Rail holidays for foodies

Journeying through the Basque heartlands to Bordeaux, you’ll explore three of Europe’s most celebrated gastronomic cities, with self-guided walking tours bringing each destination to life. In Bilbao, cutting-edge architecture sits alongside traditional taverns, while San Sebastián tempts with one of the finest food scenes in the world. Your journey culminates in Bordeaux, where grand boulevards, elegant façades and legendary wines provide a fitting finale.

Fringing the Bay of Biscay, between hidden coves, dramatic cliffs and time-honoured fishing villages, these cities each offer a distinct culinary identity. On the Spanish side of the border, the quality and creativity of the cuisine is exceptional. Bilbao blends modern Basque cooking with classic dishes such as bacalao al pil-pil, while San Sebastián is famed for its extraordinary concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants and a pintxos culture that turns casual bar-hopping into a true gastronomic adventure.

After sampling countless pintxos – from delicately topped slices of bread to inventive bite-sized masterpieces – and exploring both headline sights and local corners on your walking tours, you’ll cross into France and on to Bordeaux. Here, refined French cuisine takes centre stage, from market-fresh seafood and duck confit to perfectly aged cheeses, all accompanied by some of the world’s finest wines. For food lovers, this rail journey offers an irresistible blend of flavour, culture and place – a feast for both palate and soul.

Unearth the hidden treasures of Seville, Jerez and Cádiz on a relaxed, self-guided rail journey through Andalucía’s celebrated ‘Sherry Triangle’, with detailed walking tours to guide you. Along the way, savour outstanding tapas, exceptional seafood and regional specialities, while staying in stylish, beautifully restored historic mansions.

South of Seville, the sunlit plains of Cádiz stretch towards the Atlantic, silver-grey with olive groves and heavy with the scent of oranges. This is quintessential southern Spain: the cradle of flamenco, the birthplace of classic tapas and home to the great sherry bodegas that have shaped the region’s culinary identity for centuries.

This leisurely journey introduces three of south-western Andalucía’s most captivating cities, each with its own gastronomic soul. In Seville, historic grandeur is matched by a thriving food scene, where traditional tapas bars serve jamón ibérico, slow-cooked meats and seasonal dishes alongside crisp fino sherry. Jerez offers a heady blend of flamenco, dancing horses, and world-famous sherry, best enjoyed straight from the bodega and paired with local cheeses and seafood. In Cádiz, one of Europe’s oldest cities, Atlantic influences shine through in superb fried fish, shellfish and market-fresh catches, enjoyed in atmospheric bars and sun-dappled plazas almost entirely surrounded by sea.

For food lovers, this rail journey is a delicious immersion into Andalusian culture, combining history, flavour and the rhythms of everyday life.

Travelling by rail through Emilia-Romagna – widely regarded as Italy’s ‘Food Valley’ – and staying in Parma, Modena and Bologna, you’ll savour some of the country’s most celebrated produce, immerse yourself in a rich cultural heritage and explore some of Italy’s finest preserved medieval cities.

Many of the foods most closely associated with Italy have their origins in Emilia-Romagna. Silken Parma Ham and nutty Parmigiano Reggiano are local specialities. Yet these icons are only the beginning: the region’s exceptional ingredients, time-honoured techniques and deep-rooted food culture together justify its reputation as Italy’s culinary heartland.

Your gastronomic journey begins in Parma, a city whose name is inseparable from its prized prosciutto and cheese, best enjoyed at their source in local salumerie and caseifici. Beyond the table, Parma delights with architectural treasures, including its 11th-century Duomo and striking pink-marble Baptistery. You then continue to Modena, a compact and elegant city celebrated for its traditional balsamic vinegar, patiently aged in attic barrels, and for its vibrant food scene centred on the Mercato Albinelli. The journey culminates in Bologna, Italy’s great food capital, famed for mortadella, fresh egg pasta and its iconic Ragù alla Bolognese. Here, bustling markets, lively street food stalls and historic osterie sit amid a magnificent medieval centre of arcaded terracotta streets, accompanied by lofty towers.

Throughout the journey, we point you towards the best places to taste and buy local produce, the osterie and trattorie worth seeking out, and the regional dishes to look for on menus. You’ll also discover some of the finest street food along the way, from Parma’s irresistible carciofa pastries to Bologna’s much-loved piadina – a simple flatbread elevated to an art form.

In Copenhagen, dining is woven into daily life. Expect beautifully presented smørrebrød layered with pickled herring, shrimp or roast beef; flaky pastries fresh from the bakery; and an emphasis on hyper-seasonal, foraged ingredients that define modern New Nordic cuisine. From colourful food markets to Michelin-starred dining rooms, the city balances creativity with comforting simplicity - best enjoyed alongside a crisp Danish beer or a glass of natural wine.

Stockholm offers a delicious contrast of tradition and innovation. You might graze your way through Östermalm’s market hall, sampling Västerbotten cheese, reindeer charcuterie and gravadlax, before settling in for a refined tasting menu that celebrates forest, sea and archipelago. Cinnamon buns and cardamom-scented fika breaks are a daily ritual here, and the city’s waterfront setting ensures seafood - from buttery crayfish to Baltic herring - is always a highlight.

Arriving by overnight Baltic cruise, Helsinki greets you with bold flavours shaped by its position between east and west. Expect hearty rye breads, creamy salmon soup, Karelian pies with egg butter, and inventive plates showcasing wild berries, mushrooms and game. The atmosphere is relaxed yet design-led, with stylish bistros and waterfront restaurants championing sustainability and the purity of Finnish produce.

If you choose to extend to Gothenburg, Sweden’s seafood capital, the focus turns unmistakably to the ocean. Think just-landed langoustines, plump oysters from the Bohuslän coast and classic fish stews served in harbourfront eateries. It’s a city that celebrates uncomplicated, ingredient-led cooking — where the North Sea does most of the talking.

Across all four cities, you’ll find a shared devotion to seasonality, sustainability and craftsmanship — whether that’s artisan chocolate, small-batch aquavit, third-wave coffee or beautifully baked sourdough. Travelling by rail and sea only heightens the pleasure: arriving in the heart of each capital, ready to explore its markets, cafés and dining rooms at an unhurried, delicious pace.

Travelling by rail in Portugal allows you to experience the richness and variety that this country has to offer – where an exploration of the dishes and flavours in each region is a journey in of itself.

In Porto, a city built on trade, colourful riverside streets lead to historic Port wine lodges, where tastings reveal the craft behind Portugal’s most famous export.

Local specialities, including salted cod, can be enjoyed has managed to retain its authenticity. Immerse yourself in truly authentic Porto with its noisy, lively tascas (small café-bars), tiny, improvised street corner markets and flower-filled balconies – where delicious fresh seafood can be enjoyed with views along its now iconic riverfront.

From Porto, travel up the Douro Valley - following one of Europe’s most iconic rail journeys – to the heartland of this fabulous vineyard region where port wine is produced. An included tasting brings the region’s heritage to life and where either a stroll into Pinhão village to savour a long lunch or a boat trip upriver to view the picturesque vine terraces from the water only add to a truly memorable experience.

Journeying south, Coimbra offers a quieter charm, its ancient university presiding over soulful Fado and hearty central Portuguese dishes rooted in tradition. Venture downtown to explore the fresh produce on display at the local markets - where you will still see women carrying baskets on their heads – and stop at one the many coffeehouses and bakeries, where you can sample the city's famous desserts, including suspiros (meringues).

Ending in the nation’s capital, Lisbon, history meets bold flavour — where seafood is combined with rice and exotic spices that hint at the historic trading routes of old and Portugal’s maritime history. Take a trip to the Bairro Alto district – with its historic streets lined with traditional cafés and bars – or sample a Pastel de Belém – a national obsession – in the place where it all began.

A foodie rail holiday is a self-guided journey by train that combines scenic travel with exceptional regional cuisine. You explore at your own pace, guided by our route notes, which will lead you on expertly crafted self-guided tours, staying in specially selected hotels, with expert recommendations on where and what to eat in each destination.

Absolutely. We provide trusted recommendations for local restaurants, markets, wine bars and cafés - from hidden neighbourhood gems to celebrated regional institutions - so you can experience authentic cuisine at its best.

Absolutely. We provide trusted recommendations for local restaurants, markets, wine bars and cafés - from hidden neighbourhood gems to celebrated regional institutions - so you can experience authentic cuisine at its best.

On most rail-based city journeys, you carry your own luggage between stations and hotels. Distances are typically short, and hotels are well located. We provide clear travel instructions so transfers are straightforward and stress-free.

Yes. Your itinerary includes pre-arranged rail travel, with seat reservations where required, so you can simply arrive at the station and enjoy the journey.

We handpick characterful, well-located hotels that reflect the spirit of each destination - often family-run or boutique properties known for warm hospitality and, in many cases, excellent regional cuisine.