Rail travel has revolutionised the way we see the world; offering comfort-first carriages with sleeper cabins and dining cars that invite passengers to simply sit back and enjoy the ride. Though we may now associate it with cramped commutes, recent years have seen ultra-luxurious train travel experience something of a renaissance, with slick new strings of cars traversing tracks across the world’s most spectacular locales. So, why not take the scenic route?
These timeless, luxury train journeys blend elegance with adventure, and we've presented some equally exciting options of places to lay your head at either end of your journey.
From Orient Express day trips to Rocky Mountaineer adventures, the itineraries suggested are just one of a handful offered by each of these services, so speak to your personal travel manager for more tailored advice.
Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train, Southeast Asia
The return of Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express five years after the pandemic ground its wheels to a halt brings with it a reinvigorated sense of magic that only truly opulent, old-world train travel can conjure. The aesthetic? Revamped vintage glamour, while unabashed joie de vivre defines your ride.
PRE-DEPARTURE
There’s no shortage of appealing places to lay your head in Singapore at the start or end of your voyage, with the iconic Marina Bay Sands being among the premier choices. However, if you feel like enveloping yourself in the elegance of a bygone era just a little longer, then Raffles Singapore has to be the place. Architectural splendour, sumptuous surroundings, and lofty prestige set this Singapore institution into its own league, bookending your spectacular Southeast Asian voyage with an unsurpassed flair.
Grab your Orient Express tickets and get ready for the journey of a lifetime to begin…
WILD MALAYSIA ITINERARY – 3 NIGHTS
Take your seat aboard the elegant carriages of the Eastern & Oriental Express at Woodlands Station, Singapore. Admire the view as you vacate the city’s metropolis of skyscrapers and enter the rolling green landscapes of the fragrant Malaysian jungle; the locomotive pulse lulling you into a state of meditative calm – a tranquillity that can be sustained or broken with a visit to the Champagne-fuelled dining car.
Savour Afternoon Tea - an indulgent prelude to your journey into the untamed heart of Malaysia, before arriving at Merapoh station. Visit the ancient rainforests of Taman Negara National Park - formed no less than 130 million years ago (yep, one of the oldest in the world) - and immerse yourself in extraordinary experiences surrounding the rich and dramatic wildlife, from conservation-focused jungle walks to cave exploration and wellness rituals.
On the final day, you’ll stop in the lively UNESCO-listed George Town in Penang. Choose from a host of curated excursions, from exploring George Town Old Quarter via Vespa and sampling local flavours at, arguably, the best street food stalls and joining a local cookery class to independent sightseeing courtesy of a tri-shaw, driver, and a map. Rejoin the train at Butterworth for lunch and a leisurely afternoon (Dior Spa, anyone?) before arriving in Ipoh, gateway to the Cameron Highlands, and indulging in a final evening of deluxe dining and entertainment.
Rovos Rail, Southern Africa
Operating top-end services across Southern Africa for more than 30 years, Rovos Rail captures the essence of train travel’s golden age: wood-panelled carriages, lounges filled with the scent of leather and aged scotch, formal evenings, and grand suites complete with clawfoot tubs. Enjoy white glove service as Africa’s spellbinding scenery unfurls outside the window.
PRE-DEPARTURE
As South Africa’s cultural capital, Cape Town is home to a dazzling array of accommodation options – including a horde of luxury offerings. One&Only Cape Town reflects the city’s cosmopolitanism in an enviable waterside location. On the other hand, The Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, stands as a history-filled, pastel-hued emblem of its heritage. Opening in 1899 and winning rave reviews ever since, it exudes a playful lightheartedness, offering guests and residents a stylish spot in which to dine, dance, and stay a while.
AFRICAN COLLAGE ITINERARY – 12 NIGHTS
Operating bespoke train safaris through the heart of Africa since its establishment in 1989, Rovos Rail routes range from a three-night Cape Town trip to an epic 15-day 'Trail of Two Oceans’ adventure, with various off-train safari or cultural excursions included within your itinerary. The comprehensive African Collage takes you from the eclectic cultural hub of Cape Town to Pretoria, featuring game drives in Kruger National Park and Addo Elephant Park en route.
Start this panoramic sojourn by alighting at Matjiesfontein, where history buffs can wander the village and browse the museum and a classic collection of cars, while nature enthusiasts will be delighted by a visit to the semi-deserted region of Oudtshoorn, situated at the foot of the majestic Swartberg Mountains where many rivers, streams and falls have their origins. The great natural wonder of the Cango Caves are included, featuring breathtaking limestone formations, before a visit to one of the area’s famed Ostrich farms. A key highlight, the Game Drive in Addo Elephant Park allows you to explore South Africa’s third largest national reserve - stretching from the semi-arid Karoo, over the Zuurberg Mountains and down through the Sundays River valley to the coast. This extraordinary park is home to one of the densest African Elephant populations on earth - roughly 600.
The Golden Gate National Park is another awe-inspiring destination to alight at, most notably for its golden ochre and orange-hued deeply eroded sandstone cliffs and outcrops, especially the Brandwag Rock. Continue through Durban for city scenery before reaching the famous Kruger Park, the last notable stop before arriving at your destination; Pretoria.
Rocky Mountaineer, North America & Canada
The most modern among this cohort, Rocky Mountaineer’s sleek trains criss-cross the American Southwest and Canada’s Rockies, capturing the continent’s pioneer spirit and the sense of limitless adventure which make it great. Double-height cars encased in glass provide unadulterated views over canyons, crags, and cliffs as you glide through scenery as vast as the lore infused within it.
PRE-DEPARTURE
For something chic, modern, and central, the Fairmont Pacific Rim is an enduringly popular option with heaps of amenities for all. However, if it’s a sense of occasion and an air of 1920s grandeur you’re after, Rosewood Hotel Georgia is certain to start your journey on the right track. Consistently regarded as one of Vancouver’s – if not all of Canada’s – finest hotels, you’ll find yourself ideally placed just a walk to the picturesque Stanley Park and the range of restaurants, museums, and art galleries that vie for attention along its fringes.
RAINFOREST TO GOLD RUSH – 2 NIGHTS
What sets the Rocky Mountaineer aside is that all its routes are available in varying formats and, since the train doesn’t operate overnight, passengers disembark each evening for an included stay in a luxury hotel. Each is also awash with cinematic beauty, and as the train guides you through the mountainous terrain between Vancouver and Jasper, by way of Whistler’s mountains and Quesnel’s tranquil river valleys, you can’t help but be enthralled. Head straight from point A to B, linger on along the way, or tack on another route.
Departing from North Vancouver, relax in comfort as you dine on a delicious breakfast with a view. The train winds its way through Horseshoe Bay and the scenic fjords of Howe Sound, before leaving the twinkling waters behind ahead of the majestic Coast Mountains. Keep your eyes peeled for The Chief, a famous local landmark in Vancouver. Upon arrival in Whistler, disembark and spend the rest of the evening exploring this world-famous mountain resort. Browse the many boutique shops and restaurants or brave dizzying heights for a birdseye view of the place with a Peak-2-Peak Gondola ride.
The following morning, you’ll travel through the Fraser River Valley, where rushing rivers give way to arid plains and gold-flecked canyons that have been home to Indigenous peoples for millennia. As you enjoy a leisurely three-course lunch on-board, your hosts share stories of the region’s rich history. Soon, the track unfolds beside vast turquoise lakes, offering a spectacular approach to the rustic charm of Quesnel.
On the final day, glide effortlessly through seemingly impassable terrain as you journey deep into the Rockies, absorbing the dramatic mountain scenery as it unfolds around you. While you dine on another gourmet lunch, your hosts share more stories of the railway, pointing out iconic peaks - including the mighty Mount Robson - before your arrival in Jasper.
Orient Express, La Dolce Vita, Italy
The world's most mythologised train service, the Orient Express, has a fabulous new iteration. Guiding its passengers through Italy’s breathtaking landscapes aboard a train inspired by the glamour of the 1960s, La Dolce Vita embodies everything your mind's eye pictures when you think of uber-luxe rail travel, with views both in and outside the train feeling cinematic and transportive in more ways than one.
Designed by Dimorestudio, it combines Italian elegance with sumptuous private cabins, refined dining experiences with regionally inspired menus, attentive service, and exclusive regional itineraries, including trips across Tuscany’s vineyards and sojourns along Sicilian shores. This iconic journey celebrates the artistry, joy, and beauty of Italian culture; capturing the essence of la dolce vita.
PRE-DEPARTURE
There's just something about Venice. Tracing a line along its ancient canals, you'll feel it. Staying almost anywhere in the city carries a kind of magic, but a couple of hotels really capture the Venetian art of ostentatious grandeur and opulence that just verges on over the top. The Gritti Palace is one such hotel and a perfect microcosm of Venice itself. For a slightly more modern take on classic Baroque styling, Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, is a waterside institution favoured by celebrities since the 1950s.
VENICE & PORTOFINO – 2 NIGHTS
Starting in Venice, this option perfectly encapsulates the romance of the Italian countryside with emblematic cities and ageless coastal allure. Glide from the grandeur of The Floating City’s canals to Portofino’s pastel cliffside villas by way of picturesque landscapes, rolling vineyards, and shimmering seas. Stops at cultural treasures and secluded locales enrich the experience, giving a glimpse into the traditional ways of life that still thrive alongside fashionable cosmopolitanism.
Your journey begins in Rome Ostiense, where you board the train in the morning and settle in as kaleidoscopic Italian landscapes glide past your window. On board, enjoy an exceptional dining experience crafted by three-Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, showcasing local, seasonal flavours that set the tone for the journey ahead. By late afternoon, you arrive in Venice with time to explore the enchanting canals, historic piazzas and hidden corners of the floating city. As midnight approaches, the train departs for the Italian Riviera, gently carrying you towards Portofino.
On day two, wake to the soothing rhythm of the rails and savour a leisurely Italian breakfast on board. Arriving in Santa Margherita Ligure, you’ll transfer to the postcard-perfect harbour village of Portofino, where free time allows you to wander pastel-hued streets, admire luxury yachts or enjoy a relaxed lunch overlooking the sea. Later, return to the train for an elegant evening, complete with refined dining, live entertainment and a glamorous atmosphere that flows through the carriages.
On the third day, the train makes its return to Rome Ostiense, bringing your unforgettable Italian rail journey to a stylish close.
From the majestic peaks of Canada Rocky Mountain holidays to coastal chic on the Sicilian shores of Italy, our curated collection of luxury train journeys will take you on a ride of a lifetime. Indulge in the grandeur of your carriage, admiring transient views as you glide from destination to destination; whichever route you choose, you can relax in the knowledge that the scenery and on-board service will be nothing short of spectacular.
Ready to take the scenic route? Call our team of personal travel experts on 0203 816 0985 or enquire online and embrace the rise of slow travel.
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