Western Europe is a traveler’s playground where a two-hour train ride can transport you between entirely different languages, cuisines, and centuries. Because the region is so tightly connected by high-speed rail, the secret to a great trip isn’t just about picking the right cities—it’s about linking them into “chains” that let you spend more time in a museum and less time on a platform.
Here is how to navigate the cultural heart of Europe with style and efficiency.