6 Incredible Luxury Train Journeys

Golden Eagle Trans Siberian Bar Lounge Car
Golden Eagle Trans Siberian Bar Lounge Car

There’s nothing quite like seeing the world aboard a luxury train.

6 Incredible Luxury Train Journeys

Watching the landscape slowly unfold outside your window while you are pampered by attentive staff is an unforgettable experience. Indeed, nothing quite matches the old-world charm of a classic train meandering through scenes of soaring mountains and glistening lakes. It reminds you that great travel is not just about the destination – it’s also about the journey. But why wait for that special bucket list experience? Some of the world’s ultimate train journeys are ready for you to book right now. All aboard!

Golden Eagle Trans Siberian Bar Lounge Car
Golden Eagle Trans Siberian Bar Lounge Car

1.  Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express 

One train journey stands head, shoulders and sleeper cars above the rest – the Trans-Siberian Express. It’s the journey every train lover wants to take – not only for its epic length, but also because
of the unmatched scenery.

The Golden Eagle will allow you to experience the world’s greatest railway journey between Moscow and Vladivostok. One unique feature is that, unlike other Trans-Siberian trains, Golden Eagle specialises only in travel with high- quality private trains. You will be pampered like a Russian czar, right down to the on-board Russian lessons and Gala Caviar Dinner.

 

Blue Train Dinner Service
Blue Train Dinner Service

2. Blue Train 

Weaving a bold blue line across South Africa’s beautiful landscape, the Blue Train was named Africa’s Leading Luxury Train in 2019 by the World Travel Awards – for the 11th consecutive year.

An unforgettable journey between Cape Town’s monolithic Table Mountain and the jacaranda- lined streets of Pretoria awaits. The train fully lives up to its motto: ‘A window to the soul of Africa’.

Everyone from Nelson Mandela to Kylie Minogue and Sir Elton John has enjoyed the luxury of the Blue Train, which has been in existence since 1946. It will make you feel like you’re back in the golden age of travel.

 

Views from The Presidential
Views from The Presidential

3. The Presidential  

Get ready for a gastronomic adventure unmatched on the train tracks. Great Train Journeys has unveiled its latest addition, Portugal’s The Presidential: a journey that focuses on the country’s fine food and wine.

This mouth-watering trip spoils guests with meals prepared by some of the world’s top chefs, including Henrique Sá Pessoa (two Michelin stars) and Óscar Gonçalves (one Michelin star). Choose from a São Bento- Vesuvio day trip, a two-day Escapade Pack from São Bento to Duoro or three-day Premium Pack. The only problem: you’ll be so entranced by the food you won’t notice the spectacular scenery!

 

The Canadian
The Canadian

4. The Canadian 

Experience Canada’s transcontinental train journey from Vancouver to Toronto on board The Canadian: your window to Canada’s diverse beauty.

Settle back in true stretch-out comfort and watch the landscape transform before your eyes as you travel across Canada’s five most southern provinces; British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Enjoy the views from the Skycar’s 360-degree scenic dome as the train winds through landscapes that will leave you breathless – ranging from snow-covered mountains and turquoise lakes to forests. You’ll soon discover the only way to appreciate a country as vast as Canada is by train.

 

Tren Crucero Panoramic Coach
Tren Crucero Panoramic Coach

5. Tren Crucero

Once voted by Lonely Planet as one of the top five unmissable train journeys, the Tren Crucero will transport you across the Andes in Ecuador on an incredible ride. From Guayaquil, gateway to the Galapágos Islands, you will travel through cloud forests and the fertile plains of the Pacific coast, before zigzagging a 450-metre descent on the Devil’s Nose Pass.

Gaze in awe at Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes, which features 14 volcanoes over a 200km-corridor, as well as the folds of the colossal Northern Andes. You can also enjoy the food and culture of the region during authentic off-train experiences.

 

Twelve Apostles
Twelve Apostles

6. Great Southern 

Australia’s list of great train trips just got a whole bigger. Joining classic rail adventures such as The Ghan is the Great Southern, an unforgettable journey from Adelaide to Brisbane and back.

Marvel from your seat at the stunning unspoiled wilderness of The Grampians, with sandstone mountains, wildflowers, waterfalls and native fauna. Explore Australia’s acclaimed Hunter Valley wine region; behold the amazing Twelve Apostles; enjoy a special beachside dining experience on the NSW coast; and much more.

Be one of the first to enjoy the Great Southern, with the first season starting on 6 December.

 

Why we love travelling on trains

A great journey is like a delicious meal – best enjoyed at leisure. Planes fly too fast and too high to allow you to savour the rich details of, say, the Rocky Mountains, the plains of Africa or the Australian outback. And many of the world’s most incredible iconic locations are inaccessible on foot or by car. That’s where train travel comes into its own.

On a train, you can witness everything from wildlife in their habitat to lakes, forests, deserts, mountains and more from the comfort of your luxury seat. You can rest assured that the train is travelling slow enough for you to capture that perfect shot.

Meanwhile, everything is taken care of for you. All you have to do is relax and enjoy the romance and luxury of old-style travel – with no long queues or hassles over baggage.

Train travel is the perfect antidote to our busy world. You will feel the urgency and cares of the world wash away. You will feel transported to another time and place. And best of all, you can enjoy it all with your friends and family sitting right beside you.

For more information on the most luxurious rail journeys from all around the world, or to book your adventure, visit greattrainjourneys.com.au.

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