Although even the fuzzy romantic preference is itself a practical benefit. The time to chill out, chat with a stranger, observe the changing landscape, and on more rural lines, enjoy a brief insight into village life, all add up to a huge psychological boost of great value in our stressed, hectic modern lives.

Spain's AVE high-speed network (Europe's most extensive, I think) is marvellous and hugely practical whether for business or leisure, but its expansion has also led to the elimination of some overnight sleeper trains that were the very epitome of the romantic train travel of yesteryear.

The Barcelona-Cadiz sleeper, heading out of Catalonia in the evening, an excellent three-course dinner included in the price with a sleeping compartment, chugging across Spain to arrive the very opposite corner of the country the next morning, having swapped Mediterranean for Atlantic, is one of my most treasured travel memories.

Sadly it is no more, as the AVE can do the journey in maybe 6 hours.