Train

Hunt with Eagles on Dunhill's Luxury Adventure Tour

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Men's Style

Famed London luxury goods firm Dunhill is collaborating with UK adventure travel firm Black Tomato on a new series of excursions replicating a famed Dunhill journey in 1930. In that year Dunhill's Clement Court traveled overland from Paris to Japan to secure the very finest Japanese lacquered goods for the firm. Dunhill and Black Tomato are now offering modern versions of Court's epic journey, with appropriately luxurious accommodations and adventuresome activities along the way. The excursions are designed to demonstrate that "luxury is something more discerning, more elusive and more unique than just a price tag", as they put it.

The concept of discovery and exploration has been a hallmark of the Dunhill brand since 1893, as reflected in its most recent collections. The luxury packages are priced from about $4,500 and include destinations such as Paris, Moscow, Mongolia and Japan. Experiences include a private tour of the Louvre in Paris while the museum is closed, a flight in a Russian fighter jet above Moscow, learning eagle hunting in Mongolia (above) and bathing in Japan's oldest mineral hot springs. Guests can also opt to recreate Court's entire journey, including 10 days in a private cabin on the Golden Eagle Trans Siberian railway, starting at about $44,000.

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Tags: Black Tomato, Dunhill, hunting, Japan, London, Louvre, luxury goods, luxury travel, Mongolia, Moscow, Paris, Russia, train, travel, UK

Luxury Train Travel From Paris to Istanbul Aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient Express

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Luxury Train Travel Through Europe on the Venice Simplon-Orient Express.

In little more than a century, the Orient Express has become perhaps the most celebrated train ever to grace a set of tracks, earning top billing in Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express and films inspired by the book. It's no surprise, then, that the latest incarnation---the Venice-Simplon Orient Express---has earned a Luxist Awards' nominee in the Best International Summer Vacation category.

The first direct Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul rattled down the tracks in 1889 after years of earlier editions dominated by treacherous transfers in the middle of the route. Bookended by two world wars, the roaring 1920s and 1930s saw the Express ferrying hordes of Europe's most glamorous citizens across the continent. But the middle of the century brought many changes in the world of transportation, and by the dawn of the new millennium, old-fashioned cars had been largely replaced by high-speed trains like the TGV.

Thanks to the privately-operated Venice-Simplon Orient Express, however, the tradition continues. Only one such train runs from Paris to Istanbul per year, but the itinerary is well worth the wait. Start in the City of Lights and watch as the French countryside fades away in the twilight. You'll wake up in Hungary, disembarking for an overnight stay in Budapest and a tour of the city the following day. As the train chugs east, you'll spend another night onboard before another urban jaunt, this time to Bucharest. City turns to countryside as you traverse Bulgaria, terminating in Istanbul.

The six-night trip offers ample time to enjoy the luxurious amenities of the Orient Express---champagne poured by white-gloved hands, opulently appointed cabins-while taking in the sights and sounds of Europe. Rooms range from $4,680 to $14,290, based on double occupancy. And unlike the original Orient Express, this one doesn't require any uncomfortable transfers via horse-drawn carriage.

Vote for the International Summer Vacation destination that you think is the best of breed. The winner will be announced on September 1st.

Tags: Awards-Main, best international summer destination, Europe, Istanbul, Luxist-Awards, Orient-Exress, Train, Venice, Venice Simplon Orient-Express

All Aboard for Paris and Brussels by Train

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Even though train travel in Europe isn't quite as romantic in reality as it is in fantasy, there's stil something so wonderfully retro about traveling between storied cities via rail. (A first-class Eurail pass will get you to more than 20 countries, in a surprising amount of comfort and style, depending on the train.)

If you're looking for a reason to squeeze in a trip to Europe this summer (and maybe grab some frites), the Brussels Marriott Hotel and the Marriott Rive Gauche in Paris are offering a summer package from now until the end of 2009. Stay two nights at each property at 139 € per night for a double room with breakfast. (From Thursday through Sunday or Friday through Monday.) This summer, the Eurostar is also offering a special between the two cities on its Leisure Select class starting at $119 one way, which includes a 3-course meal and wine.

Tags: brussels, europe, paris, train

Eurostar Trains to be Refurbished by Pininfarina

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Cars & Autos

With air travel getting more expensive and becoming a bigger hassle all the time, the train has emerged as the preferred mode of transportation throughout Europe. Service between London, Brussels and Paris is carried out by the Eurostar, a high-speed train that carries passengers and vehicles underneath the English channel through the tunnel and out the other side in lightning-fast luxury. The train cars have been in service unchanged since their introduction fifteen years ago, but that's about to change as Italian design house and coachbuilder Pininfarina has been awarded the undoubtedly lucrative contract to refinish them. The company has a well-earned reputation in the automotive industry, having designed the majority of new Ferraris for the past several decades, to say nothing of countless others. The refurbishment process is set to kick off shortly, but the first of the new train cars won't be in service before 2012.

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Tags: channel tunnel, ChannelTunnel, chunnel, eurostar, high-speed train, High-speedTrain, pininfarina, pininfarina eurostar, PininfarinaEurostar, rail, train

The World's Most Luxurious Trains

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Books

With luxury train travel enjoying something of a revival, this is the perfect time for the ultimate book on the world's most luxurious rail journeys. Luxury Trains, edited by Eva Marin (teNeues, $59.95) features 250 photographs covering the history of deluxe train travel, and all elements of the elegant railway experience from "grandiose carriage interior and exterior details to majestic station architecture." The book is divided into sections headed Luxury Train Cruises, Modern Trains, Excellence on Board, Splendid Stations and Legendary Trains. The private rail carriage pictured on the cover (above), the Swedish Royal Train from the Swedish Railway Museum, is from the last section.

Tags: Luxury train, LuxuryTrain, Railway, Train

Bentley's Private Luxury Train

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Cars & Autos

Bentley motors recently chartered a private first class Pullman rail car to transport customers and top international dealers from London to its Bentley Worldwide Conference in Crewe, England, and the trip was such a success it's been suggested the company add it as a regular event. The journey, 2 1/4 hours each way, featured onboard dining by chef Anton Mosimann of London's swank Mosimann's eating club, to which many Bentley owners belong.

Should the company elect to feature the luxe rail service, there are many elegant trains available for charter including the beautiful Royal Scotsman (above). Customers purchasing a new Bentley motorcar could then travel onboard to Crewe in high style to select bespoke options and finishes for their luxurious automobiles. What could be more civilized than that?

Tags: Bentley, Crewe, London, Mosimanns, Royal Scotsman, RoyalScotsman, Train

The Danube Express, Europe's Newest Luxury Train

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Danube Express (above), billed as the "first five-star hotel on wheels to be launched in central Europe for almost 30 years," just completed its maiden voyage from Budapest to Berlin. The Express' classic train cars were retrofitted with hand-built wood-paneled sleeping compartments with en suite baths at a cost of $200,000 apiece, the London Times reports. There's also a VIP compartment with velvet and copper accents that was formerly the private quarters of Hungary's last Communist president, which costs $5,000 for the journey. Other destinations including Prague, Vienna and Istanbul will be added soon.

Tags: Berlin, Budapest, Danube Express, DanubeExpress, Europe, Hungary, Luxury travel, LuxuryTravel, Train

See Australia From the Prince of Wales' Private Train

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Starting next month, you can hire the private train carriage built for the Prince of Wales in 1919 on an unparalleled journey through the heart of Australia. The carriage will be available on The Ghan's journey from Adelaide on the continent's southern coast to the port of Darwin at its top, one of the world's great railway excursions. The historic carriage was built for Edward, the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII and then the Duke of Windsor), for his royal visit in 1919. Accommodating up to ten guests in its ornate wood-paneled lounge and suites, the beautifully-restored carriage costs about $15,000 for a one-way, two-night trip.

[via UrbanDaddy]

Gallery: Prince of Wales' Private Carriage

Tags: Australia, british royalty, BritishRoyalty, Luxury travel, LuxuryTravel, Prince of Wales, PrinceOfWales, Train

The Great Brazil Express, Brazil's New Luxury Train

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

If you can get past the cheesy promotional video and the fact that the whole thing is blatantly geared towards wealthy English-speaking tourists, The Great Brazil Express luxury train tour sounds like it might actually be a travel experience worth taking. 7 day tours are available starting next week on the 23rd and take place on board a fairly intimate (fits only 22 guests) train that travels through the gorgeous Brazilian countryside. The tour starts at Curitiba and goes as far as the famous Iguazu Falls, and the train accommodations seem nice enough (albeit small) with leather couches, decor inspired by the Brazilian landscape and wildlife, music, and food/drink. Prices start at $3500.

Via Gadling

Gallery: Around the World on Luxury Trains

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Tags: brazil, great brazil express, GreatBrazilExpress, journey, journeys, train, travel

China Plans Luxury Train Ride To Tibet

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

China already has a train line to the Tibetan capital of Lhasa but now they are planning to create, according to the AFP, "the most luxurious train in the world." The new train will have 12 passenger cars, two dining cars and a sightseeing car. The passenger cars will have four small suites (108 square feet) decorated like a five-star hotel with a double bed, living room and bathroom area. The five-day journey from Beijing will cost over $5,000 and will leave every eight days. The new luxury trains will start running September 1.

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Tags: beiing, china, lhasa, tibet, train

Amtrak Brings Back Luxury Train Travel

by Sandy Maple (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

When you think of Amtrak, luxury travel is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. But in an attempt to increase ridership, Amtrak has joined forces with GrandLuxe Rail Journeys, formerly known as the American Orient Express, to offer luxury passenger rail service aboard vintage Pullman cars.

The luxury cars will be attached to the back of Amtrak's regular trains, but will be treated as separate -- no mixing with the passengers from the other cars. Among other amenities, the sleeping cars will be equipped with a lounge featuring a live pianist and a dining car offering five-course meals.

Initially, Amtrak will offer the luxury rides on just three trains: the Silver Meteor, which travels a route from Washington to Miami, the Southwest Chief, which runs from Los Angeles to Chicago, and the California Zephyr from Chicago to San Francisco. Prices range from $789 to $2,000 per person for one to two-night journeys and service begins in October. All aboard!

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Tags: american orient express, american travel, AmericanOrientExpress, AmericanTravel, amtrak, California Zephyr, CaliforniaZephyr, grandluxe rail journeys, GrandluxeRailJourneys, luxury train, LuxuryTrain, silver meteor, SilverMeteor, Southwest Chief, SouthwestChief, train, train trip, TrainTrip, travel, vacation

Rovos Rail Train Journeys in South Africa

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

We've briefly mentioned the Rovos Rail line of trains before but it truly is one of the world's most luxurious ways to travel. Rovos Rail runs through South Africa and is the idea of Rohan Vos, an entrepreneur who made his fortune in car spare parts . He bought up old old railway carriages and converted them to his own specifications. When railway authorities demanded large fees to travel on their rails he decided to make his pet project pay for itself. The company functions like a boutique hotel chain on wheels. Details include under-floor heating, air-conditioning, ensuite shower and toilet, real beds and electric blankets. You can also order complimentary drinks for your mini bar and your suite comes with a bathrobe and slippers, a full-size shower with branded toiletries and flowers and a fruit basket on the table. A 14-day trip from Cape Town to Dar Es Salaam costs $12, 800 for Royal accommodations.

[via AME Info]

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Tags: journey, railway, rovos rail, RovosRail, south africa, train, travel

London Train Trip Most Expensive

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

There are some very expensive, but luxurious train trips in the world, most of which wind through rustic mountains or speed across pristine landscapes while pampering their customers. The most expensive train trip in the world, however, does not offer such an experience. It is a Tube trip from Covent Garden and Leicester Square on the Piccadilly line, a trip that covers only .26 km (.16 mi.) in 43 seconds. It costs £4 ($7.75), making it more than twice as expensive as a trip on the Tokyo metro and four times as much as a ride on the NYC subway. And if you took that pricing scheme and extended it to other types of travel, a trip from Los Angeles to New York (2462 miles) would end up costing $119,253.13.

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Tags: expensive, london, subway, train, travel, tube

Canadian Trains Top Travel Awards

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

At the recent World Travel Awards, where travel agents from around the world pick some of their top travel choices in various categories, the Royal Canadian Pacific Trains were found to offer the best luxury train experiences. The company was founded in 2000 and maintains a fleet of fully restored, 1920s-era railcars." They offer luxury tours and private bookings. The other nominees for the luxury train service award included the Blue Train (South Africa), the Eastern and Oriental Express (Asia), Pride of Africa-Rovos Rail (Africa), Palace on Wheels (India) and the Venice Simplon Orient Express (Europe).

The Canadian trains also did well in other categories. The Vancouver-Banff GoldLeaf Service provided by Rocky Mountaineer Vacations was declared to be the "world's leading travel experience by train."

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Tags: canadian, railway, royal canadian railway, train, trains, travel canada

GrandLuxe Mexico

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Mexico by train? We tend to just jet to Mexico's scenic coastal resorts, forgetting that the interior of the country is rich in history and natural beauty. GrandLuxe Rail Journeys is offering a nine-day package that takes intrepid travelers on a meandering tour down from Texas to Mexico City. Travel through Copper Canyon toward Mazatlan and then to Guadalajara and Tequila, off to the historic town on San Miguel de Allende and over to the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon at the ancient city of Teotihuacán.Trips start in October and a Presidential Suite costs $6,190.

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Tags: grand luxe, GrandLuxe, mexico, train, travel, travel by train