Shingle or sand? Picasso or street art? Town wall or museum? It’s up to you!

In Antibes you will find a Mediaeval old town and the beach resort of Juan-les-Pins. With 25 kilometres of coastline, the choice of bays and beaches is endless: Shingle or sand, private or public, wild or carefully-tended, sunny or shady; enjoy the beach the way you like it! Many artists have lived in Antibes, among them Pablo Picasso. Before he moved away, he gave the town 23 paintings and 44 drawings. Today, these are in the Museum Picasso in Château Grimaldi. Or is urban art more your kind of thing? Then start exploring the town and discover the artwork created for the ‘Coul’heures d’Automne’ Festival.

Marseille offers all sorts of activities and sights for visitors. Whether you are looking for vintage clothes or the famous Savon de Marseille – the second-largest city in France has just the right shop for everyone. Gourmets will find plenty to savour in the numerous eateries, perhaps a traditional bouillabaisse or a pastis – or maybe something else. For those looking for bars, it is worth making a detour into the ‘Le Panier’ quarter. Those who would prefer to explore nature should visit the Calanques National Park. Marseille doesn’t dazzle visitors with its beautiful old harbour – with their crystal-clear waters, the idyllic calanques around Marseille invite visitors to swim and while away an afternoon. Picturesque coastal walking routes lead to equally picturesque bays. If green is your thing, then you might prefer to enjoy the Mediterranean sun in one of the green city parks, such as Park Longchamp. Interested in culture? Marseille has something for you too: Have a look around ‘Le Panier’. The oldest quarter in Marseilles is famous for its narrow alleys, colourful buildings and arty shops. Le Panier is full of history and is home to the Vieille Charité, a former poorhouse which now houses museums and exhibitions.

You can find more ideas for a trip to Marseille in the SBB News article ‘Insider tips Marseille: the big guide’.

In the summer, engineering works end up being carried out in various locations on the national and international rail network. In Switzerland, for example, the Bern–Fribourg route will be closed from 27 June to 25 August 2025. There will be rail replacement buses in operation. On the Basel–Biel route, buses will also be in operation between Aesch and Laufen until the end of September 2025. Please check the SBB online timetable before starting your journey.

By bicycle, by foot or on horseback: There are many ways to get around in the Hanseatic city of Rostock and the surrounding area. The legendary number seven guides you on your tour of the city: seven towers, seven city gates, seven churches and so on. You can find out for yourself how much of the old story still holds true. Nevertheless, here’s a bit of advice: you will find a fantastic panorama at the top of the Petrikirche.

Lovers of the sea will find happiness in the seaside resort of Warnemünde, a district of Rostock. You can get there from Rostock Main Station by train in about twenty minutes. Walking on the shores of the Baltic, buying fresh fish and reading a book on the beach in a traditional ‘Strandkorb’: What more do you need for a perfect day out? Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the heath and woodland of Rostocker Heide. Here you will find a wonderful network of paths to explore on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. Rendezvous in Diedrichshagen, Markgrafenheide, Stolper Ort, Dierhagen or Graal-Müritz for a ride on the sandy beach. If you are interested in marine mammals, visit the Marine Science Center, a research centre associated with the University of Rostock. Here you can even dive with seals – an experience which is bound to be a holiday highlight.

And if it’s rainy, go aboard the ‘Dresden’, Germany’s largest floating museum. This is a place where you can experience the world of seafaring and boat building.

So, you can see: It’s worth having a look at the offers and prices, because rail really is the best means of transport if you want to experience Europe for less – especially if you aren’t too keen on spending half your time waiting at the airport.

And some more advice: travel during the week and book your seats well on time, especially during holiday periods. You will find the full range of travel possibilities in the online timetable. Of course, you can bring your flippers and snorkel along for free!

Even the Chinese philosopher, Confucius, who is known to have never flown knew it: ‘The journey is the destination.’ This is also the motto of all rail passengers who prefer to watch the sea and the landscape rushing past through the generously-sized windows of a train than through a tiny window in the cabin of an aeroplane.

For the older ones among us, ‘Interrail’ conjures up nostalgia for week-long journeys aboard European trains. It seemed like it was all over, thoroughly squeezed out by low-cost air travel. But in the year 2022, Interrail celebrated its 50th anniversary, and over this period it has continued to develop. Nowadays there is Junior Interrail, Senior Interrail, and Interrail for all those who are neither junior nor senior. This gives all passengers a train ticket which they can customise to their needs. Not just how long it should be valid for, but also whether it should be valid for the whole of Europe or just for a specific country. An example: a month travelling around the whole of Italy – Venice, Rome, Florence, Naples, Syracuse and onward. The five days of rail travel can be used whenever you like and cost CHF 223 (2nd class) and CHF 283 (1st class). Reservations for high-speed trains cost a few additional francs.

And the prices really are low. A couple of examples for young people below the age of 27: The travelcard which gives you unlimited travel throughout Europe for a whole month costs CHF 496. Other options which are even cheaper are also available: for example, seven days in one month for CHF 272.