30 great rail journeys
Japan THE SEVEN STARS, KYUSHU In a country renowned for rail travel, this luxury cruise train on Kyushu rewrote the rulebook when it launched in October 2013. Japan’s fi rst luxury sleeper, the Seven Stars is based in Fukuoka’s Hakata station where the immersive experience begins upon entering the sumptuous welcome lounge, a hand- rung bell announcing the departure as a pianist hammers out the Seven Stars theme. Adding to the train’s distinct narrative are the reactions, bordering on veneration, that greet it wherever it goes. Onboard the classic bygone design is effortlessly elegant with its wood panelling, etched glass and brass lamps while its 12 cosy suites and two deluxe suites can accommodate just 30 passengers. Suites have minibars and ample bathrooms but purposefully lack items such as TVs. Rather, guests are encouraged to dress up and interact in the lounge/dining car. By day many an hour is spent staring out of the train’s picture window that frames the unfolding views, from coastal to lush
rural and mountainous, as it plies the 2,000 miles of track spanning the seven prefectures of Kyushu, where the gods purportedly created Japan. Come evening distractions include live musicians and a magician. The onboard hospitality is a delight – attentive yet ‘unstuffy’; the food, from high-end French to Japanese, a triumph.
Be sure to mention: Fewer than 3,000 passengers have sampled the Seven Stars experience, the limited spaces allocated by lottery. The next round, for October 2015 – February 2016 departures, opens April 1. Programmes come in two sizes with a weekly four-day (Tuesday to Friday) and two-day (Saturday to Sunday) option, fl eshed out with excursions in places such as Arita, Nagasaki and Kumamoto. Exquisitely-presented kaiseki dinners aside, highlights include a night in beguiling Wasurenosato Gajoen ryokan, hot springs (onsen) and the ceramics and sake brewery tours. Charters are also available. Booking it: Suite room stays on the four- and two-day programmes cost YEN 480,000pp and YEN 210,000pp until September 2015, including all meals, beverages and excursions (plus a night in a ryokan on the four-day). See:
cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp/en; enquire:
cruisetrain@jrkyusu.co.jp
lunch before reaching New Orleans at 15.45 the next afternoon. (The return departs New Orleans at 13.45 to reach Chicago at 09.00 next morning). There’s also a Club Car where drinks are served, sometimes accompanied with entertainers, together with a selection of books and games if passengers tire of chatting to one another. The whole journey is all-inclusive so, aside from tips, there’s nothing further to pay.
The USA PULLMAN RAIL JOURNEYS As wedded as America is to the car, even there the notion of enjoying rail travel as a leisure pursuit is catching on with the use of restored old coaches an added plus point. Pullman Rail Journeys launched its weekly 19-hour service in 2013 between Chicago and New Orleans and operates six restored 1930s/50s Pullman cars with a range of four accommodation options from an ‘open section berth’ ($300 one-way) to a Master Suite ($2494 one way). The bright upper level restaurant car serves surprisingly good food and with a 20.00 departure from Chicago there’s time for dinner, breakfast and
Be sure to mention: The calibre of the food is a defi nite cut above what might be expected on a train. Served with linen tablecloths, crystal glasses and silver cutlery, the menus offer a wide choice such as freshly prepared beef tenderloin, chicken, salmon or spinach ravioli for dinner. Wine glasses are never left empty by the friendly and effi cient waiting staff. Also make sure that clients know about the new Pullman service between Chicago and New York which is due to be on track in spring 2015 Booking it: Vacations to America offers the Pullman Rail Journey with a lead-in price of £2245 pp (based on two sharing). This includes a one-way 934-mile rail journey and fl ights from the UK as part of a package. More information at
vacationstoamerica.com/travel-choices/pullman-rail-journeys or call 01582 469777.
DISCOVER CANADA FROM COAST TO COAST
www.viarail.ca For more information about VIA Rail visit
www.viarail.ca or contact
info@viarail.co.uk
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