During my first ever trip to Europe, I had a million reservations (pun not intended) regarding night trains. I did not in any way intend to miss out on all that lovely scenery because heck, I was travelling across the prettiest continent in the world! However, as beautiful as European countries are, they also do everything they can to burn a hole in your pocket and spending a few hours in the dark, travelling from one place to another doesn’t seem like a bad idea after a point. Moreover, if pondered upon practically, how much beauty can one possibly consume when every single sight is breathtaking? Night trains in the continent are comfortable, cost effective and also grant you a bonus day to explore your destination. And they are not just about saving money and waking up refreshed, overnight journeys are often incredible experiences in themselves. If you let your imagination run wild, the idea of sleeping in a fast-moving vehicle replete with fancy food and accompanied by interesting strangers has the potential of becoming a fantastic story. The clacking of the carriages, the blasting of the horn and the sounds of the whistle transform your ride into a fairy tale of sorts, no matter how modern trains might have become. It is, very often, a party on wheels and here is a list of five essential overnight rail journeys in Europe, the memories of which will stay with you for several years to come.