Posted on: Sunday, June 15, 2008
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SAVVY TRAVELER
Hop on the track to vacation with these lesser-known rail adventures
By
Irene Croft Jr.
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Some legendary trains — like Europe's Venice-Simplon Orient Express, Russia's Trans Siberian Railway, South Africa's Blue Train and Rovos Rail, and India's Palace on Wheels — feature prominently on almost any traveler's wish list. These trains and their venerable, well-known sisters are the stuff of dreams.
But what about the other 40 or so of the world's top rail adventures? These include newer or lesser-known trains that offer fascinating routes to remote areas or provide exceptional creature comforts to highly civilized destinations. Among the most rewarding of the long-distance rail experiences are:
China-Tibet Rail Link: Opened in 2006, this epic railway runs across the Himalayan "roof of the world." A three-day, 48-hour journey from Beijing to Llhasa in Tibet offers travelers unsurpassed views of mountain passes, alpine deserts and the vast plains of the Qinghai plateau. At its highest point, the railway hits an altitude of 16,604 feet, higher than the peak of any mountain in Europe. China Tibet Rail Link, www.chinatibettrain.com.
The Royal Scotsman: Frequently described by railway enthusiasts as the most luxurious train in the world, it offers 35 guests the ride of their life, taking in classic Highland attractions like romantic castles, private baronial homes and distilleries, and breathtaking scenery. Mahogany-paneled State Cabins — handsome but very tight — come as standard as do gastronomic delights in the dining car. There are various tours available, lasting from one to seven nights. The Royal Scotsman, www.royalscotsman.com.
Train to the Clouds (Tren a Las Nubes): This 15-hour journey from Salta in northwest Argentina travels directly to the clouds, reaching an altitude of 13,776 feet. The line, one of the three highest rail routes in the world, runs through 19 tunnels, across 13 viaducts, over 29 bridges and around two massive loops designed by Richard Fontaine Maury, the engineer who created the railway. The train itself consists of 10 cars, and includes a restaurant, a bar and first-class accommodation. About his journey on this rail route, travel writer Paul Theroux mused, "It is almost axiomatic that the worst trains take you through magical places." Train to the Clouds, www.panam-tours.com.
The Crimean Express: A riveting two-week journey into the heart of the Crimea begins in Saint Petersburg. From there the route covers Moscow, Minsk, Lviv, Odessa, Feodosiya and Yalta, where a visit is made to the Massandra Palace and Imperial Winery, which houses bottles dating back to 1775. Then it's onwards to Sevastopol and a visit to Balaclava and the valley where the Charge of the Light Brigade took place. The journey ends in Kiev. The Crimean Express, www.gwtravel.co.uk.
The Ghan: Travel across Australia on the legendary Ghan, which runs 1,850 miles from Adelaide to Darwin at the top end. Running twice weekly, the journey covers some of Australia's most spectacular scenery and sites, including the Flinders Ranges, the Simpson Desert, the MacDonnell Ranges surrounding Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and the still slightly raffish tropical city of Darwin. Travel in ultimate comfort in the soon-to-be inaugurated Platinum Service that is expected to rival any luxury train on the planet. The Ghan, www.gsr.com.au.
Eritrea Railway Tour: Eritrea, sandwiched between Sudan and Ethiopia has undergone a steam renaissance. The government removed its spectacular 950mm narrow gauge rail years ago, but over the past couple of years, the railway has been rebuilt using the original rails, and many of the original Italian-built locomotives have been reassembled. The rail line is only 75 miles long but so spectacular that rail enthusiasts are calling it the "Darjeeling of Africa." The route — from the capital, Asmara, to Massawa, Dogali and Ghinda — is scenic and photogenic, from the Red Sea harbor side, to the desert, mountains, steep grades, tunnels, viaducts and horseshoe curves. Eritrea Railways, www.trainsunlimitedtours.com.
La Spezia to Cinque Terre: Rolling along one of Italy's most spectacular stretches of coastal railway, this train crosses an area that is often referred to as the Bay of Poets, as it was much admired by the Romantic poets Keats, Shelley and Byron. The line takes passengers northwards towards Genoa through a series of tunnels, taking in the picture-postcard villages of Vernazza, Corniglia and Manarola as well as the UNESCO World Heritage site of Cinque Terre. Trenitalia, www.trenitalia.it.
The Deccan Odyssey: India's newest luxury train features the highlights of the state of Maharashtra, with onboard arrangements managed by the Taj Hotel Group. The gilded carriage interiors reflect the past while incorporating the latest technology. Guests enjoy a weeklong trip seeing beaches, sea forts and cave frescoes. Destinations include Mumbai (formerly Bombay), Ganpatipule, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Pune and Nasik. The Deccan Odyssey, www.deccan-odyssey.com.
The Great New Zealand Steam Explorer: Running from Auckland in the North Island to Dunedin in the South Island, this journey meanders through epic "Lord of the Rings" scenery, offering passengers spectacular vistas. Highlights of the 14-day trip include the volcanic Tongariro National Park and Waitomo and its thermals. Great New Zealand Steam Journeys, www.greatnzsteamjourneys.co.nz.
Irene Croft Jr. of Kailua, Kona, is a travel writer and 40-year veteran globetrotter. Her column is published in this section every other week.
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