Now I’m 51 and have spent decades working as a travel journalist, and I’ve come to realize that trains are the best way to move about on vacation. According to a recent AARP survey, one-third of Americans age 50-plus are also inclined to travel by train, primed to experience what I find so alluring. Trains are spacious and come equipped with cafés and, often, dining cars that provide opportunities to meet other passengers or simply take some personal space as needed.

And the places I have gone! I’ve experienced one of the world’s steepest standard-gauge railway lines, Norway’s Flåm Railway, which winds its way around sharp curves and through lush mountain scenery. I’ve been mesmerized aboard Amtrak’s Empire Builder by the supreme grandeur of Montana’s Glacier National Park. I’ve journeyed across Australia’s Nullarbor Plain, a limestone plateau that includes the longest stretch of straight railway in the world: about 300 miles that highlight the country’s vastness.

There’s also a romance to train travel. As depicted in Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest and Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited, it holds the glamour of an earlier era. Of course, the reality is not quite the movies. Delays can be frequent, and railcars are often loud. But there’s one thing that stays true: Traveling by train is an adventure, providing a glimpse into worlds that may be invisible along highways and impossible to see at 30,000 feet. There’s something magical about rollicking through the Nebraska prairies or catching the lights switching on at dusk in small-town Iowa.

The encounters along the way can also amaze. When I arrived for my overnight ride aboard Vietnam’s Reunification Express in Ninh Binh, I was surprised to see a dozen local children practicing their English with Westerners—something they reportedly came to the station regularly to do. In India’s Rajasthan state, I toasted a complimentary cup of steaming masala chai with the proprietor of a railway station kiosk. He then extended a casual invitation to his 1,500-guest wedding. Some of my most memorable train journeys included stops in places I might not have otherwise visited: Spokane, Washington, where I took in spectacular views of its magnificent urban waterfall, and Western Australia’s Kalgoorlie, awash in gold rush history.

Back on board, I’ve marveled at Pennsylvania’s autumn foliage through the window, slurped a bowl of pho with crew members near the Vietnamese seaside city of Da Nang, and chatted up new acquaintances about the beauty of Washington’s Cascade Range in the observation car of Amtrak’s Empire Builder. All this without having to stay alert behind the wheel or adhere to a fasten-seatbelt sign.

In a world that moves at breakneck speed, railways let us slow down. From the moment I settle into my sleeper cabin or coach seat, the pressures of home slip away. My biggest worry is deciding what I’ll have for dinner. I don’t expect to get anywhere fast, but that’s much of the allure of train travel. It’s the ability to unwind, unplug and let the rails carry me while I just sit back and savor the ride.

Laura Kiniry is a freelance journalist based in San Francisco and a train enthusiast. She has written for numerous outlets, including Condé Nast Traveler and Smithsonian. Her most recent trip by rail was a journey from India’s Ranthambore railway station to Agra.

The one-night “Rockies to the Red Rocks” route travels through the Southwest from mid-April through mid-November. Passengers don’t sleep on the train but, rather, in the hot springs resort town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. You’ll cross the Continental Divide and ride alongside the Colorado River, with snowcapped peaks and red rock canyons in view. *From $1,720.

On one of Amtrak’s most popular routes, the two-night, 46-hour Empire Builder provides a front-row seat to some of the most iconic scenery in the West. After the daily westbound train departs Chicago, you’ll have scenic views of the Mississippi River and the North Dakota plains and follow parts of the Lewis and Clark Trail. A highlight is Montana’s Glacier National Park. From Spokane, Washington, you can continue to Seattle or head down the Columbia River Gorge to Portland, with stunning views of Mount Hood. From $220.

This candy-apple-red train connects the towns of Zermatt and St. Moritz, with about an eight-hour journey that cuts through a dramatic Alpine landscape. Break up the trip by stopping at resorts, such as the revitalized town of Andermatt. Booking a seat in the Excellence Class carriage gets you a champagne welcome and a five-course meal with wine. From $260.

This four-night trip spans more than 2,500 miles across Canada, taking in the lakes of Ontario and the prairies of Manitoba, the snow-streaked Rocky Mountains and the picturesque forests of British Columbia. Enjoy stops in vibrant cities such as Winnipeg and Edmonton. From $370.

Launched in April, this luxury train offers one- to three-night itineraries with stops at some of Italy’s most alluring destinations, including Venice and Rome. Along the way, take in picturesque villages and coastlines. A chef crafts gourmet onboard meals, paired with fine wines. From around $3,500.

Around 3½ hours in length, this route is a popular train to take for fall and winter getaways in New England, as colorful foliage and wintry snowscapes scroll past the large picture windows. From $30.

The 18-day “Flavours of Aotearoa” itinerary travels from Auckland, on the North Island, to Queenstown, on the South Island. Watch for dolphins in Kaikōura, take part in wine tastings at vineyards in Marlborough, and enjoy the relaxing scent of lavender fields. Over the course of the trip, travelers will board three different trains and an interisland ferry and stay in four- to five-star hotels. From $9,800.

While travelers can make the 356-mile, 12-hour trip in a day, many break it up with overnights in the funky town of Talkeetna or at the entrance to Denali National Park. Buses can take you into the wilderness home of grizzlies, moose, caribou and Dall sheep. The rail journey takes you through deep canyons, skirts wild rivers and crosses the 296-foot-tall Hurricane Gulch rail bridge. From $280.