Romantic things to do in Europe



Feel the love in Europe

Romantic route with your InterRail pass


Europe is a fountain of romance with streams of adventurous, beautiful and down-right charming places to visit with your other half. And the most romantic way to see it is cuddled up aboard a warm, comfy train.

Get an InterRail Global Pass to hit Europe's rails. Simply hop on and off trains in 30 European countries and be free to plan your route on the go. With InterRail the travelling is all part of the experience with time to unwind together as magnificent scenery flashes past the window!
 

Romantic stop-offs on your Europe train trip

Stuck for ideas of what to do to make your love feel the lurve? We've come up with some things to do with your loved one while exploring Europe with an InterRail Global Pass. If you use a pass: Choose 10 days within 22 days, you'll have enough travel days to see all the great places below, plus make plenty of other stops in between. Remember to fill in the travel day on the Travel Calendar of your pass before boarding the first train of each day!
 

Sleep in a castle: Ashford Castle, Ireland

Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Republic of IrelandAshford Castle, Ireland

Live like royalty by swapping a few nights in a hostel for a luxury stay at a real Irish castle! There are castles dotted all over the Emerald Isle, but one of the most majestic is Ashford Castle, located a short bus ride from Galway train station. You'll wander around the 800-year old castle and its grounds feeling as if you've travelled centuries back in time.

Next stop: Epernay, France. Take a train from Galway to Rosslare Harbour via Dublin (7.5hrs). From Rosslare sail with Irish Ferries (book in advance and get a 30% discount with your pass) to Roscoff (18.5hrs). Make the following connections in France: Roscoff-Morlaix-Paris Montparnasse-Paris Est-Épernay (6hrs; reservation:  2nd: €6 / 1st: €18).

 

Take a champagne tour: Épernay, France

Champagne tour, Épernay, FranceChampagne, France

Just over an hour by train from Paris and you're in the heart of France's Champagne region. The town of Épernay is a favourite for those wanting to discover the secret of perfect champagne production and sample some of the bubbly stuff for yourself! Along the famous Avenue de Champagne, you'll find some of the world's most famous producers like Moët & Chandon and Mercier.

To reach your next destination, Chamonix, take this route: Épernay-Paris Est-Paris Lyon-Annecy-St-Gervais-Chamonix (Mont-Blanc) (8hrs; reservation: 2nd: €6 / 1st: €18)

 

Climb Mt. Blanc: Chamonix, France

Climb Mt. Blanc, FranceMount Blanc, France

Set yourself the challenge of climbing Western Europe's highest mountain, Mt. Blanc (4810m). The Gouter route is the most popular route and can be done in two days from Chamonix, France with a night spent at the Gouter Refuge (book in advance). From the summit you'll be blown away by dramatic views across the Alps. And what better place than any to pop the question!

Take this route: Chamonix (Mont-Blanc)-Vallorcine-Martigny-Visp-Zurich-Chur (7hrs). The Bernina Express route begins from Chur.

 

Travel the Bernina Express:Switzerland

Bernina Express, SwitzerlandBernina Express, Switzerland

Discover why this is one of the world´s most epic scenic train routes on board the panoramic coaches of  the Bernina Express train. You'll pass through 55 tunnels and chug across 196 bridges taking you through the dazzling mountains and glaciers of the Swiss Alps. InterRail pass holders get a discount. Advanced reservations may be required.

Leave the Bernina Express at St. Moritz and connect as follows: St . Moritz-Chur-Sargans-Innsbruck (5hrs; reservation: €3.50)

 

Hot air balloon: Innsbruck, Austria

Hot air ballooning in the AlpsAlps, Switzerland, Ireland

Why not surprise your partner with a breathtaking experience of a lifetime aboard a hot air balloon. Soar through the skies above Innsbruck in the west of Austria and get a birdseye view of the mountain ranges that outline the little alpine city. And once you come back to earth, you'll be presented with a celebratory glass of champagne!

Travel to Venice from Innsbruck by EuroCity trains (EC) connecting in Verona (5hrs; reservation 2nd: €11 / 1st: €11).

 

Glide through the Venetian canals: Venice, Italy

Gondola ride, VeniceVenice, Italy

It doesn't get much more romantic than taking to the Venetian waterways on board a traditional gondola and being whisked around the Grand Canal by a dashing Italian gondolier. Continue the evening with a sumptuous canal-side candlelit dinner for two in this amorous European city – it will be a night you'll never forget!

From Venice take an ÖBB bus to Villach and connect to a train to Zagreb (8hrs). From Croatia's capital there is a direct bus to the park.

 

Relax at Plitvice National Park: Croatia

Plitvice National Park, CroatiaPlitvice National Park, Croatia

If a romantic escape into nature makes his/her heart beat faster, Croatia might have just what you're looking for. Plitvice is Croatia's largest national park and is home to azure lakes linked by cascading waterfalls. Enjoy a romantic picnic among paradise, take a dip in the mineral-rich waters and simply soak up the peace and quiet.

Read about: Europe's top winter sport destinations.