travel MICHEL ROUX JR’s SEASONS
MICHEL ROUX JR’s SEASONS travel
The WorlD’s
greatest
Train Journeys Exploring five breathtaking continents, J ame s M as s oud avoids the chaos of the airport and heads for the tracks in search of some of the world’s greatest train journeys.
rovos rail, africa One of the most luxurious trains in the world, the Rovos Rail leaves guests spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting their memorable African adventure: from 24-hour journeys to a month-long escape; Cape Town to Pretoria in South Africa or Tanzania to Namibia, scenic routes to wild rides, every taste is catered for. This all-inclusive journey means that guests can sip a drink of their choice while watching the African landscape pass by. Passengers also enjoy a four-course lunch and dinner with a recommended wine or liqueur to accompany each dish. A formal dress code is observed at dinner, with guests treated to a gourmet selection of international and local dishes. Named the ‘Pride of Africa’ the Rovos Rail was the brainchild of Rohan Vos. Having forged a successful career in the motor spares industry, Vos wanted to run his own private train around South Africa. However, when Vos discovered the costs he decided to expand to the public and sell tickets. Beckoned for meals by brass gongs, dining at mahogany tables, drinks in lamp-lit booths on plush leather seating surrounded by fine art and fresh flowers this opulent experience will leave passengers not wanting to leave. From £6,248 per person for 14 days, www.rovos.com
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Indian Pacific, Australia
Photo Switzerland Tourism, Rocky Mountaineer, Orient-Express Hotels (UK) Ltd, Great Southern Rail, Rovos Rail Tours.
Over three million visitors have travelled the mammoth 2,698-mile journey between Perth and Sydney, and the figure continues to rapidly rise every year. Named after the two oceans it travels between, the Indian Pacific has traversed Australia for more than 40 years. The experience lasts three days and sets off from Perth where it passes through the Avon Valley into western Australia and makes its first stop in the evening at Kalgoorlie City. The second day sees guests travel through the mallee scrub and into the Nullarbor Plain. So vast is the Plain that the Indian Pacific makes a stopoff midway through in Cook. The train reaches Adelaide by the following morning, where passengers are given the option to stay for a few days or continue on to Broken Hill, then through the outback, past some of the country’s most productive farming, until the beauty of the Blue Mountains become visible. Indian Pacific advises passengers that a trip aboad will be one of the longest journeys of their life, but also one of the most memorable. With so many breathtaking sights along the way, it’s difficult to disagree. From £1,468 per person, www.gsr.com.au
Eastern & Oriental Express, South East Asia An epic 1,200-mile journey, which takes in the landscape of Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Laos: from Singapore’s towering skyscrapers to Thailand’s exotic wonders, the tropical climes of Malaysia to the unspoilt treasures of Laos, travellers on board the Eastern & Oriental Express are treated to a journey rich in culture. The fully air-conditioned cabins of the luxurious train come in three compartments: Pullman Cabins, State Cabins, and Presidential Suites. The interiors are lavish, with cherry wood and elm burr paneling, and it also has attractive marquetry. The food served is of a world-class level. A fusion of international and Far Eastern cuisine, guests dine in restaurant cars where they can wash down their mouth-watering meals with the tastiest tropical cocktails. With drink in hand, guests are advised to make their way to the observation car at the end of the train where passengers unwind on the veranda-style ambience and watch the beauty of South East Asia go by. After the success of sister train Venice Simplon-Orient Express, the Eastern & Oriental Express made history when it became the first train to transport passengers across Asia directly from Singapore to Bangkok, via Kuala Lumpur. From £1,735 per person, www.orient-express.com
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travel MICHEL ROUX JR’s SEASONS
Rocky Mountaineer, Canada In the past two decades Rocky Mountaineer has rapidly risen in stature becoming the largest privately owned passenger rail service in North America and attracting more than one million guests from around the world. With the choice of four unique routes around Canada to choose from, it’s no surprise that the Rocky Mountaineer experience is becoming more popular year on year. The First Passage to the West travels the historic route between Vancouver and the town of Banff, Alberta – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route is synonymous for connecting British Columbia to Canada and is 125 years old; nowadays Rocky Mountaineer is the only passenger train that travels this historic journey. Journey through the Clouds is a route that runs from the coast of Vancouver to the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies – Jasper, Alberta, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along this breathtaking journey of unrivalled natural beauty passengers get to see, among many other things, Mount Robson which, at 13,000ft, is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Whistler Sea to Sky Climb is a three and a half hour trip of blissful serenity that travels from Vancouver to Whistler, BC, while Rainforest to Gold Rush, the newest addition from Whistler, BC to Jasper, Alberta, offers guests the chance of a lifetime of viewing untouched wilderness and rarely seen nature spots, such as British Columbia’s Coastal Rainforest and Fraser Canyon. From £399 per person, www.rockymountaineer.com
Glacier Express, Switzerland The Glacier Express is one of the most peaceful and leisurely ways to reach a ski resort, covering 180-miles of Switzerland’s landscape from Zermatt to St Moritz. The seven-hour journey crosses 291 bridges, passes through 91 tunnels, travels over the Rhine and Rhone, winds through the 6,700ft Oberalp Pass, and rises and plummets almost 5,000ft. Beginning in Zermatt (unless of course you’re on the return journey), the picturesque village in the German-speaking district of Visp, the train makes its way to St Moritz, an après ski destination which maintains all of the appeal of a quaint village, situated in the Engadine Valley. Travelling aboard the Glacier Express is sure to work up an appetite and at lunchtime guests are pampered in the stylish dining car where they can enjoy a three-course meal, all while taking in the views of snow covered Alpine peaks and vast meadows lined by mountain lakes. From £157 per person, www.glacierexpress.ch
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The Royal Scotsman, Scotland A journey on this iconic train doesn’t come cheap but it does guarantee a priceless travel experience. Having originally launched in 1985, The Royal Scotsman has steadily increased in popularity, picking up the Queen’s Award for Export along the way. Up to 36 guests can be accommodated on board, they are transported back in time in the rich mahogany cabins designed around the Edwardian period. Aboard The Royal Scotsman, passengers always travel in style: with resplendent armchairs and sofas for relaxed socialising; the most comfortable beds, in personal cabins complete with their own storage space and bathroom, and two dining-cars where travellers feast on the freshest seasonal produce in surroundings akin to a private gentleman’s club. And to accompany the menu? The finest wine from the extensive collection in the cellar, of course. Or perhaps a sumptuous liqueur or one of Scotland’s finest malt whiskies? This four night railroad journey flies by, and guests are advised to absorb the panoramic surroundings at every opportunity, from the famous lochs and historic castles to the scenic forests, waterfalls and Highland glens, The Royal Scotsman offers its passengers the best of Scotland. From £2,590 per person, www.royalscotsman.com
Venice Simplon-Orient Express, London to Rome, via Venice With a rich history dating back to 1883 the original Orient Express travelled through Paris, the Swiss Alps, Budapest and Bucharest, transporting royalty and dignitaries of the day. Today, some of the carriages still date back to this era, allowing guests to experience even more of an historical journey adding true romance aboard the luxury train. The route, which takes in the scenic countryside of France, Switzerland and Austria, takes place in two separate trains and legs: the British Pullman and the Continental Wagons-Lits. The sumptuous meals are prepared by highly-trained French chefs and guests have a choice of dining in one of three stylish restaurant cars; Cote d’Azur, Etoile du Nord or L’Oriental. Gaining a little respite in one of the well-catered cabins is another of the train’s luxuries. Each one is maintained to a high-standard, where guests will find soft towels, crisp linen and personal cabin stewards who are on-hand to attend to guests’ requests. The iconic train has been a muse for many authors, featuring in the James Bond thriller From Russsia with Love, Graham Greene’s Stamboul Train and Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient-Express. Travelling aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient Express is sure to leave its guests feeling inspired. From £1,755 per person, www.orient-express.com l
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