Issue 6
WORLD’S BEST BOUTIQUE SKI HOTELS Plus:
Sochi Eats
Luxury Trains
Walkable Cities
Celebrity Vacation
Local Cuisine at the Winter Games
Take to the Tracks in Lavish Form
Our Favourite Places for Pedestrians
Parrot Cay by COMO, Turks & Caicos
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CONTENTS SOCHI EATS What to eat at the 2014 Winter Olympics
POST-PISTE:
BEST BOUTIQUE SKI HOTELS
LUXURY TRAINS Tour the tracks in style
CELEB ESCAPES Parrot Cay by COMO in Turks & Caicos
BEST WALKING CITIES Pedestrian-friendly places
Image: Hotel Kilimandjaro
Luxury Escapes Magazine Published by Luxury Escapes, 259 Coventry Street South Melbourne, 3205, Victoria Australia Writer and Editor Elspeth Velten Publisher Jeremy Same For subscriptions sign up at luxuryescapes.com Cover Image: Nira Alpina Hotel, Switzerland
Image: Elspeth Velten
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
Elspeth Velten Luxury Escapes Editor @ElspethVelten
I loathed Venice. That’s probably why it’s taken me six issues of Luxury Escapes to write about this globally adored city. I was broke and tired when I arrived there, and only became more dejected when I was dropped at my accommodation miles away from the island on mainland Italy. Bus rides through tragically industrial areas separated me from the supposed watery wonderland, and arrival in the city only yielded what then seemed to be desperately negative results: hoardes of tourists and unworthy restaurants aimed at them. Streets of beautifully crumbling buildings with ground floor stores occupied only by repetitive souvenir shops. Overcrowded boat rides to islands with no local residents. I was in a rut, and I couldn’t wait to leave. I get that mine is an unpopular opinion, and, of course, I can see the appeal. Venice is aesthetically striking. It’s a photographer’s dream and a walker’s paradise. It’s a difficult maze that proves its worth when you step out of a narrow street into a quiet, sun-drenched square set around an aged church. Writing the walking story for this issue has given me the chance to reconsider my feelings on Venice. It’s served as a reminder that travel is not always about riding on a high, and is very much a personal experience. I think persevering through the lows is what differentiates a traveller from a tourist, but I still hope I can revisit Venice and improve my opinions. After everywhere else I long to see, of course!
THE WORLD’S BEST WALKING CITIES
No matter how big or small, how efficient a public transport system or how cheap a local cab, we’ll always advise that the best way to see many a city is by foot. Whether by organized tour or aimless wander, walking through a city allows travellers the view of that city’s true personality–the same view that local residents get every day. Spend time soaking in the local architecture or noshing at sidewalk cafes. Either way, we’re sure you’ll feel like a local in no time.
Image: Shutterstock
Image: Shutterstock
Florence, Italy
Barcelona, Spain
In the center of Florence, many streets are narrow and cobblestoned, making auto use all but impossible. That means tourists on foot can have their run of the town. The city is fairly walkable from one side to the other and why wouldn’t you? The beautiful architecture of Firenze is something we could look at all day. Grab a prosciutto sandwich at the San Lorenzo Market and head on towards the Duomo, the city’s most iconic church that towers above the rest of the skyline. Florence’s streets are full of leather vendors and gelato shops, and many an alley lead into sunny squares. In the Piazza Santo Spirito, Gustapanino makes an amazing focaccia sandwich–perfect to bring to the beautiful nearby Boboli Gardens for an afternoon picnic. Most of Florence’s museums and art galleries are located in the center of the city, so don’t worry about cab fare or public transport.
Barcelona’s tourism and some of its night life is based around Las Ramblas, a pedestrian thoroughfare lined with street-performers, shops, restaurants and markets, including the famous Boqueria. Las Ramblas ends down at the port, but heading northeast off of the wide road will put you directly in the Barri Gotic, or the Gothic Quarter of the city. This area is home to winding streets with seldom a car passing by, that lead to hidden plazas and impressive 15th century churches. Come night time, find the Harlem Jazz Club in this maze for an authentic evening with great music. Besides Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona is scattered with other attractions, like the architecture of Gaudi. A day alone could be spent walking around viewing his masterpieces like Casa Milà, Casa Battló, Park Guell and, of course, the Sagrada Família. The promenade along the beach is worth a visit, too, especially during the warm summer months when Barcelona’s beach scene heats up.
Image: Shutterstock
New York City, USA Manhattan and its outer boroughs have always been reasonably walkable due to their grid-patterned, numbered streets and avenues, but in recent years, the city of New York has taken other actions to make the city pedestrian friendly. Sections of the street have now been designated for use by pedestrians only in popular tourist spots like Times Square. Not to mention large parks like Central Park, Washington Square Park and Union Square that give tourists and locals alike a place to stretch their legs without leaving the concrete jungle. Most recently, the city acted on a plan to turn an abandoned elevated railroad into a walking park. The High Line, once used by meatpacking industry trains, runs from Gansevoort St. in the West Village all the way up to 30th street in Midtown, and provides walkers with a bird’s eye view onto the city streets below. The High Line is landscaped with plants and trees native to the region and features interactive public spaces like an amphi-
theater, many different types of benches and chairs, food vendors and art installments.
Paris, France Sprawling Paris may not seem like your ideal walking city at first. The wide streets and boulevards that the city is known for like the Champs-Elysees lend themselves more to car travel then to pedestrian crossing, but dig a little deeper and Paris’ parks, gardens, bridges and neighborhoods are all more than suitable for exploring by foot. Stroll through the hilly Montmatre area, a former home to many famous artists–many tiny side-streets are cobbled and see limited automobile use. Ramble along the Siene River on water-level promenades and love-lock lined bridges, or prepare a picnic to take in one of the city’s many parks. Hungry? Take a seat watch the rest of the world walk by from one of what seems like a never-ending number of sidewalk cafes.
Image: Shutterstock
Hong Kong, Hong Kong The metropolitan area of Hong Kong may stretch over several islands and part of the mainland, but that doesn’t mean the city is hard to navigate on foot. Cheap ferries that run until midnight and a comprehensive metro system, the MTR, mean that getting between Hong Kong Island and mainland area of Kowloon is easy at any time. Hong Kong island itself is mountainous, which makes it a great place for hikers to follow trails around the peak with great views down onto the skyscrapers below. For those more inclined to shop than hike, the Mid-Levels Escalator is helpful. It’s the world’s longest outdoor, covered escalator and makes scaling the city’s steep terrain a breeze. Besides the upscale shopping that the city is known for, Hong Kong is also ripe with street markets. The Mong Kok area in Kowloon offers many markets such as the Ladies Market, the Goldfish
Market and the Temple Night Market, where tourists and locals shop and eat late into the night. During the day, many streets lend themselves to wet markets, where HKers shop for fresh produce, meat and seafood, and where tourists can slurp on noodles or take advantage of the great photo-opp.
Venice, Italy An obvious reason that Venice is great for walking: no cars. The city is known for its iconic canals winding between crumbling buildings and arched bridges traversing them, and there may not be another spot in the world where pedestrians can enjoy such a picturesque view (and not have to worry about the dangers of crossing car traffic!). It’s almost impossible to not get lost in Venice, but that’s a good thing. Many times stepping off the beaten path leads to exciting findings like tiny cafes, quiet squares and beautiful churches.
Image: Shutterstock
Boston, USA Boston has taken the nickname “America’s Walking City” for a reason. The city is compact and pedestrian-commuter friendly and the Charles River offers beautiful banks to stroll, but its the four kilometer Freedom Trail that really ups Boston’s walking factor. The trail, outlined in brick or red paint, links 16 historic sites from the American Revolution including burial grounds, the Old State House, Boston Common, Faneuil Hall and Paul Revere House. Over three million people visit the trail annually–that’s a lot of walkers. There’s a related trail that breaks off to go through Beacon Hill, a historic neighborhood with narrow streets and brick sidewalks.
Melbourne, Australia Melbourne has embraced its hidden little laneways to become a city of surprises. While taking a turn off of a busy street into a narrow
alley may not seem like the smartest thing to do in an urban area, explorers in Melbourne are rewarded with tiny cafes, bars, boutiques and restaurants. Several lanes open up into impressive indoor arcades with upscale shops and restaurants, like the Block Arcade between Collins and Little Collins streets. Then there’s brunch. Even on the surface Melbourne’s cafe culture is impossible to miss, but dig deeper down seemingly abandoned lanes and you’ll find top notch eateries like Manchester Press, Hardware Societe and Bowery to Williamsburg. Many lanes are covered in street art–the city’s government has embraced urban art and allows artists to use wall space in alleys with the blessing of building owners–talk about a photo-opp. Besides Melbourne’s laneways, the city’s center is laid out in an easy grid plan, and other areas like Southbank and St. Kilda have long promenades where walkers can enjoy restaurants and shops or the beach.
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Image: Shutterstock
Marrakesh, Morocco
Dubrovnik, Croatia
In Marrakesh, its impossible to avoid the pull towards the frenetic medina, the city’s old fortified center that’s home to the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa and what seems like miles of winding souks around it. The Jemaa is an impressive square home to exotic moneymakers like magicians, snake charmers, musicians, monkey trainers and more, not to mention all of the amazing food smells that waft up from the square’s center. After a good look around the square itself, delve into the souks that radiate out from its borders. Here you can buy leather, carpets, pottery, baskets, clothing, Moroccan ingredients and anything else that you could possibly want as a souvenir.
The walled center of old Dubrovnik is strictly pedestrians only, so this is one city where if you DO have a car, you’re missing out. Besides casually strolling past palaces and Baroque churches, the city offers walkers a plethora of sidewalk cafes, laid-back Mediterranean seafood restaurants, shops and aimless alleyways to explore. Renaissance buffs will especially appreciate the Sponza Palace and the Rector’s Palace, and the tiny St. Saviour Church. Take some time to walk the walls of the city to observe life from above, and don’t miss the pristine beaches the area offers. The small old city is mainly laid out in a grid pattern, so if you do get lost, it won’t be for long.
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POST-PISTE: BEST BOUTIQUE SKI HOTELS
Image: Hotel Kilimandjaro
Let’s face it: a large, crowded ski resort just isn’t for everyone looking to hit the slopes. We’d much prefer a quieter experience, especially after a long day of physical activity. Perhaps a place with wood-laden rooms, a warm pool that’s not jam-packed and a comfortable-chic bar with a view. We’ve rounded up our favourite boutique hotels in ski resort areas where guests can expect personal service, cozy, chalet style rooms and even some amazing food. What more could you want après ski?
Images: Nira Alpina
Nira Alpina St. Moritz, Switzerland On the larger side of boutique hotels, Nira Alpina offers four types of rooms, all with wood paneling, panoramic windows with Engadin Mountain views and a large terrace or balcony. Rooms are accented by Swiss spruce, Italian stone and suede, granite bathrooms that feature a waterfall shower, and, of course, Wi-Fi and flatscreen TVs. Best of all: the hotel enjoys direct access to the Corvatch cable car station in the ski resort of Surlej. For later, a hotel spa is home to a steam room, sauna, whirlpool bath, a large fountain with showers and waterfalls, and a full gym. Nira Alpina offers a variety of dining options in beautifully designed environments, perfect for a warming meal after a
quick recharge. The top floor of the hotel is a panoramic restaurant serving up Asian fusion dishes, while a traditional wooden room–the Trattoria– specializes in Italian. For a snack during the day, Nira Alpina’s bakery offers fresh breads and pastries, and the cozy, first-comefirst-served Pichalain Après Ski Hut, a tiny cabin with a bar and fur rugs, can be reserved for private dining.
Image: Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet
Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet South Island, New Zealand This picturesque and slightly-Scandinavian lodge is located on the shore of Lake Wanaka in New Zealand’s Central Otago region, and enjoys a backdrop of the Southern Alps. The lodge houses four deluxe rooms and two master suites and can fit up to 12 people in one group or can be reserved separately. There are three comfortable lounge spaces, an open fire, a bar, a dining area, massage room and a even a games room with billiards. Bathrooms are stocked with Aesop amenities, and nightly rates for the lodge include an a la carte breakfast and
five-course degustation dinner. Not enough of an escape? A 20-minute helicopter ride will bring you to the front door of Whare Kea’s alpine chalet, located at 1750 metres altitude on the north side of Dragonfly Peak. The chalet, with mountain and glacier views, features two double bedrooms, a loft and a bunk room for staff, and can fit up to six guests and two staff members. The chalet is designed to have minimal environmental impact, and can withstand a two metre snowpack on its roof. Look no further if you’re a hiking or heli-skiing enthusiast.
Hotel Kilimandjaro Courchevel 1850, France Hidden away in one of the most famous and prestigious ski areas in the world, the fivestar Hotel Kilimandjaro is made up of 11 individual chalets radiating off of a communal pool gallery. Eight of the chalets consist of wooden-walled rooms and suites, while the other two chalets are for private hire for 1014 people. Private chalet bedrooms are all ensuite and have a private butler and chef. The connecting area between the chalets features a pool with a waterfall and countercurrent swimming system, a jacuzzi, steam bath and sauna and an outdoor hot tub. If you didn’t already have enough of a workout on the mountain, a coach is available for swimming lessons and aqua aerobics, and there’s also a fitness center with a coach
on hand. Bundling up to hit the slopes is no reason to sacrifice looking good, though. There’s a Kerastase hair salon and La Prairie Spa on hotel grounds. Perhaps most exciting about the hotel is its two-Michelin-starred restaurant, La Table du Kilimandjaro. Chef Nicolas Sale chooses only the best produce to serve at La Table–menu items include caviar, foie gras, Dover sole and Wagyu beef.
Images: Hotel Kilimandjaro
Alpaga
DV Boutique Hotel
Megeve, France
South Tyrol, Italy
This five-star hotel is plotted directly in the shadows of Mont Blanc, one of France’s most famous ski destinations. Twenty-two contemporary rooms are split between two wooden chalets, all with mountain views, Wi-Fi and beautiful dark stone bathrooms. Each room is decorated with wood, cashmere, wool, flannel and fake fur, to make sure guests leave the mountain chill outdoors, and some are split level. Suites are individual apartments with kitchens, sitting rooms, large balconies, kids’ bunks and granite bathrooms with Hermès products. Three other chalets (with chefs, of course) are available for hire for parties of up to 12 people. Two restaurants–La Table de l’Alpaga and L’Onyx–offer refined mountain cuisine in chic environments, and the hotel spa features a pool, two treatment rooms, a hammam and a steaming outdoor Scandinavian hot tub.
A self-proclaimed design hotel, DV is home to 20 rooms of various designs and sizes. Each room is decorated differently but many are accented by historic designer objects and antiques and include sleeping space for up to four people, sitting areas, bathroom with separate shower and hydro-massage bath, double balconies or terraces with mountain views, saunas, walk in closets and warming cast iron or designer stoves. Wooden floors and walls lend that chalet feel, although the hotel exterior is modern. The hotel’s Dolomieu restaurant offers modernized local and regional Italian dishes made from local organic produce in a cozy atmosphere. DV’s spa offers a full menu of beauty and massage treatments, and facilities include an indoor pool with counter-current swimming, a jacuzzi, a sauna, a turkish bath, a Himalayan salt cave and an ice waterfall shower.
Images: Alpaga
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Image: Azur Lodge
Azur Lodge
Hotel Lux Alpinae
Queenstown, New Zealand
St. Anton, Austria
On the shores of Lake Wakatipu, the Azur Lodge consists of nine private villas and a main lodge for lounging and dining. Azur enjoys three-and-a-half acres of hillside just outside of downtown Queensland and each villa has a sun-deck with views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Villas are of open plan design with a lounge, fireplace, dining area, floor to ceiling windows, king bed, ensuite bathroom with spa bath and heated floors, Wi-Fi and climate control. Besides communal dinners in the lodge, private dinners in-villa can be arranged. The lodge itself has an open kitchen, dining and a lounge areas, a fireplace, a multimedia library and board games like chess. Aside from skiing, local activities include fly fishing, hiking, golf, sky diving, white water rafting and more.
Hotel Lux Alpinae has become a favourite in St. Anton for its simple but comfortable and modern rooms with floor to ceiling windows and mountain views. Besides trendy rooms, the hotel houses a sauna, steam bath, rock climbing wall, a bar, a visiting masseur, yoga classes and a daily changing menu at the guests-only restaurant. The hotel is lauded on review sites for its friendly owners and staff and great service, and becomes a home away from home for weary guests returning from the slopes of St. Anton.
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THE 2014 WINTER OLYMPICS:
WHAT TO EAT IN SOCHI Heading to Sochi for the winter games? Don’t step foot in the Russian resort town without knowing what to eat first. Much of the cuisine in the region around Sochi has a Georgian influence, since Russia’s border with the country is not far away. This means little variations to Russian favourites, like different soups and more robust dumplings. The Olympics may be the main event, but the area’s cuisine should by no means take the back seat. After all, a hot soup or a hearty meat kebab could be just what you need after a chilly day of observing at the slopes.
Images: Shutterstock
Khachapuri A boat-shaped, cheese filled bread, the khachapuri is only enhanced by a runny egg cracked into the middle before baking and a pat of butter sliced on top before eating. This Georgian specialty comes in all shapes and sizes, but the boat is one of the best if you’re a dunker. The crusty ends of the boat-shaped khachapuri are easily ripped off and we recommend you dip them into the egg and cheese center for best eating results.
Dolma and Sarma Also known across many countries, dolma and sarma are stuffed and wrapped, respectively. As a main course, dolma takes the form of stuffed peppers, eggplants, onions, tomatoes, or any other hollowed-out vegetable, and is usually stuffed with a meat filling and served hot. As an entree, dolma is generally rice filled and cooked, served cold with lots of olive oil. Sarma can be made out of any leaves that are good for wrapping– usually vine leaves, chard or cabbage– and is generally stuffed with rice. Again, sarma is served with plenty of olive oil to keep the leaves plump and moist.
Images: Shutterstock
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Solyanka Solyanka is a thick, hearty soup characterized by its salty flavor. It’s full of cured meats, sausage, olives, mushrooms, capers, pickles, cabbage and brine, and frequently topped off with sour cream and dill or lemon and accompanied by whole grain bread. Solyanka is cooked for several hours, and can be quite spicy.
Khinkali Boiled dumplings take different forms and names in countries all over the world; in Georgia and the surrounding regions, that’s khinkali. These are mostly filled with spiced meat like beef or pork (sometimes lamb), herbs and onions, but can also be vegetarian friendly with mushrooms, potatoes or cheese in the place of meat. The dumpling dough is folded into a little package with pleats up top and it’s said that squeezing 19 pleats in equates talent. The thick part of the dumpling that’s formed by the pleats can be used as a handle and is not meant to be eaten. They’re served with coarse black pepper, and you can expect a juicy first bite!
Images: Shutterstock
Image: Shutterstock
Shashlyk
Kharcho
Known globally by different names including shish kebabs, skewers and souvlaki, shashlyk is one of Russia’s (and the rest of the world’s) favourite foods. These are traditionally made with marinated cubes of lamb, beef or pork (depending on location and religion,) that alternate with pieces of fat or vegetables like bell pepper, onion, mushroom or tomato. They’re usually cooked over a charcoal or birchwood fire. The most important part of the production of these mighty meat sticks is the marinade, and of course, many of the best recipes are shrouded in family secrecy. The marinade is sometimes based on pomegranate juice or kefir, and tender a moist meat after considered a success.
This soup is usually made with lamb (but can be substituted with beef) and features dried sour plum puree, walnuts, rice and coriander. There is some discussion over whether rice is the right starch here–some suggest that millet or yogurt soaked bread are more traditional ingredients to use for soaking up the soup. Kharcho is mainly a Georgian specialty, but can be found everywhere in the bordering areas of Russia ranging from cheap lunch spots to upscale restaurants.
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Images: Parrot Cay by COMO
CELEB ESCAPES:
PARROT CAY BY COMO It’s easy to see why a laundry list of celebs (including Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner,) have flocked to Parrot Cay by COMO’s private island resort in Turks and Caicos. The resort’s 1000 acres of pristine white beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, safe and secluded location, perpetual summery weather and luxurious setup make Parrot Cay the perfect destination for the US’s vacationing rich and famous. There are no cars on the island, instead guests share the terrain with over 200 species of birds (flamingos!) and 35 of butterflies that call the region home at various times of the year.
Parrot Cay boasts a variety of accommodation styles ranging from King rooms to enormous multi-building residences. Constant throughout all of the room styles is the resort’s breezy and bright aesthetic–guests are constantly immersed in a luxe-beach-escape aura. All bedrooms feature beautiful four-poster beds draped in white voile, large dining tables and some type of outdoor space, be it a veranda or terrace, a pool and sun-deck or direct beach access. COMO suites include a separate living room, a bedroom, two bathrooms and French doors that open up to spacious wooden balconies equipped with plush day beds and garden views. For more privacy, Parrot Cay offers one and two bedroom beach houses and villas. Two bedroom beach houses are nestled into the shore’s sand dunes and feature two ensuite bedrooms, large outdoor spaces and direct beach access. And private pools and sundecks, of course. Twenty-four-hour butlers are of service to guests in beach houses and villas to help ensure a smooth arrival and to help plan activities and special meals through the visit.
Just a few minutes away by buggy, private residences at Parrot Cay offer luxurious vacations of an even larger scale. The residences are privately owned homes with three to five bedrooms–one is a multi-home compound belonging to well-known designer Donna Karan. Karan’s home, The Sanctuary, features a main house with three bedrooms and two other four bedroom guesthouses, four pools, outdoor showers and jacuzzis and antique furnishings collected during Karan’s travels. At meal times, guests can choose between various restaurants of different settings and styles around the resort. Across the global cuisines on offer there’s a commitment to using local seafood and fresh, local and organic ingredients when possible. The poolside Lotus restaurant offers a Caribbean inspired menu by day and contemporary Asian fusion by night. Think conch fritters and Caicos lobster, plucked fresh from the seas surrounding the island paradise. The Terrace offers a modern-Mediterranean cuisine–mainly Italian–for breakfast and dinner in both outdoor and indoor settings. Finally, COMO’s signature Shambhala cuisine allows guests to choose to eat for health. Organic ingredients used are rich in living enzymes, vitamins and sea minerals, and salads, steamed and grilled foods define the menu. Of course, there’s always the option to take meals in the rooms . Beach picnics, tiki hut dinners and poolside villa meals can all be arranged through COMO’s butlers.
Those looking to work on physical and emotional wellness while on vacation are welcomed at the COMO Shambhala Retreat. The spa offers holistic, Asian-inspired treatments like ayurveda, aromatherapy and Pilates, and helps guests improve their mental, physical and spiritual health. The retreat features a yoga room, nine treatment rooms, a jacuzzi garden, a Pilates studio, and Japanese baths, all overlooking the North Caicos Channel and surrounding wetlands. The resort offers a fitness center, tennis courts with ball machines and other complimentary daily activities like yoga and Pilates classes. There’s private training available by appointment, and group, private or even 5-day yoga classes and retreats. Private guided sessions are offered for meditation and pranayama breathing. The resort’s island nature makes it a natural water sports haven. Complimentary water sports available at the resort include kayaking, catamaran sailing, windsurfing, snorkelling and paddle boarding. Private boat charters with refreshments and picnics are available for full or half days for six to fifteen people for an additional charge.
Image: Pride of Africa
TOUR THE TRACKS: LUXURY TRAIN TRAVEL Want to make your way across Russia or tour Thailand without having to unpack more than once? What about a quick trip spanning Australia from north to south, or trekking through Thailand’s jungles and mountains, all from the comfort of your own suite? Luxury train travel might just be for you, if you can foot the bill! Many of today’s touring trains offer guests much more than just a method of transport from point A to B. Lavish and spacious ensuite cabins, beautifully restored dining and observation carriages and a dance floor that’s lively until late are now the standards to judge by. Not to mention a strong focus on cuisine and formal dinners. What better way to see the world than from a hotel that follows you on your journey? Image: Royal Scotsman
We’ve rounded up our favourite trains and their most exciting routes. See you on the platform!
Images: Eastern and Oriental Express
Eastern and Oriental Express Our Favourite Journey: Epic Thailand. This seven day journey takes passengers through Northern and Eastern Thailand in search of traditional villages, ancient kingdoms, wildlife, elephant camps and Buddhist temples.
wood observation carriage has an open air section that’s great for sightseeing and photo-opps, and there are two ornate restaurant cars where lunch and dinner are served daily (breakfast is served in-cabin). There’s a bar car with a resident pianist and local entertainment, too.
Rates: From A$9,600 per person, including hotel stays, meals and drinks (on Chronicles of South-East Asia journeys, including Epic Thailand). The Train: Each of all three cabin classes on board has an ensuite shower and bathroom, air conditioning, large picture windows and 24-hour cabin steward service. Pullman cabins have bunk style beds that convert into a banquet style sofa by day, while State and Presidential cabins enjoy two single beds. Wood paneled walls make every cabin seem just as luxurious as the last. The colonial style teak
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Images: Golden Eagle
The Shangri-La and Golden Eagle Our Favourite Journey: The Trans-Siberian Express and The Silk Road. The Golden Eagle’s Trans-Siberian Express route packs 6,600 miles and eight time zones into 15 days as the train blazes across the remote vastness of Russia. The journey begins in Moscow and ends at the far east in Vladivostok, and also makes a quick foray across the border into Mongolia to explore the culture of the country’s nomadic people. The Golden Eagle train also hosts a segment of the Silk Road route, before travellers switch onto the Shangri-La and head into China. That trip is 21 days long and follows in the footsteps of Alexander the Great and Marco Polo through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Stops include the oasis city of Dunbuang and camel rides in the Gobi Desert. Rates: The Trans-Siberian Express journey starts at about US$16,500 per person including all meals, some drinks, guided off-train excursions and hotel stays. A top-of-the-line Twin Imperial suite will cost almost USD$33,000 per person. The Silk Road trip starts at US$24,000 per person, but a Twin Imperial suite is US$42,395 per person.
The Train: The Golden Eagle boasts three categories of cabins, all with ensuite bathrooms, evening turndown service and 24-hour cabin attendants. Upscale Imperial Suites are 120 square feet and have a king bed, lounge, dressing table, underfloor heating, individually controlled air conditioning, DVD/CD player, fully stocked mini bar and a small library. Imperial guests will receive a bottle of Dom Perignon upon arrival on the train and enjoy the option of private tour guides and car service, laundry service and room upgrades at hotel stays. The Shangri-La train isn’t quite as lavish–cabins feature bunk style beds and no private bathrooms–but it’s still the most luxurious private train available in China today. There’s a stateof-the-art shower car, a piano bar car with entertainment, and dining cars serving Western breakfasts and Chinese lunches and dinners made from local ingredients.
Image: Pride of Africa
Image: Pride of Africa
Rovos Rail, Pride of Africa Our Favourite Journey: Dar es Salaam. This 14 or 15-day journey begins in Cape Town, South Africa, and rambles through Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania before ending on the sea in the Tanzania’s largest city. Highlights include safari stays in game reserves, the impressive Victoria Falls, a stop in Pretoria, a river cruise on the Zambezi, the Great Rift Valley, and more.
suites of smaller sizes include private bathrooms with showers. The suites are furnished with dark woods and panoramic windows allowing guests to watch the passing landscape in privacy. There are also restored historic dining and observation cars, the latter with unusual outdoor balconies, and two lounge cars. Lunch and dinner often include traditional game dishes made from local ingredients and South African wines. A smart casual dress code is enforced at meal times.
Rates: Entry level cabins start at US$10,600 per person, but the top-end Royal Suites will run you almost $19,000 per person. Rates include accommodation, excursions, all meals and all drinks on board, including alcohol. The Train: The Royal Suites take up half a carriage each and boast double or twin beds, a lounge area with a mini-bar and a full bathroom with tub and shower–even lower level
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fortable lounge car makes the perfect place for before or after dinner drinks, or for just watching the world go by during an afternoon of travel. Central European cuisine is served in an informal dining car–breakfast is cooked-to-order, and lunch and dinner options are served off of set menus.
El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo
Image: The Danube Express
The Danube Express Our Favourite Journey: Istanbul to Prague. The ten-day trip includes six nights aboard the train and three in hotels as the train travels through Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, the Carpathian Mountains, Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Rates: Fares start at just over A$10,000 per person and include all meals on board, including wine and beer, three hotel nights in Budapest and sightseeing in cities along the route. The Train: The Danube Express features five cabins per car in Deluxe Sleeping cars, each cabin with modern ensuite bathrooms, individual air conditioners, armchairs, a wardrobe, opening windows, wood paneled walls and elegant decor. There’s turn-down service nightly to transform your room from day to night mode with two lower beds. A com-
Our Favourite Journey: Leon to Santiago de Compostela. This eight day journey takes in the best scenery and food of Northern Spain. There are programmed excursions to beaches, Medieval towns and museums along the route almost every day, including the famous Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, and the journey is hugely focused on the typical cuisine of the region. Breakfast is served on board every day but many other meals are taken in restaurants along the journey, where fresh, local ingredients shine. Meals are paired with wines from the same region. Rates: Rates for the eight-day trips start at around US$4000 during the high season, but shorter trips can be arranged between the various train stops for a smaller fare. Meals are included. The Train: The Transcantabrico runs on the historic La Robla railway, used in the past as route for coal trains across the top of Spain. The train itself is made up of restored original 1923 Pullman carriages, all furnished luxuriously, and features four lounge carriages– one’s a pub car with a bar, dance floor and nightly entertainment. Deluxe suites aboard the train have a private lounge, bed and bath, and were recently renovated to take the size of two former suites. There are double or twin beds, a couch that converts, a wardrobe, desk, climate control, multimedia computer with Wi-Fi, and a mini bar. Each suite has a hydromassage shower and steam sauna.
Images: The Royal Scotsman
Rates: The Classic Journey starts at almost A$6,400 per person, but the golf focused version of this trip bumps up the price. Rates for longer trips soar–the eight-day, seven-night Grand Tour of Great Britain will run you over A$13,000 per person.
The Royal Scotsman Our Favourite Journey: The Classic Journey. This five-day, four-night trip rambles through the best of the breathtaking Scottish Highlands, and can be combined with whiskey or golf tours to make even more of the countryside. Think castles, highland safaris, vast lochs and local distilleries. The Royal Scotsman even offers the opportunity for guests to rent or purchase a kilt to don while on board.
The Train: The Royal Scotsman is home to 14 Twin, two Double and four Single state cabins, all with private bathroom and shower, dressing tables and wardrobes, individually controlled heating and opening windows. The train stables at night in a siding or station to ensure guests can sleep well. Just 36 guests board the train for any given trip, so you’ll be sure to get a perfect spot in the train’s sofa and armchair laden observation car. Dinners alternate between formal and informal and on formal nights, men better have their tux (or kilt) ready. Local produce served includes Aberdeen beef and salmon–the game-rich menu may even include pigeon.
Images: The Hiram Bingham
The Hiram Bingham Our Favourite Journey: Cusco to Machu Picchu. The train’s only route takes passengers back and forth between one of Peru’s most important tourist cities and the ancient ruins of the Inca estate at Machu Picchu. The ride lasts about three-and-a-half hours, one way. Rates: A full day’s fare on the Hiram Bingham starts from around US$750. Ticket includes welcome drinks in Cusco, brunch with wine, on-board entertainment, tour guides, Machu Picchu tickets, tea time snacks and dinner. The Train: The Hiram Bingham can carry 84 passengers in luxurious 1920s Pullman style dining carriages. There’s a bar car with Peruvian music and pisco sours (and tutorials on how to make the drink,) and an Andean style dinner menu. Passengers describe this as the “party train” and the description certainly does suit. An upscale party, that is!
Venice-Simplon Orient Express Our Favourite Journey: London to Venice. The train’s classic route takes passengers through England, France, Switzerland and Austria before hitting the platform at Venice’s St. Lucia station in just under two days’ time. Rates: The classic journey starts from just over A$3000 per person, but an upgrade to a Cabin Suite will almost double the price. Set meals on the train are included, but alcoholic drinks and an optional a la carte menu are not. The Train: The Venice-Simplon Orient Express is made up of historic carriages from the 1920s and ’30s that have been restored for use today. The cars have kept their original facilities, though, meaning that there are no showers aboard. There are two cabin options available–the Double Cabin and the Cabin Suite. Double Cabins feature a comfortable sofa that turns into upper and lower beds come night time, and a washbasin with hot and cold water. The Cabin Suites are two interconnecting cabins each, giving guests the choice of having two single beds, or to keep the lounge in tact and sleep in upper and lower beds. There’s a full lavatory in each carriage. Local ingredients for meals on board are taken in at stops along the route, and each of four restaurant and bar cars is steeped in history and boasts a unique style.
The Ghan Our Favourite Journey: Adelaide to Darwin. The Ghan serves only the route between Adelaide and Darwin, through Australia’s rugged red outback. Stops in Alice Springs and Katherine allow guests to embrace indigenous culture and Australia’s unique land. The Ghan’s sister train, the Indian Pacific, serves the route between Sydney and Perth with equal luxury.
Rates: Advanced purchase tickets start at around $1500 per person, but when purchased on the day of travel the entry level fare is more like $2000. There are also fares available for travel between just Adelaide and Alice Springs, or Darwin and Alice Springs. Included in fares are alcoholic drinks, meals and off-train excursions. The Train: Cabins on the Ghan are divided between Gold and Platinum service. Platinum cabins are almost double the size of Gold, have twin or double beds, Tasmanian oak furnishings, private ensuite bathrooms with showers and panoramic views to both sides of the train. Cabins take the shape of comfortable lounges by day, and covert to bedrooms by night. The Outback Explorer lounge is a good place to socialize and enjoy scenic views, and the Queen Adelaide restaurant car serves up three meals a day, including Australian specialties like barramundi and kangaroo. If you’d prefer, breakfast in bed is always an option. Image: The Ghan
LUXURY ESCAPES TV Luxury Escapes reviews two of Thailand’s finest resorts! Sofitel Krabi Phokheethra Resort
Hotel Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit
• One of Thailand’s largest pools/ access to beaches
• Centrally located near world-class shopping
• Spacious Thai/European style rooms
• Three restaurants/roof-top bar
• So Sofitel Spa and a nine-hole golf course
• Modern rooms are a calm oasis
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