Adventures of a Railway Nomad: How Our Journeys Guide Us Home

by Karen McCann

"Hilarious, inspiring, and beautifully written." – George Mahood, bestselling author of Free Country

One August morning, I walked out of my Seville home taking nothing but a small, roll-aboard bag, a Eurail pass, and my husband. We were traveling with no fixed time limit, no reservations, and only a loose idea of our itinerary. Our goal was to see if we could still have the kind of spontaneous adventures we’d enjoyed in our youth. We spent three months on trains, mostly in Eastern Europe, and the results – often hilarious, occasionally harrowing, definitely life-changing – form the basis of my new book, Adventures of a Railway How Our Journeys Guide Us Home.

#1 Best Seller in Travel Writing on Amazon

"Adventurous and bold . . . full of twists and surprises." – Chris Brady, NY Times bestselling author of A Month of Italy

I traveled 6000 miles on 38 trains through 13 Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia.

"Karen's storytelling is, if possible, even more enticing than her astonishing journey." – Alicia Bay Laurel, bestselling author of Living on the Earth

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Memoir, Adventure

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 15, 2015

About the author

My love of convivial company and delectable food are among the top reasons I became a travel writer — and were the inspiration for my newest book, "The Great Mediterranean Comfort Food Tour." This foodie memoir chronicles my five months on the road through ten countries discovering Europe’s most mouthwatering indulgences. It's “a rollicking culinary adventure seasoned with a dash of history, a sprinkling of heart-warming characters, and a liberal shot of humor,” as one reviewer put it.

Seville, Spain has been my home for the better part of two decades. How did I wind up there? I tell all in "Dancing in the Fountain: How to Enjoy Living Abroad." My next memoir ,"Adventures of a Railway Nomad," I describes my three-month train trip through Eastern Europe. Both became Amazon bestsellers, as did my little guides, "Pack Light" and "Seville’s New Normal."

Before moving to Seville I worked as a journalist, copywriter, editor, and marketing director in California, Cleveland, and Boston. So far my travels have taken me to more than 60 countries. I've done volunteer work assignments assisting struggling micro-enterprises in Europe, Africa, the Caucasus, and Central America. These days I divide my time between Seville and my native California — when I'm not on the road in pursuit of another great story or more comfort food.

Reviews

[Christie Snowdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventures of a Railway Nomad had me laughing so hard that I had to leave the book to go find some tissues for my watering eyes….while at the same time I learned both how to smartly pack a suitcase and about the pesky problems of train travel. Karen uses wit to describe her incredible predicaments, which seem surreal, but hilarious. Now I too want to be an adventurer! The most entertaining book that I have read in a long while. Christie Snowdon

[Laura Lou · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm actually impressed that I was able to finish this book. It was a slow and generally dull read. There were occasional passages of insightful reflection but mostly it was a full play by play or obscure cities. I enjoy travel memoirs because they are not guidebooks of where people went, slept, ate and what they did but rather reflections on life and culture. There was too much guidebook in this travel memoir for my taste.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love to read about expats, and interesting travel stories, and this one combines both. Karen's an excellent writer and her journey with her husband into "authentic" countries and small towns by train practically had my armchair rocking along with them as they took a fascinating rail journey. Recommended!

[Vivienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written back in 2015, this account of the author's travels (with her husband) by train through Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia is now somewhat out of date in many respects but nonetheless, the premise remains valid.

The author present this three month train trek as a big, exciting, somewhat dangerous, adventure! Then, or now, of course travel (by any mode) is exciting and there can be a degree of danger associated with any travel (even in one's own home country) but I felt that the author made rather more of the danger aspect than needs be! Neither (and rather sadly), ten years on, are many of her 'off-the-beaten- tourist-track' places in any way remote!

Nonetheless, as a lover of train travel, I quite enjoyed some of her anecdotes along with her descriptions of places and people along the way.

I did feel that this book often felt a bit forced or contrived . . . a journey with writing a book in mind rather than for the actual thrill of it. **

[J. A. Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Karen and her husband are adventurous spirits who love life and travel. In this memoir, they set about traveling solely by train through various countries with no time line. I certainly admire them and all the things they've been able to see and do. Having just returned from England, Ireland and Scotland, I must say that I'm not sure I'll ever attempt another international trip again. This read is humorous at times and Karen always does a great job of describing the scenery, landscapes and events. Because they were gone for three months, I found this read to be a bit long. However, I just put it away and read another book and then came back to it which helped me to keep interest. From the ending, sounds like they are planning another long trip or possibly already have taken it. Have fun you guys and I hope your husband's sciatica is much better.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually love travel books. They're much easier than a road trip. although maybe not quite as much fun. Throughout this book though, I just wasn't "feeling it". And then I came to this...

"I’d always considered “us” to be one of the sweetest words in the English language, suggesting love between parents and children, friends, lovers, football fans rooting the home team on to a victory. It feels good to be part of something larger than ourselves…The problem is that the minute you talk about “us” there’s a “them" standing outside the magic circle, and that’s where things get sticky"

It made me go back and look at WHY I wasn't getting into this one so much. I got more from the last few chapters than i did from the first 3/4 of the book.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author's disdain for "tourists", and particularly young tourists, absolutely drips off the pages of this book. I'm all for off-the-beaten path, new experiences, and interacting with locals. But to focus on that as superior to how other people want to travel is just annoying. Not to mention that the author is still not afraid to complain about the inconveniences of traveling to those off-the-beaten path locations.

I also don't think the subtitle, "How Our Journeys Guide Us Home" is really applicable. It felt like a loose series of chronological essays about travel, but with no underlying trend about how their journey guided them home. Possibly the last chapter attempted this, but there was no real depth to any of the content.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, written by an expat who has lived with her husband in Sevilla, Spain for the last 10 years was a hoot! The author has a witty way of describing things, and I found myself reading sections aloud to my husband, which to me is a sign of a well written book. The couple (who had done a lot of adventurous traveling in their youth) decide they need an adventure, and buy a Eurail pass to go by train to eastern Europe. The places they ended up weren't always idyllic, but most of the time they made the best of things, although they knew when to cut their losses too. Made me wonder if we should be planning our next adventure!

[Roberta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Travels by rail always sound romantic to me, so I was immediately interested. I like how the coupke just set off, bad knees and all, open to discover. And they weren't fussy travellers. The places they visited were almost all unknown to me so that was interesting as well. It's a practical book. Lots of tips of what to bring, how to pack it etc. I did find myself flagging at times. Not because it was a difficult read. It just felt a bit dull and they felt judgemental to me, especially of young travellers. I prefer more reflective read, even about travel.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very charming. I enjoyed their trip, it was a bit "out there" and I liked that a lot.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent read. My husband and I are retired, older, living abroad and writing a blog about what it's like to live in a foreign country in retirement. So this book is also a personal affirmation. Trains are my favorite way to travel and this book is about a momentous and unconventional train trip. Good to know there are kindred spirits out there on similar escapades away from the comforts of retirement homes and country kitchens. To all my friends, in their 60's and 70's who voice a desire to be doing what we're doing, this book is a well to draw the courage and gumption and resource to get on that camel and get going. Travelling is a way of filibustering the process of an ageing mind and expanding the growth that is life. Karen's stories of travelling mishaps, culture and humour are fun, engaging, and inspiring. Loved it.

[Pat Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Dancing in the Fountain by Karen McCann some time ago and when Adventures of a Railway Nomad (love the title) came up I was keen to read it - especially as I love travel myself and reading Travel/moving abroad Memoirs. This one didn't disappoint. The Author and her husband Rich leave their home in Seville - head for the train station with their rail card and embark on their planned 'adventure'. Although I have been to a few of the places mentioned in this Memoir (it was great to revisit some of them - especially when Yugoslavia was mentioned (which obviously is no more)) - but, there are so many more Towns, Cities, villages that one tends to miss because of time constraints. They tried as best they could to join a free or well priced and not too long tour in each place they visited - a brilliant way to get a quick heads-up. They had some pre-booked accommodation and really didn't have a clue if the descriptions would be apt all the time! Such destinations as Verona, Transylvania, Serbia - Czech Republic and many more in-between. Of course there were language barriers along the way but they got on with it. The Author also gives a brief history in the chapters of events which happened or artefacts in places visited - not all destinations were liked or loved - but I guess if there's a train station nearby one can head-out and move on - great idea.

[Duane Roggow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen is a treasure! I read all the travel books I can get my hands on and after reading "Adventures of a Railway Nomad" I may never read another, except Karen's next one. Karen, quite simply, nails it! She is thoughtful, funny, honest and entertaining all at the same time. Certainly "Adventures" does get off the beaten track and that is not the kind of travel experience everyone will embrace, but everyone will embrace this book. With a thoroughness and integrity that is rare Karen pulls you in and keeps you interested (Enthralled) until she and Rich arrive back in Seville. As a frequent traveler (39 countries and counting) I can attest to the wonders of getting "Out There" and no one tells it better than Karen. Whether you want to follow Karen and Rich into the wild or simply enjoy from afar, buy this book. You will be happy.

[Sanhita · Rating 4 out of 5]

The very idea of a couple in their mid 60s, planning an unplanned train journey through thirteen countries in Europe lasting more than three months, struck a chord somewhere. The book makes you stay with them throughout. Full of anecdotes, humorous descriptions, lots about food and local customs, history and politics of the place put in a palatable way makes the book very different from the run of the mill travelogue.
I enjoyed reading it thoroughly.

[Jane M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning: will trigger your wanderlust

Great book, good mix of anecdotes, history, and practical travel information. Had me mentally planning a trip to Eastern Europe as I was reading it. I enjoyed the author's style and would definitely read more of her work. Travel memoirs can sometimes be hit-or-miss, and this one was mostly a hit. There was a bit more philosophizing than I typically enjoy, but it was less about internal self-discovery and more about complex world issues, which did not seem at all out of place in a chapter about touring concentration camps, to give one example. Overall, I'd recommend it to people interested in travel, although it will probably depress you when you finish reading and don't have the funds for a plane ticket.

[Steve McC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sorry to get to the end of Adventures of a Railway Nomad. It was a great read. The book is about a three month trip the author and her husband take through Europe and Eastern Europe. Karen's sense of humor and interest in the world at large is contagious. I started anticipating each stop they made on their railway journey and chuckled and laughed at what they found and discovered. For all the travelers and explorers in the world, I definitely recommend reading Karen McCann's new book.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars. Fairly entertaining book about an expat couple, living in Seville, Spain, who decide to take a railway journey from Spain to Eastern Europe, and back. Some parts had me laughing aloud, and I enjoyed the historical tidbits. But, there were parts that were too slow-moving. Overall, a good read.

[Annemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. At first I was afraid that a travelogue (as opposed to a memoir of settling in and making a life in an interesting location abroad) wouldn't be interesting, but I found that I was wrong. I had a lot of fun reading about the author's adventures by train in Eastern Europe, which is a place I haven't heard that much about before. Now I want a Eurail pass!

[Rita Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for the trip.

To get a 5 from me, I need to stay awake for 24 hours reading. I 've spent a lot of time in western Europe and always wanted to travel eastern Europe. This will have t do as I'm 79 years old so it looks out of the question now. Thank you doing it for me.

[Myra L Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen and Rich in Eastern Europe

I loved this account of travelling in Eastern Europe! Karen has a wonderful sense of humor! Such a good idea to travel by train and for only 3 hours at a stretch!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admire people who uproot themselves for a new adventure but this couple did it one better and left their new home for months of travel by train somewhat off the beaten path in Europe. I enjoyed it mostly out of jealousy. But it is well written and a fun read.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got bored and didn't finish.

[Jena Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasant and informative read. I especially liked the section on Romania- it was interesting to learn about the country!

[Marcos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring.

It is a trip taken every year by thousands of people with much less planning and money, but those people didn't think about writing a book afterwards.

[MaryAnne Pennington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as first book about living in Seville - too repetitive.