Europe has some of the best long-distance train journeys in the entire world. It is connected not only by a series of linking branches but by direct routes that, in some cases, span the entire continent.

You can even travel from the UK to some of Europe’s most tantalising capitals: Paris, Geneva, Milan, Rome. Each holds a certain allure and may seem far away, but with the help of a trundling locomotive are agonisingly close.

Now, one journey up for grabs from London to Rome promises travellers one of the best journeys of their lives, with regular stop-offs at breathtaking metropolises and the chance to eat the world’s best bowl of pasta at the end.

The trip couldn’t come at a better time with the world celebrating Carbonara Day on April 6, and with the Trainline having harnessed the opportunity to create a culinary guide, A Pasta Odyssey to Rome, for those hoping to travel to the capital.

The guide includes advice on the best train journeys to take to reach the Mediterranean city, which also takes in some of the continent’s other splendours.

For a £350 advanced ticket, revellers can begin their voyage in London and stop off at Paris, take in the city of romance before arriving at Geneva to witness the awe-inspiring 140-meter Jet d’Eau, later making a stop at fashionable Milan and ending the adventure at Rome.

The trip can be booked as a single journey and completed in under 24 hours or as a multi-stop mini break as mentioned above.

So now you’ve reached the grand Roma Termini, where exactly are you going to get that pasta?

Well, you’ll not actually have to walk all that far (if you don’t want to).

Much like all of Rome, the area around the central station is densely packed with an array of amazing restaurants, many of which won’t break the bank.

Take Culinaria. Just 250 metres from the station, pasta lovers can grab a classic carbonara and a glass of champagne for just €23 (£19). The 9.3 rating from over 3800 reviews speaks for itself.

Then there’s Ristorante Mino, around the same distance from the station as Culinaria, Ristorante Mino offers a warm and intimate atmosphere, with reviews describing the place as serving “the best lunch we had in Rome” and “the best carbonara.”

Five minutes down the road sits the boutique Strada Romana Restaurant, while a little further down the way is Osteria Lecri where you can grab a carbonara at any time for just €11 (£9).

There are many more delicious eateries around the city, from the hip Trastevere area to the Centro Storico, Monti and Pigneto.

Yes, the journey takes longer than the 2 hours and 30 minutes on a plane. And yes, it’s much more expensive.

But you can’t stop off on a plane. Neither can you save the planet at the same time. Compared to flying, travellers save a staggering 96% of CO2 emissions travelling by train.