EUROPE BY TRAIN - THREE WAYS

Europe by train - three ways - Luxury Travel Magazine


Europe by train – three ways


By: Madeleine Stratton , Issue 49 – Summer 12

SIT BACK, TAKE IT EASY AND HAVE THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME SEEING EUROPE BY RAIL. NOT A RAIL LOVER? WE’VE PICKED OUT A SAMPLER FOR YOU. WANT THE QUINTESSENTIAL EUROPEAN TRAIN TRIP? WE’VE GOT THAT TOO. AND FOR ENTHUSIASTS, WE’VE GOT AN EPIC ULTRA-LUXURY RAIL JOURNEY.

Quick and scenic: Glacier express
Origin: Zermatt, Switzerland
Destination: St Moritz, Switzerland
Duration: Seven and a half hours.

Journey Highlights:
Guests aboard the Glacier Express travelling through Switzerland will have panoramic views of the Swiss Alps. The train passes through 91 tunnels and over 291 bridges in the Alpine country. The highest point of the trip is Oberalp Pass, at over 2,000 metres elevation.

On the train:
The Glacier Express has an air-conditioned, first class, panorama viewing car with a central aisle that has 36 seats in 12 by three seat compartment configuration with tables. There is an information channel to listen to via headphones in six languages including English for facts about the route. Seat reservation is obligatory with a fee of CHF33 (aboutA$35) per person. Second class differs from first only slightly, with 48 seats in 12 by four configuration.

Dining:
The train has a dining car where you can reserve a table for a three-course meal Alternatively you can have the dish of the day in your seat. There is also an in-seat drinks service and each train has a Railbar for drinks. The three-courselunch is CHF43 (about A$46), the dish of the day CHF30 (about A$32).

Summer departures:
During summer the Glacier Express departs four times a day but the premium service is only offered on two of the four departures each way.

Rates:
From CHF232 (about A$246) per person for adults, children between 6 and 16 are half that, and children under 6 travel for free. Book through Rail Europe: raileurope.com.au

Classic and romantic: Venice Simplon Orient Express
Origin: London, UK
Destination: Venice, Italy
Duration: Two days, one night.

Journey Highlights:
This is a two-day journey departing from London and travelling through green, Kentish countryside. On the second day the view is first on the Swiss Alps and then on the Italian Dolomites, before crossing the Venetian Lagoon into Venice.

On the train:
From London to Paris you’ll travel on the British Pullman in its painstakingly restored vintage first class carriages, circa 1920s and 30s, in a reserved seat. At Paris you transfer onto the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express where your personal steward, who will attend you throughout the journey, will settle you into your private cabin. During the day doublecabins are configured as a private lounge with sofa, footstool and table, with a washbasin with hot and cold water. At night the cabin is converted to provide an upper and lower bed. A private suite cabin is two connected cabins, one operating as lounge and the other as a sleeping cabin with an upper and lower bed (they also have washbasins). Toilets are located in each train carriage. No showers in these original 1920s carriages.

Dining:
Guests are served brunch on the British Pullman on the first day, freshly prepared onboard the train. The brunch menu includes scrambled eggs, bakery selections and an Orient Express Bellini. On board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express dining is offered in one of three restaurant cars. French-style meals are prepared fresh by French chefs onboard, and table d’hôte meals are included in the rates (although an à la cart menu and 24-hour compartment service is also available). There’s also a bar car where guests can meet each other before or after dinner for cocktails accompanied by train’s resident pianist.

Summer Departures:
In 2012, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express London to Venice departs five times in June, three times in July and twice in August. You can also take the route in reverse, traveling from Venice to London.

Rates:
For shared occupancy of a double cabin, A$3,820 per person. For shared occupancy of a suite cabin, A$6,040 per person. Rates include all table d’hôte meals and accommodation on board based on shared occupancy. Book through Orient-Express: orient-express.com

The ultimate luxury journey: Golden Eagle tans-siberian
Origin: Moscow, Russia
Destination: Vladivostok, Russia
Duration: 14 nights.

Journey Highlights:
This is a two week tour where you’ll explore Siberia with several stops including Moscow, historic Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk in Siberia, Lake Baikal and Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar before concluding the journey in Vladivostok.

On the train:
The highest level of accommodations onboard the Golden Eagle are the Imperial Suites -in each there’s a dedicated sitting area with dressing table as well as a king size bed. Each suite features a private ensuite with large power shower and heated floors. Suites also have remote controlled air conditioning, LCD screen and DVD/CD player and two large windows. Staying in an Imperial Suite means you get dedicated butler service. There are also Gold Class cabins which also have power showers, TVs, media players and include drinks from the Standard Bar list. They sleep two in either a double bed or bunk bed configuration. There are also Silver Class cabins featuring a ‘wet-room’ style shower, sleeping two in a double bed or bunk bed configuration.

Dining:
Meals are served in one of two dining cars, or if you’ve booked an Imperial Suite you can choose in-cabin dining for privacy. The train’s chefs use local ingredients to prepare dishes. Wines from around the world complement the meals. You can meet fellow travellers in the bar car for a drink (Imperial Suite guests are entitled to complimentary drinks from the premium bar list).

Summer departures:
The Golden Eagle departs on the second day of the tour, so 31 July (with arrival in Moscow and overnight hotel accommodation on 30 July). A second journey departs 26 August (with arrival in Moscow and overnight hotel accommodation on 25 August).

Rates:
Pricing starts at A$14,335 per person for Silver Class, A$17,705 for Gold Class or A$28,885 per person for an Imperial Suite (rates are based on twin share and include accommodation on your first night in Moscow, airport or station transfers, meals from dinner on day one to breakfast on the final day, a drinks allowance, local guides, guided off train tours and accommodation.

Book through Railbookers: railbookers.com.au.


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