BEST FOR . . . LOCAL CULTURE The Trans-Siberian Railway is the ultimate goal for rail lovers keen to tackle the mammoth 5,750-mile journey from Moscow to Vladivostok (or its branches to Beijing), passing highlights such as pretty Lake Baikal and the charming 19th-century architecture of Irkutsk. For a real taste of Russia, Regent
Holidays recommends booking a more cost-effective cabin. General manager Andrea Godfrey says: “By travelling in second class and opting for a four-berth cabin, Regent’s clients have a changing set of companions who will share their food, vodka and stories while admiring the passing landscape. “For travellers who prefer to enjoy the experience in style, we also offer the chance to travel in luxury on the Tsar’s Gold private train in a 1950s Soviet-styled ‘Nostalgic Comfort Cabin’, with Russian caviar and wine served en route.” Book it: Regent Holidays’ 12-day
28 7 MAY 2020
Explore Moscow to Vladivostok Trans-Siberian Railway tour starts at £1,350 including second-class travel, accommodation, excursions and transfers in Russia; international flights, meals and visas not included.
regent-holidays.co.uk Or try: That second-class tip also applies on the train that winds through Sri Lanka’s hill country from Ella to Kandy, passing over the famous Nine Arch Bridge. While first-class passengers get air con and panoramic windows, swap for second and you’ll get windows that actually open, offering a real look at the terraced tea plantations and lush scenery of central Sri Lanka.
BEST FOR . . . BUCKET LIST There’s a reason Rocky Mountaineer is beloved by clients looking to mark retirement, celebrate a special occasion or embark on an epic trip. It shows off the pine-forested slopes, jagged cliffs, glacier-fed lakes and towering peaks of the Rockies better than any other mode of transport,
revealing more shades of green and blue than you ever knew existed. All that clients need do is decide whether to see the scenery from the open-sided observation car – better for photos and feeling connected to the landscape – or from their seat, be that in spacious SilverLeaf or the two-level domed GoldLeaf carriages, which afford a higher position for better wildlife viewing. They might spot bighorn sheep, black bears and birdlife – or even a much- sought-after sighting of a grizzly – plus the food and drink is exquisite. This month marks 30 years since
Rocky Mountaineer opened, so look out for consumer press or TV documentaries that you can use to generate interest. Book it: The Journey Through the Clouds Classic, from Vancouver to Jasper, starts at £1,277 including two days in a SilverLeaf carriage with meals on board, and three nights’ accommodation, in Vancouver, Kamloops and Jasper.
rockymountaineer.com
Or try: Hark back to the ‘golden’ era of train travel with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, where 1920s and 1930s vintage carriages – Pullman cars for the London to Folkestone leg, and period sleeper cars on the Continent – offer old-fashioned glamour, albeit for a price. Expect piano playing in the bar car, plush fabrics and decadent dining in the restaurant, and impeccably dressed staff ready to attend to your every need.
BEST FOR . . . SCENERY Every rail journey on this list could earn a spot for scenery, but the Bernina Express through Italy and Switzerland edges into the lead, curving along the shoreline of Lake Poschiavo, climbing above a layer of fluffy white clouds to Ospizio Bernina, the highest station in Europe, then down via the elegant arches of the Landwasser Viaduct to St Moritz. It’s a hit with train buffs too, thanks to remarkable feats of engineering including the Brusio
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURES: Shutterstock; Helen Cathcart
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