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For generations, luxury trains have enchanted travellers with their finesse and pedigree. And their tradition of slow, decadent, experiential travel is alive and well in today’s most sought-after rail journeys
The Venice-Simplon Orient-Express, Europe
Photo courtesy of The Venice-Simplon Orient-Express
The poster boy for the golden era of rail travel, the modern incarnation of Europe’s Grand Dame, the Venice-Simplon Orient-Express, offers the well-heeled a chance to step back in time and enjoy old-world luxury on one of continent’s most captivating rail routes. With its elegant art deco lines, white-gloved service and rich heritage, the train travels between Venice and Calais via Verona, the Austrian Alps, Innsbruck and Paris (after Calais, passengers continue on to London on the British Pullman train), with annual excursions to Scandinavia, Turkey and Eastern Europe.
The Venice-Simplon Orient-Express, Europe (Continued)
Photo courtesy of The Venice-Simplon Orient-Express
Lavish cabins with large picture windows and walnut panelling are ideal for curling up with high tea from Fortnum & Mason and an Agatha Christie novel, although the train does also stay true to its 1930s origins with its shared bathrooms and lack of showers. The place to be is the opulent dining carriages, where executive chef Christian Bodiguel, a 30-year veteran of the train, tantalises taste buds with signature dishes such as Charolais beef with truffle caviar; and roast salt marsh lamb with sage polenta. In June 2016, the Orient-Express will offer a new two-day, one-night itinerary between London and Berlin (from US$3,490 per person, twin share), as well as its iconic six-day Paris-to-Istanbul epic in August (from US$9,270 per person, twin share). belmond.com
The Ghan, Australia
Photo courtesy of The Ghan
Australia’s most famous rail journey sets out from the wine lands of Adelaide and crosses the Red Centre and Alice Springs on its way to Darwin in the tropical north. Originally known as the Afghan Express for the camel caravans which once crossed the Outback, the 2,979km journey was given a stylish upgrade when The Ghan launched in 2004. During the dramatic three-day, two-night itinerary travellers are exposed to a true cross-section of landscapes, from the lush Barossa Valley to the burnt-orange beauty of the Flinders Ranges to the infinite emptiness of the Outback.
The Ghan, Australia (Continued)
Photo courtesy of The Ghan
The Ghan’s all-inclusive Platinum Service backs up the captivating landscapes with plenty of luxurious touches, including spacious cabins that convert into double bedrooms and feature full-size ensuites, leisurely in-cabin breakfasts, and access to a dedicated lounge and restaurant, where gourmet meals feature unique Outback ingredients and are matched with local wines. There are also options to leave the train to capture stunning Outback sunsets near Coober Pedy, take in a bird show at Desert Park, or soar over the MacDonnell Ranges by helicopter. From A$3,229 (about US$2,250) per person, twin share, inclusive of all meals and drinks. greatsouthernrail.com.au
The Golden Eagle, Russia
Photo courtesy of The Golden Eagle
The Trans-Siberian should be on any intrepid traveller’s bucket list, but you don’t have to do it without creature comforts. Unveiled by HRH Prince Michael of Kent in 2007, the Golden Eagle features 12 ensuite sleeping cars in three categories, each with LCD TVs, power showers and under-floor heating. Tour Russia like a tsar in one of the train’s Imperial Suites, home to a double bed, complimentary minibar, small library, two large picture windows and 24-hour cabin attendant service. Other perks include a private guide and car service, laundry service and room upgrades at land-based hotels along the route.
The Golden Eagle, Russia (Continued)
Photo courtesy of The Golden Eagle
You’ll sip Dom Pérignon as you depart Moscow’s Kazansky Station bound for Vladivostok, 9,288km to the east, a 15-day itinerary that winds its way through Kazan; Novosibirsk; the banks of Baikal, the world’s largest freshwater lake; and Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia. In addition to the iconic journey from east to west, the Golden Eagle also offers two unique itineraries to Siberia in 2016 to mark the 100th anniversary of the line’s completion, as well as annual pilgrimages as far as Iran; Turkey; the Caspian Sea; and the Norwegian Arctic Circle, in search of the Northern Lights. From US$30,995 per person, twin share in Imperial Class, with departures in May, June, August and September 2016. goldeneagleluxurytrains.com
The Royal Scotsman, Scotland
Photo courtesy of The Royal Scotsman
Whisking the well-to-do through the dramatic scenery of the Scottish Highlands, the iconic Royal Scotsman is as intimate a train journey as you’ll find. It caters to just 36 lucky souls, who can choose to view the passing lochs and towering peaks from the comfort of their private cabins, each with ensuite bathrooms, or from the popular Edwardian observation car. During the evening, when the train is stabled, gourmet meals prepared using Scotland’s stellar seasonal produce are served in a candlelit dining room, followed by rare-whisky tastings, music and storytelling in the train’s lounge bar.
The Royal Scotsman, Scotland (Continued)
Photo courtesy of The Royal Scotsman
Dress to impress for the alternating formal nights on the seven-night Grand Tour of Great Britain itinerary, which departs Edinburgh bound for Perth, the Highland village Boat of Garten, Culloden, Chester, Cambridge and Bath. There’s time for clay-pigeon shooting at Rothiemurchus Estate, a tipple at Strathisla Distillery, a tour of Gwydir Castle, and dinner at two-Michelin-starred Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. US$14,550 per person, twin share, inclusive of all meals, drinks, entertainment and excursions. Departing July 15, 2016. belmond.com
Rovos Rail, Africa
Photo courtesy of Rovos Rail
If you’ve done the luxury-safari thing but haven’t yet sated your passion for Africa, Rovos Rail might be for you. For one of the most luxurious, exotic rail journeys in the world, Rovos’ two beautifully rebuilt trains each cater to a maximum of 72 guests and travel far and wide across Southern Africa. Treat yourself to one of the wood-panelled Edwardian-styled Royal Suites, complete with king-size bed, ensuite with Victorian bath and separate shower, and complimentary minibar. You’ll need the extra luggage space if you fancy tackling one of the itineraries on offer, a 15-day journey between Cape Town and Dar es Salaam.
Rovos Rail, Africa (Continued)
Photo courtesy of Rovos Rail
This African epic traverses South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania, with time along the way for Big Five viewing at the Madikwe Game Reserve, nights at the Victoria Falls Hotel and hikes through the Great Rift Valley. In between stops, drink in Africa’s ancient vistas from a leather wing-back chair in the train’s lavish lounge, dine on locally sourced produce in the elegant dining car or sip sundowners in the open-air Observation Car. 15 days from US$20,550 per person, twin share, including all meals, drinks and excursions. Departures in July and October 2016. rovos.com
Belmond Grand Hibernian, Ireland
Photo courtesy of Belmond Grand
Just when you thought slow travel had been overtaken by the jet age, the newly launched Belmond Grand Hibernian, the first luxury overnight train to grace Ireland’s rails in a generation, offers a rather indulgent way to explore the spectacular landscapes of the Emerald Isle. With a distinctly contemporary take on Dublin’s iconic Georgian architecture, the train’s 20 sumptuous cabins cater to just 40 guests; each boasts wardrobes, writing desks, private ensuites and picture windows through which train lovers can enjoy the ever-changing vista.
Belmond Grand Hibernian, Ireland (Continued)
Photo courtesy of Belmond Grand
On two-, four- and six-night journeys—or the seven-day Grand Tour of Ireland, which visits Cork, Charleville, Blarney Castle, Galway and Dublin’s Trinity College—you’ll have a chance to delve into the true Ireland, from whiskey tastings at the Jameson distiller to learning the art of falconry at Ashford Castle. You’ll also eat well thanks to two elegant dining rooms that serve contemporary Irish cuisine, with ingredients sourced from local producers along the route. Six nights from US$8,500 per person, twin share, with departures from August 2016. belmond.com
The Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan
Photo courtesy of Seven Stars
Known for its high-speed bullet trains and crowded stations, Japan has also entered the high-end rail game with the sumptuous US$34 million Seven Stars on southwestern Kyushu island. A self-styled “cruise train”, it offers a distinctly luxurious if still rather speedy approach to exploring the Land of the Rising Sun. Catering to just 30 guests in 14 beautifully appointed suites lined with indigenous wood, the Seven Stars aims to be the Japanese Orient Express, an exclusive icon on rails that showcases the very best in local craftsmanship and gastronomy, as well as the less-visited volcanic landscapes of Kyushu.
The Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan (Continued)
Photo courtesy of Seven Stars
The journeys from the island’s biggest city, Fukuoka, are filled with excursions into the countryside in search of rice terraces, natural hot-spring ryokans, ornamental tea houses and volcanic peaks. Along the way you’ll enjoy the intimacy of the train, from the full-height picture windows of the Blue Moon lounge and the delicate Kyushu cuisine of the Jupiter dining car to your Deluxe Suite A, which boasts its own captivating picture window. Here’s the hitch, though: the Seven Stars offers two itineraries, one two nights and the other four, but both are so incredibly popular that the company selects passengers from a lottery of applicants. From US$4,200 per person, twin share, inclusive of meals, drinks and excursions. cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp
