Travel restrictions are finally lifting along with the winter fog, and both Valentine’s Day and spring are happily looming. Things are looking up.  So where do we want to go first? Having had a break from the hassle of flights for so long, that part of travelling isn’t something we’re especially eager to get back to. And swapping out airport queues for alpine views from European trains is far more romantic and kinder to the planet.

Whether it’s winding through stunning scenery together in the mountains or waking up in the heart of a new city after sharing your own private cabin on a sleeper train, train travel is a chance to rediscover the magic of the journey with the one you love.

1. Penzance, Cornwall

With some of the most beautiful coastline in England, awash with areas of outstanding natural beauty, Cornwall offers no end to romantic sites. From Porthcurno (dubbed one of the UK’s most romantic beaches) to the former medieval monastery atop St Michaels Mount, there are plenty of romantic adventures to be discovered.

And the journey getting there is no less special. The glamorously named Night Riviera sleeper train sets off from London Paddington before midnight and usually arrives in Penzance in time for breakfast (though, this is England, and thus there are not-so romantic engineering works which means the latter part of the journey is by rail replacement bus until March 18th). Nevertheless, with a stylish lounge bar and the option to have bubbly in your own private cabin, this trip offers the perfect romantic getaway without crossing any borders. Alternatively, a direct daytime route over Valentine’s weekend takes just over 5 hours.

London Paddington to Penzance starts at £70.90 return

2. Venice, Italy

Whether you’re wandering through Calle de Bezzo, otherwise known as the ‘alley for embracing’, or sharing a cosy gondola ride on one of their winding canals, the floating city is renowned for its romance. With a rich history of art, culture and design, Venice hosts a plethora of enlightening galleries, theatre and architecture for you and your partner to explore. We heartily recommend the Peggy Guggenheim Collection

See Venice in its full glory from the train as you travel over the Venice Railroad Bridge, built in 1846, that connects it to the mainland. 

London to Venice, via Brussels and Munich, from £220

3. Zurich, Switzerland

There’s little else that could induce romance quite so much as winding through breathtaking mountains while gazing at crisp blue lakes, cosied up to your partner, sipping a warm cup of hot chocolate. Well that’s exactly what you get on the train to Zurich from Paris. Once you arrive, you can opt for dinner on the Limmat River or at the top of the local mountain – the Uetliberg – for panoramic views of the ‘little big city’. Spend your time working your way through the city’s celebrated fondue restaurants, or take a day trip via boat ride to Stadtmuseum Rapperswil, also known as the city of roses.

Stop off in Paris for lunch before taking the 4 hour train ride through the stunning Swiss scenery to Zurich, arriving in time for dinner. 

London to Paris starts at £39, Eurostar

Paris to Zurich starts at 29€ on the TGV Lyria

4. Fort William, Scotland

Located in the heart of the Highlands, Fort William boasts some of the most dramatic landscapes Britain has to offer. From the tallest mountain in the country to the wild, nature-rich surroundings on the ‘Road to the Isles’, Scotland is a couple’s dream. There’s also a chance to take one of the most stunning rail journeys in the world – the West Highland Line to the fishing port & ferry terminal of Mallaig, passing through the ruins of Old Inverlochy Castle and the Glenfinnan Viaduct (featured in three of the Harry Potter films).

The new Caledonian Sleeper train leaves London Euston at 9.15pm and arrives in Fort William just before 10am. Enjoy waking up to sunrise in the mountains.

London to Fort William (sleeper) from £250 per person for a classic room, Caledonian Sleeper

5. Hallstatt, Austria

As the inspiration for the town in the Disney film Frozen, Hallstatt couldn’t be more picturesque (a Chinese tycoon loved it so much that he spent £700 million building a replica of it in Guangdong. Really). With its 16th century Alpine houses, ancient salt mine and Echern Valley glacier garden, this quiet town is the ultimate winter wonderland. Couples can be found huddled together under a blanket at one of the cafes overlooking the lake, sipping from warm cups of the local drink – Gluhwein, otherwise known as hot mulled wine. Find out more about the surrounding area here

Further afield than the other getaways, this journey can be made a number of ways but the most romantic choice would be taking the sleeper train from Brussels to Vienna. Aboard the night jet sleeper, you can have food delivered to your room while you watch the mountains, vineyards and castles pass by. Treat yourself to breakfast in Vienna before taking the beautiful 3 hour train (with one change) to Hallstatt.

London to Brussels starts at £58 return, Eurostar

Brussels to Vienna (sleeper) starts at 69€, OBB Nightjet

Vienna to Hallstatt from £24, Omio

6. Carcassonne, France

Boasting two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the incredibly preserved medieval walled town of Carcassonne is unlike any other in Europe. Enjoy the region’s local wine at one of the many cafes dotted around the town before strolling down to the river to take a boat ride along the Canal du Midi. If you have time, take a day trip to one of the many chateaus in the surrounding area of France’s Languedoc region. The best time of year to go is spring, before the crowds arrive.

The sleeper train from Paris makes this another great weekend break. Trains run only on Fridays and Sundays from October to June and daily during the summer. Enjoy dinner in Paris before setting off at 10pm and rolling into Carcassonne in time for breakfast before 8am.

London to Paris starts at £39, Eurostar

Paris to Carcassonne starts at 36€ on TGV services