For some people train journeys are simply a way to get from A to B. For others the joy of train travel cannot be underestimated: not only can they relax and let someone else do the driving, but they get to study scenery and cityscapes that few car journeys will ever reveal to them. Even better, they get delivered right to the centre of their destination town without having to worry at all about where to park their car.
If you’re a huge fan of train travel why not become a veritable connoisseur, and add 6 of the most scenic and luxurious train journeys in the world to your bucket list?
1. Venice Simplon Orient Express, Europe
The world-famous Venice Simplon-Orient Express train is the epitome of luxury (with a price tag to suit). Encompassing an Art Deco theme, it eludes an undeniable timeless grace and charm.
The train travels from romantic cities such as Paris to Venice and London to Istanbul. See the Sacre Bleu once day and a stream of Gondolas the next. Gaze at the intricate design of Big Ben or wonder at Istanbul’s Blue Mosque. All the while being treated to a first-class dining experience followed by enjoyable on-board entertainment.
If you love a bit of nostalgia and fancy a splurge, this rail journey can’t fail to please.
2. Rovos Rail, South Africa
The self-proclaimed ‘world’s most luxurious train’, Rovos Rail merges elegant train travel with the 5 star attraction of a luxury hotel. Navigating through South Africa’s breath-takingly beautiful landscape, it takes you from Cape Town to Pretoria in 3 days and 2 nights.
Sample the luxury cuisine on offer and sip on the finest selection of South Africa’s wines. Experience a true timelessly-classic rail journey, complete with all the trappings of modern luxury.
3. Tranzalpine, New Zealand
The Tranzalpine is New Zealand’s most celebrated train journey. Although the train itself is not classed as ‘luxurious’, it appears on the list because the scenery that travellers are treated to on this train journey is too breathtakingly beautiful to miss.
Departing from Christchurch, the train travels across the lush and fruitful Canterbury Plains farmlands then crosses the stunning Waimakariri river. Around the magnificent Southern Alps, with the train arriving at Greymouth on the West Coast, where stands some of the most impressive glaciers ever seen. The journey can be done in a day or you can choose an overnight package which includes a night at the 5 star Coleraine studio.
4. Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express: Russia, Mongolia and China
This epic journey is not for the faint-hearted. It takes 15 days to travel from Moscow to Beijing and spans six time zones. However, the amazingly luxurious interior of the train and its cabins will certainly take the edge of any jet lag.
A resident doctor and pianist, not to mention the sleek en-suite bathrooms with every cabin, ensures that your two week stay is infinitely more than comfortable.
Experience the splendour of colossal European Russia before travelling to its mystifying Far East, crossing the vast wooded breadth of Siberia.
The train transports its passengers past the stunning Lake Baikal, then goes onto the bustling Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.
In keeping with the luxury experienced on-board, passengers stay in five-star accommodations when visiting impressive Moscow and Vladivostok.
5. Seven Stars: Kyushu, Japan
Undeniably Japan’s most luxurious train, the “Seven Stars” in Japan holds an exclusive seven carriages, hosting just 30 people.
Premium Japanese craftmanship can be viewed on walls created by maple and rosewood; sublime walnut floors span the expanse of the train and traditional shoji paper screens adorn windows.
The food, as you’d expect – nothing short of exquisite. And the service, extra-ordinary.
Choose from two itineraries: two days around idyllic Fukoka or the four day experience that transverses the unique and mesmorising Kyushu.
Waiting list applications for both tours are so extensive, that people are selected by a completing an application form.
6. The Ghan: Darwin to Adelaide, Australia
This three night all-inclusive from Darwin to Adelaide offers guests the chance to soak up the overwhelming enormity of a section of this an impressive continent.
With large and luxurious cabins and en-suites, exclusive dining carriages and the choice of five-course meals, guests can relax in authentic opulence.
Let The Ghan whisk you off to some of the most secluded, yet captivating, parts of Australia. Excursions offer the opportunity to visit the magnificent Alice Springs, feel the warmth of an outback sunrise and fall asleep under the Milkyway in Manguri.
Now that I’ve opened you eyes to a whole new world of train journeys, I wouldn’t be surprised if even those who consider rail travel as a means to an end, aren’t tempted to consider a luxury train journey for their next holiday.
