In the current computer-crazed world, most kids end up with a cell phone and/or an iPad before they have even hit their teens. While this can be great for the peace of mind of their parents, it can stop children from really seeing the world around them.
After all, kids love using technology and regularly have to be dragged away from their phones and tablets kicking and screaming, even if it’s just to eat a family meal together. This can pose a problem on holidays, in particular. If you’d like to see your child really taking in the sights on your next family vacation, perhaps consider booking in for a railway journey where you can all sit back together and spend time simply enjoying the view.
There is a vast array of breathtaking trips that can be taken on trains around the world, but yet don’t necessarily involve days and days spent stuck in a carriage. Whether you want to start off slowly with just a short, one-hour ride, or would like to select a journey that lasts a whole day at least, you’re sure to find something for your family to try across the globe.
Read on for four top railway journeys that will help your family to see some of the most picturesque places around the world in a more leisurely, and technology-free, way.
1. Talyllyn Railway in Wales
If your children grew up listening to the many tales of Thomas the Tank Engine, then they’ll love a trip on the Talyllyn Railway in Wales. The 14.5-mile round-trip train ride was what inspired the author of the books, Reverend Wilbert Awdry, to write the now-famous series that has encouraged children all around the world to read.
The Talyllyn Railway runs through the mid-Wales countryside from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol, at a leisurely pace of nine miles per hour or less. The Talyllyn locomotives and carriages date all the way back to 1865 and are now run by a group of dedicated volunteers.
2. Kuranda Scenic Railway in Australia
One of the “must-do” train trips in Australia for families has to be the Kuranda Scenic Railway in Queensland. The Railway is more than 100 years old and the historic train winds its ways from Cairns up to the quaint village of Kuranda, a small suburb situated around 15.5 miles northwest of the city. During this unique two-hour train trip (a perfect length of time for young kids with short attention spans), families can take in breathtaking views of ancient rainforests, waterfalls, and ravines as the journey takes passengers through hand-made tunnels and across towering bridges that have stood the test of time.
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