Intimate, luxurious and romantic: when you think of long distance train journeys it is difficult not to conjure up these thoughts. The tradition of rail travel and the romantic air it exudes is something which has captivated the attention of travellers for years – so what better way is there to celebrate the most romantic weekend of the year than with a fantastic train holiday for two?

Whether you travel to an exotic destination on the other side of the world or hop across the Channel to visit our amorous European cousins, train holidays are the perfect way to celebrate your love and have a fantastic trip away this Valentine’s Day.

Here we look at a few top destinations to get you in the mood for romance.

Photo by Simon Pielow

Paris and the Seine

With its wide boulevards, grand vistas and stunning architecture, not to mention its reputation as the global capital of romance, there are few better destinations for a Valentine’s break than Paris.

Two of the most romantic ways to arrive in the French capital are by train and by boat, so why not combine your trip to Paris with a cruise on the Seine and show that special someone just how much you care?

Bruges

The centre of Bruges is a maze of cobbled streets, ancient buildings, charming cafes and restaurants. Visitors could easily spend an entire weekend simply wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere and the medieval vibe is sure to boost romantic feelings.

With just a few hours travel time between St Pancras International and the Belgian city, Bruges is the ideal destination for a romantic weekend rail escape.

Bruges. Photo CC Flickr User InSapphoWeTrust

New Zealand

If you really want to treat that special someone to the train holiday of a lifetime, why not leave the grey skies and flooded fields of Britain behind and jet off to sunshine and stunning scenery on the other side of the world?

As well as stunning views and warm sunshine, New Zealand is home to some great heritage railways, making for a fantastic trip that combines adventure with a great rail experience. You’re trip will obviously take longer than some of our other suggestions, but it’ll most definitely be worth it.

Discovering New Zealand by train. Photo CC Flickr.

Morocco

Thanks to the hit Hollywood film of the same name, Casablanca is one of the most romantic sounding cities on the planet. Get your own taste of this loved-up city with a train journey to Morocco via France and Spain.

It is a fantastic experience, giving passengers the chance to see how the landscape changes as Europe gives way to Africa.

With its timeless romance and air of luxury, a train holiday is the perfect way to show your other half just how much you care about them this year. Give them a Valentine’s Day they’ll never forget and book your seats aboard the love train today.

Spain/Morocco Border. Photo by Jose Saez.