From Black-Tie Glamour to Astounding Scenery
They say the journey is just as important as the destination, and nowhere is this truer than aboard a train. There is a timeless romance about taking a train voyage cross-country.
Maybe it’s because rails can carve through landscapes where no roads go, maybe it’s seeing endless miles of scenery roll past, or maybe it’s the elegance of train stations and luxurious interiors of the carriages themselves.
Whatever it is, there is a mystique about these train vacations that will seduce you and make you wish you’ll never arrive at the final stop.
The TranzAlpine Rail
Running between Greymouth and Christchurch, the TranzAlpine rail covers some of the most stunning scenery in New Zealand’s South Island. Traversing the Southern Alps and miles of beech forest, the TranzAlpine is famous for its views of snowy peaks and glacier-fed rivers.
The trains themselves have been designed to maximize the experience, with large panoramic windows and comfortable reclining seats. Open-air viewing decks are the ideal spot to stretch your legs, letting you breathe in the fresh mountain air as you rush past pristine landscapes. At a touch under five hours, the TranzAlpine is a great day trip.
The Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian railway stretches across Russia and into places as distant as China, Mongolia and North Korea. A steel ribbon unfurling across the endless steppe, past the world’s largest freshwater lake, and across the Urals, the Trans-Siberian is undoubtedly one of the greatest rail vacations in the world.
The journey from Moscow to Vladivostok covers more than 6,000 miles and zips through no less than eight time zones. The cities you’ll visit and sights you’ll see make this the perfect vacation for adventurous couples. You’ll need a week to complete the trip, which will give you a sense of just how vast the world’s largest country really is.
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The Glacier Express
Connecting the Swiss mountain resorts of St Moritz and Zermatt, the Glacier Express glides through jaw-dropping Alpine scenery. From your seat you will have panoramic views of gorges and mountain passes as the train swoops over viaducts and through spiral tunnels. For the full eight hours you will be swept along on a visual and thrilling ride.
Here’s a tip: catch the train in springtime to see a blissful combination of green valleys and snowy peaks.
The Canadian
Covering thousands of miles, the Canadian runs all the way from Toronto to Vancouver. Over five days and four nights you can be carried across the second largest country in the world, witnessing the changes in the landscape while luxuriating in the comforts of the sleeper car and freshly cooked food in the dining car.
The Canadian has made train travel as comfortable as it will ever be, with en suite bathrooms and minibars. There are even double beds for couples — a feature unique among North American trains. There are also flat-screen TVs to keep you entertained in the evenings.
The enthralling landscapes that set the scene for the journey are dotted with rivers, canyons, soaring peaks and even the occasional moose. Crossing the Rockies is the scenic climax of the trip, and a good time to check out the vista domes where you can get the best view.
The Orient Express
The setting of Agatha Christie’s famous novel “Murder on the Orient Express,” this London to Venice train still evokes all the glamour and old-world charm of travel as it was 100 years ago. The suites on board the train have an Art Deco-style that maintains vestiges of a more stylish era of travel.
Then, of course, there is the route itself. The Orient Express makes its way through some of Europe’s most iconic destinations, including Paris, Milan and Verona.
It’s not just your eyes that will be feasting, either. The train is equally famous for its menu — you can expect to dine on fresh croissants, truffles, caviar, smoked salmon and all sorts of other delicacies prepared by French or Italian chefs.
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Royal Rajasthan on Wheels
The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels is essentially a rolling palace. The train takes luxury so seriously there is even an on-board spa! The seven night passage across Rajasthan takes you past some of India’s most famous temples — including the Taj Mahal — and various other wilderness and heritage areas.
The mixture of contemporary living with plush decor will make you feel incredibly spoiled, and the train itself may even be the highlight of your trip.
The Ghan
Chugging all the way from Adelaide to Darwin, the Ghan is Australia’s great railway vacation. The name comes from the Afghan camel caravanners who beat a path through the Outback some 150 years ago. The landscapes you’ll witness during the journey are like nowhere else in the world.
Taking you right into the heart of Australia, this train vacation is a completely unique way to experience the country. It crosses the vast, arid Outback, shooting straight through the famous Red Centre before passing through Flinders Ranges.
The journey of three nights and four days can be enjoyed from the comfort of private cabins as you traverse the island continent from coast to coast.
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The Shongolo Express
Journeying across South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, the Shongolo Express is perhaps one of the most interesting ways to see Africa. The suites on board the train are designed with a colonial luxe style — think lots of wood and comfortable leather chairs for lounging.
The Shongolo (which means millipede) crawls across the African continent with plenty of rattles and shakes, but the slow deliberate motion of the train and all its accompanying noises simply add to the atmosphere. The train makes plenty of stops so travelers can enjoy wildlife, craft markets, ancient rock paintings and of course Victoria Falls.
For something more sedate, you can also relax on the open-air viewing deck with a glass of champagne and simply watch the orange sunset over the plains.