A Trip For George - Luxury Train Travel in India
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Sample prices in the article, but for example:
Route: an eight-day journey across northwest India, including the country's "Golden Triangle" of Delhi, Jaipur and AgraPrice: from $864 (based on twin sharing)
Luxury trains in India date back to its colonial era, when opulent carriages transported dignitaries, officials and royalty.
More trains were built in the 19th century for the country's maharajas and other ruling elites and their families.
Following India's independence in 1947, privy purses — or governmental payments to these rulers — ended. Without the money to maintain them, India's luxury rail carriages were abandoned.
Indian Railways, which is part of India's national railway system, refurbished several trains over the years, with the first making its debut in the 1980s. The trains were introduced to promote tourism in India by providing travelers with a unique and opulent way to experience the country.
Blending historical elegance with modern comforts, these trains are a glimpse into India's regal past.
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No secret I enjoy travel by rail.
But, 48 hours is about my limit (at least in the US). The scenery is great, but, the food gets boring and repetitive.
Also, a lot of these "excursion" trains consist of travel during the day, then an overnight stay at a hotel. "The Canadian" does that kind of thing, iirc. The last thing I want to do on a trip is check into a different hotel every night.
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5 best Trains (per a vote in Travel and Leisure)
Our readers loved five North American and European trains that range from multinight journeys to single-afternoon rides. Returning to our list this year are Rocky Mountaineer (at No. 3), a train with multiday routes in the Canadian and American Rockies, and British Pullman, A Belmond Train (at No. 2), which offers tours across the U.K., from sightseeing day trips to afternoon tea trains to murder mystery events. "It is all about the scenery," wrote one reader about the former. But there are three newcomers to the list, including the Napa Valley Wine Train, at No. 4, and the Royal Canadian Pacific, at No. 5. As for our readers' No. 1 train, read on to find out which European icon topped the list.
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And one in Spain just starting
Enter the Al Andalus train, the height of luxury (comprised of carriages used by the British Royal family, no less), which is introducing a new slow route from Seville to Madrid in spring 2025. Over seven days, passengers will explore the spectacular beauty of the Andalusian countryside and beyond, from awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage sites to charming villages.
Stops include Jerez de la Frontera, best known as the birthplace of Sherry, where passengers will be treated to an evening of equestrian ballet and Mérida, home to dozens of Roman ruins.
Among the other unmissable highlights are the ‘city of three cultures’, Toledo, an intoxicating blend of Christian, Muslim and Jewish architecture; the bustling coastal hub of Cádiz; and the staggering Great Mosque in Córdoba.
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I remember the transition from French to Spanish trains when I inter-railed across Europe. We were used to the SNCF machines scything through the French countryside at 160mph, and then we got on a Spanish train. I fell asleep as it left the station going at about 25mph and woke up an hour later to find it was still going at 25 mph.
Maybe things have improved.
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Fun fact, the name Spain actually came from the phrase, "Travel is painfully slow", true story!
@89th said in A Trip For George - Luxury Train Travel in India:
Fun fact, the name Spain actually came from the phrase, "Travel is painfully slow", true story!
You're really buying into the whole dad jokes thing.
