The romanticism of gazing out of a gliding train and soaking up views famous the world over continues to endure as the experience of a lifetime. Pick up steam with future travels with a window into routes both classic and more recent
By Cheryl Caira
Belmond Andean Explorer
The Peruvian-chic interiors on South America’s first luxury sleeper train are alluring enough a reason to book this journey, which ascends to heights of 4,000 ft. The route traverses the Peruvian Andes from the ancient heart of the Inca empire in Cusco to Lake Titicaca and Arequipa. The 16-carriage train includes a spa car, piano lounge bar and an open-air deck for staring out at the view. belmond.com/belmond-andean-explorer
Rocky Mountaineer
Renowned for its routes through the Unesco World Heritage-listed Rockies, where you’ll see lakes, snow-capped mountains and potentially encounter wildlife like bear, elk, bald eagles and osprey, the Canadian rail-tour company offers some stellar experiences. Among them is a ‘Journey through the Clouds’ adventure in the rugged Cariboo Mountains, featuring treks with glacier views and guided heli-hiking as well as some relaxation on the famous train. rockymountaineer.com
Caledonian Sleeper
Fall asleep in London, wake up with the green of the Highlands enveloping you. After the famous overnight service relaunched a few years back as a new £150m fleet with en-suite double rooms, McKinlay Kidd introduced a trip called ‘Luxury Skye and Highlands’ by Sleeper. Arriving in Rannoch, there’s a guided tour of rural Highland Perthshire, followed by a journey west to board the ferry to Skye for two nights before heading back to London via Inverness. mckinlaykidd.com
The Ghan
The grand dame of Australian train travel, The Ghan takes in the full diversity of the country’s landscapes, following the route forged by pioneering Afghan cameleers. The trip begins in the southern city of Adelaide, making its way north to Darwin. Passing rural farmland, the lush tropics, and the fiery red of the outback leading to Alice Springs, the journey is interspersed with experiences such as a sunrise trip to the desert in remote Marla and a wilderness cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge. prestigeaustralia.co.uk
Seven Stars Kyushu
The height of Japanese travel luxury, grabbing a coveted spot on the Seven Stars service is best organised well in advance. The ‘cruise train’ is a chance for visitors to discover Kyushu via rail, the southernmost of Japan’s main islands. The eastern meets western tradition of the train’s décor and its panoramic windows make for a picturesque viewing spot. The ‘seven stars’ represent the seven most important aspects of Kyushu: hot springs, nature, spiritual spots, history & culture, food, the friendless of locals and its train system. cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp
Golden Eagle Danube Express
The ‘Castles of Transylvania’ journey is Golden Eagle Luxury Trains’ offering for those who like multiple castles and palaces to be part of their itinerary. Visiting four countries in seven days and travelling between Istanbul and Budapest, passengers can delve into the history of Vlad the Impaler (aka Count Dracula) and see Bran Castle, made famous by Bram Stoker’s novel. Notable scenery on-board includes the Shipka Pass into Bulgaria, an overnight ascent of the Carpathian Mountains and the dramatic landscapes crossing the Romanian border. goldeneagleluxurytrains.com
Great Southern
This Australian route offers travellers the chance to sit back in luxury while enjoying some incredible scenery. Launched by Journey Beyond and linking Adelaide to Melbourne, the service showcases Australia’s south-eastern topography. Exploration opportunities as you cross the country include seeing mountainous Grampians National Park, dining by the beach in New South Wales and marvelling at Victoria’s Twelve Apostles. greatsouthernrail.com.au
