Hello, dear readers. In this issue:

• The undisputed luxury of slow travel by rail

• Geography, gastronomy, glamor

• Moving experiences

• The Tapestry Guide to Luxury Train Travel ^PDF

The undisputed luxury of slow travel by rail

Years ago, I was proposed to aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express en route to Innsbruck, Austria. The staff responded instantly with champagne and charcuterie, the elegance so complete that I forgot I was even on a train — and a setting so romantic I had no choice but to say yes.

A decade later, our family boarded the Rocky Mountaineer and splurged on the Gold Leaf service. The food, the service, and the sweeping scenery combined to make it an unforgettable journey through the Canadian Rockies to Vancouver.

So, I’m not at all surprised that luxury train travel is experiencing a magnificent revival — one where every mile is another moment to savor. There's something profoundly civilized about these extraordinary journeys. From the moment you board, you're immersed in splendor: exquisite decor, impeccable service, and the kind of unhurried comfort that lets the world drift beautifully past your window while the gracious staff sees to your every need.

Geography, gastronomy, glamor

Think of a luxury train as a five-star hotel that travels between extraordinary destinations, complete with a private butler, your own living space, and a marble bathroom. This is where dining becomes a gastronomic voyage, with elegantly plated local delicacies graciously served in a relaxing environment. Where bespoke excursions often arrive with each stop.

The world's top rail operators capture all of this in a distinctive regional style, with sweeping landscapes rolling past your window as part of the ambiance.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express lives up to its iconic name, delivering old-world sophistication at its finest. Expect gleaming fixtures, deep, rich inlaid paneling, white-glove service, and a martini that arrives before you've quite finished wanting one. Operated by Belmond, it is part of one of the world's most celebrated portfolios of luxury trains.

Just north of that itinerary, the Royal Scotsman offers perhaps the most intimate luxury rail experience on earth. With as few as 36 guests aboard, this is less a train journey and more of a rolling country estate, complete with burled-wood suites, generously poured single malts, castle visits, and scenery so dramatic it feels faintly unfair to the rest of the world.

Japan offers rail travel on a completely different level. Seven Stars in Kyushu is a seven-car cruise train accommodating only 30 guests, winding through the island of Kyushu aboard a train meticulously designed for comfort and luxury. For the ultimate in Japanese refinement, the Train Suite Shiki-Shima accommodates just 34 passengers, immersing them in contemporary Japanese design and cuisine across 16 exquisite suites — including a spectacular two-level suite with a cypress bath.

Across the Indian subcontinent, the Maharajas' Express rolls through Rajasthan in a style that would make Indian royalty slightly envious. The Palace on Wheels offers an extraordinary journey. Exquisite dining, jewel-toned cabins, and a spa make this one of the most unforgettable excursions in the world.

In South Africa, travelers are spoiled for choice. Rovos Rail traces the country's breathtaking interior between Cape Town and Pretoria aboard what may be the most beautiful train on earth. Private suites with full-size beds, open-air observation cars, and wild-game drives add a thrill to an already glamorous experience. For those who prefer something sleeker, The Blue Train covers the same legendary route with suites that rival a five-star hotel room and an extraordinary level of polish.

South America offers two compelling reasons to love luxury rail. The Hiram Bingham provides luxury service to Machu Picchu, one of the world's great wonders. For those who want to linger longer in the Andes, the Belmond Andean Explorer — the continent's first luxury sleeper train — winds through Peru's high-altitude landscapes, offering panoramic views that are equal parts thrilling and humbling.

Back in North America, Rocky Mountaineer winds through the Canadian Rockies in glass-domed coaches where the scenery is relentlessly spectacular. While not a sleeper train, guests are lavished with regional cuisine sourced along the route.

Designing your best life: Moving experiences

What unites all of these experiences is the exquisite pleasure of going slow intentionally. No sprint through terminals, no overhead bin negotiations. Just a beautifully set table, a breathtaking landscape, and the level of service that rivals the finest international hotels.

The world, it turns out, is considerably more beautiful at 60 miles per hour than at 600.

Explore the world of luxury train travel:

Download the Tapestry Guide to Luxury Train Travel

The World's Top 25 Luxury Trains

The Best Train Trips in the World: 2025 Readers' Choice …

Around the World by Luxury Train

Pro tip: Book well in advance. The finest cabins on the world's premier trains sell out a year or more ahead. A good luxury travel advisor who specializes in rail is worth their weight in Pullman mahogany.