It is an era of abundant travel opportunities by air, cruise, and automobiles. As travelers, we are often in a rush to get where we are going as quickly as possible, and rarely do we take the time to appreciate the journey itself. In rare instances, the road is the destination, good examples being Route 66, the Pacific Coast Highway and The Great Dolomite Road. An even rarer indulgence invites us to relive an era gone by, before the veins and arteries of our modern travel network were fully formed. I am talking about train travel. Not the kind that some dread on their daily commute. Nor the kind used to traverse several states to visit your distant relatives on holidays. There are a handful of companies out there that celebrate and preserve rail travel at its pinnacle of glamour. Lets have a look at some of the most exclusive rail adventures available today.

Rocky Mountaineer

Rocky Mountaineer the distinct honor of being awarded the "World's Leading Travel Experience by Train" at the World Travel Awards seven times for its GoldLeaf service and was recognized by National Geographic Magazine as one of the "World’s Best Journeys". It is a Canadian rail-tour company the covers the Western provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, and stretch into Washington state. They offer over 65 distinct package options, spread across its four distinct routes the encompass the best of the Canadian Rockies. Combining scenic rail touring with hotel stays in some of the most jaw dropping national parks. Operating on all routes, Rocky Mountaineer’s GoldLeaf service is a bi-level, glass-domed coach with full-length windows and reclining seats that can be rotated. Guests are offered hot meals prepared on board the train, served to them in the lower level dining car. Its GoldLeaf+ services include stays at the legendary Fairmont resorts in the region such as Fairmont Banff Springs and Chateau Lake Louise. Some programs also include in depth sightseeing by coach in each destination, so you get a taste of both rails and the open road. Turquoise blue crystal lakes, majestic mountain peaks, imposing glaciers, and endless enticing hiking trails make this a common bucket list item for lovers of the great outdoors. They also offer lower Red Leaf and Silver Leaf packages that are more friendly to the wallet, making a Rocky Mountaineer Journey one of the more affordable grand rail adventures out there.

Orient Express/Belmond

Probably the most legendary name in rail travel. In 1883, the first Express d'Orient left Paris for Vienna. The train was officially renamed Orient Express in 1891. A few years later, in 1889, the first direct train to Istanbul left Paris Gare de l'Est, and it is this route that it would become most famous for. Istanbul remained its easternmost stop until almost a century later. The 1930s saw the Orient Express at its most glamorous and popular servicing royalty, nobles, diplomats and other society elites. It ran three parallel services including the original Orient Express, the Simplon Orient Express, which gave riders access to Italian cities such as Venice. And the Arlberg Orient Express, from Zürich and Innsbruck to Budapest, and onwards to Athens. It acquired its reputation for comfort and luxury, boasting sleeping-cars and restaurant cars known for their top quality cuisine. Continued innovation in the rail industry brought high speed, affordable, rail travel to the continent, which was the demise of the original Orient Express. Today, the name and some of the trains have been licensed to third party private companies. They run both regular services as well as the occasional legacy journeys retracing older routes. Belmond Venice Simplon Orient Express in the main purveyor with regular service between London and Venice, as well as journeys that access Vienna, Budapest, Paris and Verona via restored 1920s and 1930s carriages. This enduring symbol of luxury and elegance is one of most romantic ways to traverse Europe. Belmond has also taken over the famed Hiram Bingham that takes explorers from Cuzco to Machu Picchu via the lap of luxury. This day winds through the dizzying altitudes of the Peruvian Andes, treating guests to a welcome show, gourmet lunch, an observatory car, live music show, a ritzy bar car, VIP lounges, a guided tour of the ruins and access to their own hotel by Machu Picchu, the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. Belmond also now operates the iconic Royal Scotsman, where you can live out your Harry Potter fantasies aboard the vintage cars, weaving through the Scottish Highlands. They offer numerous itineraries through great Britain including options that follow the Scottish Whiskey Trail, food tours, and castle visits.

Maharajas Express

The Maharaja Express Train is a once in a lifetime luxury train journey through India. Since its introduction in 2010, it has been voted “The Worlds Leading Luxury Train” time and again. Here, you can fall asleep in one city or state and wake up in a completely different place. The salons of the Maharaja Express train have been styled with influence from the private saloons of the Maharajas of India. They even boast private butlers. There are 4 cabin classes to choose from, at even the smallest is larger than your average luxury sleeper car. Each carriage presents a unique ambiance as each one has been named after a famous gemstone. There are 2 restaurants, a lounge, a safari bar, a library, board games, live entertainment, and educational sessions. They offer 5 unique itineraries that range from 3-8 days, that are designed to encompass the cultural diversity, ancient history and modern society in each journey to paint an unforgettable picture of India at its finest. The shorter journeys cover the Golden Triangle, while the longer ones traverse the country. The luxury extends far beyond your time spent on the train itself. Upon arrival in each station, guests are greeted with fresh flowers, welcome ceremonies and gifts. Each day, between 1-3 excursions are offered that guests can opt to take part in. They are all included in the ticket price. India boasts many phenomenal rail journeys, including the original, Palace on Wheels, but Maharajas Express offers a level of decadence and pampering that can seldom be matched in world travel.

Rovos Rail

Imagine seeing Africa from the comfort of your luxury suite on a beautifully restored carriage, decked out in Edwardian styles. Their wood paneled coaches are comfortable sanctuaries, peppered with superb service, and attention to detail. The grand style of a bygone age is evoked in delicious meals in the classic dining cars where guests are required to dress in formal attire for dinner. These journeys depart from Rovos Rail's very own private station in Pretoria, offering a selection of journeys to and from Cape Town, Durban, Victoria falls and Namibia. The three night Victoria Falls Journey meanders from Victoria Falls, on the Zambian and Zimbabwean border and lumbers through the Hwange National Park for an off-the-train safari. The popular Cape Town Journey goes from Pretoria to Cape Town via beautiful countryside, vineyards and charming small towns. In addition to their safaris, they also offer golf themed itineraries in addition to their regular safari routes. They are celebrating 30 years in business this year with some special discounts that luxury connoisseurs can take advantage of.

Rail Journeys Fit For Royalty