The 10 most scenic European rail journeys to take now we have left the EU

Sample a wealth of great experiences while enjoying the most civilised form of transport. Simon Calder is your guide

The line from Villefranche in the south of France goes into the Pyrenees (iStock)

Europe has the world’s finest rail network. Inter-city services provide fast and frequent connectivity across the continent. High-speed links cross international frontiers to connect France with Spain and Germany. Rail passengers in eastern Europe are seeing rapid improvements. And even in Greece, which for a time seemed to be the land that railways forgot, a new high-speed line connects Athens with Thessaloniki.

Yet besides these modern iron superhighways, there are thousands of less celebrated tracks which offer a wealth of great experiences while enjoying the most civilised form of transport.