Train travel may take a while but “humming the sound of the choo-choo” seems more pleasant than anything else, especially when on luxury train tours. Most passengers on board the supposedly fastest travel means – the airplane, usually plug on their earphones and bore themselves to sleep while humming the in-flight movie theme song or the jazz music played on the channel with best reception. Experiences aboard luxury trains vary depending on the train operator and the itinerary. One thing is very consistent about luxury train tours though – comfort and pampering at its peak.

Luxury train tours allow travelers to experience cross-country not just through a time-zone transfer, but also a cultural and scenic experience available everyday through the view by the window. Add to the fact that luxury train tours offer gourmet cuisine fit even for the most discriminating of palates. Of course, what is guaranteed across the various luxury train tours is that guests are treated not as plain train riders, but as guests of a five-star luxury hotel.

Some of the major luxury rail companies are Orient-Express Trains and Cruises, The Rovos Rail, The Royal Canadian Pacific, The American Orient Express, The Al Andalus Express, The Trans-Siberian Express, The Royal Scotsman, and The Blue Train.

Enjoying a trip through luxury train tours can go as short as a one-night trip to about 25 days depending on the route. The shortest routes available to experience luxury train tour rides are those of The Blue Train, which explores the beauty of the richly majestic landscapes of South Africa. The longest routes are those which are inter-country trips within Europe aboard the Orient-Express or one of those routes of the Trans-Siberian Express.

All luxury train tours aim to provide convenience and comfort to all its guests. Hence, plush beds are usually available to get a good night’s sleep. Meaning a first-time rider need not think that a ten-day or beyond ride is congruent to a sore bum from a daily affair of butt cheeks kissing leather couches.

While most people aspire to travel via luxury ships, one ought not to experience sea-sickness or a battle with open water adventure via luxury train tours. After all, beyond the almost-automatic gastronomic feast through meticulously prepared dishes, one may even experience wine-tasting and cheese buffets using exquisite silverware and fine crystal glassware. Finally, a spectacular sight-seeing is also available while aboard the train. The luxurious treatment provided by the well-mannered stewards even allows a female guest to imagine that she is a Kate Winslet aboard the prestigious Titanic. Only that instead of the sound of sea breeze, she gets to be lullabied by the rhythmic sound of the train. Even the obsessive compulsive cleaner types of people would definitely be satisfied given the presence of comfortable and clean bathrooms.

Most of all, apart from the everyday exposure to nature’s beauty or man’s majestic creations, one may also get to experience culture and history in and out of the train through the trains interior design and set-up, and of course, the careful selection of locations to visit.

luxury trains in India are a great way to explore a country rich with varied and unique cultural practices, a myriad of architectural innovations, eccentric and haunting music and diverse religious rituals.

One would surely encounter the Indian heritage while meeting history via the interiors, food and scenic view while aboard luxury trains in India. Some of the most famous luxury trains in India are The Royal Retreat which is more familiar as The Palace on Wheels, The Golden Chariot, The Heritage on Wheels and The Deccan Odyssey. Each luxury train tour provider offers interesting itineraries which are definitely not limited to city-hopping. While riding the train is already a luxurious experience, the stopovers chosen likewise yield opulence as the traveler is made to experience the grandiose history and culture of India.

The Palace on Wheels is one of the most acclaimed luxury trains in India and the world because of its facilities and exceptional service fit for a king. Some of the destinations which are part of the Palace on Wheels route are Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur and Agra. Of course, Agra is home to the world-renowned Taj Majal – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Taj Majal is a palace laden with jewels and fine marble which is enveloped inside the beauty of the artistic structure. But apart from the culturally-rich sites, The Palace on Wheels likewise offers trips to the Ranthambore National Park – the famous tiger reserve of India. Traveling via one of the most famous luxury trains in India – Palace on Wheels, costs around $2,000 to $4,000. The usual route would take a traveler seven days on wheels (of course, with stopovers).

If the traveler aims to explore beyond history and culture, he may opt to explore the fine beaches as well, aboard the Deccan Odyssey. A tour aboard this luxury train in India brings a tourist to Mumbai, Ratangiri, Sindhudurg – the home to India’s pristine beaches, Goa, Pune City, Aurangabad, Ajanta Caves and Nashik. Since it is India’s newest luxury train, one can expect to experience sleek and modern interiors and the modern-life necessity – a spacious business center complete with DVD players and computers with Internet connectivity. Rates go as low as $240 to as high as $950 per night.

A tour aboard one of the prestigious luxury trains in India – the Heritage on Wheels is usually a three-day and four-night affair, which should be ideal for those people who don’t have the luxury of time, yet are very curious to see the beauty of India. A trip would usually cost $150 to $300 dollars per night. This fare allows the traveler to experience the cities of Jaipur, Bikaner, Tal Chihapar and Shekhawati.

The Golden Chariot – one of the many luxury trains in India, is a line that would transport a traveler to Banaglore, Mysore, Kabini, Mysore, Hassan, Halebid or Belur, Sravanbelagola, Hospet or Hampi, Gadag, Badami, Goa Aihole and Pattadakal. A trip would usually cost $200 to $2,000 US dollars depending on the number of nights spent on the train.

Now is a great time to enjoy a luxury train in South Africa. Most people only know of South Africa as a place of poverty, malnutrition and lack of education. Any traveler with an eye for beauty however would say otherwise. After all, South Africa is rich with rust-colored hues, brown tones and green patches across its expansive landscape. Onboard the luxury trains in South Africa, one could experience spectacular views. Since South Africa still upholds so much of its heritage past and rich culture, one gets to experience traditions, too.

Hence, there is no better way to travel and explore South Africa than through the comforts of a modern luxury train which allows the wide-eyed traveler not to lose a sight of the interesting land at any moment. Witnessing the country while in one of the best luxury trains in South Africa ensures that the traveler gets to experience South Africa while not giving up the comforts offered by luxury hotel accommodation. Traveling while enjoying hotel experience, what could be better?

The most familiar luxury trains in South Africa, which run are Rovos Rail and The Blue Train. Tagged as the most luxurious train in the world, a Rovos Rail experience is equivalent to a luxurious treat. From Tsuneb, a city sandwiched in between Angola and Namibia, a rider aboard the prime luxury trains in South Africa heads all the way to Cairo, Egypt’s capital. A regular schedule time-bound route would let the passenger pay something in between 600 to 1,200 US dollars. Whereas, special four-day to fourteen-day itineraries would let the traveler pay 900 dollars to 10,000 US dollars, particularly for trips which include Air Safari experience. Well, Rovos Rail is known to be five-star hotel on the railroad so the seemingly pricey travel ticket has grounds.

A luxury train tour aboard The Blue Train spells a different experience altogether. The famous Blue Train which was voted as the “world’s leading luxury train” (South Africa) already had kings and presidents cradled within their comfortable couches. Of course, with its experience in serving the royalties, a traveler riding The Blue Train should expect no less than royal treatment. The Blue Train has luxury and de luxe suites, upscale lounge, grandiose fine dining area and extensive drink bar. Finally, a boutique within the train is also present inside The Blue Train. The boutique sells jewelry crafted by artistic African hands and adorned with the precious gems of South Africa. A ticket aboard these luxury trains in South Africa cost anywhere between 900 to 1,900 US dollars. Its routes are limited to four destinations Pretoria-Victoria Falls, Pretoria-Cape Town, Port Elizabeth-Cape Town and Pretoria-Nelspruit.

These luxury trains in South Africa offer “elegance on the tracks” because every inch of space within the train spells luxury. One’s eye would encounter opulence just by sitting on the perfectly upholstered silky cushions and couches. Seeking comfort with stretched legs on the bed covered with fine linens is of course another luxurious experience.

The luxury train tours in South Africa allow the passenger to glide past luscious vineyards, charming historical towns, expansive grasslands and plains including the Great Karoo, forests and cliffs, tea fields, rich woodlands, The Table Mountain, The Devils Peak and The Lion’s Head.

Enjoying a luxury train tour in South Africa is definitely a travel experience one must go for given a one life to live.