights of the train ride.
Journey through the Swiss countryside spotting gorges, rock faces and valleys. Pass through 91 tunnels and cross 291 bridges, catching glimpses of the picturesque snowy capped mountains which are truly mesmerising. If you’d prefer to see more colours, take the train during autumn. Reds and browns replace the wintry white but the views are just as spectacular.
While on board, dine on delicious delicacies like Swiss cheese and meats, paired with wines from the cantons of Graubünden and Valais.
Once you arrive in St Moritz, take a walk around its famous lake. Soak up the views of Dorf (old town), feed the ducks and relax.
Norway’s Winter Wilderness
Nordland Line Pic: Shutterstock
Meanwhile on the Nordland Line in Norway, passengers will cross into the Arctic Circle and hopefully experience the majestic Northern Lights. This line will take you from Trondheim to Bodø on a 10-hour journey crossing 729km of Norwegian wilderness.
There are plenty of stops along the way, including Hell! Yes, you can take a train ride to Hell which has become something of a tourist attraction. Or get off in Mosjøen and wander down to Sjoegata Street, famous for its colourful buildings.
Hop back on the train and continue to Bodø. At your destination, take a walk along the coast and enjoy its mountainous views. It’ll probably be cold so remember to wrap up warm!
Staying in Norway, the Flåm Railway shows passengers some of the best mountain views in the country. During the warmer months the train stops at one of the waterfalls. Soon you’ll hear beautiful music and a woman dressed in red performs a mystical dance at the foot of the waterfall.
However during the colder months this display is replaced with wonderful wintry views.
Snowy Scotland
Glenfinnan, Scotland Pic: Shutterstock
The Far North Line transports you around the Scottish Highlands from Wick to Inverness. Follow the North Sea coast and spot seals at Helmsdale and the fishing port at Wick. In the colder months you’ll see frozen lochs and snowy landscapes aplenty. You may also spot red deer near the line, if you’re lucky!
Or you could take the West Highland Line from Mallaig to Glasgow. This scenic line passes over the spectacular Glenfinnan Viaduct and travels near the mighty Ben Lui. Starkly beautiful Rannoch Moor is a must-see and the deer who roam the area add to the picturesque scenery.
Remote Japan
JR Tadami Railway Line, Oku-Aizu Pic: Shutterstock
Take the 83-mile trip around Japan on the JR Tadami Line. Experience the remote region of Oku-Aizu, just north of Tokyo, as you travel from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station to Koide Station in Niigata Prefecture.
Meander through tiny Japanese villages and gaze out into the surrounding wintry woodlands. This lesser known route is a hidden gem worth discovering.
Alaskan Trail
Mount Denali Pic: Shutterstock
Take the Aurora Winter Train and ride through the rugged terrain of Alaska. While you’re cosy inside, marvel at the icy landscape as you travel from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Look out for Denali, the highest mountain in North America and the Hurricane Gulch Bridge on this 12-hour excursion.
Wave to the moose and coyotes as you travel around the state, and make sure to stretch your legs at the various stops along the way such as Wasilla or Healy.
While you’re on board, take the opportunity to try the tasty reindeer sausage. Luckily it’s not one of Santa’s crew, so he’ll still be able to visit you this year!
Once you reach Fairbanks, if you want to get up close and personal with some native wildlife then visit the Running Reindeer Ranch. Here you’ll be able to tour the local woods and make some reindeer friends.
Inside the pages of Your Best Ever Christmas magazine, we bring you more travel experiences with the best winter getaways and Christmas markets. The magazine is available now in our shop.
