Travel the World by Train

An intrepid traveler is one who is full of interesting stories of experiences both good and bad. Most of us have that zeal for travel but circumstances do not always allow for such indulgences. Some opt for travel experiences through books. But there really is nothing to compare with packing your bag and setting out to explore new places.

There are many means of travel, but traveling by train is by far the best way to see a new place. Right from experiencing what the people are like, to getting a feel of the countryside as it whizzes by you, to arriving at your destination is incomparable to any other form of travel.

Here are some of the most scenic train rides in the world:

• Toy train to Darjeeling: A journey on this little train runs on a meter gauge and gives you stunning views of the Himalayas from 7,400 feet up in the mountains. The train takes you through forests, valleys and tea gardens.

• The West Highland line: This train journey that takes you from the west coast of Scotland to Glasgow. It treats you to ninety minutes of spectacular views of lochs, glens, moors and castles.

• The Douro Line in Portugal: Get a taste of traveling by a 19th century steam train that takes you along the rocky ravine of the Douro River. From the almost precarious height that the train runs on, you will find breathtaking views of fairytale villages, olive groves and the celebrated wine region of Douro.

• The Ghan, Australia: This two day train ride takes you from near Adelaide in the south to Darwin in the north. The train traverses through Australia's vast and varied panorama of desert scrub, gum groves, rust colored rock and lush tropical vegetation.

• Bergen Railway, Norway: This is the highest railway in Northern Europe. The seven hour journey takes you from fjords covered with glaciers, across the mountain range from Oslo to sweep you though verdant valleys, taking you into the city of Bergen.

• El ChePe, Mexico: Thirteen hours on this train brings you from the mountains of north Mexico to the Pacific coast through some magnificent scenery. From the arid mountains, you travel past canyons, waterfalls and vast desert plains.

If you have never traveled by train, you do not know what you are missing. Fly to your choice of country if you must, but while there, take the train