My husband Roy and I love train trips and I thought I would share with you our favorites. Each is unique, and some we have been on several times because we loved the journey.
This is a wonderful way to see parts of the world, superb meals, great sleeping accommodation, and it is far less stressful than driving.
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Australia
The Ghan, which goes from Sydney to Adelaide, Alice Springs, and Darwin. You can Book a private carriage which was built for the Queen of England to use on her visit. It is great for a private group or family adventure. You see the best of the outback, without doing it by camel as they used to do. 24 hours to Alice Springs, get a sleeper, stay in Alice, see the Flying Doctor Service and School of the air, then go to see Uluru, Ayers Rock, take the morning sunrise tour, and the Sounds of Silence dinner. Then you can get back on a train to go to the top end, Darwin. Go see the Tiwi Islands aboriginal settlement, Kakadu National Park, and Katherine Gorge.
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The Indian Pacific, from Sydney to Perth, Western Australia. A 72 hour journey, a sleeper, a must. You cross the most wonderful countryside, impossible to do by car.
New Zealand
The Trans-Alpine Express, an 8 hour journey. I sell this train journey regularly. It is always on my New Zealand itinerary for clients. You take it from Christchurch, on the South Island and Get off at Arthur’s Pass. You can spend two nights at the Wilderness Lodge, high in the alps, a Working sheep station, then get back on the train and go to Greymouth on the coast.
Scotland
The Royal Scotsman. You have three choices, a three night journey to the Western Highlands visiting Gardens, or a four night to see Scottish Ancestral Homes, or a six night, which is a golf tour playing at Royal Troon, Carnoustie and the Kings Course, then, sleeping on the train, you go to play at Royal Dornach and Nairn. The train stops at night, so you have a restful sleep on board.
Europe
Previously known as the Orient express, the Venice Simplon Orient Express goes from London to Venice. This is a marvelous way to go across Europe in style. Go through six countries in style. This is a very luxurious train journey with superb service and meals. It is definitely worth every penny.
Canada
The Rocky Mountaineer is a wonderful experience which I have done many times. There are three classes of service, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf, and Red Leaf. Think of it like economy class, business class and first class. I like the Gold Leaf, where you go up into the dome car restaurant for your meals, and stay at a 5 star hotel on route. However, I have traveled in each class, and they are all good value and fun. There are several routes you can take, Vancouver to Calgary. The train also goes from Vancouver to Banff, in which you would sleep in Kamloops
Alaska
We just had a wonderful journey from Fairbanks to Anchorage, crossing a beautiful white landscape. Saw lots of wild animals on route, and eagles galore. We’ve done several different routes but I love going in the winter. The trip from Anchorage to Denali National Park is a very popular route.
Roy and I just went on Amtrak to the Grand Canyon over Christmas and really enjoyed the journey. We decided we were going to go again on the train up to Seattle for a long weekend. That too is a lovely journey.
Maureen Jones is president of All Horizons Travel at 160 Main Street. Members of her staff are experts in business travel, cruises, and all types of leisure.