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A train on the famous Viaduct—the renowned Landwasser Viaduct. The Rhaetian Railway line of the Albula/Bernina region (the section from Thusis to Tirano, including St. Moritz), Switzerland, Europe.

Photo: Eva Bocek/Shutterstock

Steam Trains, Sleepers, and Underwater Tunnels: The 7 Most Iconic Train Rides in Europe

One of the perks of traveling in Europe is the accessible public transportation. Among the thousands of trains and train routes you can take in Europe, most are practical, dependable, and, well, rather forgettable.

But these seven are not.

From overnight sleepers that replace a hotel night entirely to record-breaking tunnels and routes carved through some of the continent's most dramatic landscapes, here are the rides worth planning a trip around.

G U I D E

The Beaches in Kauai Most Visitors Never Find

World famous Kalalau beach on a sunny day with big cliffs and turquoise water in the background.

Photo: Raphael Rivest/Shutterstock

About a fifth of Kauai's shoreline isn't reachable by car at all. Getting to those beaches takes effort, but that's exactly what makes them so special (and with fewer people).

Here's where to find the ones most visitors never see.

N E W S

China’s Massive High-Speed Rail Hub Signals a New Future for Train Travel

On June 27, 2025, Chongqing East Railway Station—the largest high-speed rail hub in western China—was officially put into operation. The image shows the exterior view of Chongqing East Railway Station.

Photo: dyl0807 /Shutterstock

Chongqing East Railway Station spans more than 13 million square feet, has 15 platforms and 29 tracks, and was built with AI-guided robots working alongside human crews. It's now fully operational and connecting a centrally located metropolis to coastal cities across China's high-speed rail network.

By any measure, one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects on Earth right now.

R A N K E D

The Top US National Parks for Wildlife Are Not Where You’d Expect

Herd of Roosevelt Elk, Pacific Northwest Rainforest

Photo: Danita Delimont/Shutterstock

An analysis of government and wildlife data reveals that the best national parks for spotting wildlife aren't the obvious ones. With roughly 600 threatened and endangered species found across National Park Service sites, the surprises are worth knowing before you book.

F I F A

Where to Eat, Play, and Stay for the LA FIFA World Cup Matches

collage of things to do in LA

Los Angeles is hosting eight World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium between June 12 and July 10, including the US Men's National Team opener and a quarterfinal.

From local dive bars to upscale restaurants and hidden neighborhood gems, here's everything you need to plan the perfect LA World Cup trip.

Where to Stay

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15 New Hotels You'll Want to Plan Your Summer Around

Travel Well

The Matador Editorial Team

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