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Luxury Suites, The Blue Train
The price for a couple in a Luxury Suite is R 37,420
(about $2,800) in low season.

he Blue Train, a single-night, 27-hour sojourn between Pretoria
Tand Cape Town, South Africa, invites guests to do nothing ex-
cept relax, whatever their definition of relaxing may be. Activities
on board this “five-star hotel on wheels” purposefully are limited;
“forced relaxation” means time spent soaking in an en suite bath
tub or indulging in an elegant formal dinner.
When not attending brunch, high tea, or dinner, guests have
access to personalized butler service at all times. The train’s luxury
coach boasts a dedicated butler’s cabin and three spacious Luxury
Suites, each with one double or two twin beds outfitted in goose
down duvets and 100-percent cotton percale sheets. En suite mar-
ble bathrooms feature full-sized soaking tubs.
While each route offers one off-train excursion (such as a stop
at the Lord Milner Hotel in Matjiesfontein, where guests enjoy a
glass of sherry at the bar), the true aim of The Blue Train is to sit
back and watch the captivating South African scenery.
“Guests get to experience an ever-changing view of 1,600
kilometers of South Africa’s varied and stunning scenery through
the window of the world’s leading luxury train,” explains Themba
Masheula, brand marketing and communications manager for
The Blue Train. “This would never be experienced if one flies from
The Blue Train Johannesburg to Cape Town.” The train is ideal for those looking for
a bucket-list experience or celebrating a special milestone, he notes.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BLUE TRAIN

Imperial Suites, Trans-Siberian Express, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains
For the Trans-Siberian Express – Classic Route, the Imperial Suite
costs £21,395 (about $26,900) per person based on two people
sharing.

olidaying by luxury train is a completely unique way of travel-
“Hling, making the journey as important as the destination. As
you roll through vast landscapes and exotic lands, the view outside
your window constantly changes and constantly challenges,” says
Natasha Baker, marketing manager for Golden Eagle Luxury Trains,
which operates the Trans-Siberian Express on the world’s longest
single-service railway.
Celebrating its centenary this year, the 9,288-kilometer Trans-
Siberian Railway connects Russia’s east and west from Moscow to
Vladivostok, crossing eight time zones and weaving throughout
the country’s little-visited interior.
For the ultimate in comfort on board the 12-night rail jour-
ney, Imperial Suites are ideal, helping to “rekindle the romance of
rail travel,” says Baker. Each suite features a double bed, en suite
bathroom with heated floors, and a lounge area with a dressing
table, where one can savor in-cabin dining. Imperial Suite guests are
welcomed to their spacious cabins with a complimentary bottle of
Dom Perignon; off-train, they enjoy private car and guide options
in selected cities. PHOTO COURTESY OF GOLDEN EAGLE LUXURY TRAINS
The champagne continues to flow; one highlight of the itiner-
ary allows travelers to enjoy a glass of champagne with one foot
in Europe and the other in Asia at Yekaterinburg. For classic rail
enthusiasts as well as adventurers, being hauled by a Soviet-era
steam locomotive along the shores of Lake Baikal and swimming Trans-Siberian Express
in its ice-cold waters provides an unforgettable experience.
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