Rail journeys: Amazing

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There was a time when rail was the only way to explore in comfort, now it's a sustainable choice as well as a stylish one. Laur Gel der rounds up some of the world's most amazing train journeys

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ROCKY MOUNTAINEER, CANADA

Cutting through some of the most striking scenery in the world, where cars don’t dare to go, the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer train is one of Canada’s most sought after experiences. The combination of rugged alpine scenery outdoors with the luxuriously-appointed carriages, attentive service and gourmet three-course meals inside is winning. The train only runs between sunrise and sunset to ensure you soak up views of snow-capped peaks and pristine lakes and forest – hopefully wildlife too. Each evening you’ll disembark to spend the night in a hotel, with iconic options like the fairy tale Fairmont Banff Springs.

There are four routes. The best known is probably the Vancouver to Banff journey, starting in coastal rainforest, crossing desert before stopping for the night in the riverside city of Kamloops, and then continuing into the Rockies. The newest route links Moab in Utah and Denver in Colorado, passing rusty canyons, following the Colorado River and stopping for a restorative dip at Glenwood Springs.

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ROVOS RAIL, SOUTH AFRICA

Step aboard vintage woodpanelled coaches, harking back to a more elegant era of travel, and be transported between some of Africa’s most fascinating places. Journeys range from 48 hours to 15 days, staying in fi ve-star hotels and leaving plenty of time for safaris. The longest trip links Cape Town in South Africa to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, via Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. You’ll cross the mighty Zambezi River, negotiate the tunnels, switchbacks and viaducts of the Great Rift Valley and stop at the thundering Victoria Falls. But there’s plenty of time for wining and dining.

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THE CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR, USA

Journey from Chicago to San Francisco in 51 hours, with two nights sleeping in a snug bunk bed. The sleek silver train slices through the plains of Nebraska to Omaha and onto Denver’s retro Union Station. After there, it hits the dramatic canyons of the Rockies enroute to Salt Lake City, before rushing through the painted deserts and arid hills and buttes of Utah, passing ritzy Reno and quaint Sacramento, and fi nally arriving in Emeryville near the Golden Gate City.

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Geneva > Venice > Florence > Rome Discover the charms and landmarks of three Italian gems on one scenic holiday along the rails. Travel from London, spending a night in Geneva en route, and roll through the spectacular Alpine scenery of the Simplon Pass towards Italy. Sail down the canals of Venice with a gondola ride, unearth artistic masterpieces in Florence and gaze in awe at the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling in Rome.

Nice > Cannes Explore the glamorous Côte d'Azur in the south of France with its glittering Mediterranean coastline. From beaches to boutiques, and the exclusive Principality of Monaco, the French Riviera is the perfect holiday destination. Spend three nights in Nice and three nights in Cannes, with train travel between the cities, and a day trip to Monaco.

New York City > Washington > Chicago > Williams > Grand Canyon National Park > Los Angeles > San Francisco Experience the very best of America on this 16-day journey. Travel from the bright lights of New York to the Nation's Capital then on to Chicago's great architecture and eventually ending in the famous San Francisco Bay. Along the way, you will get to visit the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

SEVEN STARS IN KYUSHU, JAPAN

Exquisitely designed, this sleeper train is often called the most luxurious in the world. It goes a bit slower than Japan’s famous bullet trains, but you wont care as you relax in its ridiculously spacious polished wood cabins, with delicate paper screens and shiny brass lamps. As you cruise around Kyushu Island, renowned for its dramatic volcanic landscapes and hot springs, you can sip sparkling sake and nibble the contents of your delicately presented bento box.

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JACOBITE STEAM TRAIN, SCOTLAND

The so-called ‘Harry Potter train’ really did provide the steam engine and carriages for the wizarding fi lms. Its 84-mile route starts in Fort William, in the shadow of Ben Nevis, and travels to the west coast port of Mallaig and back. You’ll visit Britain’s most westerly mainland station, tiny Arisaig, and cross glassy lochs, silvery beaches, heather-smothered hills and the 21 arches of the majestic Glenfi nnan Viaduct. The décor is comfortingly traditional, with tasselled lamps and winged chairs in fi rst class.

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THE GHAN, AUSTRALIA

Forging through Australia’s stunning but inhospitable red centre, the Ghan travels 1,851 miles between the southern city of Adelaide and Darwin in the tropical north. Over three to four days you’ll enjoy regionally-inspired meals and fi ne wines, along with experiences like dinner under the stars at a historic Telegraph Station, a cruise beneath the red cliffs of Nitmiluk Gorge and a visit to an opal mining town where people live underground.

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FLAM RAILWAY, NORWAY

It might only be 12 miles long, but this train journey packs a punch when it comes to scenery. It’s one of the steepest standard gauge lines in the world and in one hour you’ll travel from sea level, at Aurlandsfjord in Flåm, to Myrdal mountain station, 867 metres above. From the comfort of a vintage carriage, you can enjoy the changing scenery – rivers cutting through deep ravines, waterfalls cascading down snow-capped peaks and mountain farms clinging to sheer slopes. From Myrdal you can also connect onto lines to Bergen or Oslo.

HIRAM BINGHAM, PERU

Named after the explorer who rediscovered Peru’s most famous Incan citadel, this train leaves from just outside the colourful city of Cusco in the citadel, this train leaves from just outside the colourful city of Cusco in the Sacred Valley. You’ll roll sedately towards Machu Picchu in the comfort of a classic 1920s parlour car, gazing at the fertile Peruvian Highlands sweeping by. Along the way you’ll be treated to performances of traditional music, a welcome Pisco Sour cocktail and a gourmet brunch with South American wines. After you’ve marvelled at the lost city you can return in the fading light, enjoying another fi ne dining experience.

named after an explor er

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The Anne Frank Trust UK

The Anne Frank Trust is an education charity that empowers 10 to 15 year-olds to challenge all forms of prejudice, inspired by the life and work of Anne Frank.

Last year we worked with over 40,000 young people across the UK. Our vision is a world free from prejudice. With your help, we can build it.

Cross Europ e in style

VENICE SIMPLON ORIENT EXPRESS

Perhaps the most famed train in the world, this Belmond-owned icon offers over 60 journeys, including ones from London to Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Verona or Venice, or the epic Paris to Istanbul route. As you hand your bag to a smartly dressed porter, you’ll feel like you’ve slipped back to a bygone age when rail was king and travel was always opulent. Onboard the art deco Pullman carriages you’re expected to dress smartly for the extravagant fourcourse dinner, served in the dining car. When you’re ready to retire to your cosy cabin, the clicking rails will lull you to sleep until you wake in a distant land.

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THE GLACIER EXPRESS, SWITZERLAND

This train links two of Switzerland’s most renowned mountain resorts, St. Moritz and Zermatt, with its view of the crooked Matterhorn. Described as ‘Europe's slowest express’, it takes over seven hours to cover 180 miles. You won’t have a problem with the pace though, as you enjoy the dramatic alpine scenery, shimmying across narrow valleys, through 91 tunnels and over 291 bridges. Onboard is a choice of First, Second or Excellence Class, and the latter includes a seven-course lunch.

THE QINGHAI-TIBET TRAIN, CHINA

This railway to the roof of the world is an engineering marvel and the world’s highest, reaching altitudes of over 5,000 metres and traversing a region prone to earthquakes, permafrost and low oxygen levels (cabins have it on tap). It starts from Xining, capital of Qinghai province, and ends in Lhasa, Tibet's mystical capital. Onboard it’s basic but the view makes up for that. The 1,200-mile trip takes 21 hours and passes the desolate Gobi Desert, the stark ice fields of Tanggula Glacier, the bright turquoise Namtso Lake and many yak-spotted grasslands and villages draped in fluttering prayer flags. 11

MAHARAJA’S EXPRESS, INDIA

Railways rule in India so the Maharaja's Express must truly be the king of trains. Every carriage has a butler and the king-size beds – set in spacious cabins – are studded with jewels. Journeys range from four days to a week and stop in places like Mumbai, Udaipur, Agra and Delhi, for you to alight and explore exotic bazaars, gleaming palaces, vivid temples and tiger-filled jungles. The train has two fine dining restaurants, one with a hand-painted fresco ceiling, serving international food and Indian banquets. After dinner, you can retire to the Rajah Club bar to sip a whiskey in one of its large armchairs.

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© Aswin Krishna Poyil

FOUR WAYS YOUR HOLIDAYS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

We spoke to a selection of Charitable Travel's charity partners, to find out what your donations pay for when you book a holiday and donate 5% completely free with Charitable Travel

A £500 HOLIDAY GENERATES A £25 DONATION

AND CAN PAY FOR: 10 packs of tampons to be delivered to a Bloody Good Period Partner, such as organisations supporting refugees and asylum-seekers, charities for the homeless, food banks, COVID Response community groups and more.

A £1,000 HOLIDAY GENERATES A £50 DONATION

AND CAN PAY FOR: A weeks' tuition or lodging for a student with Chris Fenner Fund who help save Zambia's wildlife by funding conservation education for local people. Without community involvement, the long-term future of wildlife in Zambia will never be secure.

A £2,000 HOLIDAY GENERATES A £100 DONATION

AND CAN PAY FOR: A full year of nutritious meals for a child at a link school in Uganda, who would otherwise go hungry, with Rafiki Thabo Foundation. A free school meal often acts as a magnet to get children into school.

A £3,000 HOLIDAY GENERATES A £150 DONATION

AND CAN PAY FOR: A young person to be trained as an Anne Frank Trust peer guide. Educating young people about the consequences and roots of prejudice and discrimination, and increases their understanding & respect of other cultures, faiths, & identities.