![TRAIN TO TRANQUILLITY](https://cdn.magzter.com/1338967075/1705641715/articles/vOluBXfjB1705657903249/TRAIN-TO-TRANQUILLITY.jpg)
Watching the countryside roll by as I pressed my nose excitedly to the train’s windowpane is something I recall doing as a five-year-old. Not much has changed since then. Even after 36 years, the thrill of watching the outdoors from a train is intact, but this time I am doing it in style, laying comfortably in a suite as I chug past lush meadows with cows grazing, narrow tunnels, and beaches on the Atlantic Coast in the north of Spain.
The luxury train Costa Verde Express by Renfe is my home for five nights. I had boarded the train in Bilbao for Santiago De Compostela, the Green Spain Route covers four autonomous regions—Basque, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia.
But my tryst with Spain began earlier, in one of its most popular cities, Barcelona. I spent time admiring the creations of famous Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi; I was completely mesmerised by his masterpiece—the majestic Sagrada Familia cathedral that has been under construction for more than 140 years. It will be completed by 2026, a date chosen to coincide with Gaudi’s 100th death anniversary. Standing in front of the massive structure, I wondered how Gaudi conceived this innovative and artistic design way back in the 19th century.
It is after three days of this kind of artistic inspiration—I stopped by other iconic structures built by Gaudi such as La Pedrera-Casa Milà, Casa Batllò, and Park Guell—that I head to Bilbao, the capital of the Basque region in northern Spain. I rush to the station as I am late, hoping the train tour has not begun without me. Thankfully, the shiny green Costa Verde Express is still on the platform. As I sip my coffee in one of the dining carriages done up in wood, it slowly sinks in that this is going to be my home for the next five days.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 2024 من Travel+Leisure India.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 2024 من Travel+Leisure India.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
![The Abode Of Gods](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/885/1697769/fjGeHFLSP1715584207505/crp_THE-ABODE-OF-GODS.jpg)
The Abode Of Gods
Paphos, the ancient home of Aphrodite, is steeped in folklore. A walk around the old town can turn into a journey to the past; all you need is a little imagination.
![Chasing Joy On Rottnest Island](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/885/1697769/TXPU10xPu1715582790858/crp_CHASING-JOY-ON-ROTTNEST-ISLAND.jpg)
Chasing Joy On Rottnest Island
Blue waters, shimmering sandy beaches, and historic sites-Rottnest in Western Australia is the quintessential island getaway. But what truly captivated our cover star Rashmika Mandanna is the happy and laid-back life that the island offers.
![AS TIME GOES BY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/885/1697769/zRPTCMCOR1715586194296/AS-TIME-GOES-BY.jpg)
AS TIME GOES BY
A decade and a half after a life-changing sojourn in Vietnam, a writer returns to track the country's transformations-and his own.
![PARIS MATCH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/885/1697769/OjMKhYv7t1715585411610/PARIS-MATCH.jpg)
PARIS MATCH
Royal roots and boho cool, French trad and cosmopolitan flair: Thomas Chatterton Williams visits the Marais and finds the perfect mix.
![Spotted in the Wild](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/885/1697769/C0gU9i1vq1715584750387/SPOTTED-IN-THE-WILD.jpg)
Spotted in the Wild
Tracking down a creature as evasive as the cheetah is never guaranteed. Jeff Chu treks to southern Africa to find big cats and fulfill a long-held family promise.
![Tastes Like History](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/885/1697769/s2-QvBKrS1715584460141/TASTES-LIKE-HISTORY.jpg)
Tastes Like History
With a lineage spanning millennia, Armenian cuisine is an alchemist's dream. Veidehi Gite samples iconic dishes that evoke memories of home.
![Secrets of the Happy State](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/885/1697769/UGRsk_lRl1715583852878/SECRETS-OF-THE-HAPPY-STATE.jpg)
Secrets of the Happy State
A road trip from Aizawl to Champhai along the Indo-Myanmar border leads to many revelations for Florina Soren.
![Championing Cheer](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/885/1697769/3Eh4qU69c1715582485502/CHAMPIONING-CHEER.jpg)
Championing Cheer
Fostering mindful atmospheres within corporate environments, Dr Sharon Rajkumar stands as a beacon of positivity, guiding others towards a more fulfilling and balanced life. In a candid chat, the TEDx speaker shares her journey with Kiara Sengupta, on how serendipity led her to become the first happiness evangelist in India.
![Doodling Up Joy](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/885/1697769/BfAjvh6LE1715582261232/DOODLING-UP-JOY.jpg)
Doodling Up Joy
Turning embarrassing moments of daily life into comedic relief comes naturally to Neha Sharma. The CA-turned-doodle artist now harnesses the power of her paints to create relatable comics that mirror the everyday. In a hearty chat with Bayar Jain, the self-taught artist and storyteller outlines her journey and underlines the importance of art in bringing happiness.
![A Novel Take On Happiness](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/885/1697769/PDa0USI3b1715581918381/A-NOVEL-TAKE-ON-HAPPINESS.jpg)
A Novel Take On Happiness
With his 90th birthday on the horizon, India's most beloved author Ruskin Bond, talks to Eshita Srinivas about love affairs on ships, the excitement of train journeys, and his new book that he hopes will inspire young readers.