Model Train Travel

09/07/2022

Your thoughts??
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/europe-high-speed-rail-network/index.html

Ambitious plans envisage train links between major cities as a way to meet goals of carbon neutrality, but campaigners say cooperation across borders, not to mention raising the enormous investment needed, will be tricky.

13/02/2021

https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2013-02-01/most-beautiful-train-stations-photos?utm_campaign=falcon&utm_social-type=owned&utm_brand=cnt&utm_source=facebook&mbid=social_facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR1vpN-yaKkceRzQuI7YnHMIU02vDqSZ7NiSPY3gkc1yeKWQG3JTDBEqyk8

These terminals are worth a visit, even if you aren't catching a train.

16/12/2020

...always good advice, not just during Covid!

Medical experts share how to disinfect your hotel room during the COVID-19 pandemic.

27/11/2020

...one of the beautiful places we miss this year - not being able to do our Xmas Market Tour 2020; looking forward to 2021:)

Hallo Bayern 💙 wir wünschen euch einen schönen Mittwoch Abend.

Grüße aus der Nachtstadtmauer und Gerlachschmiede in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

25/11/2020

Could "immunity passports" become the "new normal" to get travel started faster?

The IATA believes the pass scheme would not only support the safe reopening of borders but also get people travelling safely again.

15/09/2020

With no Oktoberfest 2020, there is obviously no Modeltrain Travel Oktoberfest Tour!!
BUT: Dust off that dirndl and rinse out those steins. It’s time to usher in autumn, Bavarian style.
With block parties canceled and biergartens (mostly) empty, (there is a secret tip in the SFO Bay area though), Oktoberfest will certainly look different this year. Instead you may indulge your family in a yodeling competition or a little backyard stump hammering, better known as hammerschlagen, to celebrate the 16-day festival. Fingerhakeln (finger wrestling), anyone?
What doesn’t have to change this year is the food! You can order takeout from your favorite German restaurant, or better yet, don your lederhosen while whipping up traditional foods at home, including zingy sauerkraut, latke-like potato pancakes...
You can even watch Certified Master Baker Jeffrey Hamelman create pretzels from start to finish on episode 12 of "King Arthur’s Isolation Baking Show".

And - don't forget the beeeer. PROST!

08/08/2020

Missing our tours - before Covid:

https://www.facebook.com/TheLocalGermany/videos/977418079358619/

07/08/2020

The U.S. State Department has lifted the global travel ban put in place more than four months ago in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
There are currently 21 countries with
Level 4: Do Not Travel Advisory, issued Aug. 6, and dozens more under the
Level 3: Reconsider Travel warning.
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, including Fiji, French Polynesia, New Zealand, and Thailand (7 countries total)

Travelers going to Europe are advised to check the relevant U.S. embassies or consulates for information, as the EU has extended its travel ban on Americans for another 2 weeks.

Travelers are urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) program to receive alerts in case of an emergency.

01/06/2020

Those of you who have already traveled with us throughout Germany and beyond, will appreciate this special concert even more; for all others, be amazed = Powerful imagery and lyrics recorded at the empty Cologne Cathedral (largest Gothic church in Europe) on Easter - during Covid-19 lockdown:
https://youtu.be/bE4ffifDTRw

About the concert: Easter, April 2020. The world came to an eerie halt. Many countries are in a lockdown. Shops and schools are closed. Michael Patrick Kelly...

24/05/2020

Right now - if it wasn't for a certain tiny hiccup - we would be "flying" through Germany on one of their famous ICE trains at speeds of around 200 miles/hr...
https://www.facebook.com/ModelTrainTravel/videos/485203834959922/

10/05/2020

Please help the wonderful MINIATUR WUNDERLAND!
https://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/
The German Tourism Board hosts the voting of the most popular attraction in Germany.
Especially in these difficult (closed) times, they would be incredibly happy if they could become 1st place again - with the help of every model train enthusiast.
Please vote here: https://bit.ly/2xPmnmJ

Tourism in Germany – travel, breaks, holidays

06/05/2020

It's truly sad - how one tiny thing can turn the world upside down:(

We would now be on our 1st model train tour of 2020, and today would have spent the day at Miniatur Wunderland - the largest model railway attraction of its kind in the world!
They also used the "down time" to sort their warehouses and added all car models, planes, construction kits and shop overstocks etc. which they no longer need to their online shop.
There would have been some bargains to be had!!
Since we can't fly there, and they are also temporarily closed to the public, let us present a video of this fantastic jewel instead:
https://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/exchange/about/image-film-wunderland/

04/05/2020

Any previous travelers on our tour surely remember COLOGNE CATHEDRAL, the largest German church, and the largest Gothic church in Europe with typically 20,000 daily visitors.

It held its first ceremony today - past Covid-19 restrictions - but with a few caveats going forward for the time being (see video below):
- limited to just 122 people
- registering via a website to get a non-transferable ticket
- masks are recommended
- only one person each allowed to sit on the far sides of a bench
- congregation singing not allowed
- to receive communion, floor markings have been laid out for distancing, and the priest remains behind a plastic "curtain"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvlW5-oK7Ig

CORONAVIRUS The Cologne Cathedral held its first public service since the coronavirus lockdown began in the German city, Sunday, May 3, with limited attendan...

29/04/2020

Braaavo! Fantastic company, owners and the world's largest layout - well worth watching at least the first 20 minutes, titled "Wunderland during the crisis" (yes, it's in German, but all subtitles in English)...we always go there on all our tours, and after THIS we would go there twice in one tour if we could!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUmqiCqh8X4

Frederik & Gerrit reden über die aktuellen Situation des Wunderlandes, aber auch über Firmen denen Dividenden wichtiger als Mitarbeiter sind, über Fake News ...

28/04/2020

Today we look at "Maultaschen" (psst = it's Mine's favorite dish):
Discover Germany from home and test your food knowledge here together with us -
There are a few myths about the creation of the recipe for the Maultasche, a Swabian, meat-filled dumpling, around 1790. Legend says the dish was created by nuns and monks in the beautiful monastery of Maulbronn (hence the name Maultasche):
1) to give Italian immigrants some comfort food as it resembles a Ravioli
2) to hide their consumption of meat from God during the period of lent
3) to mourn the death of Mozart in 1791

24/04/2020

...that's just one of many different brews all over Germany = 7,000 to be exact - it will take a long vacation or just simply moving there to try them all!

Ich würd sagen, da stoßen wir drauf an 🍻

22/04/2020

Since there is a little hickup which prevents us from traveling on big trains and visiting little trains - and ultimately getting to know Germany and Switzerland by trains, food, sights, please enjoy this virtual train ride for now - until we can travel together again:)
https://youtu.be/Mw9qiV7XlFs

In this video, we look at one of Switzerland's most beautiful and unique railways, the Unesco heritage listed Berninabahn. The Bernina railway sets a few rec...

07/04/2020

Due to the unfortunate 2020 state of the world, MINIATUR WUNDERLAND - the world's largest model train layout - was nice enough to provide videos of their fantastic setup (tune in for new ones regularly:) while they're - of course - closed.

16/01/2020

It's ok to drool over this video, and then join our tours for a first hand experience:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNXRUTuzaWE&feature=youtu.be

What sausages should I eat in Germany? Well here we tell you all you need to know. From the famous Thueringer Bratwurst to White Sausages and More. All the b...

24/06/2019

Model Train Travel

Our 2020 dates have been published.
If you can't wait and are ready to take off, we have one last 2019 EUROPE tour, and our very first JAPAN tour on the books - and there are some available seats on both. Grab' them before they're gone!
http://www.modeltraintravel.com/tour-dates-and-flights.html

Welcome and Thank You!

09/04/2019

Japanese train station exists purely so passengers can admire the view

Should we go by here on our new JAPAN tour??

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-6902069/Train-station-Seiryu-Miharashi-Japan-exists-purely-passengers-admire-view.html

Located on the Nishikigawa Seiryu line in the south of the country, the station is called Seiryu-Miharashi, which translates to 'clear stream viewing platform station'.

09/12/2018

December 7 to 9 - Day 8/9 of our "Xmas Markets/Train/Model Train Tour" 2018: NUREMBERG
Here we are at the world-famous, original Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt! The opening ceremony has remained the same since the original written prologue was held at Nuremberg's 1st Christkindlesmarket 1948 after World War II.
1000's eagerly wait on the Main Market Square when the Nuremberg Christkind opens the Christkindlesmarkt right before the 1st Friday in Advent.

09/12/2018

06/12/2018

December 5 to 7 - Day 6/7 of our "Xmas Markets/Train/Model Train Tour" 2018: PRAGUE
Christmas markets (Vanocni trhy) are a key ingredient of the festive magic in the Czech Republic. The main markets are at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. There are also smaller markets held at Republic Square, Havel's Market, on Kampa Island, and on the square in front of St. George's Basilica at Prague Castle.

06/12/2018

Munich Airport's Christmas Market Has Two Rinks and Almost 500 Real Trees

If you weren't able to make it to our REAL Christmas Tour - taking place right now - enjoy this one: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/munich-airport-has-a-christmas-market-with-two-ice-rinks-and-450-real-trees?mbid=nl_120518b_Daily&CNDID=18746774&weekend_photo=0&utm_source=nl&utm_medium=email&utm_brand=cnt&utm_mailing=tvl_traveler_news_newdb_ACTIVE_2018_1205%20(1)%20remainder&bxid=MTMzNDc5Njk1MjkzS0&hasha=974f96d99d5aab1d51444ba83460614b&hashb=ba452777e822ec7c802f28df6216513197a0a6fa&spMailingID=14741632&spUserID=MTMzNDc5Njk1MjkzS0&spJobID=1540426210&spReportId=MTU0MDQyNjIxMAS2

Why not strap on some ice skates and sip some glühwein on your next layover?

30/09/2018

584. Dresdner Striezelmarkt vom 28. November bis 24. Dezember 2018

December 4 - Day 5 of our "Xmas Markets/Train/Model Train Tour" 2018: DRESDEN
Welcome to one of the oldest and largest Christmas markets in Germany - and sometimes proclaimed as the nicest XMAS market in the world - the Dresdner "Striezelmarkt", named after the original Dresden Christmas stollen (MUST TRY!), the Striezel. Of course, there are another 10 markets in this city but we'll stick to the original, first opened in 1434.https://www.dresden.de/media/pdf/wirtschaft/striezelmarkt/Striezelmarkt_2017_EN_barr.pdf
The market is ceremoniously opened with the turning on of the world’s largest Christmas pyramid, standing at 46ft, and the cutting of the stollen.
These highlights are all waiting for you to explore: the Pflaumentoffelhaus, the Knusperhaus, the fairytale house, the Christmas bakery, the elf cinema, and the crowning of the Gingerbread Princess.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i8s9YCYueM

Ein Abend auf dem Striezelmarkt ...

30/09/2018

Xmas Markets Tour and Trains

No reason to miss out!! There is still some space left to join our XMAS Market/Model Train our 2018:)
http://www.modeltraintravel.com/xmas-markets-tour-and-trains.html
Yes, it soon will be German Christmas Market time again! On this very special tour, we have selected about 10 of the most beautiful markets for you to experience. Not an easy decision with more than 2,500 Christmas markets across the country, but be assured that all of them will have beautifully decorated stalls, offer handicrafts and gifts, festive baked treats, glühwein, and delicious regional specialties.
Check out our daily introduction here on Facebook to a few of those wonderful markets to get you excited:)

26/09/2018

December 2/3 - Day 3+4 of our "Xmas Markets/Train/Modeltrain Tour" 2018: BERLIN
http://www.modeltraintravel.com/xmas-markets-tour-and-trains.html
Unbelievable, but true: 60 traditional Christmas markets as well as winter entertainment await you in Berlin - each with its own special flair: a Culture Christmas market in Wilmersdorfer Straße and Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche, Sternenzauber in the Sony Center, Berliner Weihnachtszeit in front of the Rother Rathaus and Großer Berliner Christmas market from Alexanderstraße to Alexanderplatz, “Winterwelt auf dem Potsdamer Platz” with a toboggan run, winter entertainment on the ice rink on Alexanderplatz and much more...

24/09/2018

December 1 - Day 2 of our "Xmas Markets/Train/Modeltrain Tour" 2018: HAMBURG
http://www.modeltraintravel.com/xmas-markets-tour-and-trains.html
On the most beautiful square, Rathausmarkt, before the historic town hall stand the sugar bakers’, toy makers’ and craftsmen’s stalls, lovingly made by Zirkus Roncalli. Hamburg’s Weihnachstmarkt, situated in the Mönckebergstraße, splendid and expansive with 150 stalls, is also a magnet for visitors to the city.