While I love a good road trip, I also appreciate the simplicity of a train journey. If you’ve never experienced an epic train trip through jaw-dropping landscapes, consider one of these.

Amtrak Across America
The diverse landscapes of the United States offer numerous opportunities for exploration by train. Amtrak provides ample options for exploring the country by train. The Lakeshore Limited route spans from New York City to Chicago, following the Hudson River in New York state before heading into the Midwest.
The Empire Builder route extends from Chicago to Seattle, traversing the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. This route includes a passage through the Cascade Mountains via the Cascade Tunnel, which measures 7.9 miles in length and is the longest railroad tunnel in the country.
Prefer some California sunshine? The Southwest Chief route connects Chicago with Los Angeles, passing through Albuquerque and offering views of the rugged Southwest terrain, dotted with red rocks and towering mountains.
Amtrak offers several additional routes including the Pacific Coast Starlight, proclaimed one of the most scenic rides anywhere from Seattle through Portland and down the California coast to Los Angeles.
No matter which route you choose, you’re certain to find magnificent vistas, good food, interesting people, and the sleep-inducing rhythm of the train. www.amtrak.com

The Belmond Royal Scotsman
Picture yourself in a 5-star country house hotel. Now picture that country house rolling past spectacular deep green lochs and fog-shrouded mountains in the Scottish Highlands. Throw in a castle or two, whitewashed villages, and whisky distilleries and you’ve discovered an epic train trip aboard the Royal Scotsman.
Managed by Belmond (formerly known as the Orient-Express Group), the Royal Scotsman exudes luxury at every turn. An intimate nine coaches carry just 36 passengers, and the staff ratio is 3 to 1. Yes, you will be pampered. Sleeper cars feature plush beds dressed in soft Scottish wools and tartans. And for the ultimate indulgence, book a session at the onboard spa…luxury not typically found on trains.
Unique excursions include visits to country estates like Rothiemurchus for traditional country activities such as archery and shooting, or a whisky distillery tour, this being Scotland after all. Whisky is also plentiful in the bar onboard, which is stocked with more than 50 different Scottish brands. www.belmond.com/scotland

Switzerland’s Grand Train Tour
Every day, locals board trains for routine commutes in Switzerland. But it is Switzerland, so no train ride is routine. In a land filled with surreal landscapes crowned by snow-capped mountains, every vista is epic. From bell-wearing cows grazing outside charming Alpine villages to blue-green lakes shimmering in the sunlight, Switzerland provides a feast for the eyes.
Fortunately, Switzerland offers a grand tour showcasing the country’s bounty of beauty, merging stunning panoramic vistas into one unique route. The jaw-dropping experience covers 795 miles and takes the “hop on hop off” concept to new heights … literally. Buy a Swiss Travel Pass and choose a route.
A combination 5-hour route by both train and boat, the Gotthard Panorama Express between Ticino and Lucerne, showcases the diversity of the country’s landscapes. It’s all here, from palm trees in the Ticino to mountain waterfalls to glistening Lake Lucerne. Another favorite, the Glacier Express, traverses the Alps connecting glitzy St. Moritz with the car-free village of Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn. On the 8-hour trip, the train crosses 291 bridges and rumbles through 91 tunnels!
While in Zermatt, don’t miss a ride on the Gornergrat Bahn, the highest-altitude open-cog railway in Europe. The 35-minute, 5.6-mile journey to the top takes you to the summit at 10,134 feet. Step outside and you’re surrounded by 29 peaks higher than 13,000 feet—an experience that’s difficult to top. www.myswitzerland.com
All Aboard!