Where to Stay, Eat and Go | Travel + Leisure

Where to Stay, Eat and Go

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European trains are exceptionally comfortable and well designed. Many first-class cabins have en suite toilets and showers, laptop power ports, and butler service. Intercity trains are fast enough to compete with planes when you factor in lengthy airport transfers and waits in security and baggage claim. Then there are rides like Switzerland's Golden Pass Line (via the Brünig Pass) that feature exhilarating scenery. And rail travel remains a terrific value, even with the dollar at record lows. You don't have to blitz the whole continent to make a pass pay off—there are more than 30 variations, ranging from $52 to more than $1,000 (see Rail Europe, below).

VENICE
BEST VALUE DD.724 Hotel
A splendid new boutique hotel smack between the Accademia and the Guggenheim. DOUBLES FROM $290. DORSODURO 724; 39-041/277-0262; www.dd724.com

Fiaschetteria Toscana
The risotto ai frutti di mare is legendary, but almost everything at this classic candlelit room deserves praise. DINNER FOR TWO $145. CANNAREGIO 5719; 39-041/528-5281

PRAGUE
Four Seasons Hotel Prague
The best luxury option in Prague, for its location: on the Vltava River in the Old Town, overlooking Charles Bridge. DOUBLES FROM $260. 2A VELESLAVINOVA; 420-2/2142-7000; www.fourseasons.com

Kolkovna
The knedliky (dumplings) and sausages are perfectly matched by hearty beers from the Pilsner Urquell brewery. LUNCH FOR TWO $50. 8 V KOLKOVNE; 420-2/2481-9701; www.kolkovna.cz

BERLIN
Trabi Safari
Driving tours of Berlin in a GDR-era Trabant. 49-30/2759-2273; www.trabi-safari.de

Café im Literaturhaus
The café in one of West Berlin's prettiest gardens is a haunt for fashionistas and literary types. 23 FASANENSTRASSE; 49-30/882-5414

Paris Bar
A first-rate bistro serving white-asparagus soup and duck confit under the sepia glow of antique lamps. DINNER FOR TWO $130. 152 KANTSTRASSE; 49-30/313-8052

INTERLAKEN AND GIMMELWALD
You could take a fast direct train from Zurich to Interlaken via Bern, but then you'd miss the incredible scenery. Instead, go from Zurich to Lucerne, then switch to the Golden Pass Line (www.myswitzerland.com).

Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel
A mix of venerable, traditional, and cutting-edge. The Espa spa is the finest in Interlaken. DOUBLES FROM $480. 41 HÖHEWEG, INTERLAKEN; 800/223-6800 (IN U.S.A.) OR 41-33/828-2828; www.victoria-jungfrau.ch

Im Gade
Rustic, hearty Swiss food in a cozy, if slightly corny, setting. But this is Interlaken, so you take the cheese with the cheese. DINNER FOR TWO $110. HOTEL DU NORD, INTERLAKEN; 41-33/827-5050

PARIS
Musée Picasso
HOTEL SALÉ, 5 RUE DE THORIGNY; 33-1/42-71-25-21; www.musee-picasso.fr

BARCELONA
Hotel Banys Orientals
Location is this hip boutique hotel's trump card—you're right on the edge of El Born, Barcelona's trendiest neighborhood, and within walking distance of dozens of fantastic bars, shops, and restaurants. DOUBLES FROM $125. 37 CARRER ARGENTERIA, EL BORN; 34-93/268-8460; www.hotelbanysorientals.com

Cal Pep
A landmark tapas bar where a devoted crowd gathers over plates of sardines and garlicky mussels at the cramped lunch counter. LUNCH FOR TWO $105. 8 PLAÇA DE LES OLLES, EL BORN; 34-93/310-7961

Museu Picasso
15-23 CARRER MONTCADA, EL BORN; 34-93/319-6310; www.museupicasso.bcn.es

RESOURCES
Rail Europe
The top source for European rail passes. Reps can book individual reservations and advise on the best routes. 800/438-7245; www.raileurope.com

www.bahn.de
The German rail system's Web site is an invaluable resource for trip planning, listing current schedules for nearly every route throughout Europe.

Frommer's Europe by Rail
Basically an 880-page European guide, but with extensive chapters on rail trips. A good all-in-one book.

Cognoscenti Maps
These slick new city maps pack in a wealth of up-to-date listings, with all locations marked clearly.

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