Spain's narrow-gauge luxury train, El Transcantábrico, is running a new itinerary, San Sebastian-Santiago de Compostella. And the Society of International Railway Travelers will be trying it out Sept. 18-25.
June 1, 2009—One compartment with two twin beds each is all that remains on the 32-passenger luxury train for the September trip. The autumn departure was added after the July trip sold out and became "wait-list only." The Royal Canadian Pacific is one of the Society of International Railway Travelers' World's Top 25 Trains as well as the Western Hemisphere's top luxury train.
The "New Heritage" sleeper—an eight-cabin car with double lower bed and washbasin, but with shower and toilet down the hall—gives the budget-conscious a shot at this classic, once-in-a-lifetime railway journey.
Agree to share with another single in a double cabin, and avoid the single surcharge. But if no other single is available, the double cabin is yours, with no supplement payable. Offer good on select trips.
Two rail cars for the exclusive use of Escorted Tours guests. A Tour Guide just for Escorted Tours guests. Themed departures with special emphasis on photography, wine appreciation, regional storytelling or natural history. This is beginning to sound a little bit luxurious.
Cabins double the size of currently available luxury cabins and 24-hour room service are among the amenities on tap in Platinum Class, says Australia’s Great Southern Rail.
Writer and IRT Society member Lorelei Maison Rockwell recounts her recent trip on North America's only luxury train. It turns out to be a culinary and cultural adventure she could easily get used to.
With demand for the Australian Ghan train's Gold Service outstripping supply, it was only a matter of time before operators Great Southern Railway (GSR) reacted. And react they did. Hauling out five old cars and spending $12 million (Australian) on renovations, they created a new line of sophisticated compartments, lounge and dining cars. Veteran IRT correspondent Phoenix Arrien tried out the new service. Except for minor quibbles, she liked what she found.
Every so often, it is instructive to recall why we normally don't travel third class. In his search for the birthplace of the famous inspiration for Count Dracula, our intrepid traveler impales himself on a rail journey beset by stale beer, befogged windows and the pungent atmosphere of a "ripe" deli. He found Romania's Personal Train to be up close and very personal indeed.
The last working steam in China was given a fond farewell in special "last-of-steam" tours several years ago. IRT Pullman Club member Bruce Anderson was lucky enough to witness the end of an era. But despite the country's relentless dieselization, steam still exists in isolated pockets, so the iRT Society is going back! Mr. Anderson gives us a taste of what's in store.
Traveling over 7,000 miles by two private trains, from Beijing to Moscow, the author retraces the footsteps of Marco Polo and discovers not only endless desert, but also oasis towns brimming with vineyards, haute-couture-clad Uzbeki models and the ‘Loulan Beauty,’ a 3,700-year-old petrified corpse.
The author happily eats, drinks and tours her way across “Green Spain,” the wild north country from Santiago de Compostela to León, aboard a meter-gauge luxury train.
The IRT Society’s Best-Loved Railway Journeys - 2009™ won top honors this week in Travel Weekly’s annual Magellan Awards, joining the likes of Crystal Cruises and The Travel Channel.
President Barack Obama, along with Vice President Biden and Secretary LaHood, announced a new U.S. push today to transform travel in America, creating high-speed rail lines from city to city, reducing dependence on cars and planes and spurring economic development.
The U.S. and Mexico gave way to Norway and Britain this year as The Society of International Railway Travelers® today announced its annual list of "The World's Top 25 Trains."
In a rare departure from its usual program, The Royal Scotsman opts for a five-day, four-night tour focusing on Scotland’s spectacular manor houses, castles and exquisite gardens. But there’s just one departure: June 5-9, 2009. And there’s room for only 35 passengers.
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