Rails, Ales & Old Towns: The Europe Travel Podcast
Scott HartbeckGo to Europe anytime you want, as writer and lover of European travel Scott Hartbeck takes you on a grand tour of the continent, celebrating all the great things to eat, drink and do while you’re there.Expect plenty of stories, advice and trip inspiration as he explores destinations—from the iconic to the underrated—alongside guests from across the spectrum of European travel. From tour guides, au... more
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 41 | Founded | 3 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ArtsPlaces & TravelSociety & CultureFood | |||
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Latest Episodes
Scott is joined by Danielle Oteri to talk about The Before Sunrise Generation, her article exploring what today’s travelers can learn from the more spontaneous, less curated style of European travel many experienced in the ‘90s and early 2000s.
Also... more
Scott is joined by Mark Smith, better known as The Man in Seat 61, to talk all things European rail travel, from how he first fell in love with it to why he still believes rail is the best way to explore the continent.
On the show, Mark shares stor... more
Kathy McCabe, the host of TV show Dream of Italy and founder of Dream of Italy Magazine, joins Scott for a whirlwind tour of northern Italy’s stunning lake region, from popular destinations like Como, Maggiore and Garda to lesser-known lakes like Ort... more
Mark Wolters, the founder of the hugely popular Wolters World YouTube channel, joins Scott to share stories and lessons from nearly 30 years of traveling across Europe. From early backpacking adventures and teaching abroad to both funny & memorable m... more
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- The perfect podcast to plan your European travel or reminisce about past travel.
It’s been 20 years since my last backpacking adventure through Europe. Lately, I’ve been looking for ways to reminisce about the past while planning a long-overdue return trip. Rails, Ales, and Old Towns is a wonderful podcast that helps me scratch that itch.
Whether you are a seasoned traveler or looking to make your first trip, this show provides the tools and excitement to make it happen. I only recently discovered the podcast, but with about 33 episodes available, I managed to binge-watch t... more
Apple Podcasts5aceonweb
United States5 months ago - Love Marseille
Wonderful episode on a city we visited this summer. Alexis Steinman is exceptional!
Apple Podcasts5Deeb TallboyUnited States6 months ago - A little taste
Enjoyed the Amsterdam ep, excited to go to a brown cafe and take a boat tour
Apple Podcasts5Mag 10United States9 months ago - Prague!
Excellent advice from the host and beer tour guide for anyone going to Prague!
Apple Podcasts5Me.909United Statesa year ago - Enjoyed this Podcast
Hi Scott,
Just listened to your first Podcast. Listening to you and Adam talk about your travels makes me want to return to Europe soon.
I have been to Croatia and the Dalmatian Islands and it was one of my favorite trips. Montenegro is not far from Croatia and well worth a day trip. Can’t wait for next Podcast.
Rita Newman
Apple Podcasts5Rita 50's girlUnited States3 years ago
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Apple Podcasts | #10 |  Chile/Society & Culture/Places & Travel |
Apple Podcasts | #69 |  Sweden/Society & Culture/Places & Travel |
Apple Podcasts | #81 |  Belgium/Society & Culture/Places & Travel |
Apple Podcasts | #217 | Chile/Society & Culture |
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast
What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?
The show curates a broad, passport-stamped take on European travel, with a strong emphasis on authentic experiences you can actually plan around. Across episodes, listeners get practical rail travel tips, city-by-city explorations, and deep dives into food, drink, and local culture—from iconic lakes and historic pubs to night trains and beer festivals. A standout thread is how rail travel can be the backbone of a trip, paired with vivid storytelling, host-led wisdom, and guest perspectives—from rail experts and authors to tourism professionals and gastronomy enthusiasts—that make destinations feel tangible and inviting for planning or daydreaming.
Unique angles include the focus on rail-centric itineraries, famous and offbeat European loca... more
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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?
These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:
1. Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast
2. Untold Italy travel podcast
3. Travel with Rick Steves
4. Zero To Travel Podcast
5. Join Us in France Travel Podcast
How many episodes of this podcast are there?
this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 41 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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What guests have appeared on this podcast?
Recent guests on this podcast include:
1. Danielle Oteri
2. Mark Smith
3. Cathy McCabe
4. Mark Wolters
5. Ali Dunworth
6. Christoffer Hansen
7. Jules Brown
8. Wolfgang Gärtner
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