ALL ABOARD: Europe's Most Cultured & Luxurious Train Journeys

This journal celebrates the journey itself ; the ritual of departure, the patient unrolling of landscapes, the meals shared in wood-panelled dining cars . Climb aboard with us as we explore the most cultured train journeys of Europe.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: The Art Deco Dream

Aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient train, you are transported to a world where every detail is designed to evoke memories of a bygone era. Featuring meticulously restored 1920s and 1930s carriages with unique interiors sporting sumptuous fabrics and beautifully crafted wood that retain original fixtures wherever possible. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express runs through March to November, connecting London, Paris, Venice, and occasionally Istanbul, via Vienna and Budapest. The overnight journey includes elegant four-course dinners as your cabin is transformed into a delightful bedroom, with breakfast served as you wake to the magnificent Swiss Alps.

This is travel for those who understand that beauty lies not in speed, but in savouring.

Belmond Royal Scotsman: The Highland Romance

This luxury exploration of the Scottish Highlands offers 2 -7 night tours, carrying just 36 passengers maximum with a passenger-to-staff ratio of 3:1. The mahogany-clad interiors mimic the atmosphere of a Scottish five-star hotel.

The train heads northwest through the heart of the Highlands, passing wild and dramatic mountain scenery, climbing to the forest summit before descending to the vibrantly-hued fishing town of Plockton. Some off -trains excursions include whisky tastings at Scotland's oldest distilleries, visits to castles, and walks along historic Drover's routes.

After dinner, you can relax with a rare Scotch malt whisky in the stunning Edwardian Observation Car as a local Highlander regales you with stories of life in Scotland in centuries gone by. In-car treats include a local tales by a designated Highlander featuring stories of life in Scotland in centuries gone by, as well as a Dior Spa boasting two serene treatment rooms.

Glacier Express: The Slowest Express in the World

The slowest express train in the world covers 291 kilometres through the Swiss Alps in eight hours at an average speed of 24 miles per hour. Crossing 291 bridges and passing through 91 tunnels, this narrow-gauge train journey is certainly more about the journey than the arrival.

Lunch is served at your seat as snow-dusted peaks scroll past the panoramic windows. The train's oversized panoramic windows open up unobstructed views of unique landscapes like the Landwasser Viaduct, the Rhine Gorge (Switzerland's "Grand Canyon"), and the climb to Oberalp Pass.

An exceptional in-car experience is sponsored by ingredients sourced from regions along the route are then transformed into remarkable dishes by specially trained chefs onboard.

El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo: Spain's Green Coast

In 2014, El Transcantábrico receiver the award for the 'Most Luxurious Train in the World,' granted by prestigious international experts. The train runs, which runs along the northern coast of Spain and traverses the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia is a journey that includes luxury accommodations, gourmet dining, guided excursions, and impeccable service across 7 nights and 8 days.

During the journey, travellers are able to enjoy spectacular landscapes of rolling mountains and beautiful green valleys. The unique opportunity of visiting historic city centers, cathedrals, churches, charming streets and squares, museums, and historically significant ports, makes this journey a love letter to Spanish craft and culture.

Al Andalus: Andalusia's Palace on Rails

Al Andalus Expreso was created in 1982 and later remodeled after the legendary Orient Express with every detail of its decoration in the "Belle Époque" style.

Starting this year, the seven-day, six-night tour will take travellers through several emblematic places in Andalusia, visiting various UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as historic city centers, cathedrals, churches, charming streets and squares, museums, towns, and historical ports.

A highlight of the journey includes a spectacular performance of "How the Andalusian Horses Dance," a graceful equestrian ballet set to Spanish music, followed by lunch and a winery visit. Meals onboard celebrate the region's culinary identity, especially featuring the kind of seafood that tastes of the Atlantic.

Golden Eagle Danube Express: The Grand Tour, Reimagined

The Golden Eagle Danube Express is a luxurious hotel-on-wheels offering journeys through Central and Eastern Europe, with routes including Budapest to Vienna, Vienna to Venice, Istanbul to Paris, and beyond. Featuring lavish carriages and unwavering commitment to service excellence, the Danube Express promises an unforgettable travel experience that centers timeless elegance.

One of the train's signature routes, the Grand Alpine Express, travels through Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Italy, with six nights onboard and stops in Budapest, Vienna, Innsbruck, Zürich, Trieste, Ljubljana, and Venice. The journey includes scenic rail climbs at Semmering and St. Gotthard Pass, a ride on Europe's oldest steam-powered cog railway, and a private concert in Vienna featuring the Vienna Supreme Orchestra.

The social heart of the Golden Eagle Danube Express is the Bar Lounge Car, a great place to relax and settle into the unhurried pace of life on board, while the Restaurant Cars offer a delightful venue in which to enjoy meals skillfully prepared by the Executive Chef and onboard restaurant team.