Skip the tourist traps this year on some of Europe's lesser-known train routes

Travelling by train is a relaxed and convenient way to see somewhere new, and Europe has some of the most breathtaking routes.

Experts have named five incredible rail journeys across the continent that are "unlike anything else", including routes through Italy, Switzerland and more destinations that half of Britons don't even know exist.

Research by Omio found an increasing number of Britons would rather find quieter, lesser-known holiday spots rather than the most popular locations.

In particular, searches for train journeys in Europe have jumped 170 per cent in the last year, according to the booking platform. These are the top five picks from Omio.

The train that sails across the sea - Rome to Palermo, Italy

This route gives Britons an alternative way to cross to Sicily when exploring Italy. The experts said: "Most travellers crossing from mainland Italy to Sicily expect to swap trains for a ferry, but not here. On this journey, individual carriages roll directly onto a ferry before sailing across the Strait of Messina.

"Passengers can remain on the train or head up to the ferry's passenger decks to stretch their legs and take in the views before the carriages roll back onto the tracks in Sicily. It's one of the last remaining scheduled train ferry crossings in Europe and can be booked as one seamless rail journey. Rail fares start from £47 via Omio."

The railway from glaciers to palm trees - Chur to Tirano, Switzerland & Italy

Britons will discover breathtaking scenery on the Bernina Express. The experts said: "The Bernina Line delivers one of Europe's most dramatic changes in scenery.

"In around four hours, passengers travel from glaciers, alpine lakes and the 2,323-metre Bernina Pass to vineyards, Italian cafés and even palm trees. For locomotive enthusiasts, the engineering is just as impressive as the views. Rail fares start from £54."

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The railway through the Arctic wilderness - Kiruna to Narvik, Sweden & Norway

Another spectacular option is the Iron Ore Line. The experts said: "Originally built to transport iron ore from Sweden to Norway, this railway now offers one of Europe's most remote passenger journeys.

"Travellers pass frozen lakes, Arctic tundra, dramatic Norwegian fjords and even reindeer while travelling on one of Europe's northernmost passenger railways.

"During summer, passengers can also experience the Midnight Sun, while winter brings the chance to spot the Northern Lights. Rail fares start from £10 via Omio."

The railway where castles line the tracks - Mainz to Koblenz, Germany

In Germany, the Left Rhine Railway (Linke Rheinstrecke) offers something a bit different. The experts said: "It might be a humble everyday railway, but it feels like being in a real-life fairytale. Running alongside the River Rhine, the route passes medieval castles, vineyard-covered hillsides and the legendary Lorelei rock.

"It's one of Europe's easiest ways to experience a UNESCO World Heritage landscape entirely by train, with regular regional and long-distance services operating throughout the day. Rail fares start from £16."

The gauge-changing train - Interlaken Ost to Montreux, Switzerland

The GoldenPass Express is one of Europe's most picturesque routes. The experts said: "The GoldenPass Express uses world-first technology to seamlessly switch between standard and metre gauge tracks, making it possible to travel directly between the Bernese Oberland and the Swiss Riviera without changing trains.

"Travellers can enjoy comfortable First Class seating with panoramic windows as the train winds through alpine meadows, traditional Swiss villages and the vineyard-covered hills overlooking Lake Geneva.

"Connecting two of Switzerland's most iconic landscapes in under three and a half hours, it's one of Europe's most scenic rail journeys. Rail fares start from £31."