Amazing Train Journeys

Philippe Gougler begins his discovery of San Francisco with the emblematic “cable cars”, these trams which climb the steep hills of the city, offering panoramic views. He also discovered other, more modern ways of getting around, such as autonomous cars, driverless vehicles that navigate the streets of San Francisco. Philippe then boards the Coastal Starlight, a legendary line offering spectacular views from the California coast to Santa Barbara. The globetrotter's journey continues in San Francisco with the Golden Gate Bridge, symbol of the city. Finally, he crosses the majestic forests of giant sequoias by steam train.

Philippe Gougler begins his stay on a station platform where most of the travelers are in traditional Bavarian outfits. They all go to Munich for the beer festival, the famous Oktoberfest. Philippe will meet amazing waitresses there who can carry up to twelve mugs at once. Then, head to the south of the region where a rack railway takes travelers and hikers to the summit of Germany, the Zugspitze. This is an opportunity for Philippe to discover typically Bavarian landscapes, such as Neuschwanstein Castle. Back in Munich, he learned that Bavaria was also an industrial region. Trains even enter factories. Finally, the rail globetrotter takes the ICE, the German TGV, for the north.

Philippe Gougler leaves for a trip to Slovenia, a small European country wedged between sea and mountains. And what better way to discover this little-known country than by train? To begin, he boards a small mine train which will take him under the mountains to discover sunken tunnels. There are also everyday trains, and the more unusual ones, which climb the mountains with cars on board as well as auto-trains which run on railway tracks dating from the Austro-Hungarian era.

Philippe Gougler begins his journey through the Philippines in its capital, Manila. An electric and bustling city, in which the Spanish, American, and Chinese influences that have marked its history are clearly visible. He makes his first encounter in the subway, through which he learns a lot about Filipino romantic relationships. Then, at nightfall, in a working-class neighborhood, he tastes the famous balut, a very special duck egg. In the small town of Legazpi, an astonishing day awaits him. He accompanies teachers who are moving their school from village to village on the rails. Then he leaves for the island of Negros, in the sugar region, near the city of Silay, where he boards the only steam train in the Philippines.

Heading north to the United States for a journey across the plains and snow-capped mountains, largely following the spectacular route of the Empire Builder, a legendary train that crosses the Rockies in a magical setting. First stop in Chicago, where the extreme cold requires unusual solutions. Here, the rails are literally heated by setting them on fire. Then head to the frozen expanses of Lake of the Woods, on the Canadian border. Here, the train gives way to another way of life: cozy ice fishing. But Philippe Gougler won't be at the end of his surprises because, still on the frozen lake, he discovers an igloo-shaped bar and a surprising tradition that speaks volumes about the local festive spirit.

Belgium, our neighbors, the friends we love to tease but to whom we always return with a smile on our faces. Philippe Gougler will travel along one of the densest railway networks in the world, passing through Namur, Brussels, Antwerp, and not forgetting the Belgian coast on the North Sea coast, and its longest tramway in the world... A wonderful journey for Philippe in this country we think we know well, but which has many surprises in store for us!

Welcome to Angola. Philippe Gougler sets out to discover this little-known African nation and its truly unique railway lines. Along the way, he meets the nomadic Mucabal tribe—who live alongside and for their cattle—and the Mumuila people, known for their distinctive hairstyles. His journey takes him to the mysterious, abandoned Tiger Island and on to the capital, Luanda, on the Atlantic coast, with a stop at the spectacular yet little-known Kalandula Falls.

Philippe Gougler’s journey begins in Fort Myers aboard the Murder Mystery Train, an immersive theatrical train where passengers turn into investigators for the duration of the trip. Next, he heads to Daytona Beach to discover a "drive-in church," where worshippers attend services from their cars. The journey continues on the Brightline, a high-speed train connecting Orlando and Miami. He then sets course for the Everglades, an ecosystem unique in the world; there, he meets the Miccosukee tribe and learns their techniques for approaching alligators. In Orlando, he immerses himself in the futuristic world of the Walt Disney World Resort monorail—a true aerial artery. Before wrapping up his journey in the Florida Keys, Philippe steps into the shoes of an astronaut during a visit to Cape Canaveral.

Malaysia is a fascinating land of adventure. Deep in the jungles of Borneo—amidst orangutans and proboscis monkeys—small railway lines cut through the rainforest. Along these tracks, one encounters "motorized trolleys": simple wooden platforms on wheels, propelled by motorcycles. It is a unique and authentic mode of transport that allows locals to get around with ease.