A new train route will soon connect three amazing, fairly obscure European cities

There will soon be a single train service connecting three relatively unknown European cities: Aachen, Germany; Liège, Belgium; and Maastrich, Netherlands. The new route is one of the many new railway lines that are opening throughout the continent, and it will allow you to visit various smaller cities in Europe along a single convenient route.

Beginning in December 2023, the triangular route that connects the cities in the three nations will have an hourly frequency of service. Train companies Arriva, SNCB, and NS will cooperate with one another in order to administer the system.

TimeOut provides a summary of several places you should definitely check out if you haven’t already. Aachen, a tranquil spa town on the trinational border, is home to the oldest cathedral in northern Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Liège, only an hour from Brussels, is a wonderful source of medieval architecture including the Romanesque Church of St. Bartholomew. Last, but not least, you will fall in love with Maastricht’s charming canals, gothic Sint Janskerk church, and traditional Dutch buildings. Additionally, Maastricht’s nightlife is thriving thanks to the city’s student population, with numerous cocktail bars, late-night coffee shops, rooftop terraces, and concert halls, according to Forbes.

Although they are nearby, travelers between these three cities have historically had to change trains in Maastricht, which adds an extra step to what should be a quite straightforward journey. After nearly four years of planning, the initiative to connect these intriguing places has finally received approval from the transport ministries of the three countries involved. Kudos to exploring Europe’s lesser-known gems, and here’s hoping the continent’s rail revival lasts for a long time to come.

In addition, the European Union previously announced that it is providing thousands of young people with complimentary rail tickets so that they can learn about the area’s rich cultural history. The submission period may be over, but we still wanted to point out how great this endeavor is.

Evie Blanco is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience who was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Queens, New York. She is extremely well-versed in hip-hop music and culture and is always aware of any developments within it. Whether it’s the latest in pop culture, a fascinating foreign destination, a truly amazing new restaurant, or breaking news, she loves to write about it all.

This story was originally published April 7, 2023 at 12:11 PM with the headline "A new train route will soon connect three amazing, fairly obscure European cities."