Airplane rides are overrated! Why not travel by train instead?
When you’re traveling by train, the journey itself is already part of the experience. A train ride is the perfect epitome of the saying that the journey is more important than the destination.
If you’re craving a whole new adventure of a lifetime, here are the top five most luxurious train journeys to experience at least once or even more!
1. Rajasthan, India – Palace on Wheels
Although there are only a handful of luxury train journeys that will take you through India these days to take in the beauty of this vast country, Palace on Wheels remains the pioneer and most popular one to date.
This train journey kicks off from Delhi and concludes in the cities of Rajasthan, including Agra, Chittorgarh, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and more. If you’re lucky, you can even go on a tiger safari early in the morning along the way.
You’ll get to witness some historic sites, including the pink Palace of the Winds, and grab lunch from the earlier palaces of Maharajas, including Udaipur’s stunning Palace in the Lake, which most of you might have seen in The Octopus Saga of James Bond. You can also visit the majestic forts, like the towering Amber Fort, before reaching the climax of the trip at the Taj Mahal.
Every single day of your journey will expose you to an incredible new destination. You can also consider spending a couple of days in Delhi before boarding the train to beat jet lag and attune yourself to India.
Just so you know, India is a true assault in every sense. Of course, it might take some time before you get used to the interesting history, the sights, the smells, and the crowds. Be sure you also book a nice hotel and some Delhi excursions to set the mood right.
2. Kyushu, Japan’s Seven Stars
Kyushu is a southwestern island in Japan famous for its jaw-dropping volcanic landscape with hot springs and national parks here and there. The Seven Stars train will whisk you off through the landscape with strategically planned stops, including a beautiful lakeside, an interesting experience of traditional pottery, and an overnight stay in a traditional Japanese inn or Ryokan, depending on your itinerary.
However, the train is the key player in the trip. Being custom-built as the most luxurious sleeper train in the world, its seven carriages sparkle like diamonds with their wooden parquet flooring and wood paneling interspersed with a detailed artisan framework.
The company’s shiny brass logo dots this design. There are also en-suite bathrooms featuring separate showers and hand-made porcelain basins, as well as the so-called dancing and singing Japanese toilet.
Once you get to the restaurant car, you will be treated to a feast of food bento boxes and plates that are like artwork each time, featuring the finest Japanese cuisine highlights.
The trip begins in the capital of the island, Fukuoka. Make sure you allot some extra time for your layover since you’ll be flying into it via Tokyo.
3. Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service
Only a few train journeys can beat the views that await you during a train trip across West Canada. But if you want to take it a notch higher, the Rocky Mountaineer is ready to pamper you with their acclaimed 5-star Gold Leaf Service experience.
The luxurious train finds its way through lush forests, dreamy meadows, dazzling lakes, and snowy peaks. You also don’t have to worry about missing out on any of the amazing views with the full-length panoramic windows, bi-level glass-domed cabins, and an exclusive outdoor viewing platform that lets you get up close and personal with nature even more.
Make sure you also don’t blink your eyes while meandering through the Rockies, passing the North Thompson River banks, the Continental Divide, and the Canadian Rockies’ highest peaks. If you keep your eyes peeled along the way, you might even get lucky enough to see eagles, elk, and a bear.
Inside the train, plush seats are waiting for you to sit on them while sipping a glass of wine. You can also check out the restaurant, where you’ll find gourmet meals prepared using seasonal, fresh ingredients.
The train stops every night so you can check into a posh hotel before you go back to the train the next morning for breakfast and continue your amazing adventure.
4. UK’s The Royal Scotsman
The Royal Scotsman is the UK’s only luxury sleeper train, offering a true one-of-a-kind experience. You’ll be training with just 36 passengers or so at a time while passing through the Scottish Highlands with its verdant countryside, majestic castles, spectacular lochs, and rolling mountains.
Wrap a tartan wool blanket around you while lounging in the Edwardian-style suite while traveling through the scenic landscapes. You can sit in the mahogany-lined dining car while sipping Scottish whiskey.
Over 50 types of the best whiskey in the world are stocked in the bar. You can also further pamper yourself with a facial, manicure, or massage in the distinct spa car for the most picturesque experience in the UK.
The observation car has an open-air veranda that takes you closer to nature. It’s also the perfect spot to lounge in at night, with stars lighting up the sky. Guests also love gathering here to share their adventurous tales.
5. Europe’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Being the grand dame of the most luxurious train journeys in the world, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express will whisk you back in time to luxury train travel’s Golden Age.
Taking inspiration from the acclaimed Agatha Christie novel, James B. Sherwood, the founder of Belmond, purchased the original British Pullman train carriages from the 20s and 30s and restored them with care, restoring the former glory they lost.
These days, the luxury sleeper trains with 17 carriages roll through some of the most captivating European destinations, including Budapest, Istanbul, London, Paris, Prague, Venice, and Verona. It also continues to be the peak of luxurious train travel.
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