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As Americans are way behind the times in traversing the world by rail, Europeans have had the concept down pat for decades.

The UK is turning back the clock, bringing back an iconic steam train that once ruled the rails as early as the 1940s—the first model, anyway.

Ultimately, the train took a page from LL Cool J’s playbook and made its first comeback in the 2000s.

In other words, this train sounds like it’s tapped into my introverted side when I enter a party —”Please, don’t notice me”…”Oh wait, please notice me!”.

The train’s second coming was dubbed the “60163 Tornado“. According to The Irish Sun, it’s ready to make its next debut after a major overhaul.

Beginning August 16, 2025, despite looking like you’ll jump through a brick wall to Hogwarts, this rumbling locomotive will carry passengers from London’s Waterloo and loop around 7 UK counties, uncovering some of the country’s best-kept secrets

Depart London’s Waterloo For Woking And Basingstoke

If there are 2 truly hidden gems along this exciting new route, it’s the first pair of stops beyond London.

Your first stop will be Woking, a worthwhile day trip at the least to discover the vast Surrey countryside and little-known attractions off the radar of mainstream travelers.

The Lightbox is a must-visit. This award-winning, contemporary art gallery anchors the the charming town center surround by lush, green spaces and a couple of other gems, such as Shah Jahan Mosque (the UK’s first purpose-built mosque), and Horsell Common (featured in War of the Worlds).

Woking visitors will get a sneak peek of Basingstoke as the Basingstoke Canal flows through town, it’s much easier to reach if you hop aboard the ‘Tornado’ and chug along to the next stop.

Once you reach Basingstoke, you’ll have more scenic countryside away from the bustle of London, where more surprises await, such as The Vyne, a lovely 17th-century Tudor manor open to the public, or if you’re up for a fun excursion nearby, check out the popular Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Laverstoke.

Kelly Osborne, Managing Director of The Railway Touring Company, specifically highlighted these 2 awesome towns as places that will benefit the most from the ‘Tornado’, stating “We are delighted to be working with the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust to provide opportunities for people from Woking and Basingstoke to travel with Tornado and for many more to see the locomotive in action”.

Next Stops: Discover UK’s Coastal Gem Before Circling Back to London

Ever heard of Exeter? Most travelers haven’t, but now’s your chance to discover its magic!

The next stop after Basingstoke is what’s referred to as the UK’s Southwest Coast, with Exeter making the best base for exploration.

Not only are there beautiful shores often overshadowed by London’s bright lights, but Exeter boasts 2,000 years of history, most notably by the rightfully named Exeter Cathedral (shown above) and the remnant of the Roman wall in the timeless Quayside district.

Should you want to hit up the beach this summer (and who wouldn’t?), South Devon’s tourism board highlights Black Pool Sands, a Blue Flag-certified beach backdropped by dense evergreen forests or Teignmouth Town, with an expansive Victorian pier perfect for sunsets, as well as plentiful family-friendly activities if you’ve got the kiddos tag along.

The Final Stretch: Discover The Stunning Cities Of Bristol & Bath

As astounding as London may be, other UK cities don’t get the attention they deserve — Bristol being one of them.

In fact, Bristol can flex its accolades, as in the past decade, it has been crowned the UK’s “#1 Place to Live” and the “Coolest City” by Condé Nast.

This vibrant waterfront city is magnetizing from the start, with beautiful castles, eye-catching street art, and color-wheel facades lining the cityscape. Best of all, it’s super affordable in comparison to London’s notoriously high prices. Grab a pint at Old Market Tavern for just $5.

Next up is the Roman era city of Bath, named after the famous Roman bath sites still open to the public.

While Bristol has a few accolades London can’t touch, believe it or not, Bath was actually crowned as 2025’s ‘Best Destination in the World’ where spas galore and fascinating bygones have stood the test of time.

Ticket Prices

Arriving in the UK ready to spend is standard practice, and it’s no different for this vintage train ride.

Single adult tickets go for approximately $175. Those wanting a more cushy experience, ‘premier class’ tickets, expect to fork over $454, but it does include a full English breakfast and a four-course dinner.

While the Irish sun does not specify the total duration of the full loop, the most surprising aspect of the ‘Tornado’ is it can be up speeds up to 100mph despite looking like its straight out of a Victorian-era postcard.

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Last Updated 2 days ago

If you’re planning on heading to Europe this season but you’ve been taken aback by the staggeringly high prices and reports of mass tourism even as summer peters out, hear me out:

Instead of jetting off to Barcelona, where you might be welcomed to ‘Go Home!‘ chants, or Dubrovnik, a coastal citadel turned Disneyland for adults, with all the queuing and shoulder bumping that that entails, how about you head over to Mostar instead?

Europe’s best-kept secret, this fairytale town in Bosnia-Herzegovina is home to a surprisingly high concentration of historic landmarks, and with its balmy weather, crystal-clear river and cheap prices, it’s just the perfect fall getaway:

Why You Should Visit Mostar In The Fall

If you’re a Europhile like me, you’ve probably seen this iconic view of Mostar’s arched bridge spanning the turquoise watercourse at some point, and no, it doesn’t belong somewhere in Spain, and certainly not neighboring Croatia.

One of the most iconic bridges in Europe, if not the most emblematic, is located in a quaint riverside city in Bosnia-Herzegovina, a small, overlooked Southeastern country most Americans have been sleeping on for decades:

Unlike other European tourism hotspots, Mostar is largely ignored by first-time visitors to Europe, and even returning travelers, even though it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to diverse communities and rich medieval and Ottoman heritage.

From the reconstructed Mostar Bridge, an exact replica of the 16th-century crossing that got bombed during the war, to the nearby Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque, with a towering minaret boasting breathtaking views of the cityscape, tourist sites here rarely ever feel crowded.

This includes the equally picturesque Crooked Bridge, a more intimate version of the Old Bridge without the busy flow of pedestrians, the abandoned Neretva House, a symbol of the Bosnian struggle, and Kajtaz, an Ottoman-era house preserving timeless oriental furniture.

Besides the evident architectural value, Mostar is incredibly pleasant to visit between September and October: the average daily high temperature is 82°F, dropping to lows of 50°F overnight, and it’s still shorts weather out without it being flaming hot.

If you’re lucky enough, you might see locals taking that vertiginous leap from the Old Bridge into the crystalline waters below––it’s an expected act of bravery of every native young man and one of the coolest rites of passage to witness.

On both sides of the bridge, there are winding cobbled lanes leading to ethnic bazaars and secret courtyards––and between us foodies, a gem of a traditional eatery or two.

An Affordable Cultural Getaway

During my short 2-day stint in Mostar, my favorite restaurant was Lagero, not only for the priceless views of the Old Bridge, but mainly their surprisingly-affordable menu, with prices ranging from only $5 to a reasonable $28.

At the pricier end of the range, I’m talking a sumptuous three-course menu, and probably the best ćevapi you’ll try on your trip.

If you’re looking for a truly immersive medieval experience, the rustic Timber & Stone Tavern is the place to go: big fan of the traditional attire and their baked aubergine stuffed with chicken, and I actually didn’t mind being the nightly fanfare and kitschy chivalric theme.

Now, for incredible native trout and an innovative fusion of European and Oriental cuisines, head over to Restoran Hindin Han in the heart of the Old Town: not only is staff unbelievably friendly, it is great value for money, with dishes priced $3-17.

Overall, Mostar is one of the most affordable destinations in Europe this fall: according to Budget Your Trip, tourists spend an average of $27 on meals per day, owing to cheaper consumer prices and an abundance of homegrown products.

When it comes to accommodation, the median hotel price per night is a reasonable $75; at the same time, an overnight stay at the four-star Hotel Bristol will set you back by $51 in mid-October, going as low as $13 for a shared dorm room at Hostel Dada.

Naturally, it all boils down to your profile as a traveler, whether you’re on the budget, mid-range or luxury side, and the level of comfort you seek.

How Safe Is Mostar?

If you’re old enough to remember the Bosnian War of the nineties, you may be wondering how safe Mostar is to visit in 2024.

As the U.S. State Department itself declares, pretty safe, as Bosnia-Herzegovina is considered a Level 2 destination, meaning Americans are not discouraged from visiting, and your biggest concern here is pickpocketing.

Speaking from personal experience, the risk is still pretty low: walking central Mostar, I never felt on edge or as if passersby were a threat.

Quite the contrary: it was often friendly locals I would encounter and a hospitable community that’s genuinely excited to host new visitors.

That being said, local history is complex and involves many sectarian conflicts, so I strongly advise you to read up on it prior to visiting.

Warfare is in Bosnia’s past, but the scars of battle are everywhere to be seen around the Old Town, be it the bullet holes in storied buildings or the rusty tanks in someone’s back garden, and the best way to explore Mostar’s past––and understand its present––is booking a guided tour.

Running on a duration of 2h30, Sheva’s walking tour departs from the Hamman Museum twice every day, at 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and visits all of the main points of interest, without a fixed price: from $10 to $50, you decide on the guide’s reward depending on how satisfied you are.

Piece of advice?

Wear your comfiest shoes, as there’ll be a lot of strolling down broken cobblestones that day, and make sure you bring a water bottle and sunscreen: even in the fall, when temperatures are in theory cooling down across Europe, that Balkan heat remains unforgiving.

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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.