Ticket To Ride - Europe (Days Of Wonder)
The idea of laying train carriages onto a map of Europe circa 1901 to build up continental train routes might not sound like everyones cup of tea, but this is the best of the bunch we've played so far.
It's essentially a card game based around gathering a hand of appropriately coloured cards to lay claim to train routes across Europe. At the beginning of the game you're given destination tickets (eg. Zurich to Budapest) which you can/ must join to score points and avoid penalties at the end.

The rules are straightforward with only a little confusion regarding the use of ferries when crossing a body of water.
There was also initial confusion at the outset as we tried to understand and figure out the routes we'd picked out, and locate them on the board (Brindisi anyone?) but once you're more familiar with the board and brushed up on your European geography (playing & learning here) then your initial thoughts of 'this is impossible' change to 'my God, I think I can do this!'

As the game progresses, strategy becomes more important as you realise that you oponents routes share destinations with yours, and as only one player can own a train route, tension begins to mount as you race to collect a suitable hand of cards.

A great game which is not just for train spotters.
www.daysofwonder.com