Sunday, January 2, 2011

10 Most Beautiful and Elegant Train Journeys Around the World


In today’s world, people only take traveling options when it is inevitable and unavoidable. Traveling is considered as waste of money and time. We hardly realize and comprehend the actual beauty of some of the most fascinating and spectacular rides on the Earth. There are some awesome train rides across the globe where the trip itself turns into a destination. Have a look and enjoy!

1. Pride of Africa


Place: Africa


The Pride of Africa is this train journey which is a dream come true for nature lovers. It is a 14 days trip through Cape Town, Kimberley, Pretoria, the Kruger National Park, Beit Bridge, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Lusaka and through Tanzania to Dar Es Salaam. You will not want to miss this train ride if you want to explore the beauty, majesty and the hidden grandeur of the spectacular continent at a leisurely pace.

In case you are going for vacations and you want to give a pleasant surprise to your companion. You’d not want to miss the most romantic train journey in the world.


2. Venice Simplon Orient Express

 Place: Europe

Orient Express is one of the best, the most charming and spectacular way to explore European Union. It links some of the best cities of Europe including London, Venice, Budapest Rome. The Orient Express is the most charming way to travel on tracks. Featured in most of the movies of Hollywood, it is known as the luxurious train. The entire trip fascinates its passengers. During the trip, it passes through the most beautiful country sides of France, Austria and Switzerland. In totality the trip worth paying the expensive amount.

3. Flam Railway

Place: Norway

This is a 20 kilometers journey on train with the amazing decent of 3,000 feet into the fjords of Flam. This is one of the best tourist attractions in Norway. During the trip one can explore the most enchanting and captivating scenes of nature. The awesome Norwegian Fjords, this train will take you to the world’s longest fjord Sognafjord. The narrow passages of the way makes this ride more alluring and engrossing for its passenger. I am sure this will be the journey that you will remember for a long time.

4. Palace on Wheels

Place: India

Indian history is full of stories of Rajas, Maharajas, Nawabs and their traditional lavish life styles, comfort and Luxury. At the first step on this Palace on tracks, you will find exactly what you have been promised with the name. The train that starts from Indian capital city Delhi and ends up in the royal state of Rajasthan. It offers complete luxury and comfort like no other train in the world. Just to make it more royal, the train is pulled by the steam engines. Once you reach Jaipur, an elephant will come to greet you. Camels will also offer you safari at other stop. Lunch is arranged at the Lake Palace in Udaipur, then the Great Taj Mahal will be visited; the Palace on Wheels is the most comfortable and luxurious way to explore India.

5. Eastern & Oriental Express

Place: Thailand & Singapore


The Eastern and Oriental Express is modern, stylish and comfortable. It offers luxury in style, lovely views, great scenery throughout the trip. Traveling between the Singapore and Bangkok, it travels through lush green tropical forests. This train provides opportunity to explore the artistic nature and modern structures of Singapore. Apart from this it also offers great cuisine and hospitality.

6. Royal Scotsman

Place: Siberia


Royal Scotsman, the name itself says all, it is the most expensive train ride on the earth at the moment. You must have very deep pockets to ride this train. The cost of its 4 days trip can take you around entire Siberia for more than 15 days in other trains. It has accomodation for only 36 people in one car.


The most comfortable armchairs along with cabins specially designed for dining and other purposes make you feel special and relaxed. The train ride is not for everyone or anyone, only special people reach out to this train. The journey has a lot to offer in terms of nature; there are mountains, water falls valleys and much more.

7. Trans Siberian Railway

Place: Russia


This is going to be a never ending ride on train. This will take you to the 6000 miles journey across Russia which is a distance of one-third of the planet .


From Vladivostok across Siberia to St. Petersburg, the 19-day ride offers an experience that you can not have in any trains else where. The train has great bedrooms and dining rooms with completely private chef in order to provide its passengers with all comforts and luxury throughout the entire trip.


It is absolutely a unique feeling to carry stuff for 19 days like you carry your home with you. You tend to forget your destination as your travel becomes your destination. Traveling for more than two weeks on train will certainly remain in your mind as your unique and pleasant memories that you can cherish for the rest of your life.

8. Glacier Express

Place: Switzerland


The picture speaks itself. It is slow but offers breathtaking scenery including 291 bridges, 91 tunnels and an altitude of 6,670 feet. The entire rout is about 180 miles between two mountain resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz. In totality the 8 hours ride is superb, very delightful and very enjoyable .

9. Eurostar

Place: Europe


Traveling in a most stylish and fastest train but under the sea sounds frightening and most of us would not like to take this ride by choice. It takes you to your destination in a very quick time. Eurostar is a perfect conbination of class and comfort.

10. North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Place: United Kingdom


The North Yorkshire Moors Railway operates steam trains along an 18 mile line between the market town of Pickering and the village of Grosmont, through the heart of the North York Moors National Park. The railway passes through a variety of scenery, from wooded valley to heather clad moorland. It also calls at picturesque villages along the way and offers access to unspoilt countryside and the sea for walkers and cyclists.

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