Before cramped airport scenes and middle seats, baggage fees and spats about overhead space, there was the Golden Age of Travel. It was a time when people boarded a train or ship, settled into a cabin and enjoyed the ride. Sure, trips took longer back then, but the journey was as much a part of the experience as the destination — and often, you could visit several spots along the way.
If you’ve cruised before, then you get the appeal of this style of travel. But the fun’s not limited to the water: With an overnight train trip, you can enjoy on-board service and experience all the places in between your destinations — from rural villages to natural wonders — as they appear past your windows. Many companies around the world have restored vintage sleeper cars to their former glory, or created new ones that evoke that era of comfort and elegance. Here are five train journeys, lasting from one night to over a week, that traverse some of the world’s most romantic destinations — and, for a little while, help transport you back in time, too. Bon Voyage!
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
The Route: Several through Europe, from London to Istanbul.
Length of Trip: One to ten nights.
The Destinations: Arguably no other name is as synonymous with the glamour of train travel as the Orient-Express, which ferried passengers from Paris to Istanbul from the 1880s through the early-2000s. From royalty and spies to Agatha Christie characters, they all traveled in one of the line’s plush, Art Deco-styled British Pullman cars, enjoying refined service and gourmet meals as they made their way to glittering European hubs. Though the original route no longer operates, the experience has been impeccably recreated on the privately operated Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which uses restored original carriages from the 1920s and ‘30s. The train operates from March to September, and routes change depending on the time of year. Choose from the best-selling Signature Journeys like Paris-Istanbul and Istanbul-Venice (each 5 nights) or the 10-night Paris-Istanbul-Venice. This year the train also heads further north to Scandinavia, offering one- or four-night trips between Venice, Stockholm and Copenhagen. Depending on the itinerary, you’ll enjoy free time to explore destinations on your own, or pre-arranged excursions, like private city tours in Budapest and visits to Peles Castle in Sinaia. Longer journeys mix nights aboard the train with hotel stays, and pre- or post-train extensions can be also be arranged.
All Aboard! “Opulence” is the keyword in the restored cabins, from the crisp Damask sheets adorning the beds and the plush robes and slippers offered at turndown to the oak panels that slide back to reveal sinks. In keeping with the train’s original layout, mosaic-tiled bathrooms are located at the ends of each car (not in cabins), and the Double Cabins only offer berth-style beds (no double beds), which get transformed into cushy banquette seating during the day. Posh design elements like Lalique glass and black lacquer paneling can be found in the three restaurant cars, which serve chef-prepared menus using ingredients picked-up along the routes. The Art Nouveau-style Bar Car offers handcrafted cocktails and live piano music (rates for the five-night Paris-Istanbul itinerary start at about $9,270 per person and include meals; belmond.com).
Photos courtesy of Belmond
Next: Eastern & Oriental Express ►
Eastern & Oriental Express
The Route: Several through Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore.
Length of Trip: Two-, three-, five- or six-nights.
The Destinations: Operated by Belmond (the same company behind the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express), this chic choo-choo in Southeast Asia pairs relaxing on-board time with excursions in each stop. The two Classic Itineraries run north or south between Bangkok and Singapore (for two nights and three nights, respectively), through lush jungles, along rice fields and winding riverbeds and on tracks lined with palm and rubber trees. You’ll stop in places like the royal city of Perak in Malaysia, with visits to architectural sites and galleries; Kanchanaburi, for a historian-led boat ride on the Kwai River; and Penang Island, to explore the colonial capital of George Town. Two new additions include the six-night “Fables of the Peninsula" and two-night “Ancient Kingdom of Lanna.” The former, which is limited to 60 guests, starts with a night in Singapore, then land-cruises through Malaysia, with stops in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, an island beach for a barbecue and an overnight in a highlands tea plantation. The other focuses on northern Thailand’s royal history with visits to Lampang and Chiang Mai for horse-drawn carriage rides, cooking classes, market tours and time in a tea house.
All Aboard! Between excursions, enjoy the amenities on the luxury locomotive. Head to the colonial-style, teakwood-lined Observation Car to marvel at the views, visit the Bar Car for cocktails and live entertainment or grab a book or board game in the quieter Saloon Car. Cabin configurations range from Pullman Singles (with one single bed) and Pullman Cabins (with upper and lower berths) to State and Presidential Cabins, which have two single beds. All cabins also have private bathrooms, air conditioning and a sophisticated decor that highlights local materials — and they get converted to lounges with banquette seating during the day, making it easy to enjoy the daily in-room breakfast. Lunch and dinner are served in the two restaurant cars, where the menus change seasonally and highlight the signature flavors of the region (rates for the six-night Fables of the Peninsula start at $7,900 per person and include meals and drinks; belmond.com).
Photo courtesy of Belmond
Next: VIA Rail’s The Canadian ►
VIA Rail’s The Canadian
The Route: Between Vancouver and Toronto.
Length of Trip: Up to four nights.
The Journey: This rail company travels along 19 different routes across Canada, but its most famous ride is on the newly restored The Canadian, running both ways between Vancouver and Toronto. Fun fact: The train is so legendary, it now appears on the Canadian $10 bill. The 2,775-mile trip winds through the vast and diverse natural beauty of the country from the mighty Rockies, western prairies and dense forests to the scenic lakes of Ontario. Stops include Winnipeg, Jasper, and Edmonton. The length of each station stop depends on the season, but every ticket includes one complimentary stopover, so if there’s a place you want to explore more — such as the stunning Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies — you can disembark for a couple of days, then rejoin the train when it next rolls through town.
Photo courtesy of VIA Rail Canada
All Aboard! The complete four-night, coast-to-coast experience includes several Sleeper Class overnight options. Our favorites are the just-launched Prestige Sleeper Class cabins, which are 50% larger than the other double suites (with 60% larger windows, too), and include private bathrooms with showers, flat-screen TVs, all-inclusive drinks (including in-room mini-bar), personal concierge service and priority reservations in the dining car. Passengers traveling in all Sleeper Class options have access to bi-level viewing cars (equipped with oversized windows or glass-domed ceilings for uninterrupted vistas) and lounges where you can enjoy snacks, drinks and — in high season — activities like wine or beer tastings, history or geography talks and live music. Sleeper Class rates also include all meals in the elegant, white-tableclothed Dining Car, where the recently revamped menu highlights ingredients from along The Canadian’s route in made-to-order dishes like roast beef ravioli and cheesecake French toast (rates for the Prestige Sleeper class cabins start at $2,421 per person for one-way and include all meals and drinks; viarail.ca).
Pullman Rail Journeys
The Route: Between Chicago and New Orleans.
Length of Trip: One night.
The Destinations: In the late-1800s, after spending an overnight train journey trying to sleep in his upright seat, George Pullman was inspired to create railcars with chairs that could fold down into berths at night — and thus the sleeper car was born. Well into the 20th century, the Pullman name was synonymous with overnight train travel, as the company not only built and operated sleeper cars, but also trained the famous Pullman Porters, whose impeccable on-board service was legendary. By 1969, though, the Pullman sleeper car was done — until a new company decided to revive the icon. Using meticulously restored cars from the 1920s-1950s (they’ve got about 70 vintage cars in various stages of operation and restoration), Pullman Rail Journeys ecreates that Golden Age experience, complete with porters, waitstaff, lounge car attendants and conductors trained in the classic Pullman tradition. Service currently runs regularly between Chicago and New Orleans — a 934-mile, 19.5-hour trip — with other routes in the works. There are also one-off special event trips throughout the year, such as a Chicago-Miami journey offered for New Year’s Eve. For the Chi-Town-NOLA trips, guests can opt to board in either city and enjoy one night on the train, or choose one of several packages that combine the rail ride with hotels and activities at both ends.
All Aboard! With chairs that turn into double beds, private bathrooms with showers, closets and picture windows, the premier Master Bedrooms are best for couples. All rooms have been outfitted with modern conveniences like WiFi, as well as amenities like blue-striped towels that were specially woven for the train based on a vintage Pullman pattern. Rates include all meals, snacks, and beverages, which can be enjoyed in the Dining Car or in your room. The Lounge Car is the place to socialize with other travelers, play a board game, savor a Chicago- or New Orleans-made bottled beer and enjoy entertainment such as live folk music (rates for the Master Bedroom start at $2,494 per person and include all meals and drinks; travelpullman.com).
Photo courtesy of Pullman Rail Journeys
The Blue Train
The Route: Between Pretoria and Cape Town, South Africa.
Length of Trip: One night.
The Destinations: In the 1920s, two trains — the Union Limited and Union Express — were established to ferry travelers from Johannesburg, in the northern part of South Africa, all the way down to Cape Town on the southwestern coast, where many of them would catch the ships leaving for England. In the 1930s, the trains — whose steel carriages were painted blue — introduced what were then luxury touches, like a Saloon Car and air conditioning, thereby cementing their upscale reputation. Officially renamed The Blue Train when the route was re-opened post-WWII, the carriages were re-launched in 1997, and are now considered one of the top travel experiences in the country, attracting celebs, VIPs and honeymooners. During the 27-hour, 994-mile trip, you’ll ride by the lush, diverse beauty of South Africa and stop for a guided excursion. On the southbound trip from Pretoria to Cape Town, the break is in the town of Kimberly, known for its diamond rush history; on the northbound route, you’ll see the charming, lamppost- lined, Victorian-era village of Matjiesfontein.
All Aboard! Known as “a five-star hotel on wheels,” The Blue Train is designed for a maximum of 80 guests. The 19-car train offers a few single cabins and two double options: De Luxe Suites and the larger Luxury Suites both have two twin or one double bed — topped with goose-down pillows and duvets — plus digital entertainment systems (from which you can watch the tracks from the driver’s perspective), butler service and gold-and-marble private bathrooms that feature monogrammed towels, heated floors and either a shower or bathtub. Both are converted into sitting rooms during the day, but you may want to share a cognac and cigar with other guests (or enjoy a selection from the book and movie library) in the woodpaneled Club Car or head to the Lounge Car for afternoon high tea and views from the picture windows. The elegant Dining Car serves chef-prepared meals featuring local ingredients — from Karoo lamb to Knysna oysters — on fine china and crystal, as a string quartet sets the mood. Be sure to bring your finest, as diners often dress up for meals for the ultimate Old World experience (rates for the De Luxe cabin start at about $1,253 per person and include meals and drinks; bluetrain.co.za).
Photos courtesy of The Blue Train