It has been a remarkable few years of changes in the travel landscape. We saw a dramatic surge in travel demand after the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, and there appears to be no letup in sight.
30.11.2024 - 03:03 / euronews.com
The world’s longest tram has made its debut on a line connecting three cities in the southwest of Germany.
Running along the lines of the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region which includes Manheim, Ludwigshafen and Heidelberg, the giant tram measures exactly 58.61 metres from end to end - a world record.
It carries 368 passengers, has air conditioning and can travel at a speed of 80km/h.
Serving essentially as metropolitan trains, these record breaking trams will travel along both urban and inter-city routes. A modular design means it can be split up into sections for maintenance or the creation of different length trams.
The tram, which was delivered to Mannheim in September, was manufactured by Czechia's Škoda Group. It is part of a more than €260 million package of trams ordered by the transport operator which is due to be fully delivered by the end of 2026.
The Rhine Necktar Region (RNV) network is no stranger to setting records for the length of its trams. Back in the 1960s, its 38.55-metre vehicle was also the longest tram in the world at the time.
Previously the record was held by a nine section, 55.9 metres long tram in Budapest which has run through the city since 2016.
These extra long trams are dwarfed by record-length trains.
In 2022, a Swiss railway company set a record for the world’s longest passenger train which was made up of 100 coaches and 25 engines for a length of 1,910 metres. Altogether the train weighed nearly 3,000 tonnes.
As if this was not impressive enough, it navigated up some 789 metres in altitude from Preda via Bergün to Alvaneu. Onboard are 4,550 seats but - unlike the speed trams - it could only travel at around 30 to 35 km/h.
The entire 61-kilometre journey along the UNESCO World Heritage Albula Line took around 46 minutes, travelling along historic viaducts and up spiralling rails. The train was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for its incredible length.
Rhaetian Railway ran the world record-breaking train in honour of Swiss Railways 175th anniversary in 2022.
It has been a remarkable few years of changes in the travel landscape. We saw a dramatic surge in travel demand after the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, and there appears to be no letup in sight.
Nude beaches, or “clothing-optional beaches” as they are fondly called, are shores where the choice to bare it all lies entirely with you—nudity is welcome but never a requirement. Naturist beaches aren’t just about getting rid of tan lines, they are about liberation. Not every sandy shore that invites naturists is “officially” designated as such. In most cases, an official nude beach is one where local governments have legalized public nudity within a specific zone such as in Spain with nudist friendly beaches on the island of Formentera, and in Germany with naturist spots like the English Garden in Munich. Unofficial nude beaches, on the other hand, are typically known through word of mouth or naturist forums. The stories of these beaches trace back to the naturist movements in the early 20th-century. A movement about health, physical fitness, and social equality. The first nudist club in the United States was established in New York City in 1929, and the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) was established in 1931. The naturist movement quickly spread to other parts of Europe, with the establishment of nudist clubs and resorts throughout the continent. Campsite Koversada, Europe’s first naturist campsite, opened in 1961. Nearly four decades earlier, Britain’s first nudist colony, Sunbeam—fondly called “The Camp”—was established in 1924 by the Moonella Group. In France, the Fédération Française de Naturisme (FFN) was established in 1950, which promoted naturism as a legitimate lifestyle choice. Today, these sand stretches tell tales as diverse as the landscapes they occupy
You don't have to take a transatlantic flight to feel like you're in Europe this holiday season.
During a six-month trip around Europe, I embraced the "slow travel" mindset, which encourages travelers to spend quality time in each destination they visit. This was important to me because I really wanted to get to know the places I was staying in.
In Vienna, Christmas markets go hand-in-hand with the winter season. The Austrian capital sees its many public spaces play host to stalls and vendors peddling all manner of warm treats and artisanal crafts that are sure to get anyone—whether local or traveler—into the holiday spirit. Though there are many iconic Christmas markets in Europe—ranging from nearby Germany all the way over to the United Kingdom—Vienna’s Christmas markets are special for their venues, set against the kinds of glittering imperial palaces and grand squares that you’ll only find in Austria. The market season in Vienna is also relatively long, with some running from early November all the way to January, making the city—one of our Best Places to Go in Europe for 2025—a magnificent Christmas destination.
Arthur Frommer poses at a travel event. (Photo Credit: Flickr/PilotGirl)
Dec 3, 2024 • 6 min read
Southwest Airlines will start landing procedures at a higher altitude, requiring travelers to fasten their seatbelts and put away laptops and tray tables earlier in the flight.
In the 1980s, when I planned my first trip to Europe, I can’t remember which Frommer’s travel guidebook I brought along. It might have been “Europe on $25 a Day” or “Europe on $40 a Day.” Either way, I had Arthur Frommer by my side.
At the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard on the west coast of France, MSC World America is the latest mega cruise ship to near completion. Scheduled to cross the Atlantic in March, the vessel will be based in Miami, where it will offer Caribbean itineraries and take on the likes of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas and Carnival’s Celebration.
One of the biggest worries when flying is that your luggage will get lost. Arming your suitcase with an AirTag has become quite popular, and Apple has now teamed up with over fifteen airlines to make it even easier to track down your checked baggage.
Nov 26, 2024 • 6 min read