Riding the rails is one of the best ways to see a country. Here’s a heads up on some journeys where it’s not all about the destination.
1. Palace on Wheels, India
What: Get spoilt like a Maharaja on this plush seven-day journey around northern India. The trip takes in the beautiful pink city of Jaipur, with its ancient palaces and forts, and elaborately decorated elephants. There’s also tiger spotting at Ranthambhor National Park and a trip to
the Taj Mahal.
Get more info: palaceonwheels.net
2. Glacier Express, Switzerland
What: Trundle past snow-capped mountains and alpine meadows on a picturesque seven-hour train journey across Switzerland. The train climbs to more than 2000m and passes through deep gorges and lush valleys.
Get more info: glacierexpress.ch
3. The Ghan, Australia
What: Making its way through lush, tropical forest, parched outback and ochre red desert, the Ghan is the ideal way to see Oz. Gaze at shooting stars and cobolt blue skies on the two-day trip between Darwin and Adelaide.
Get more info: gsr.com.au
4. North Yorkshire Moors Railway, UK
What: Rediscover the glamour of the steam age with a trip through the North York Moors National Park. The train passes through idyllic countryside, stopping at Gothland – setting of TV’s Heartbeat – and the old whaling port of Whitby.
Get more info: nymr.co.uk
5. Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia
What: Linking the grand, baltic city of St Petersburg with Russia’s Pacific frontier, the Trans-Siberian is the longest railway on earth. Stop off at Yekaterinburg and visit the place where Russia’s Royal Family were murdered in 1917.
Get more info: trans-siberian.co.uk
