There are two types of train trip: The long, slow, and often luxurious train journey that takes you through beautiful scenery that you book specifically to spend time on the rails; and the speedy, no-nonsense, cheap train ride you take to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. In the first category, you’ll find grand trips like Australia’s The Ghan, South Africa’s Blue Train, and Britain’s Caledonian Sleeper. In the second, there are trips from London to Brussels in just two hours, from Rome to Venice in four hours, and from Miami to Orlando in three hours. And if you’re a train traveler who belongs to the second category and likes getting places fast without flying, there are plenty of trains in this world that do just that at speeds previously unimaginable on land, including the fastest train in the world and its closest competitors.
I'm American and traveled to Europe for a month. I love how I can take my kids out for dinner late and no one bats an eye.
21.09.2024 - 09:31 / insider.com / Gustav Klimt
As a citizen of three countries , the United States, Poland, and Portugal, I am acutely aware of cultural differences. These differences extend to different attitudes towards raising children.
My children and I live in the United States but have visited Europe several times. This summer, we spent a month in Europe. I have long been aware of the many benefits available to most European families, such as paid paternal leave, subsidized childcare, guaranteed healthcare, and a different approach to education .
My time in Europe, although limited, has made me realize how many small differences there are that make life easier for families as well.
In the United States, I often feel like my children need to act like little adults. If I don't feel like my kids are up to being on the best behavior, I need to seek out kid-friendly activities that center around them. If I bring them along anyway, a lot of the joy is gone for me. I am constantly worried about how my children will be perceived just for behaving the way children typically do. When this happens too frequently, we all miss out.
However, in Europe, I find that children are welcomed into adult spaces. They are more fully integrated into daily life. That makes things easier, and more enriching, for everyone.
In the United States, visiting a museum, aquarium or zoo can easily cost more than $100. This is cost-prohibitive for many families. As a result, many children miss out on enriching and educational experiences. In Europe, children often receive free admission to museums or have to pay a nominal fee equivalent to a few dollars.
While visiting an educational attraction in the United States is often a special event families need to budget for, in Europe children are welcomed into many similar places with open arms. In practice, this means my kids may miss out on pricey experiences at home, no matter how enriching they may be.
In Europe, I was able to take my children to several museums to see a few highlights before leaving without feeling guilty that I had dropped a bunch of money for an hour or two. For example, in Vienna, Austria I was thrilled that my family could visit Belvedere Palace without paying for my kids. There, we saw Gustav Klimt's sparkling painting "The Kiss" and explored the gardens before moving on to our next stop.
Even more than saving money, the fact that children are allowed in free of charge signals to families that their kids are welcome, even in formal spaces, and that society recognizes the value of creating well-rounded children.
I love traveling by train and getting around without a car whenever possible. However, in the United States, it's often cost-prohibitive to do so.
The last time I looked into
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