How to Connect Young People to Europe? Let Them See It All by Train.

[elleng]

The European Union gave 15,000 young people a month of free Interrail travel, trying to get them to “recognize that there is more that unites us than divides us.” Did it work?

'The four 18-year-olds packed their bags and set off on a familiar rite of passage for European youths: an Interrail journey. But their coming-of-age adventure arrived not only at a pivotal moment in their lives, but also in the life of the European Union.

All Londoners, with the uncertainty of Britain’s decision to leave the bloc looming over their futures, the four teenagers took up the European Union on an offer to give 15,000 young people a free Interrail pass — covering a month of free travel on almost all slow trains across Europe, and discounted journeys on high-speed trains — in the hope of connecting them to the Continent.

Having spent many summers touring Europe by Interrail as a young man, I followed along to see this generation’s experience, and stayed in touch in the weeks after to follow up on their impressions.'>>>

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/03/world/europe/eu-interrail-brexit.html?

[Major Nikon]

1. Both my kids have traveled extensively and internationally

Ignorance of other people is what breeds xenophobia.

[kimbutgar]

2. I love traveling by train in Europe.

I wish I was younger and could have traveled all over Europe by train.

Unfortunately in my family you went to work after high school and college and traveling to Europe was for hippies.

[appalachiablue]

3. Love it, great for young folks especially. We took trains across

Europe in college, a wonderful learning experience. France's TGV high speed train is great. The Chunnel, not sure. Lol.

[elleng]

4. Ditto, a major part of my youth.

(TGV came later, took with my kids!)

[appalachiablue]

5. Next dream trip, London, So. England, Normandy, Paris, Lyon area.

We did the TGV, Paris to Bordeaux in the mid 90s one summer for a classmate's wedding there. Awesome trip, explored the beautiful Dordogne region with castles and wine, St. Emilion, more. The fields of sunflowers out the train windows were heaven.

Cute, light movie, 'Paris Can Wait' (2017) Diane Lane, Alec Baldwin. A Feast of French travel scenes, cultural sites and beaucoup cuisine.

[elleng]

6. DITTO TGV Paris Bordeaux (great WRAPPED sandwich!)

early '90s, then drive around France (w 2 kids,) detour train to Barcelona. Never made Lyon.

Did Britain jr. year college, so lots of London, midlands, Scotland, and later, Wales and Ireland.

Now you've got me thinking!

I did enjoy that movie.

[appalachiablue]

7. I'm getting travel restless, it's been a while though I don't

deserve another trip. But, Never Enough!

Somehow I never got to Spain; should have done w/ Bordeaux, but that trip was packed.

What school in England? I was at Christ's College, Cambridge one summer. Wonderful; first trip to Paris, by ferry.

[elleng]

8. Informally, @ Nottingham;

got some credit when I returned home (Miami U, Ohio.) Spent most of the school year informally, after some months with Experiment in International Living in Nottingham.

Traveled a fair amount, but likely over now; husband deceased (after separated,) and daughters have kids now, so my resources devoted to them. (IF someone acquires lots of $$$, maybe some of us will travel; not likely, tho.)

[appalachiablue]

9. Nottingham must have been very nice, fun and great

to spend a year abroad. Years after Cambridge, I returned to England, saw Ireland, Luxembourg and more. When a young teen I'd travelled to Europe the first time to Munich, then South America, later a Paris and Cannes honeymoon wedding present from my Md.-born little brother.

Our focus now is also on young ones, with modest resources. A hardworking young niece who's deep into her first career job wants to travel and deserves it. But it needs to happen soon before more time passes, esp. since it will require taking work leave to do a week or 10-day trip.

Different times now than the era of fortunate boomers, born on 'first base' when the US was thriving. I didn't realize how good we had it then. It's often like that.

[dhill926]

10. doing the train from Rome to Florence to Venice to Vienna...

this coming fall. Can't wait. A lot to learn before then of course...

[elleng]

11. Bon voyage!

[dhill926]

12. Grazie!