TAKING THE SCENIC ROUTE

DE LUXE SUITE, THE BLUE TRAIN

with Esplanade Travel

BY JACKY KEITH, PRESIDENT

JKEITH@ESPLANADETRAVEL.COM

After a year (or longer) of staying close to home, it’s time to bring back the Golden Age of travel! Picture the 1920s and 30s: travel was a special event in one’s life; leisure time was valued and essential; people still wore their best even on the longest of journeys. It was the time of Hercule Poirot and Jay Gatsby, Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, the Jazz Age, and Hollywood.

Nothing better encapsulates that era of wonder and glamour quite like a luxurious train journey. Sit quietly in a well-appointed cabin, watching the world’s most beautiful scenery pass you by, or head to the lounge car to mingle and imbibe. Explore on foot at stops along the way, sleep peacefully each night lulled by the low rumble of the engine, and learn to appreciate the journey as much as the destination.

HEX RIVER VALLEY, SOUTH AFRICA

There are two train journeys that dominate the scene in South Africa – Rovos Rail and Blue Train. Travel in style from Cape Town to Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, and appreciate all the beauty this region has to offer. A train journey is the perfect complement to an exciting safari in any of the nearby countries – South Africa, Botswana, or Zimbabwe.

Rovos Rail

Rohan Vos ran a successful auto spares business before realizing his passion for trains. Restoring Victorian coaches and making them into one of the most luxurious trains in the world has resulted in a fabulous series of journeys across Southern Africa and even up to East Africa. Since its founding in 1989, Rovos Rail has earned a well-deserved reputation for world-class travel experiences. In a series of train journeys lasting from 48 hours to 15 days, Rovos Rail links great destinations with many off-train excursions such as the famous Kimberly Big Hole.

Step aboard vintage wood-paneled coaches and sit back as some of the most varied scenery unfolds beyond the windows. Discreet and friendly service, top cuisine, and a selection of South Africa’s finest wines take you back to a simpler, more elegant era of African exploration. The beautifully rebuilt trains carry a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 superbly appointed suites.

The Blue Train

In the easy-living heyday of the 1920s, a train with royal blue and cream colors became the famous Blue Train – a true Palace on Wheels, riding the rails to legend. Extensively refurbished and modernized after World War II, the 24-hour journey from Pretoria to Cape Town became the preferred way to travel. Switching from steam to electric and diesel, it now links Pretoria with Victoria Falls and extends into the famous Kruger National Park for game viewing and Port Elizabeth at the end of South Africa’s Garden Route. The suites become a spacious lounge by day and private bathrooms are marble with gold fittings. There is a writing desk next to the window where you can enjoy the view in style along with a link to the driver’s eye view camera. The dining car has two sittings for lunch and dinner, and each meal is accompanied by tasteful background music like the mellow tones of the Soweto String Quartet. Everything is included in your journey and the lounge and club cars offer drinks, high tea and an array of board games.

AUSTRALiA

When making the trip to the other side of the world, give yourself a little extra time “down under” to experience one of these magnificent train rides. Australia is a huge continent, only slightly smaller in size than the continental United States, so a train journey is the perfect way to see Australia’s remote beauty and hidden gems without wasting travel days.

The Ghan

The Ghan Expedition takes you through the heart of Australia, offering the ultimate outback experience with the perfect balance of comfort and adventure. Originally dubbed “The Afghan Express,” The Ghan was named in honor of the Afghan cameleers who helped explore the continent’s remote interior more than 150 years ago. The all-inclusive four day/three-night journey begins in Darwin in the Northern Territory and takes you south via Australia’s famous Red Centre to Adelaide in South Australia. The Gold Service cabins

THE GHAN LEAVING ALICE SPRINGS, NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA

TRANZALPINE OPEN-AIR VIEWING CARRIAGE, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

or Platinum Service suites serve as your private oasis onboard, offering all the creature comforts.

Choose from a variety of off-train experiences, such as a scenic cruise, a camel ride through the desert and a visit to an underground mining town. Don’t miss a scenic helicopter flight over Uluru for a bird’s eye view of the enormous sandstone monolith that is so sacred in Aboriginal culture. Meal highlights off board include a traditional barbecue dinner under a million stars in the outback town of Alice Springs and a gourmet lunch in an underground opal mine in Coober Pedy. After finishing the journey in Adelaide, we suggest taking the ferry over to Kangaroo Island for some of the best native wildlife viewing opportunities in the country.

Indian-Pacific

Named for the two oceans it links, the Indian-Pacific takes you on an epic 4352km transcontinental journey between Australia’s two coasts. Follow in the footsteps of bush pioneers and gold rush prospectors as you cross the entire continent from Perth in the west to Sydney in the east (or vice versa) in just four days. Pass through the otherworldly, barren landscape of Nullarbor, which directly translated from Latin means “no trees” and stop in the once thriving railway town of Cook, now a living ghost town. Explore Adelaide’s city treasures, including the famous Adelaide Oval. Journey through New South Wales’s picturesque Blue Mountains and be sure to be on the lookout for kangaroos and emus along the way!

Don’t forget to include extra time to explore both Perth and Sydney. Nature and urban life exist in perfect harmony in Perth, Australia’s sunniest city, and no visit is complete without a day trip to Rottnest Island for the ultimate quokka selfie. In Sydney, let Esplanade book you a BridgeClimb on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a harbor cruise, a show at the famous Opera House or a surfing lesson at Bondi Beach.

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand, home to Fiordland National Park and Maori culture, offers two rail daytrips that will take you through some of the most stunning scenery of the South Island. Board the TranzAlpine or the Coastal Pacific in Christchurch and enjoy postcard views at every turn. Tired of sitting? The open-air viewing carriage on both trains allows you the unique opportunity to stand outside while snapping the perfect, unobstructed photo.

TranzAlpine

Soak up the striking vistas between Christchurch and Greymouth aboard the TranzAlpine. Leaving Christchurch, from your carriage you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River.

Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps, traveling through the majestic Arthurs Pass National Park before descending through lush beech forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth. This rail trip is 224 kilometers long and takes just four and a half hours. There are 19 tunnels and 4 viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing at 73 meters.

The Scenic Plus Class carriage brings you delicious food, informative commentary, friendly hosting and spectacular views, all delivered right to your seat while you ease back and enjoy the journey. Huge panoramic windows, glass shelves and skylights help immerse you further into the dramatic landscapes outside.

Deboard in Greymouth and pick up a rental car to drive south down the wild West Coast, stopping in the glacier region for a glacier heli-hike and then continuing down to Queenstown. Alternatively, travel up the West Coast to board the train in Greymouth, finish in Christchurch and then hop onto the Coastal Pacific for a different rail adventure.

Board the Coastal Pacific in Christchurch and journey up the Pacific Coast of the South Island. This journey is a scenic feast of New Zealand, with the Kaikoura mountain ranges on one side of your train and the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline on the other. There are 22 tunnels and 175 bridges. Along the way you’ll travel through some of New Zealand’s finest horticultural and farmland areas. Passing though the seaside village of Kaikoura, you can often see amazing wildlife such as dolphins, seals and penguins from the comfort of your train carriage.

If you choose to end your trip in Kaikoura, be sure to hop on a whale watch cruise. Deboard at the next stop in Blenheim and spend your afternoon among the vines of Marlborough’s sunny vineyards, sampling its world-famous Sauvignon Blanc. Finish the trip in the small port town of Picton and connect to the afternoon Interislander ferry across Cook Strait to Wellington, New Zealand’s coolest little capital.

PERU

Peru and Machu Picchu are practically synonymous – but there is so much more this diverse country has to offer. Exploring the country by train is a new and unique offering in Peru, but absolutely worth the added time in-country. Rather than focusing just on the Cusco region with ruins, take your time and see more of the scenery, culture, and wonder that Peru has to offer.

Andean Explorer

The Andean Explorer is South America’s first luxury sleeper train and one of the highest train routes in the world. Its path travels between Cusco, the outpost to reach Machu Picchu, and Arequipa, a historical city framed by three volcanoes. This lovely offering scoops around so you also see Lake Titicaca and the picturesque village of Puno.

The train has just 16 carriages, ensuring you’ll have an intimate and luxurious experience, with décor inspired by Peruvian textiles. Carriages include a lounge car with live music, an outdoor viewing deck, two dining carriages, a library and boutique, and a spa car.

We suggest taking this train ride after visiting Machu Picchu – you’ll surely arrive in country excited to see the famous ruins, and the various hikes in the area will warrant being followed by a comfortable train journey. While on the Andean Explorer, you’ll visit Raqch’I archaeological site, watch the sunset over the La Raya Mountains, wake up to sparkling Lake Titicaca, ride a boat to the floating Uros and Taquile Islands, explore Lake Lagunillas and Sumbay Cave, and end in Arequipa. Work with Esplanade to include Colca Canyon to see the Andean Condor as well.

Hiram Bingham

Board the Hiram Bingham and be transported back in time on this luxurious and elegant train ride. The three and a half hour journey, from Cusco to Machu Picchu, takes you through the heart of the Inca Empire, allowing you to soak in the fertile farmlands and the soaring Andes mountains from the comfort of your seat. Choose from the sophisticated dining car, the bar car or the observatory and find yourself in carriages that are decorated in a classic 1920s Pullman style with vibrant Peruvian colors. Enjoy a complimentary welcome cocktail and relax (or dance) to the live traditional Peruvian music!

COASTAL PACIFIC, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Once travel to India is possible, there is no better way to see the country than on one of the luxury trains. Usually operating between October and March or April these trains bring back the fantasy of traveling back in time. Managed by Indian Railways, there are a total of 7 luxury trains to choose from– the Maharajas’ Express, Palace of Wheels, the Deccan Odyssey, Gold Chariot, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Royal Orient Train and the Fairy Queen Express.

Maharajas’ Express

Best among all Indian luxury trains, the Maharajas’ Express is a half mile long train with professionals prepared to meet the highest quality of hospitality, fully stocked bars, lavish suites, butler services and more. Starting in Mumbai, you can travel north to the caves of Ajanta, on to the royal cities of Udaipur and Jaipur, see tigers at Ranthambore and visit the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Deccan Odyssey

Inspired by the traveling style of the kings and rulers during different royal eras of ancient India, Deccan Odyssey is a 5-star hotel on wheels that takes you to fascinating destinations in India. Royal treatment includes palace-like interiors of the cabins, multi-cuisine restaurants, lounges, a conference car, an onboard spa and other state-of-the-art amenities. Choose from six different routes across all of northern India on 7 night/8-day journeys as you rediscover the art of elegant train travel.

The Palace on Wheels

Palace on Wheels is India’s original luxury train, voted 4th best luxury train in the world. The interiors of the spacious guest cabins, accented with hues of ruby, turquoise, and pearl, immerse you in the pomp and elegance of a bygone era. You will feel like a king or queen thanks to your own dedicated butler, catering

MAHARAJAS’ EXPRESS DINING CAR, INDIA to all your needs. Operating on a similar route to the Maharajas’ Express, this journey is the perfect way to see beautiful Rajasthan. Depart New Delhi and visit a tiger reserve, the city of lakes, an oasis within the desert, the Taj Mahal, and be back in New Delhi in just over a week.

EUROPE

Orient Express

The Belmond Venice-Simplon Orient Express conjures images of luxury travel from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and with good reason. An undeniable icon of the rails, this train has long captured the imaginations of glamorous guests. You will feel as if you have entered the scene of an Agatha Christie novel as you dine in elegance in one of the three dining carriages. These exude a true sophistication, as each space has been recreated by craftspeople to an exacting standard from the Art Deco era. The food is gourmet and the service is white glove and impeccable. Settle into your cabin surrounded by polished cherry wood, comfortable upholstery, and large windows – all spaces filled with beautiful details to make your stay the most comfortable possible.

The Venice Simplon Orient Express has routes that have been expanded over the years to include not just the classic Venice to London itinerary, but other departure or arrival points such as Paris, Verona, Brussels and Amsterdam, even offering an extended trip from Paris to Istanbul.

Belmond offers similarly elegant train experiences in Scotland with the Flying Scotsman. The décor is much more Scottishthemed, and the cuisine showcases local delicacies, including smoked salmon and Scotch whisky tastings if you are so inclined.

Trans-Siberian

The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest railway journeys. Its path is like a steel ribbon across mysterious Russia connecting east and west

from Moscow over the Urals, across the magnificent and endless steppe and alongside the shore of the world’s deepest freshwater lake, Lake Baikal. It is the longest train journey in the world. This 15-day journey will bring you from Moscow to Vladivostok with many stops to visit small cities, museums and the beautiful countryside. The trip covers the Mongolian region of Russia as well, including Ulaan Baatar, the capital city that was once the center of the enormous empire led by Genghis Khan.

TiME TO GO!

Luxury long-distance rail travel offers discerning and adventurous travelers a unique opportunity to visit some of the world’s most memorable places in comfort and style. The elegance of an upscale train car experience is all in the details: from stylish furniture, handcrafted décor and impeccably dressed staff, to cocktails served in crystal glasses and tasting menus offering a feast of local delicacies.

But most importantly, it is a magical way to visit underexplored parts of the world while sipping your tea or cocktail as the world goes by, enjoying the anticipation of the next city in which your luxury train will stop. Skip the hassle of driving and waiting around in airports, and contact Esplanade Travel to book your next rail adventure.

Esplanade Travel focuses on international luxury travel, and unique custom-designed trips have been our trademark for 60 years.

Our staff has collectively traveled to over 150 countries around the world, and we sell the destinations we know the best and love the most! Our primary destinations are Africa, New Zealand,

VENICE SIMPLON ORIENT EXPRESS CABIN

Australia, Southeast Asia, Italy, France, South America, India, United Arab Emirates and the islands of the South Pacific. ★

ESPLANADE TRAVEL

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