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Editor's Note: Jump Onboard
Where I grew up in the Rocky Mountains, we don’t travel
by train very often. Sure, the railroads once helped to build America,
bringing thousands of immigrants westward. But sadly, over the
years, trains have been replaced by airplanes and automobiles.
Though Amtrak, our national rail line, has tiny veins throughout the
nation, most long-distance trains in America are relegated to moving
cargo.
But that’s not the case in other countries. Train
travel is alive and well in nations around the world. And often,
traveling by rail offers a unique experience that is sometimes as
rewarding as the destination itself. Whether they’re luxury
high-speed railways or multi-use cargo cars, trains open up a window
into the local culture. The seats are filled with daily commuters,
schoolchildren and other people living out their normal lives. Where
else can you view such an honest, up-close picture of the culture
you’re visiting?
This month, Go World Travel celebrates
train travel. Sticking to a budget, Catherine Skrzypinski
takes the night train from Beijing, while Molly Beer climbs aboard
the roof of a train in Ecuador as it winds through the Andes. Jim
Soliski learns first-hand that train travel has its own rules,
and Amanda Kendle meets some interesting folks on the Trans-Siberian
line.
For travelers in search of adrenalin, Linda Gettman
dives into shark-infested waters in the Bahamas, and Bob Ecker runs
with the bulls in Pamplona this month.
Not all travel is about the fast life, however.
Terri Gonzalez drives through the Alaskan wilderness, spotting moose
and hooking “a big one” along the way.
We cover more than 15 destinations around the globe
in this issue of Go World Travel. We hope you enjoy the
journey!
Happy Travels,
Janna Graber
Managing Editor
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