The Glamour of Train Travel
By Tully Luxury Travel | 10-22-2019 |
Private Travel Train England France Germany India Ireland Italy Peru South Africa Switzerland
In an era where our lives race at the speed of light, it’s rare to pause, breathe, and take in the world around us. Enter the timeless romance of luxury train travel—where you step into a world of refined elegance, slow-moving scenery, and five-star indulgence. Whether for a few hours, a few days, or an immersive escape unto itself, these train journeys offer an irresistible way to travel in style.
Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express | Europe
Step into the 1920s aboard the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the most iconic train of them all—immortalized in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. Its restored art deco carriages set the stage for a return to the golden age of travel. Guests can journey through Europe’s most celebrated cities—London, Venice, Paris, and Istanbul—surrounded by old-world glamour and exquisite design. The onboard experience includes artisanal cuisine crafted with local ingredients such as lobsters from Brittany or salt marsh lamb from Mont Saint-Michel. Between meals, sip the finest champagne served in Lalique flutes in the train’s elegant Champagne Bar.
Belmond Hiram Bingham | Peru
Named after the explorer who rediscovered Machu Picchu, this train exudes old-fashioned charm on its journey from Cusco to the famed Incan ruins. Passengers enjoy a gourmet meal and live Peruvian music while gazing out at the majesty of the Sacred Valley. The experience also includes a private sightseeing tour of Cusco led by Jorge Escobar Medrano, the Cathedral Curator and Chair Professor of History at the city’s university.
Bernina Express | Switzerland
Crossing the Alps from Switzerland into Italy, the Bernina Express offers a four-hour journey of nonstop vistas. Guests marvel at the 213-foot-high Landwasser Viaduct and pass by striking natural sights such as the Bernina Massif, Morteratsch Glacier, Lago Bianco, and the scenic Montebello curve.
Golden Eagle | Asia
Golden Eagle’s luxurious hotel-on-rails concept shines brightest on its 7,000-mile Silk Road journey from Beijing to Moscow. Over 21 days, travelers cross five countries, exploring remote terrain and ancient trading posts. Highlights include discovering the Gobi Desert by camelback, wandering the 2,500-year-old city of Khiva in Uzbekistan, and viewing the world-famous Terracotta Warriors—one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.
Rovos Rail | South Africa
Rovos Rail delivers historic grandeur on itineraries through Southern Africa, with departures from Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town. Its 10-day “African Collage” showcases the best of the region, from thrilling game drives featuring the Big Five to culinary adventures in coastal Durban, where African, Indian, and colonial influences converge. The train’s vintage wood-paneled coaches evoke a bygone era of elegance, offering an unforgettable ride through spectacular terrain.
Maharajas’ Express | India
The Maharajas’ Express takes travelers deep into India's rich cultural landscape with routes that span Mumbai, Varanasi, Ranthambore, and beyond. Guests might spot tigers in the wild, stroll the ghostly Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, or drift down the Ganges River to witness the mesmerizing Hindu aarti ceremony at sunset.