5 Glamorous Train Rides Aboard Luxury Locomotives
You don’t have to be Hercule Poirot to figure out that trains are still the most romantic way to travel. Granted, it’s a slow way to see a country or region—but that’s just one of the many virtues of the railways. Here are five luxury trains for those with the original one-track mind.
Want to see the best of what Europe has to offer? Embark on a journey in the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, where you’ll travel in style in restored 1920s cabins (above). Among the many glamorous itineraries offered are Venice to Paris and Verona to London. Travelers can begin their day with a celebration breakfast—and end with a toast at the train’s the Champagne bar.
Explore the Canadian Rockies in the Rocky Mountaineer. The trip offers an array of activities, including a whale-watching excursion, a summit helicopter tour, a Banff-to-Calgary sightseeing adventure and a Jasper National Park tour. Onboard amenities include indulging in locally sourced ingredients paired with local wines and beers from British Columbia.
Discover the best of Scotland, whether it be on the Scotch Malt Whisky Trail or a Taste of the Highlands voyage, on the Belmond Royal Scotsman. The dining cars feature rich game, seasonal seafood and wild salmon frequently, and passengers can also relax at the spa. Best of all? The train doesn’t move at night, allowing travelers to get a restful sleep.
If you prefer the Emerald Isle to Scotland, book a cabin on the the Belmond Grand Hibernian, which takes guests on a journey through Ireland. Boasting carriages named after Irish counties and inspired by Dublin’s traditional Georgian architecture, passengers can relax in the Observation Car, which has the feel of an old-fashioned saloon, with live musicians and storytelling.
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Explore Cape Town, the Victoria Falls and much more of southern Africa aboard Rovos Rail. The itineraries include a Durban Safari, where passengers can view the Big Five and a Golf Safari for those who want to play 18—or 36. The train has air conditioning in all passenger and lounge cars, but the windows remain open so guests can experience the sights, sounds and scents of the journey. And meals are served in one sitting in an elegant dining car, above, that recalls the Victorian era—so much so that there are no cell phones allowed.
Inside the New First Class Suites on Emirates
Emirates introduced its new first class cabin suites last week at the 2017 Dubai Air Show—and set a new sky-high standard for luxury. The airline's new 777s will feature six of the suites in a spacious 1 - 1 - 1 configuration—compared to the 1 - 2 - 1 configuration of its current flagship first class cabins. Each will offer up to 40 square feet of space per passenger and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors.
The suites were inspired by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class luxury sedan with a muted palette of cream, champagne and light gray tones and specially designed overhead compartments and full-length closets. They can also be placed in a new "zero-gravity position" inspired by NASA technology, meant to impart a feeling of weightlessness and relaxation.
Passengers will be able to make service requests and order dine-on-demand meals using a video call function. Suites will also have individual private service windows where drinks and small plates can be served without disturbing the passenger.
Fliers will be able to view 2,500 channels of entertainment or stream content from their own devices onto 32-inch HD LCD televisions. They will also receive Bowers & Wilkins Active Noise Cancelling E1 headphones created exclusively for Emirates and designed to optimize sound quality in an airplane cabin environment.
Frequent fliers will find familiar touches such as personal minibars stocked with drinks and snacks within each suite. And passengers will be treated to "inspiration kits," including the airline's signature Hydra Active moisturizing pajamas, Bulgari amenity kits and Byredo fragrance and skincare products. Extending the partnership with Mercedes to the ground, first class passengers will enjoy one more amenity—chauffeur service in S-class cars when arriving or departing the United Arab Emirates.
Travel Wise
When it’s time to apply for a new credit card with travel rewards, how do you choose the right one from the world of possibilities? According to ForbesLife’s Johnny Jet, here are five factors to think about:
- Determine your travel goals
- Find a card that complements your existing points portfolio
- Assess the sign-up bonus and terms
- Think about your spending habits and earning potential
- Consider your credit score
Is This the Greatest Suitcase for New Parents?
Traveling with small children is about to get a little bit easier with the debut of Valeto, the first all-in-one highchair, diaper bag and carry-on suitcase. Created by Kamo, the Valeto transforms from luggage to a highchair in five seconds, so parents don't have to worry about finding a child seat at a restaurant. To convert the suitcase, just lift the handles and cover to reveal the chair back, then push the armrests up, which automatically releases the four legs, and click the dining tray onto the armrests. It's designed for children between the ages of six months and three years.
The suitcase also features removable organizational baskets, which can hold everything from snacks and bottles to diapers and toys. Two disposable wet wipes holders are included and it features a magnetic backdoor, so parents can easily access everything they need. And since it's carry-on size, the bag can fit in any overhead compartment.
The Valeto will be available for purchase on November 27 for $249, and will ship starting May 2018. Book your seat now.
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