Discovery Trains Portrait: Tatiana

Tatiana Shakova sur les rails d'Europe © Discovery Trains

What has been your most memorable train journey?

I loved the trip to the Baltic countries that I took in 2021, when I joined the Discovery Trains team. The agency had just resumed operations after the Covid pandemic, and we needed to update our knowledge. Some rail connections had disappeared, others had just been reinstated. I was able to test the available services, both daytime trains and night trains.

What was the itinerary of that first journey for Discovery Trains?

It was a major rail journey through Northern Europe. I first reached Berlin by combining a daytime train to Mannheim with a night train onward to Berlin. I then stopped in Prague, Vienna, Kraków, Warsaw, Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn, before continuing to Helsinki by ferry. A true two-week rail epic, made possible thanks to a flexible Interrail Pass—seven travel days over one month. It was my first long solo journey across Europe. I loved how easily trains carried me from city center to city center. It really confirmed my desire to become a rail-travel specialist.

Do you enjoy night trains?

Yes, I do. In fact, my very first train journey was on a night train! I was traveling with my mother in Russia, between Voronezh and Moscow, and I was 12 years old. I was fascinated by life onboard this “hotel on rails.” We shared a four-berth compartment with one of my mother’s colleagues and her son.

 Tatiana enfant dans un train de nuit russe © Discovery Trains

I remember every detail: the carriage attendant, the perfectly folded sheets, the hot water in the samovar, breakfast onboard, the friendly atmosphere… It felt like a truly magical moment.

Tatiana as a child on a Russian night train © Discovery Trains

Have you tried many night trains since then?

Yes, quite a few! Some travelers feel apprehensive about night trains. I don’t—having a deep sleep helps! During my Baltic journey, I traveled on two night trains operated by the Austrian company ÖBB: a Nightjet between Mannheim and Berlin, and an Euronight between Vienna and Kraków.
I was able to compare not only the trains themselves, but also different types of compartments. In Germany, I stayed in a four-berth couchette, while in Austria I traveled in a women-only compartment with three beds. Contrary to what I expected, the four-berth compartment turned out to be more comfortable, as the vertical space is divided into two levels on each side rather than three, offering more headroom.

I have also tested night trains in Eastern Europe and in Italy.

Discovering Romania by train © Discovery Trains

“Rails of Legend,” the journey linking Paris and Istanbul, is one of Discovery Trains’ flagship itineraries. Did you create it?

This journey across Europe follows the route of the historic Orient Express. I helped put it together. At first, it was quite a challenge: connecting trains from several national operators, dealing with different booking calendars, track maintenance schedules… I tested part of the route myself, did extensive research, and listened very carefully to travelers’ feedback after their trips, to understand what could be improved. Today, organizing this itinerary is a real pleasure. Travelers return amazed by what they managed to accomplish by train.

What is the most unusual train you’ve ever taken?

Definitely the Italian train that “boards a ship” between Palermo and Rome. I took it while testing our itinerary From Northern to Southern Italy. Between mainland Italy and Sicily, the train is loaded onto a ferry to cross the Strait of Messina. It’s quite a surprising experience.

I did regret traveling in the Sicily-to-mainland direction, as it meant missing the sunrise, which can be admired when traveling the other way. But that experience had one advantage: it helped me design the itinerary in a north-to-south direction, so our travelers can enjoy it to the fullest.

Testing Italian trains in Brașov © Discovery Trains

Have you also experienced a luxury train?

Yes—and it was the most beautiful journey of my life. I joined a rail cruise in India aboard the Deccan Odyssey. I loved everything about it. India itself first of all—the country deeply moved me, in the best possible way. I was struck by the warmth of the Indian people and by the country’s cultural and natural richness.
I also loved the concept of luxury train travel: the onboard staff were extremely professional, and the food—despite my initial concerns—was of very high quality. I also formed strong bonds with fellow travelers. To this day, I still keep in touch via WhatsApp with members of our small group and our guide.

The Deccan Odyssey, India’s luxury train © Discovery Trains

Outside of work, do you still travel by train often?

I travel a lot by train in France and across Europe. And whenever I start thinking about discovering a new destination, the first thing I do is check how to get there by train. It has become my first reflex.