THE INSIDE TRACK
Take advantage of Inntravel’s insider knowledge by embarking on an unforgettable rail journey to some of Europe’s most extraordinary culinary destinations
Love the unhurried pace of rail travel? Perhaps you’re passionate, too, about good food and the idea of browsing Bilbao’s Mercado de la Ribera, the largest indoor food market in Europe. Or zig-zagging from one pintxos bar to the next amid the maze of streets in San Sebastián’s Parte Vieja (Old Town). Maybe you’d like to give your inner oenophile free rein to explore La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux’s state-of-the-art wine museum. If this sounds like you, we have good news – for all this and more is possible on Inntravel’s new six-night journey by rail. Carrying passengers on a train journey through Spain and France, ‘Flavours of Bilbao, San Sebastián & Bordeaux’ is a dream holiday for gourmet travellers. Food isn’t the only thing on the menu when you choose an Inntravel journey, but if you’ve got an appetite for full-flavoured local cuisine and an eye for experimentation, you won’t be disappointed. For a start, there are no timetables to keep up with or guided groups to slow you down (Inntravel’s detailed trip notes are your guide), so you’re free to explore at your own pace. All the rail sectors are booked in advance, as are the handpicked and centrally located hotels, which will leave you well placed to discover each city using Inntravel’s self-guided walking tours. If you’re looking to explore points further north, Inntravel’s week-long journey by train and boat, Nordic Cities Explorer, is another option, enabling you to sample the delights of New Nordic cuisine – from stellar seafood to sustainably foraged ingredients – while succumbing to the charms of the stylish capital cities of Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki. On the Atlantic coast, meanwhile, Inntravel’s ten-night ‘Cities, Palaces & Wine’ itinerary combines a leisurely exploration of three alluring Portuguese cities – Porto, Coimbra and Lisbon – with the cultural riches of Sintra and some distinctive food and drink. Head to the famous port lodges of Porto, then take the scenic train upriver to Pinhão for two nights at a working winery with rooms, set in the heart of the Douro Valley’s vineyards. In Lisbon, be sure to sample the renowned pastéis de nata (egg custard tarts), and ginjinha, a delicious, cherry-based liqueur. The only hard part? Deciding which of the three journeys you’ll set off on first. For Inntravel’s full selection of journeys, plus a wide choice of walking and cycling holidays, visit inntravel.co.uk or call 01653 617777 to speak to their expert team.