THREE EUROPEAN RAIL ADVENTURES

ROME TO PALERMO

Cross the Straits of Messina on this journey from the capital to Sicily. There are daytime options, as well as a sleeper service, too. raileurope.com

CHOCOLATE TRAIN

This delicious Swiss day trip begins and ends in Montreux, calling at Gruyères for its eponymous cheese and Broc for the Cailler chocolate factory. Runs from May to September. mob.ch

PARIS TO BARCELONA

Scenic highlights on this near-seven-hour trip include the Rhône Valley, the South of France and the fringes of the Pyrenees. raileurope.com