Suppose you are a Russian who always wanted to travel to Continental Europe but was afraid of flying. Or maybe you wanted to comfortably travel across Europe, without umpteenth number of train changes. Or maybe you are European who's always wanted to cross the continent and visit Russia.

      The Russian Railways have made the most wonderful New Year present to those who love travelling by train. Moscow-Paris train has been in operation since December 12, Moscow-Nice - since December 15, 2011. The staff for these trains have been specially selected: a graduate degree and the knowledge of one foreign language were a must. Those appointed were further educated and trained in Psychology, Service Etiquette, and Foreign Languages: English, French, and German. Those serving Moscow-Berlin-Paris train were also trained in specific requirements adopted in France.

      The prices start at 310EUR (Moscow-Nice) or 336EUR (Moscow-Paris) for a 2nd class ticket, per passenger, one way. Passengers can also travel with their pets, including birds.

      The stops along the routes

      Moscow-Berlin-Paris (#23/24)

      Moscow - Vyazma - Smolensk - Minsk - Brest - Terespol - Warsaw - Poznan - Rzepin - Berlin - Fulda - Hannover - Frankfurt-am-Main - Forbach - Metz - Paris.

      Moscow-Nice (#17/18)

      Moscow - Vyazma - Smolensk - Minsk - Brest - Bohumin - Vienna - Innsbruck - Verona - Milan - Genoa - Monaco - Nice.

      At least one of Russia-InfoCentre team members has already got the feeling that their annual resolution to travel to France or Italy will finally come true in 2012. Needless to say, those of you who have always wanted to travel to Russia can now do so by train.

      Happy New Travels! 

      Source: Russian Railways. Image courtesy: Inhabitat.com