Luxury Train travel at its best!
What is Luxury travel? To me luxury travel is taking a step back from our hectic lives and living in the moment! Relaxing and experiencing the joy of travel, sometimes how we get there, is just as important as the final destination.
In 1807 the Walsh Oystermouth Railway became the first passenger train, consisting of a horse drawn carriage on tracks. Now the Shanghai Maglev train levitates over tracks moving at over 420 kmh, making it the fastest passenger train in the world.
Train travel has inspired many artists, authors and travellers alike and provided the backdrop to many romantic gestures, books and movies. Let’s stop a moment and take a look at some of the world’s best train journeys.
Venice Simplon-Orient Express (Europe)
The lineage of this train dates back to the 1800’s and today the vintage Art Deco carriages with their navy and gold livery transport you back to the romantic era of the 1920’s. This train has been made famous by Agatha Christie’s book ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ and to this day the “Agatha Christie” is the most popular cocktail on board, with 12 mystery ingredients to represent the 12 suspects in the novel.
Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)
The Rocky Mountaineer offers modern décor with glass domed carriages enabling you to relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Canadian Rockies. Rocky Mountaineer is the world’s largest privately-owned luxury train, having carried over 2 million guests. Guests can choose from 4 routes through the Canadian Rockies and as the train only operates during daylight hours, you won’t miss a thing with the onboard hosts provide support to the breathtaking scenery with their engaging storytelling.
The Ghan (Australia)
The Ghan originated in 1929 as a 2-day journey between Adelaide and Alice Springs. Today the Australian iconic journey has been extended to Darwin and is symbolic for luxury train travel in this country. The Ghan was named in honour of the Afghan cameleers who used to transport vital goods to remote outback communities but was also important during WWII when it transported troops.
Luxury train journeys are not limited to these three, others worth mentioning are The Blue Train in South Africa, Palace on Wheels in India, Belmond Hiram Bingham in Peru, Glacier Express in Switzerland and the Belmond Royal Scotsman in Scotland. Remember to take a moment to look out that window and enjoy the view!
Tina Johnson- MTA Travel
© photos provided by Great Southern Rail, Rocky Mountaineer & Belmond.