A picturesque train route that passes through snowy mountains is named Europe's most scenic journey

Speaking exclusively to GB News, founder and director of Viva Holidays, Shubhang Gupta, discussed the growing popularity of holidaying by rail.

He explained: “We have seen a 67.5 per cent increase in rail bookings in the last 10 months. We think travellers are increasingly looking for more relaxing and meaningful ways to explore, and train journeys offer a different experience to flying."

If you are planning this type of getaway, the Bernina Express is one of the most famous routes - and for good reason.

Gupta explained: "This spectacular four-hour trip crosses the Alps on a UNESCO World Heritage line, moving from glaciers to Italian valleys. It’s the kind of journey that shows how travel by train can be as rewarding as the destination itself.

"What makes the Bernina Express special is seeing the different landscapes through such large panoramic windows in a relatively short journey.

"You get to experience going from the north of Europe through to the south, meaning you pass the Swiss Alps and glaciers, and then descend into warmer, more colourful Italian towns.

"The turns, steep gradients and multiple tunnels almost make it feel like a rollercoaster ride; it’s been named as a masterpiece of railway engineering for a reason."

The route runs from Chur or St. Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy, and takes around four hours in total.

During this time, tourists can take in picture-perfect Alpine scenery while being transported between two great parts of the country worth spending time in. In the colder months, snow on the Alps turns the route into a winter wonderland.

Gupta added: "You get scenic views of different landscapes whilst travelling through, and going by train can often feel less hassle as you don’t have to remove your liquids, turn up two hours early, or have a certain luggage allowance.

"By train, you can also still feel connected to the world, as you can still use laptops and phones with fewer restrictions.

"Rail travel is also more sustainable and seen as more relaxing, as you can easily get up and walk about, you get more legroom and don’t have to deal with any unexpected turbulence."

Closer to home, the travel expert suggested the West Highland Line, which runs from Glasgow to Oban or Mallaig. The breathtaking British journey showcases magical landscapes and dramatic coastlines.