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Even before we engorge ourselves with a Thanksgiving feast and deal with the annual Black Friday frenzy, many travelers are already dreaming of sunny escapes.

Leaves are still falling and menus continue highlighting pumpkin spice concoctions, but winter adventures are right around the corner.

Some of us seek sun-kissed shores while others embrace the magic of winter by digging up snowboards and skis from storage ready to carve up the slopes.

If the latter is more your vibe, then you can’t miss Amtrak’s Winter Express train passing through the majestic Rockies, taking you to a top-rated ski resort as well as a Colorado hidden gem.

Better yet, fares are as low as $19 if you act fast. Plus, bringing your own skis and snowboard as a carry-on is absolutely free of charge!

Depart From Denver

Backdropped by the Rockies is Colorado’s largest city with riverside trails, vivid green parks, trendy restaurants, and a thriving craft beer scene, not just silver cans that light up blue.

Despite being a mountainous city dubbed ‘Mile High’, it’s actually quite pleasant in winter; not nearly as frigid as you might suspect.

As such, to take advantage of a quintessential ‘white Christmas’ and satisfy your winter wanderlust, you gotta go deep into the mountains.

And what better way than to only spend $19 for a domed-window seat to observe some of Colorado’s prettiest scenery as you glide through the snow-capped Rockies and blanketed valleys?

Whether passing through or a proud ‘Denverite’, hopping aboard the Winter Express is the best option for a ski trip to avoid the slick, winding mountain roads.

I mean, why deal with tire chains when you can let a conductor do all the work?

The train departs from Denver’s timeless Union Station. If you’ve never been, it’s worth visiting just to be in awe of this Beaux Arts masterpiece.

You can purchase tickets on Amtrak’s app or website, or in-person at the station.

Beginning December 20, 2024, the train departs Denver at 7am, arriving at skiing hotspot Winter Park Resort at 9:11am only on weekends.

Service will increase from January 9, 2025, through March 31, 2025 (excluding Tuesday and Wednesday).

Winter Park Resort: A Top-Rated Adventure

Winter Park Resort proudly boasts front and center they are the ‘Top Ski Resort in North America’.

This place is astounding and truly has it all. From lush forestry, gleaming snow-covered landscape, and never-ending things to do, such as Snowcat Tours and Glow Night Tubing, why would you go anywhere else?

The options are endless here, and it doesn’t matter your level of experience hitting the slopes. In fact, their experts will teach you on-site.

Stays range from cozy lodges to spacious townhomes, many of which are near the gondola for easy access to start your day off right with epic mountain views.

Visitors have their choice to purchase daily lift tickets or season passes, depending on how long you anticipate being here.

Try to book daily tickets at least 48 hours in advance to score big savings!

The train arrives from Denver at the WPR station, where you can choose to hop off for an unforgettable ski trip or continue onward to the route’s newest stop, Fraser.

Last Stop: Fraser, Colorado’s Authentic Mountain Town

Fraser is a lesser-known mountain town well under the radar for most travelers. Here, you can find a charming village not curated to tourists unlike the glitz, glamour, and chain-laden eyesores of Aspen, for example.

In Fraser, what you see is what you get, and you’ll like what you see. You can learn about the town’s history at the Cozens Ranch Museum and mingle with locals at their favorite hole-in-the-wall eateries like The Back Bowl, where brisket burritos are to die for.

Fraser is best served as a gateway for winter sports, however. Expect cheaper stays at mid-tier chains and even the MeadowRidge Resort – but just know the fun police run things around here, enforcing a strict ‘no alcohol’ policy.

Don’t fret though; you can enjoy some adult beverages on the train’s two-level Sightseer Lounge providing elevated views up top and snacks and drinks on the bottom.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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Last Updated 4 months ago

For better or worse, Paris is having quite a year. First, the French icon was dethroned by Istanbul as the most visited city in the world, and now they have fallen out of the top 3 entirely.

Followed by the looming Olympics as the City of Light lays down their welcome mats to the world playing host to this magnificent global event Jul 26, 2024 – Aug 11, 2024.

However, early reports are showing mixed reviews of Paris during this period.

Air France, expecting a gargantuan loss of $193 million, was quoted as saying, “International markets show a significant avoidance of Paris.”.

Taking a page out of Southwest Airline’s playbook, tourists are saying they ‘wanna get away’…or stay away for that matter.

Good news is you can, and very cheap at that. One of the main concerns tourists have visiting Paris during the Olympics is the all but guaranteed surge in pricing.

Fortunately, that doesn’t impact trains outta town, but there’s also great deals extending through fall.

Travel to these 4 underrated destinations from Paris under $30 by train:

Ditch France Entirely! Take A Short Ride To Luxembourg ($27)

Luxembourg is undeniably one of the most expensive destinations in all of Europe and also insanely beautiful.

Don’t let your travel budget deter you from visiting one of Europe’s best-kept secrets, however.

Although pricey for hotels and dining, Luxembourg is worth a splurge for a day-trip or weekend getaway and it’s more than meets the eye with small towns like Echternach, known as “Little Switzerland”.

Everybody likes free stuff, and when it comes to traveling, we all appreciate freebies even more.

Luxembourg offers free transit throughout their small nation and you don’t even need a ticket! Just hop on!

In this case, you would be arriving by train via SNCF Connect, so all you have to purchase is your ticket from Paris (Gare de l’Est) into Luxembourg, totaling 2 hours, 43 minutes after a brief stop in Metz.

Those looking to escape the crowds watching Lebron James light up the scoreboard will have to fork over anywhere from $50 – $100 during the Olympics, but can score $27 tickets various dates Sep – Oct.

Au Revoir, Nice! Hit Up The Northern Coastal Town Of Le Havre ($23)

Paris, Lyon, Nice, Cannes…none of these household names are Le Havre. You may have never heard of it and that’s okay.

The road less traveled, or in this case, the rail, is one of the best ways to explore the world.

Those looking to check out more of France and want to stay close to Paris should check out Le Havre, which is just a 2-hour and 18-minute nonstop journey.

According to Rail Europe, tickets are $27 during the Olympics and $23 in October – the perfect escape for a day trip away from crowds, especially since trains run throughout the day.

Visitors may find Le Havre is a bit quirky, but aren’t we all?

This artsy port city, blending modern architecture and well-preserved structures surviving World War II bombings, has earned itself UNESCO recognition.

Easy to explore with the city’s grid-like layout, Le Havre is full of surprises, from savory beachside seafood restaurants to eye-popping art installations.

If there’s one thing not to miss out on it’s the remarkable Saint Joseph’s Church, a feast for the eyes.

Toast To New Adventures: Visit France’s Champagne Capital ($14)

Reims is a city steeped in history, but its claim to fame is being France’s champagne capital.

We’ll toast to that!

Boasting phenomenal attractions ranging from historic to indulgent, you can visit such sites as the Gothic-style Reims Cathedral to the beautiful Abbey of Saint-Remi, both protected by UNESCO.

Of course, you can’t visit the ‘champagne capital’ without sipping some bubbly.

Feel free to pop bottles at Reims’ renowned Champagne Houses for tours and tasting.

A few of the top-rated are:

• Mumm
• Veuve Clicquot,
• Taittinger 

You can reach Reims easily from Paris (Gare de l’Est) as low as $14 during the Olympics on SNCF Connect. Oddly enough prices go up to $19 in fall.

The route takes 2 hours 11 minutes for these fares, but an express route via TGV Inoui will get you there in just 46 minutes for $26.

A Grand Tour Through Tours ($11)

Tours, France is a hidden gem in the Loire Valley and just a stone’s throw from Paris in terms of train travel.

The city is quaint, easily navigable, and underappreciated for authentic French cuisine, but the real draws are the world-class chateaux and wineries outside the city limits.

Explore more of Loire Valley and visit stunning castles like Chambord, Chenonceau, Villandry, and Amboise, each with its own unique style and backstory.

But first, you have to get to Tours. Doing so is easy aboard the direct SNCF Connect route from Paris Montparnasse station, reaching Tours in as little as 51 minutes.

Tickets are as low as $17 July 29th during the Olympics and as low as $11 September – November.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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History is still being made in a pair of timeless U.K. cities. As you know, getting from A to B in Europe is a lot different than the States.

Rather than be shuffled through security like nameless cattle and scrolling TikTok for hours waiting for a flight to board, you gotta hand it to Europe for their impressive rail system end to end.

I just took a high-speed train from Paris to Marseille and it couldn’t have been more flawless, and while the latest exciting train announcement won’t zoom through the French countryside, it will connect 2 must-see destinations for your next U.K. adventures.

CrossCountry’s new direct service will benefit travelers looking to explore more of the U.K. beyond the bright lights of London with at least one familiar name and another up-and-coming capital city.

History in The Making: First Direct Route Connecting Cardiff & Edinburgh

CrossCountry is excited to announce their first-of-its-kind route connecting Cardiff and Edinburgh.

As the U.K. has spiked in popularity, travelers will soon have an easier way to reach Scotland’s Gothic icon of Edinburgh and Wales’ trendy capital with plentiful hidden gems in between.

Set to launch December 15th, just in time to make use of your holiday vacation days or start 2025 off right, you can seek new thrills in the U.K. from either Edinburgh or Cardiff as the train will travel both ways every weekday.

Expected to total roughly 6 hours in length, there are 20 stops in between along the 455-mile journey.

Choose to hop off to explore a treasure trove of lesser-known gems, such as Gloucester or Sheffield or enjoy the full journey on CrossCountry’s Voyager trains.

Keep in mind, the route does split at Birmingham and Gloucester, so keep an open ear for announcements to make sure you’re heading the right direction!

Otherwise, you may end up on the English seaside in Plymouth or Penzance wishing you packed swimwear.

Why Visit Cardiff?

Cardiff is an up-and-coming destination, backed by Conde Nast’s article crowning this lesser-known capital as the U.K.’s ‘Best City‘ in 2023.

As we turn the page to 2025, the hype has only grown stronger for Cardiff, and now travelers have a more convenient way to discover all the delights of this city.

Equal parts timeless and modern, there’s no shortage of places to immerse yourself in Cardiff’s past timeline or enjoy there here-and-now with trendy neighborhoods lined with buzzing bars.

Hit up the unmissable medieval Cardiff Castle for a grand tour (only $5!) or visit the revamped Cardiff Market oozing Victorian vibes, where local vendors sell local goodies like Welsch cakes.

While British food may get a bad wrap from time to time, cuisine here goes way beyond endless tea and bland crumpets.

Skipping anywhere in the U.K. without grabbing a pint is a hard pass. Here, one of your best bets is The Duke of Wellington, a real traditional pub dating back to the 1880’s and still whipping up savory pub grub and pouring the best cold ones.

And don’t skip out on classic Fish & Chips on Caroline Street (known as ‘Chip Alley’ for a reason!).

Why Visit Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has a lot going for it, especially for Americans. As the only U.K. destination exceeding pr-Covid tourism numbers, there’s no reason to think the city will backtrack any time sooner.

With the soon-to-launch train and current nonstop flights from the U.S., Edinburgh makes for a great alternative to London’s chaos as a shrunken-down urban jungle with great attractions.

Perusing Old Town is an absolute must and will have you feeling like you’ve stumbled into a storybook no matter the season.

Home to towering grandeur castles like the rightfully named Edinburgh Castle, among others in and around the city, Edinburgh certainly holds its own against any other European icon in terms of architecture and history.

The only problem you may have visiting here is questioning if you want to continue on to Cardiff!
There’s no doubt Edinburgh is an easier starting point since there’s direct flights here.

No matter where you depart, you can book your journey now on CrossCountry’s website.

But keep in mind the U.K. will begin requiring a permit for American travelers January 8, 2025.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.