Rails, Ales & Old Towns: The Europe Travel Podcast
Go 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, authors and beer & wine connoisseurs to rail travel aficionados and the occasional globetrotting friend, you never know who will come along for the ride.
Scott has been going to Europe for 20 years and has a passion for all the fun little things that make the European travel experience so special. Think happy hours in the train dining car instead of hours spent waiting in line at overcrowded attractions.
Whether you’re planning a future trip or want to relive the magic of a past European adventure, this podcast will take you there.
Go 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, authors and beer & wine connoisseurs to rail travel aficionados and the occasional globetrotting friend, you never know who will come along for the ride.
Scott has been going to Europe for 20 years and has a passion for all the fun little things that make the European travel experience so special. Think happy hours in the train dining car instead of hours spent waiting in line at overcrowded attractions.
Whether you’re planning a future trip or want to relive the magic of a past European adventure, this podcast will take you there.
Episodes

Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
10. Whatever You Do, Don't Skip Belgium & Belgian Beer | Stu Stuart
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
Scott is joined by Stu Stuart (founder of Belgian Beer Me! Tours) to talk about why underrated Belgium is such a sensational European destination. Stu shares personal Belgium travel tips, including advice on beer cafes in Bruges & frites in Ghent, and stories from his years of leading beer pilgrims on tours across Belgium.
Show notes and links to places discussed: http://www.railsalesoldtowns.com/ep10.
Support the show by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/railsalesoldtowns
Follow @railsalesoldtowns on Instagram & Facebook for more Europe trip inspiration.

Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
9. Rome, Italy: Food & Travel Tips From a Local Expert | Kenny Dunn
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
Tuesday Feb 27, 2024
Scott is joined by Kenny Dunn, founder of Eating Europe food tours, for a food-focused chat about Rome featuring plenty of personal recommendations and advice on pizza, coffee and late-night bites. Kenny also suggests some of his favorite lesser-known things to see and do in the city.
Show notes and links to places discussed: http://www.railsalesoldtowns.com/ep9.
Support the show by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/railsalesoldtowns
Follow @railsalesoldtowns on Instagram & Facebook for more Europe trip inspiration.
Theme music by Stu Wilson.

Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
Scott talks with Claudia Neumann (Director of Corporate Communications at Visit Cologne) during the lead-up to the city's famous Carnival celebrations about why Cologne might just be Germany's most underrated big city.
Show notes and links to places discussed: http://www.railsalesoldtowns.com/ep8.
Support the show by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/railsalesoldtowns
Follow @railsalesoldtowns on Instagram & Facebook for more Europe trip inspiration.
Theme music by Stu Wilson.

Monday Nov 13, 2023
Monday Nov 13, 2023
Learn how to discover a different side of Venice and leave the crowds behind. First, Scott speaks with Lucrezia Della Sala of Secret Venice Tours for a run-down of ways to see the local side of the city (including tips on food & drink). Then, Elena Almansi of Row Venice joins the show to talk about what it's like teaching visitors the art of traditional Venetian rowing.
Show notes and links to places discussed: www.railsalesoldtowns.com/ep7
Support the show by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/railsalesoldtowns
Follow @railsalesoldtowns on Instagram & Facebook for more Europe trip inspiration.

Saturday Oct 07, 2023
6. Greece Travel Report: Athens, The Peloponnese, Crete & Santorini | Chris Kramer
Saturday Oct 07, 2023
Saturday Oct 07, 2023
Scott is joined by longtime friend Chris Kramer for a full recount & review of his recent trip to Greece, an adventure that included stops in Athens, The Peloponnese, Crete and Santorini.
Show notes and links to places discussed: http://www.railsalesoldtowns.com/ep6.
Support the show by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/railsalesoldtowns
Follow @railsalesoldtowns on Instagram & Facebook for more Europe trip inspiration.

Sunday Aug 20, 2023
5. The Joy of European Rail Travel | Todd Powell
Sunday Aug 20, 2023
Sunday Aug 20, 2023
Scott and co-founder of Vacations By Rail Todd Powell talk about the many reasons why traveling Europe by train is such a magnificent experience. Todd chooses his dream European trip.
Show notes and links to places discussed: http://www.railsalesoldtowns.com/ep5.
Support the show by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/railsalesoldtowns
Follow @railsalesoldtowns on Instagram & Facebook for more Europe trip inspiration.

Monday Jul 17, 2023
4. Seville, Spain for Food and Drink Lovers | Baptiste Rogé
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Whet your appetite for a trip to Seville. Scott chats with Baptiste Rogé of Food Lover Tour in Andalucia about all that makes this Spanish city so special, which includes a generous helping of great Seville food & drink. Baptiste chooses his dream European trip.
Show notes and links to places discussed: http://www.railsalesoldtowns.com/ep4.
Support the show by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/railsalesoldtowns
Follow @railsalesoldtowns on Instagram & Facebook for more Europe trip inspiration.

Saturday May 06, 2023
3. Graz, Austria: One of Europe’s Top Hidden Gems | Sigrid Alber
Saturday May 06, 2023
Saturday May 06, 2023
Get to know a true hidden gem in Europe: Graz, Austria. Scott is joined by Sigrid Alber, a tour guide who has been showing travelers around her city for over 30 years. Sigrid chooses her dream trip to Europe.
Show notes and links to places discussed: http://www.railsalesoldtowns.com/ep3
Support the show by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/railsalesoldtowns
Follow @railsalesoldtowns on Instagram & Facebook for more Europe trip inspiration.

Saturday Apr 01, 2023
2. London's Best Pubs: Where Pints Meet the Past | John Warland
Saturday Apr 01, 2023
Saturday Apr 01, 2023
Yes, it's true: one of the top things to do in London is go to the pub.
Scott is joined by author and co-founder of Liquid History Tours, John Warland, to talk about some of the best pubs in London and how these historic watering holes tell the story of the city. From some of the oldest pubs in the city to the most interesting ones, we cover it all while John pours out advice on how to make the most of your pub visit.
A small sampling of the pubs covered includes The Mayflower Pub, The Ye Olde Chesire Cheese and The Blackfriar.
Show notes and links to places discussed: http://www.railsalesoldtowns.com/ep2.
Support the show by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/railsalesoldtowns
Follow @railsalesoldtowns on Instagram & Facebook for more Europe trip inspiration.

Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
1. Europe Travel Memories, Dream Europe Trips & More | Adam Seper
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
Scott is joined by longtime friend, world traveler & former travel writer Adam Seper to talk about past Europe trips and an upcoming one to Croatia. Adam & Scott choose their dream trips to Europe.
Show notes and links to places discussed: http://www.railsalesoldtowns.com/ep1
Support the show by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/railsalesoldtowns
Follow @railsalesoldtowns on Instagram & Facebook for more Europe trip inspiration.








