Share a tip on a sunny spring break in Europe

A Sunny Spring Break in Europe: Discover Hidden Gems by Rail

Winter is finally giving way to spring, and what better time to shake off the cold and explore Europe's hidden gems? From coastal Mediterranean towns to southern European cities that come alive at this time of year, there are countless destinations waiting to be discovered.

So, where did you find your perfect spring break spot? Perhaps it was a tranquil train ride through the Italian countryside, a scenic hike in the Slovenian Alps, or a relaxing soak in a Budapest thermal bath. Whatever your destination, we want to hear about it!

For this week's "Tip of the Week" competition, we're on the hunt for travel tips that showcase Europe's best-kept secrets by rail. Share with us your favorite spring break spot and why you fell in love with it.

Keep your tip concise – around 100 words is perfect – and include a relevant photo if you like. Our judges will be looking for the most compelling story, so don't hold back!

To enter, simply fill out the form below and share your travel tale with us. You must be a UK resident to participate, but we promise it'll be worth it.

The competition closes on February 9th at 10am GMT, so don't wait – get planning your spring break adventure today!

just saw this article about train rides in europe and I'm like totally jealous anyone got a fave rail journey that's just, like, the perfect way to see spring? I've always wanted to explore those scenic routes through the italian countryside it'd be so chill to just sit back, relax, and watch the scenery go by...

I've always believed that sometimes the best experiences are the ones you stumble upon by chance. I spent a lovely spring break in Croatia a few years back and it was pure serendipity that led me to this hidden gem of a town near Split. I was supposed to visit my friend's family who lived in Zagreb, but her sister convinced me to take a detour on the way and explore the Dalmatian coast instead. It ended up being one of the most incredible experiences of my life . The scenery is just stunning and the food is amazing! I think that's what makes train travel so special - it's not just about getting from A to B, but about the journey itself and all the unexpected surprises along the way.

I totally agree that Europe is the perfect place to escape the cold this time of year . I did a road trip last year through Croatia and it was amazing, but if I'm being honest, my favorite part was the train ride from Rome to Florence . The scenery was stunning and we got to see some hidden gems along the way that most tourists miss. One place that stood out was this tiny village in Tuscany where they have these adorable little olive oil tastings . It felt so authentic and like a secret only locals know about. I'd love to share more about it if you want to enter the competition!

I'm totally obsessed with exploring Europe by rail during spring break . There's something magical about watching the countryside come alive as the snow melts away. Last year I discovered this adorable coastal town in Croatia that's like a secret only us Europeans know about . The train ride was so relaxing and the food... oh my goodness, the seafood was to die for ! If you're looking for a hidden gem, try the Pelješac Peninsula - it's stunning in spring when all the vines are blooming . Good luck with the competition, can't wait to see what others come up with .

I'm not really sure about this whole "spring break" vibe . I mean, isn't it a bit too touristy? Everyone and their grandma is always talking about it in February... it feels like a forced break from work/school rather than something people actually need .

And let's be real, the trains might not be as scenic as everyone makes them out to be . I've been on those rail journeys before and they can be super crowded and noisy. Not exactly the relaxing getaway you're imagining .

Plus, what about all the other beautiful times of year in Europe? Like, have you seen how gorgeous the Northern Lights are in Iceland during January? Or the cherry blossoms in Japan in March? Those are my kinda holidays !

OMG, like I already know this , you're gonna wanna check out Croatia for a sunny spring break! I mean, who doesn't love the Plitvice Lakes National Park? It's, like, totally breathtaking, right? And have you considered taking the train to Dubrovnik? It's, like, soooo scenic! You can just chill on the train and take in the views of the Adriatic coastline. Plus, the food is, like, amazing! You gotta try the peka! Anyway, if you haven't already, get planning ASAP because it's gonna be super popular this spring

I'm all about taking the scenic route, and Europe's rail network is like a treasure trove of hidden gems. I've got to say, one of my fave places to visit in spring is Croatia - there's something so magical about Dubrovnik when it's not crowded with tourists The old city walls, the turquoise sea... it's like a fairytale come true! And you can get there by train from Zagreb, which is a total game-changer. Plus, the food and wine are incredible - I'm talking peka, anyone?

I'm so over all these touristy destinations in Europe . Can't they come up with something more unique? I mean, how many times can you visit the same old cliché Roman colosseum or Eiffel tower? Instead, let's promote some of those lesser-known gems that are actually worth visiting. Like, have you ever heard of Lviv in Ukraine? It's a hidden gem with an amazing old town and medieval architecture . Or how about the Azores islands in Portugal? The landscapes are breathtaking and the vibe is so chill . Let's give these places some love instead of just sticking to the usual tourist trail.

I'm so over the whole "hidden gems" vibe , everyone's always talking about some tiny French village or Italian hill town like it's the only thing that matters. Like, have you ever tried visiting a big city in Europe during spring? They're actually really beautiful this time of year! Amsterdam's tulips are lit , and Berlin's streets are filled with people enjoying the sunshine and museums are packed. It's way more fun than some quiet train ride through nowhere

Ugh, I'm so over these "Tip of the Week" competitions . Can't they just let people share their travel tips without all the fuss? And what's with the photo requirement? It's always some fancy filter or posed shot... can't we just have a simple text entry like everyone else?

And another thing, 100 words is way too short for a real tip . I mean, how are people supposed to do justice to their favorite spring break spot in that little space? And what about non-UK residents? Shouldn't they be able to participate as well? It's all just so... restrictive .

I swear, if I wanted to share my travel tips, I would've already done it by now. But no, I have to wait for some competition to come along and "encourage" me to do it .

I'm really loving the idea of exploring hidden gems by rail in Europe this spring . My kids and I went to Croatia last year and took a train ride from Zagreb to Split - it was stunning! We saw so many beautiful villages and islands along the way, and it was great value for money too . The thermal baths in Split were also amazing after all that walking . If I had to give one tip for a perfect spring break by rail, I'd say book your tickets as early as possible - we got ours at midnight on New Year's Eve and they were super cheap!

Ugh, another "find your perfect spring break spot" article . Can't they come up with something more original? I mean, who hasn't seen a million pictures of quaint European towns and thermal baths on Instagram already? And what's with the requirement to share your tip in 100 words or less? Are they trying to limit our creativity?

Europe's hidden gems are overrated . I mean, sure, a train ride through the Italian countryside is pretty, but have you ever considered exploring the lesser-known parts of Eastern Europe? Places like Poland or Hungary offer just as much history and culture without the crowds . And let's be real, thermal baths are just a fancy way of saying "expensive place to soak in the tub" . I'd rather spend my spring break trying some weird local food or visiting a quirky museum . Give me something with a little more edge than your average European tourist trap

I'm so over the train routes in Europe that are all like "take this boring train from A to B" . Can't we just have a map of all the hidden gems and secret spots by rail? Like, what's the point of having a spring break if you're just gonna stick to the touristy trains? Wouldn't it be awesome to stumble upon this cool little train station in Croatia that only goes to a secluded beach town? That sounds like an epic spring break to me!

I don’t usually comment but I just saw this post and thought it looked kinda cool. I went to Slovenia last year with my friends and we did a train ride through the mountains - it was SO beautiful . We hiked to a lake in Ljubljana and had a picnic, it was literally the perfect day. The trains were really comfy too! Anyway, I wouldn't say it was super hidden from tourists but still definitely worth visiting if you can get tickets .

I'm all about taking the scenic route when it comes to travel. There's something about train journeys that just feels more... European, you know? Like, have you ever been on a Eurostar or a TGV? They're so efficient and comfy, and you get to see some amazing countryside along the way. I remember this one trip I took from Paris to Florence by train, and it was like waking up in a postcard every hour or so . The Italian hills were just stunning, especially when they were all green and not frozen! I'm definitely entering that competition - I've got a great tip about the Azores islands...

I'm all about embracing the sunshine and exploring new destinations this spring break. For me, there's nothing like taking a scenic train ride to unwind and connect with nature. The Italian countryside is one of my favorite places to visit - the rolling hills, picturesque villages, and delicious food are the perfect combo for a relaxing getaway. My tip would be to take a journey from Florence to Venice by train - it's a beautiful route with stunning views of the Tuscan landscape. If you're looking for an adventure, consider visiting Slovenia's Julian Alps - hiking and outdoor activities abound in this stunning mountain range!

I'm all about taking trains and exploring Europe by rail . There's something special about watching the countryside roll by while you're on a journey, you know? I did that last year in Greece and it was amazing! They have these old trams that take you to some of the most stunning beaches and islands... it's like having your own personal tour guide . Anyway, if you want to share your fave spot by rail, go for it! Just don't expect me to do much research, I'll just wing it and hope for the best .