The IrT SocIeTy`S BeST-loved Railway journeys 2014

Transcription

THE IRT SOCIETY’S BEST-LOVED
railway journeys 2014-2015
®
The International Railway Traveler® • Special Edition No. 199 • $75
RATING OV
EB
L
Nelson Freeman
Owen hardy
I NS!
RA
CEL
W OR
D’
ER
3Ok
kYEARS
T
ST
OP 2 5
I
n 2010 you told us: “Our trip’s not
over when the train stops!
So IRT—the luxury train
specialist—joined Virtuoso—the
luxury travel network.
The result, for you and IRT, is unparalleled access and exclusivity.
IRT/Virtuoso means secured space
on the iconic Orient-Express or Sea
Cloud, just two examples.
It means exclusive perks, such as
complimentary breakfasts and helicopter rides, on your Blue Train safari
package.
It means VIP treatment in our Virtuoso hotels and on average $450 of complimentary benefits.
It even means a sneak peek at the world’s newest luxury train,
Japan’s Kyushu Seven Stars.
Enjoy!
New for 2O14 & 2O15
• Orient-Express: The OrientExpress changed its name to
Belmond. The company operates several of our World’s Top
25 Trains® as well as cruises and
hotels. This does not change its
standards of excellence.
• Central Asia: Begin in Armenia, in the shadow of Mt.
Ararat. Continue around the
shores of the Caspian Sea. Join
IRT’s Angela Walker and our
group on the October, 2014
“Caspian Odyssey” luxury tour
on the Golden Eagle.
• Central Europe: Danube
Express is upgrading to luxury
status in 2015, sources tell us.
The Budapest-based train plans
an enticing mix of new tours.
Top trip picks are on pp. 78-81.
• India: The Maharajas’ Express
returns to our “Top 25” list after
a brief hiatus due to a change in
management. The Maharajas’
Express and Deccan Odyssey
both run fabulous programs
and offer many new tours.
• Sea Cloud: We blocked space
on the most popular itinerary
of the Sea Cloud, the Dalmatian
Coast to Athens (pp. 40-41).
• France: We have chartered a
French Country Waterways canal cruise Sept. 6-12, 2015. The
ship has just six double suites.
So call us ASAP.
• Canada: We love the Royal
Canadian Pacific. But it no
longer runs public tours, just
charters (and thus not featured
here). So call us, charter it, and
throw the party of your life.
• Australia: Sadly, we bid the
Sunlander goodbye from our
“Top 25” list. Queenslander
service is being retired at the
end of 2014.
• Japan: Kyushu’s posh Seven
Stars train is too new to vie for
“Top 25” status. But it’s “One to
Watch” (pp. 98-99). Try it with
us on our new Japan tour.
Ready to Travel? Contact us right now!
Mail:
Phone:
Fax:
E-mail:
Web:
2|
The Society of International Railway Travelers®
2424 Frankfort Ave., Suite #2
Louisville, KY 40206, USA
(800) 478-4881 (within U.S. and Canada)
(502) 897-1725
(502) 897-1729
[email protected]
facebook.com/irtsociety
www.irtsociety.com
blog.irtsociety.com
why travel with irt?
We know luxury trains.
Since 1983, IRT owners, staff and
writers have traveled thousands
of miles reporting on the world’s
best trains. We know what we
sell. Result: IRT is the top booking agency for individual guests
on Rovos Rail, one of the top
for the Venice Simplon-OrientExpress and a major player for
many others.
“I would recommend you any
time. I love working with Eleanor
& Owen and everybody at IRT.”
— D. Minnerly, Texas, veteran of
more than 30 IRT trips
We know luxury hotels, cruises
& adventure travel. “Many
thanks to you both. I feel like a
princess on a pillow,” said M. Platt,
who booked her Rovos Rail journey and deluxe hotels with IRT.
Because of our Virtuoso connection, she received thousands
of dollars’ worth of complimentary add-ons, upgrades, sightseeing
and transfers.
“We would never, never, never
attempt to do a trip like this without someone like you. You have
been great.”
— C. Stover, S. Africa 2013
IRT: Your “luxury travel
sommelier.” We delight in
“pairing” our luxury trains with
fabulous Virtuoso hotels, cruises
and tours.
Example 1: The Venice SimplonOrient-Express + Four Seasons
hotels in Paris and Istanbul (with
exclusive Virtuoso perks) +
excellent private guides.
Example 2: Australia’s Ghan +
the exciting, new Lindblad Darwin-Broome expedition cruise.
Example 3: Peru’s Hiram Bingham and Belmond Hotels (with
Virtuoso perks) + International
Expeditions’ Amazon cruise on
the new Estrella Amazonica.
Great air contracts. Get to your
destination with the best price
and schedule, the least fuss and
bother. Flight cancelled? Take
advantage of your IRT Virtuoso bonus: our 24/7 emergency
phone number.
Info. We provide everything you
need to prepare for your journey,
from visas to what to wear, from
books to read and immunizations
to obtain; when to travel; what to
take—and what to leave at home.
Table of Contents
Page Region
Train (Ship)
Tour/Itinerary
4
Africa Pride of Africa Cape Town to Dar es Salaam
VIP treatment. We routinely
reconfirm all your services and
unabashedly “beg” for complimentary extras and upgrades on
your behalf.
“I’m so positive on IRT I can’t
stand it anymore! Now that you’re
with Virtuoso it’s expanded even
further.
“On the cruise Sharon and I
were on, we got tons of Virtuoso
amenities; at the Intercontinental
(in Rome) our meals discounted,
special dinners there, breakfast
every day.
“Aboard the ship, the same
thing!”
— E. Fitzpatrick, veteran of 19
IRT journeys
10 Africa Pride of Africa African Collage with Golf Option
12 Africa Pride of Africa Namibian Safari
16 Africa Blue Train Southern Africa Luxury Safari: Cape Town to Johannesburg
20 Asia Golden Eagle/Shangri-La Express The Silk Road: Beijing-Moscow
26 Asia Palace on Wheels India’s Rajasthan
28
Asia Deccan Odyssey Indian Odyssey: Delhi to Mumbai
30
Asia Maharajas’ Express
Indian Splendor: Delhi to Mumbai
32
Asia
Eastern & Oriental Express Epic Thailand
36 Asia Eastern & Oriental Express Bangkok to Singapore
38 Asia (Orcaella) Myanmar (Burma): Gorges of the Far North River Cruise
40
Europe
(Sea Cloud)
Gems of the Dalmatian & Greek Coasts
42
Europe Golden Eagle
Trans-Siberian Express: Vladivostok-Moscow
48
Europe Golden Eagle Caspian Odyssey
world’s top 25 trains®
50
Europe
Royal Scotsman Scotland by Luxury Train: Classic & Western Tours
IRT’s World’s Top 25 Trains®
list is based on millions of miles
of travel by IRT owners, staff,
writers, editors and travelers.
Trains featured in this book
cannot pay to be included. We
choose them, and we rate them
on our scale, not theirs.
We send out a huge thanks to
all of our IRT guests who traveled
on these trains, reviewed them
and sent their fabulous photos,
included herein! Congratulations!
52 Europe Royal Scotsman Grand Tour of Great Britain
56
Europe Venice Simplon-Orient-Express/British Pullman Central Europe: Venice-Prague-Paris-London
58 Europe Venice Simplon-Orient-Express 64 Europe Venice Simplon-Orient-Express/British Pullman Romantic Italian Holiday: Florence-Venice-London
68 Europe El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo Northern Spain: Santiago to San Sebastián
72 Europe El Transcantábrico Clásico Northern Spain: Santiago to León
74 Europe Al-Andalus Southern Spain: Andalusia by Luxury Train
78 Europe Danube Express Balkan Odyssey
80 Europe Danube Express Istanbul Tours
how to book
82
Europe
Glacier Express; Bernina Express; Golden Pass
Switzerland’s Classic Trains
Simple. Call or email us.
Welcome aboard!
84
Europe Flåm Railway & more Arctic Circle Express: Sweden & Norway
86 S. America Hiram Bingham/Andean Explorer Peru’s Machu Picchu & Cusco, Lake Titicaca
88 N. America Canadian/Rocky Mountaineer Trans-Canada Rail Adventure
90
N. America Rocky Mountaineer Canadian Rockies Western Explorer
92 N. America Amtrak’s Empire Builder Glacier Park Discovery
94 Australia Indian Pacific/Ghan Australia Rail Extravaganza
95 World 98 Japan
Owen Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
CEO & President President
Kyushu Seven Stars
Paris to Istanbul; Istanbul to Venice Annual Journeys
Appendix: Additional itineraries and travel dates
Not Yet World’s Top 25, but One to Watch
Accredited by
Visit our website for more tours and updates • www.irtsociety.com • (800) 478-4881 • [email protected]
The IRT Society’s Best-Loved Railway Journeys® 2014-2015 is a special edition of The International Railway Traveler®, published by The Society of International Railway Travelers®. Business offices and Tour Desk: 2424 Frankfort
Ave., Suite 2, Louisville, KY 40206; telephone: (502) 897-1725; fax: (502) 897-1729. Web: www. irtsociety.com. Owen C. Hardy, CEO & Editor, [email protected]; Eleanor Flagler Hardy, President, ehardy@irtsociety.
com; Angela Walker, Vice President, Operations, and Senior Editor, [email protected]; Stephen Sebree, Art Director; General email: [email protected]. Editorial & Circulation Offices: 2424 Frankfort Ave., Suite
2, Louisville, KY 40206, tel.: (502) 897-1725; fax: (502) 897-1729. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Society of International Railway Travelers®, 2424 Frankfort Ave., Suite 2, Louisville, KY 40206. ©2014, Hardy
Publishing Co., Inc. Nothing in The IRT Society’s Best-loved Railway Journeys® 2014-2015 may be reproduced in any format by any means without publisher’s prior written approval. All rights reserved. Cover photos by Nelson
Freeman (Rovos Rail Train) and Owen C. Hardy (elephants.)
Visit our website for more tours and updates • www.irtsociety.com • (800) 478-4881 • [email protected] | 3
the irt society’s best-loved railway journeys® 2014-2015
Pride of Africa: Cape Town
to Dar es Salaam
The Train: Pride of Africa • Train Type: Luxury
R
ovos Rail’s Pride of
Africa is one of
the world’s top
five trains. And
considering it runs
over sometimes rickety
track through the wilds of
S. Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe,
Zambia, Tanzania and Namibia,
its service, cuisine and on-board
comforts, it’s a miracle-worker,
too. Add to that a comfy rearend, open-air deck, genuinely
posh accommodations and an
all-inclusive price. The company
recently re-introduced Edwardian-style “pillared” dining cars.
It’s restoring five diesel locomotives so it’s not dependent on
contracted engines. Want more
nostalgia? This friendly, familyowned business celebrates its
25th anniversary in 2014. Here’s
to another 25!
Sleeping Cars
Three types of accommodation, among the most spacious
in the industry, accommodate 72
people. All cabins offer a writing
surface, a personal safe and complimentary mini-bar. All have
en-suite bathrooms; original
fittings combine with the modern technology of hot showers,
hair dryers and shaver plugs. All
have a plethora of windows that
open—a vital feature, in our
opinion, for experiencing the
African countryside. Windows
can be securely locked.
Pullman Suites are the most
“spartan.” Book early if you want
one. There are just 15 Pullman
compartments, and they sell
out a year in advance. They are
76 feet square, ideal for single
travelers. A comfortable, daytime
sofa-seat converts to double or
twin beds (one up, one down)
for evening. Deluxe cabins are
huge (118 square feet), with
just three per carriage; there
are 22 on board. Deluxe suites
feature either two twins or
king-size bed and a small
lounge area.
Royal Suites take up
half a train car at 172
square feet; most departures have four Royal Suites.
Special features include en-suite
bathroom with Victorian bathtub
(you can soak and watch the
world go by) and shower, and a
separate, private lounge. Live it
up and have dinner served privately in your Royal Suite.
Dining & Lounge Cars
The two restaurant cars
feature delicious meals. All food
and drinks, from cocktails to
excellent South African wines,
are included. Fresh local ingredients and traditional dishes
such as game are highlights.
Every morning, a made-to-order
breakfast and cereal/fruit buffet
are offered. Lunch and dinner
are multi-course affairs on lovely
china, silver and linen.
Of the two lounge cars, our
Owen C. Hardy
Day 2: Kimberley
Breakfast and lunch on board.
Afternoon arrival in Kimberley
to visit Big Hole and Diamond
Museum. Return to train for dinner and overnight.
Charles Kalb
Note: Railroad tracks in this
region can be very bumpy, and
delays are not uncommon on this
routing. Patience, flexibility and a
love of adventure are required for
this journey.
Courtesy Owen C. Hardy
Shirley Schoof
The Tour
2014 Dates
NB: June 28-July 11;
Sept. 27-Oct. 10
SB: July 14-27; Oct. 13-26
Owen C. Hardy
2015 Dates
NB: July 4-18; Sept. 26-Oct. 10
SB: Feb. 3-17; July 21-Aug. 4;
Oct. 13-27
favorite is on the back end: it
has a bar, sitting area and large
open-air “patio” in the rear for
wind-in-the- face viewing. IRT
travelers enjoy this immensely.
Smoking is allowed only in a
semi-enclosed lounge.
2016 Dates
NB: Jan. 16-30; July 2-16;
Sept. 24-Oct. 8
SB: Feb. 2-16; March 15-29;
July 19-Aug. 2; Oct. 11-25
Bruce Anderson
4|
Owen C. Hardy
The Pride of Africa runs
between Cape Town and Dar es
Salaam several times annually.
This 14-day tour (15 days in
2015) takes in major portions of
South Africa, Zambia and Tanzania, while touching parts of
Botswana and Zimbabwe. From
Kimberley’s diamonds to Africa’s
Great Rift Valley, every day is
unique. Highlights include a
two-night stay at a four-star
game lodge and one overnight
at Victoria Falls. There’s also
plenty of time to enjoy the
train’s lovely ambience and
African countryside.
NEW: Beginning 2015, an extra
day and night, with a game
drive (time permitting) in Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve, has
been added to the itinerary.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Cape Town
Depart Cape Town on Rovos
Rail’s Pride of Africa and settle
in to your private cabin. Soon,
a hostess chimes you to lunch
featuring South African wines
paired with delicious food. Arrive Matjiesfontein and explore
the tiny Victorian village. Dinner,
overnight on board.
Day 3: Pretoria
Arrive Pretoria this afternoon. A
light lunch is followed by a city
tour. Explore Capital Park, Rovos
Rail’s unique headquarters, filled
with locomotives, carriages and
lots of pet animals. Dinner and
overnight on the train.
Day 4: Tau Game Lodge
Arrive in Zeerust and transfer to
the four-star Tau Game Lodge
for a full board, two-night stay.
You’ll likely spot animals galore
just on the drive to the lodge.
Lunch is followed by a game
drive. Sip cocktails as you watch
the sun set—a tradition you’ll
grow to love. Head back to the
lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Tau Game Lodge
Optional early morning game
drive, evening game drive or
other activities. Overnight at
lodge. If you wish, indulge in the
spa facilities. Or enjoy a drink
and watch the waterhole by the
Pride of Africa: Cape Town-Dar es Salaam Continued
“I’ll tell you this: There’s no
way I would have seen the
amount of the world I’ve
seen without you.”
— L. Williams, Four IRT trips
Democratic
Republic
of the Congo
Plumtree
Gaborone
Mafeking
John Mojecki
Owen C. Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
lodge. There’s usually giraffe,
elephant, lion or wildebeest
seeking water there.
Day 6: Tau; Botswana
Early morning game drive. By
this time, most of our group in
July 2011 had seen all the “Big
Five,” from lions to leopard, and
everything in between. Motorcoach transfer to Gabarone,
Botswana for border formalities
before rejoining the train.
Owen C. Hardy
“I was combining two
fantasies—a very long train
trip and an African Safari.
The trip is perfect for me.”
— S. Waitt Schmalbach,
Cape Town–Dar es Saalam, 2014
Owen C. Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
6|
2014 PRICING
AccommodationsDouble
Pullman Suite
$10,600
Deluxe Suite
$13,900
Royal Suite
$18,900
Single
$14,900
$19,800
$37,800
2015 & 2016 PRICING
Pullman Suite
$11,850
Deluxe Suite
$15,300
Royal Suite
$20,550
Single
$16,350
$21,500
$41,100
miracle before you. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
Keep your eyes open for hippos.
Dinner, overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: Victoria Falls
Day at leisure. Optional activities (additional cost) include
tour of the Falls, round of golf,
helicopter tour of the Falls,
more. Depart Victoria Falls late
afternoon and complete border
formalities for entry to Zambia.
Day 7: Zimbabwe
Travel through Zimbabwe, with
lectures by a historian in the
morning and afternoon. Learn
about Cecil Rhodes, Victoria
Falls, David Livingstone and
more. Don’t miss the lectures;
they greatly enhance the tour
experience. All meals on board.
Day 10: On board
Pass through Lusaka, Zambia.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on
board; morning and afternoon
lectures. As you pass into Zambia, you will notice many small
villages of circular thatched
huts. When the children hear
the train, they dash to wave.
Day 8: Victoria Falls
Arrive Victoria Falls. Check into
the “Grand Lady” Victoria Falls
Hotel. Enjoy lunch at “Jungle
Junction,” a lovely open-air
dining area with delicious,
fresh buffet. There’s time for a
hike, nap, or just gazing at the
Day 11: On board
Day at leisure as the train
continues through Zambia. All
meals on board, with morning
and afternoon lectures. Our
group enjoyed passing time on
the back deck, spotting villages,
animals and baobab trees.
Day 12: Chisimba Falls
Disembark in Kasama for an
excursion to Chisimba Falls. This
experience is more subtle than
Victoria Falls, but still magical.
There’s a path for travelers of all
walking abilities, and Rovos staff
sets up a bar of refreshments. Return to the train and cross into
Tanzania. All meals on board.
Day 13: Mlimba
Arrive Makambako and begin
descent through spectacular
pass to Mlimba, over gorges and
through tunnels—a spectacular
day of railroading.
Day 14 (2014 tours): Dar es
Salaam
Arrive Dar es Salaam.
Day 14 (2015 tours): On board
Game drive in Selous Game
Reserve, largest in Africa (time
permitting). Continue descent
into Rift Valley towards Dar es
Salaam.
Please note: Due to rough track
and delays, the train often arrives
very late into Dar es Salaam. We
will book your overnight and
transfers in Dar (not included in
tour cost).
The Highlights
• Ten nights (11 in 2015) on
board one of world’s top luxury
trains, all meals and drinks
included
• Two-night stay at Tau Game
Lodge with four game drives
• Victoria Falls Hotel overnight
with plenty of time and options
to explore the Falls
• Hippo sightings from Zambezi
River sunset cruise
• Victorian Matjiesfontein
• Chisimba Falls outing
• Stunning Makambako-Kiduna
Tanzania rail descent into pass
• Kimberley Diamond Mine and
Museum
Day 15 (2015 tours):
Dar es Salaam
Arrive Dar es Salaam.
Pride of Africa: Cape Town-Dar es Salaam Continued
Owen C. Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
8|
“The upgrade at Victoria Falls
Hotel was more than expected...
we had the three-bedroom
Presidential Suite! They told us
that the Queen Mother had stayed
in that very room when she visited
in 1947. Very neat! And the river
cruise was a great way to wrap up
the trip...elephants playing in the
river....and a yawning hippo!“
— B. Stover, African Collage, 2013
Owen C. Hardy
Democratic
Republic
of the Congo
Pride of Africa: African Collage
“We have been showered with IRT hotel perks to make our trip even more pleasant. Thanks, Eleanor, for the buffet
breakfasts, the afternoon tea for two, the free access to the Internet, and, especially the surprise cake with candle
to celebrate our wedding anniversary!... Our trip down Cape Point was marvelous! What a fabulous guide you
arranged for us.” — M. Platt, African Collage, 2013
e
M oz a
mb
i
qu
Komatipoort
Pretoria
Mkhaya (Swaziland)
Hluhluwe
South Africa
Bloemfontein
Worcester
Cape Town
John Fiorilla
2014 Dates
Nov. 6-14 (WB); Nov. 17-25 (EB)
2015 Dates
May 21-29 (WB); Nov. 5-13 (WB);
Nov. 16-24 (EB)
2016 Dates
May 19-27 (WB); Nov. 14-22 (EB)
This is the tour many Rovos
Rail staff rank number one: a
panoramic 2,300-mile, nineday South African sojourn.
Enjoy game drives in Kruger
Park, Mkhaya Reserve and
Hluhluwe Game Reserve; spend
an evening in Durban and visit
Addo Elephant Park as well as
an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn.
Travel a spectacular rail descent
down the Montagu Pass into
George; from Knysna the train
travels the scenic Garden Route
to Cape Town. Golfers have the
option of playing five challenging courses, including Ernie Els’
Oubaai Golf Club.
Brooks Stover
2014 Pricing
Pullman Suite
R47,500
Deluxe Suite
R71,000
Royal Suite
R95,000
Single
R 71,250
R106,500
R142,500
2015 Pricing (See page 12 for 2016 pricing)
AccommodationsDouble Single
Pullman Suite
R50,400
R 75,600
Deluxe Suite
R75,600
R113,400
Royal Suite
R99,800
R149,700
Tour priced in South African Rand (R). Please call for approximate U.S. Dollar prices.
2016 pricing same as Namibia tour pricing, page 12.
10 |
Oudtshoorn
George
Port Elizabeth
Rovos Rail
Nelson Freeman
The Tour
Owen C. Hardy
Durban
The Itinerary
Day 1: Pretoria
Morning departure from Rovos
Rail’s private station in Pretoria. Enjoy lunch and dinner on
board as the train travels toward
Kruger Park.
Day 2: Game drives
Early morning game drive in
Kruger Park in open vehicles.
Look for Africa’s “Big Five.” Return to the train where brunch
is served in the dining car while
we travel through Komatipoort
to the Swaziland border. This
afternoon we arrive at Mkhaya
Reserve for another game drive.
The train departs for the overnight journey to Hluhluwe.
Golfers’ Option: Tee off at Leopard
Creek Estate before returning to
the train at Swaziland.
Golfers’ Option: Tee off at Oubaai
Golf Club, Ernie Els’ first signature
course in South Africa.
Day 9: Worcester / Cape Town
Morning arrival in Worcester
and tour KWV Brandy Distillery.
Arrive Cape Town around 5 p.m.
The Highlights
Owen C. Hardy
Day 3: Hluhluwe; Durban
Early morning game drive in
the Hluhluwe Reserve. The train
then departs for Durban. Spend
the evening in the city.
home to over 450 elephants, as
well as Cape buffalo, black rhino
and a variety of antelope species. Afternoon train departure
to Oudtshoorn.
Golfers’ Option: Morning tee-off
at Humewood in Port Elizabeth.
Day 4: On board
Depart Durban en route to
Lions River. Disembark for a visit
to the the famous Ardmore ceramics gallery. Lunch on board
while traveling to Kroonstad.
Golfers’ Option: Morning tee-off
at Durban Beachwood Country
Club, followed by a scenic drive to
rejoin the train at Lions River.
Day 7: Oudtshoorn; George
After breakfast we arrive at
Oudtshoorn for an ostrich farm
visit. Afternoon spent in George,
where you are at your leisure.
Dinner will be together at Fancourt Golf Estate.
Golfers’ Option: Transfer to Fancourt Golf Estate for a round at
the renowed facility.
Day 5: Bloemfontein
Morning tour of Bloemfontein.
Train departs this afternoon for
Port Elizabeth.
Day 8: Knysna
This morning tour the port
city of Knysna. Lunch aboard
the train as you wind your way
along the spectacular Garden
Route—sometimes high above
the Indian Ocean, at other times
practically at sea level.
Day 6: Addo Elephant Park
Morning tour of Addo Elephant
Park near Port Elizabeth. Addo is
• Plenty of time to relax and enjoy the Pride of Africa, one of the
world’s finest luxury trains
• Traveling the Garden Route
from Knysna to Cape Town
• Spectacular rail descent down
the Montagu Pass into George
• Several game drives in open
vehicles: Kruger Park, Mkhaya
Reserve and Hluhluwe Reserve
• Addo Elephant Park—home to
over 450 elephants, as well as
Cape buffalo, black rhino and a
variety of antelope species
• Oudtshoorn ostrich farm visit
• Visit to the KWV Brandy Distillery in Worcester
• Tours of Durban, Bloemfontein
and Knysna
• Golfers have the option
of playing five challenging
courses, including Ernie Els’ first
signature course in South Africa
Pride of Africa: Namibian Safari
The Tour
2015 Dates
April 9-17 (WB); April 19-27 (EB);
May 10-18 (EB)
2016 Dates
April 7-15 (WB); April 17-25 (EB);
April 28-May 6 (WB);
May 8-16 (EB)
Formerly German Southwest
Africa, Namibia retains much of
its colonial heritage—it’s well
known for its great lager beers.
But it’s also a desert land well
worth exploring, especially by
luxury train. The Fish River Canyon is second only to the Grand
Canyon in size. Sossusveli’s
brilliant red dunes are captivating. Top your tour off with game
viewing in Etosha National Park.
The ITINERARY
Nelson Freeman
Day 1: Depart Pretoria
Depart Pretoria on the Pride of
Africa. Settle into your private
compartment and enjoy lunch
and dinner on board.
Day 2: Kimberley
Arrive in Kimberley. Tour the Big
Hole diamond mine and city of
Kimberley. Continue train journey west this afternoon.
Day 3: Upington
Walking tour of Upington, oasis
town on the Orange River, surrounded by the Kalahari Desert
and famous for its wine. Cross
into Namibia.
David Minnerly
Owen C. Hardy
Day 4: Fish River Canyon
Visit to gigantic Fish River
Canyon. Later, walking tour in
Keetmanshoop, with its wellpreserved German influences.
Depart for Windhoek early
evening.
Daniel Du Plessis
2015 Pricing
Pullman Suite
R50,400
Deluxe Suite
R75,600
Royal Suite
R99,800
Single
R 75,600
R113,400
R149,700
2016 Pricing
Pullman Suite
R 53,950
Deluxe Suite
R 81,000
Royal Suite
R107,000
Single
R 80,925
R121,500
R160,500
Tour priced in South African Rand (R). Please call for approximate U.S. Dollar prices.
12 |
Owen C. Hardy
Day 5: Windhoek
City tour of Windhoek, Namibia’s capital. Depart city in
light aircraft for short scenic
flight to Sossusvlei for lunch,
desert drive, bush dinner and
overnight.
Day 6: Sossusvlei
Early desert drive and breakfast
in Sossusvlei. Mornings and evenings offer rich photo opportunities of the brilliant red dunes.
Depart Sossusvlei for one hour
flight to Windhoek and rejoin
the train.
Day 7: Mokuti Lodge
Arrive in Tsumeb. Transfer to
Mokuti Lodge and stop for
lunch, game drive and overnight in Etosha National Park,
home to 114 mammal species,
including the rare and endangered black rhino and blackfaced impala.
Day 8: Etosha National Park
Early morning game drive in the
Etosha, where blue wildebeest,
mountain and plains zebra,
giraffe, hyena, lion, cheetah,
leopard and 340 species of birds
may be spotted. Depart from
Tsumeb early afternoon.
Day 9: Swakopmund
Arrive in Swakopmund midday.
The Highlights
• Six nights on Pride of Africa,
one of the world’s finest trains
with all meals and drinks
included
• The Big Hole in Kimberley,
site of one of the world’s most
famous diamond rushes
• Visit Fish River Canyon, second
largest canyon in the world
• Tour of Windhoek, a cosmopolitan city with a strong German
influence
• Game drives and overnight at
Mokuti Lodge, located in the
game-rich Etosha National Park
• Overnight excursion to the
world-famous Sossusvlei, a
stunning dry lake in the Namib
Desert surrounded by massive
red sand dunes
Pride of Africa: Namibian Safari Continued
Eleanor Hardy
Bruce Anderson
Rovos Rail
Nelson Freeman
Bruce Anderson
THE IRT Virtuoso
difference
• VIP meet & greet airport
transfers
• Virtuoso hotels and safari
camps with an average of
$450 of added value per
booking
“They (IRT) constantly
followed up with emails or
calls to make sure everything
was going as promised and
that we were enjoying it. We
are already planning our
next trip using their excellent
services!”
— Virtuoso.com review, Rovos
Bruce Anderson
“I was extremely happy with all aspects of the journey…
especially the train journey itself. I met some very wonderful
people…and lo and behold, we are planning to meet up on
another Rovos train journey in 2014.”
— B. Stover, African Collage, 2013
• Custom sightseeing
matched to your desires and
interests
Rail Namibia, 2013
Bruce Anderson
14 |
Charles Kalb
Blue Train:
Southern Africa Safari
“Our Blue Train dining experience was divine, from our first morsel served in the train’s VIP lounge—a
perfectly flaky ham croissant and a hot apricot tart—to our last dessert, a succulent dark chocolate ‘pot’
with alternating fillings nicknamed the ‘Mandela Microwave’ after the famous passenger, who requested it
after every meal.” — O. Hardy, IRT CEO, Blue Train, 2011
The Train: Blue Train • Train Type: Luxury
Owen C. Hardy
N
o visit to South Africa is
complete without a trip on
the iconic Blue Train, one
of the world’s great luxury
trains. It runs once weekly in
each direction between Pretoria
and Cape Town. The 27-hour
journey of 994 miles includes
one sightseeing stop. With its
distinctive “B” logo, the train
is gorgeous. Improvements are
never-ending.
New in 2014: wifi.
Also, if you want only the Blue
Train, we can arrange a complimentary hotel night in either
Pretoria (Sheraton or Castello di
Monte) or in Cape Town (Westin
or Taj) through the end of 2015.
(Hotel includes breakfast and a
one-way transfer to or from the
station.) Shoppers love the Blue
Train boutique and its smart
clothing, jewelry and accessories.
Service is friendly, yet professional. Our chef from a previous
trip warmly greeted us—she was
still serving her famous “Mandela” chocolate pot de crème,
beloved by its namesake. In fact,
our butler from a recent trip,
Jan September, counts Mandela,
Desmond Tutu and Margaret
Thatcher among his guests during his 30-year career.
Sleeping Cars
There are two consists; one
carries 74 passengers, the other 58.
Cabins vary, so pay close
attention! All have private bathrooms and are air-conditioned.
All cabins have television, CD
and DVD systems. Windows do
not open.
Deluxe Suites: These are 84.5
square feet. Some have twin
beds; others have a double bed.
The double bedded-suites have a
bathtub; twin-bedded suites have
showers. There are four of these
per car.
Luxury Suites: These are 106.5
square feet. Some have double
beds; some have twins. The
double bed is 6.2 feet long and
4.5 feet wide. Each consist carries
two luxury suite carriages with 3
suites per carriage. These en suite
bathrooms have tub and shower.
Owen C. Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
Double beds and luxury suites
are hard to get so book at least a
year in advance.
David Minnerly
Shahin Ganji
16 |
Owen C. Hardy
Brooks Stover
Dining is in the 42-seat diner
in two seatings and includes
delicious African and continental
cuisine. The wine list is spectacular and is included in your train
fare. Breakfast or dinner can be
served either in your cabin or in
the dining car.
Each Blue Train set has classic
lounges in warm shades of brown
with large picture windows. Afternoon tea is served daily in the
lounges. Our favorite perch: the
rear lounge with its gigantic back
window to view the receding
scene as you sip your drink.
Owen C. Hardy
Blue Train: Southern Africa Safari Continued
2014 Pricing
Double: $ 7,985 to $11,280
Single: $11,330 to $17,530
2015 Pricing
Double: $ 8,725 to $12,585
Single: $12,440 to $19,605
Price varies based on season and availability.
Book early for best rates.
Owen C. Hardy
Blue Train
The Tour
Tour can be taken throughout
the year.
IRTs owners Owen & Eleanor Hardy loved this itinerary
so much, we wanted to share
it with you. It includes many
unique experiences, from the
luxurious Blue Train, to beautiful
Cape Town, to fantastic safari
camps in Botswana. All hotels
and camps are IRT Virtuoso
partners: This means valuable,
exclusive and complimentary
amenities for you, an added
value of thousands of dollars.
Owen C. Hardy
“Our steward, Mr. Jan September, regaled my wife Eleanor
and me with stories of the famous personages he’d served
over the years: Margaret Thatcher (‘you could tell she
was a very powerful person, but she made me feel very
comfortable’), Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former South
African President Nelson Mandela, American musician
Quincy Jones, British runway model Naomi Campbell, and
American film stars Danny Glover and Farrah Fawcett.“
— O. Hardy, IRT CEO, Blue Train, 2011
Owen C. Hardy
The Itinerary
Day 1: Cape Town
VIP Meet and greet at Cape
Town airport and transfer to
the Mt. Nelson, a legendary Belmond (Orient Express) hotel.
David Minnerly
18 |
Eleanor Hardy
Day 2: Cape Point
Enjoy a private, full-day Cape
Point tour, which includes one
of the world’s most beautiful
coastal drives. Savor lunch in
the lovely café and a private
visit to Casa Labia, an Italianate
estate built in 1929. The family
has spent two years restoring
this national monument.
Day 3: Cape Winelands
Take a private Winelands Tour,
with a visit to the Muratie Wine
Estate. Enjoy a private wine
tasting and cellar tour including
a traditional South African lunch
hosted by the owner. This is one
of the oldest traditional wine
estates in Stellenbosch.
Day 4: Blue Train
Transfer to the Blue Train
lounge for morning departure.
Soon it’s time for an elaborate
brunch. The afternoon includes
a 45-minute walk around tiny
Matjiesfontein, afternoon tea
on board and pre-dinner drinks.
Dinner is an elegant occasion;
men are requested to wear
jacket/tie and ladies evening
wear. Overnight on Blue Train.
Day 5: Blue Train; Pretoria
Breakfast is served in the dining
car or in your cabin. Afternoon
arrival at Pretoria Station, where
you are met by your guide,
who will take you on a half-day
Johannesburg tour, with a stop
at the outstanding Apartheid
Museum. Check in to The Saxon
Hotel, legendary and beautiful, with spectacular dining
and service, heated swimming
pools, gardens and meandering
pathways.
regional flight to Johannesburg.
Check in for your international
flight home or extend your stay.
Days 6-7: Okavango Delta
Transfer to the airport for short
flight to Maun, then by light
aircraft to Eagle Island Camp in
Okavango Delta. The camp has
12 beautifully appointed luxury
tents. Program includes safaris
by helicopter, boat and foot with
wonderful guides. Also included:
all meals, drinks, game-viewing
activities, even laundry!
The Highlights
Days 8-9: Chobe National Park
Transfer by light aircraft to the
heart of the Chobe National
Park, known as the elephant
capital of the world. It’s a fantastic place for spotting leopards,
lions, wild dogs, cheetahs, hyenas, zebras and beautiful birds.
The Savute Elephant Camp
perches on the Savute Channel,
a spectacular base for exploring. Savute has only 12 luxury
tents. Spend two nights in this
all-inclusive camp.
• Overnight on Blue Train in a deluxe suite, including meals and
all drinks and wine (Luxury Suite
upgrade also available)
• Four nights in five-star hotels
• Four nights in five-star safari
camps in Okavango Delta and
Chobe National Park, including
all meals, drinks, game drives
and laundry service
• Full-day Cape Point Tour, with
private visit to Casa Labia and
lunch
• Private full-day Winelands tour
and exclusive lunch with the
owners at Muratie wine estate
• VIP airport assistance in Cape
Town, Maun and Johannesburg
• Spectacular helicopter experience at Eagle Island
• Virtuoso benefits throughout:
Complimentary room upgrades
(subject to availability), breakfasts, high tea, sparkling wine,
spa visits
Day 10: Johannesburg
Morning transfer by light aircraft to Maun and connect with
Shangri-La Express/
Golden Eagle: The Silk Road
“I can’t say enough, it really was like booking with your best
friend. Angela and Jen, everyone was great, personal, fun,
just everything you did was so wonderful, took out all the
anxiety I might have, I could never have done this on my
own.”
— L. Swett, Silk Road, 2013
The Trains: Golden Eagle (see page 42) and Shangri-La
Express (described below). Passengers change trains at the
Kazakhstan/China border. Note that doubles booked in Gold or
Imperial Class will get two adjoining double compartments on
the Shangri-La Express train.
Train Type: First Class
T
he private Shangri-La Express
is not a luxury train, but it is
at this writing the most modern hotel train in China. It
far surpasses regular train service.
During our 2013 trip, IRT owners and guests were pleasantly
surprised by the train’s comfort.
The commodious shower cars
feature ample space for changing
and water pressure as vigorous as
that in a good hotel. The glasslike Chinese rails made for one
of the smoothest rides we’ve had
anywhere.
Eleanor Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
Sleeping Cars
The Shangri-La Express is
modern and air-conditioned. Its
first-class sleeping compartments
have bunk-style twin beds, small
table and armchair. A small washroom with sink is shared between
compartments. Two toilets are
down the hall: one is a chemical
toilet which can be used when the
train is stopped.
The shower car in the middle
of the train has large individual
compartments. Each has shower,
mirror, sink, hair dryer, easy chair
and changing area. Robes, towels
and slippers are provided. An attendant cleans after each use.
Service on board is cheerful;
each car has its own attendant
who cleans the cabins, makes the
bed and is on call to serve tea and
coffee 24 hours a day. (The operator of the Silk Road tour hires
extra cleaning staff to assure its
high standards are maintained.)
The young staff speak little English, but they are pleasant and, for
the most part, attentive (a translation card in the cabin helps).
Silk Road couples booking
Gold accommodation get two ad-
Owen C. Hardy
joining cabins on the Shangri-La
Express, so they can spread out;
each person has a lower bed and
shares the washroom in between.
Cereal, fruit, eggs and toast are
served for breakfast in the dining
car, while the Chinese chefs offer
local dishes at lunch and dinner, which we found quite tasty.
Wine and beer are included with
lunch and dinner, along with soft
drinks, tea and coffee. Alcoholic
and nonalcoholic beverages are
served in the bar car. (Alcohol
not included outside meal times.)
Who should take this train?
Adventurous travelers who are
more focused on the destination
and the incredible sights outside
the window and the sightseeing
at the frequent stops. Do not take
this train if you think that it is
a Chinese version of the Royal
Scotsman. You will be sorely disappointed.
To enjoy this trip fully, be prepared for lots of walking, including on uneven pavement.
Hallette Richards
Eleanor Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
20 |
Owen C. Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
Shangri-La Express/ Golden Eagle: The Silk Road Continued
Eleanor Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
“I recommend you to
everybody. I loved those trips
we did. The Silk Road ...just
tickled me to death.”
— J. Briggs, upon return from
2013 Palace on Wheels trip
Owen C. Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
“Walking back from full day of incredible information and
sightseeing, I turned to one of the other travelers and said:
‘Another wow day’… every day it was opening up a new
piece of the world; there’s just no better way to do that. It was
phenomenal; just phenomenal.” — L. Swett, Silk Road, 2013
2014 Pricing
AccommodationsDoubleSingle
Silver Class
$23,995 $34,995
Gold Class
$29,995 $43,495
Imperial Suite
$42,395 On request
22 |
Owen C. Hardy
2015 Pricing
Silver Class
$24,595 $35,895
Gold Class
$30,795 $44,595
Imperial Suite
$43,995 On request
The Tour
2014 Dates
Sept. 20-Oct. 10 (EB);
Sept. 24-Oct. 14 (WB)
2015 Dates
Sept. 19-Oct. 9 (EB);
Sept. 23-Oct. 13 (WB);
Oct. 22-Nov. 11 (EB)
IRT Owners Owen and Eleanor Hardy chose this spectacular
two-train tour—one of Society
members’ all-time favorites—for
the company’s 30th anniversary trip in 2013. It exceeded
all expectations. “Wow!” was a
frequently heard comment.
Visiting places few Westerners have ventured, this 21-day
trek follows along one of
the world’s oldest and most
historic trade routes: through
China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan,
Turkmenistan and Russia. The
great caravan route, where silks,
spices, inventions and traditions
were traded, is preserved to a
remarkable degree.
Eleanor Hardy
The Itinerary
Day 1: Beijing, China
Transfer included from airport to
five-star Beijing hotel for threenight stay. Meet fellow travelers
at welcome dinner.
Full day tour of Beijing, including Forbidden City, Tiananmen
Square and park-like Temple
of Heaven. If you’ve been here
before, tour “modern” Beijing,
including Olympic Village, stadiums, CCTV Tower.
Morning visit to the Great Wall, a
life-changing event. Afternoon
is free (we suggest the sublime
Summer Palace). Dinner at special Peking Duck restaurant.
Day 4: Board Shangri-La Express
Afternoon transfer to giant
Beijing West station to board
Shangri-La Express and begin the
6,835-mile journey to Moscow.
Day 5: Xian, China
Explore Xian’s ancient city walls
and Great Mosque, one of oldest and largest in China. Tour
by bike if you wish. Afternoon
visit to world-famous Terracotta
Warriors, one of 20th century’s
greatest archaeological finds.
Alternative Han Yangling
Museum visit available. Enjoy
stunning Tang Dynasty dinner,
music, dance show.
Day 6: Lanzhou, China
Morning arrival at this vital city
on the Silk Route. Visit Gansu
Provincial Museum. A highlight
is the “flying horse,” thought to
be the first sculpture depicting
a galloping horse dating from
the Eastern Han period.
Day 7: Dunhuang, China
Arrive in small oasis city of Dunhuang to visit a highlight of the
trip: Mogao Thousand Buddha
Cave Complex. It contains 500
grottoes, carved 700 to 1,700
years ago. Lunch with local folk
performance. Afternoon exploration of Gobi Desert; a fun
camel ride tops off the day.
Day 8: Turpan; Urumchi, China
The Flaming Mountains create
a stunning backdrop in Turpan.
Tour the city’s ancient underground irrigation system that
has supplied water to the surrounding orchards and vineyards for centuries. Next, visit
elegantly decaying sand city of
Jiaohe, founded in 108 BC. Then
motorcoach to Urumchi to see
Xinjiang Provincial Museum’s
renowned mummy exhibition.
Train departs for Kazakhstan.
Day 9: China & Kazakhstan
Arrive Alashankou for border
control and transfer to Golden
Eagle. (Note: border crossing
can take hours.) Settle into your
private cabin with en suite facilities, and enjoy your first dinner
on the Russian train.
Day 10: Almaty, Kazakhstan
Tour Almaty, flourishing former
capital of Kazakhstan. Enjoy traditional lunch in Kazakh “yurt,” a
typical nomadic dwelling.
Day 11: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Breakfast and lunch on board,
with lectures on region’s history. Arrive Tashkent, capital of
Uzbekistan. Local tour includes
the Old Town, Railway Museum,
Museum of Applied Arts.
Day 12: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Tour Samarkand, and find out
first-hand why Alexander the
Great admired it and why it was
nicknamed “Rome of the East.”
Highlights include Bibi Khanum
Mosque, Ulug Beg observatory
and Registan Square by day and
night.
Day 13: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Morning arrival in oasis city
Bukhara. UNESCO funded the
city’s renovation for its 2,500-
Shangri-La Express/ Golden Eagle: The Silk Road Continued
“Fantastic trip! Just fantastic.”
— L. Williams, Silk Road, 2013
year anniversary in 1999. See
The Ark, fortified residence of
Emirs of Bukhara—infamous
for their cruelty. Enjoy traditional lunch in the city, then visit
Emir’s Palace of Moon and Stars.
Day 14: Merv, Turkmenistan
Once an important stopping
point on the Silk Road, Merv,
during the 12th century, was
briefly the world’s largest city.
In 1794, tragedy struck after
the Emir of Bukhara destroyed
the dam which supplied Merv’s
population with water.
Day 15: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Arrive Ashgabat, capital of Turkmenistan and newly constructed “Las Vegas of the Kara Kum
Desert.” The city’s modern layout
with thousands of evergreens,
fountains, white-marbled new
buildings and gilded statues
amazes. The center is dedicated
to its notorious (and deceased)
first president.
Day 16: Khiva, Uzbekistan
Cross back into Uzbekistan and
tour Khiva—important trading
center at crossroads of routes
between Mongolia, Russia, China and Persia. Khiva’s fabulous
buildings, mosques, minarets
and bazaars testify to its former
wealth. This was a favorite stop
for our group.
Day 17: Kara Kum, Kazakhstan
All-train day crossing Kazakhstan’s Kara Kum Desert, stopping briefly at remote villages
along way. Evening crossing
into Russia.
Day 18: Volgograd, Russia
Stalingrad, as it was known in
WWII, was the scene of one of
the most horrific battles in human history. Visit sobering war
memorial at site where Russia
turned back Nazi advance.
Owen C. Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
Day 19: Moscow, Russia
Arrive Moscow late afternoon.
Transfer to five-star centrally
located hotel for two-night stay.
Evening at leisure.
Owen C. Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
Full day touring in Moscow: St.
Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square,
Kremlin, Lenin’s Tomb. Alternate
touring options abound.
Airport transfers included.
The Highlights
• Grand trek across China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Russia
• The most stylish and comfortable way to see sights rarely
seen by Western travelers
• Terracotta Warriors of Xian
• Beijing’s Temple of Heaven,
Forbidden City, Tiananmen
Square, Great Wall
• Viewing Samarkand’s Registan
Square beautifully lit at night
• Thousand Buddha Cave
Complex of Dunhuang, site of
500 grottoes carved up to 1,700
years ago
• Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad, site of the legendary WWII
battle between the Nazis and
the Soviet Union
• Exploring Gobi Desert by
camel, including Crescent Lake
• Moscow’s Kremlin & Red
Square
• Flexible touring options in
Beijing, Xian, Moscow
• All meals, wine/beer with lunch
and dinner, tours, airport transfers and gratuities included
Owen C. Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
“You know the ropes….
We trust your judgment. I
certainly would book others
with you… Just watching
you and Eleanor in action,
guiding the customers,
taking care of us. Absolutely
professional.”
— P. Klopp, Silk Road, 2013
Owen C. Hardy
24 |
Palace on Wheels:
India’s Rajasthan
The Train: Palace on Wheels • Train Type: First Class
Harry Cook
Edward Ross
Teresa Salsas
T
he Palace on Wheels, a venture of Indian Railways and
the state of Rajasthan, started
a winning trend in 1982. It
was India’s first hotel train. And
it is the only hotel train to focus
entirely on colorful Rajasthan
with this tried-and-true itinerary.
This train has always offered
a good price point and value. It
is not a luxury train; its meals,
off-train tours and service are
nice (and beat driving or flying
by a long shot!) but do not meet
our luxury standards. However,
IRT guests have rated the train
highly for cleanliness, service,
and scenery. Also, if you hate organized shopping stops, you will
need to insist to be taken back to
the train.
Sleeping Cars
The train, with its creamcolored livery, has 14 sleeping
carriages, each with four compartments with two twin beds.
26 |
Curtains and bedspreads are silk.
Each air-conditioned compartment has a private sink, toilet
and shower; they also have stereo
speakers with a number of music
programs available, intercom
and wall-to-wall carpeting. Each
sleeping car has a cozy lounge at
one end, where passengers often
socialize over a cup of tea.
Jim Nicholls
The Pricing
Oct. 2014-March 2015
$4,025 per person, double
$5,390 single
The train has two restaurant
cars: each serves Continental,
Chinese and Indian cuisines. Off
the train, Indian cuisine buffets
are held in beautiful settings such
as palace hotels. Dining on board
or off-train is plentiful but not
gourmet. Our recent travelers
gave the experienced on-board
staff a 10+. The lounge car’s bar
is well-stocked and its small sofas
are welcoming. Drinks and gratuities are additional.
Bill Douglass
“Eleanor takes a personal
interest in her clients and
even went so far as to call
us when we were half way
around the world, part way
through our trip, just to
make sure everything was
going well. Eleanor is a pro
at what she does; we cannot
recommend her enough!” — Virtuoso.com Review, 2014
Sept. 2014 & april 2015
$4,025 single
Rates do not include 3.09%
service tax and $15 per person
commercial tax.
Edward Ross
The Tour
Train departs Delhi each Wednesday from September to April.
Board India’s popular Palace
on Wheels, and see Rajasthan, “land of the Maharajas.”
The tour takes in this remote,
otherwise inaccessible region:
desolate deserts, hills marked
with fort walls, legendary
pavilions—even a shimmering
white palace set in the middle
of a serene lake. The train travels
mostly by day; nights are spent
at quiet sidings. Note: This train
books quickly. Please book well in
advance. We do not recommend
travel during low season (September & April) due to heat.
Harry Cook
The Itinerary
marble lake palaces. Explore the
City Palace, followed by lunch
at lavish palace hotel. Take in
Crystal Gallery museum.
Day 2: Jaipur
Full day in “Pink City” of Jaipur—
Palace of Winds, City Palace
Museum and Jantar Mantar Observatory; elephant ride, lunch
at Amber Fort.
Day 5: Jaisalmer
Tour Jaisalmer’s yellow sandstone fort and grand architecture. Camel ride on sand dunes.
Dinner at five-star hotel.
Day 1: Delhi
A welcome ceremony is followed by dinner on board.
Day 3: Sawai Madhopur
Morning looking for wildlife in
Ranthambore National Park.
Lunch on board, then visit Chittaurgarh’s historic fort.
Day 4: Udaipur
Full day in Udaipur, with its
Day 6: Jodhpur
Explore Mehrangarh Fort, towering above historic Jodhpur,
then Umaid Bhawan Palace.
Return to the train after lunch.
Day 7: Bharatpur/Agra
Morning visit to bird sanctuary, an IRT favorite. Afternoon
tour of Agra Fort and, as your
trip finale: the incomparable Taj
Mahal.
Day 8: Delhi
Early morning arrival in Delhi.
The Highlights
• Elephant ride to Amber Fort in
“Pink City” of Jaipur
• Walled “Blue City” of Jodhpur,
with its massive Mehrangarh
Fort and stunning Umaid Bhawan Palace
• Camel ride on the sand dunes
near Jaisalmer
• Ranthambore National Park
• Lake Palaces of Udaipur
• Bird sanctuary, Bharatpur
• Taj Mahal & Agra Fort
Deccan Odyssey:
Indian Odyssey
“When travel arrangements are made by Eleanor Hardy
and her staff, I can relax and know that all will go well.
I travel alone so it is important to know that I will be
met at the airport and my hotel arrangements are in
place. Example: my last trip had me arriving at Almaty,
Kazakhstan at 2:00 AM—smooth as silk, no problems!!”
— Virtuoso.com, 2013
The Train: Deccan Odyssey • Train Type: Luxury
T
he management of the Deccan Odyssey is changing in
2014 to one of our favorite
luxury operators, we are
thrilled to report. The on- and
off-board experience is expected
to improve dramatically. Further,
Deccan Odyssey will be offering
more itineraries to parts of India
not covered by other luxury
trains. These include to Gujurat,
Hyderabad & Nashik. See our
website for other itineraries offered on this train.
Sleeping Cars
The train has 11 air-conditioned sleeping cars with two
cabin types. Deluxe cabins are
large at 95 square feet, with four
per car. They have twin beds and
en-suite shower, sink and toilet.
Four Presidential suites (205
square feet) each take up half a
train car. These suites have large
double bed, separate sitting room
and two bathrooms. They can
accommodate up to three adults
or two adults and two children.
Passengers booked in Presidential
Suites enjoy private touring along
the way. Each sleeping car has
a small lounge area at one end.
The train takes a maximum of 88
passengers.
The Deccan Odyssey is now
being managed by a renowned
hospitality company, making for
high-quality on-board service.
The experienced staff is friendly
and professional.
A new kitchen car is being
purpose-built for the train,
scheduled to arrive in late 2014.
Lovely meals are served in the
two diners, Peshwa I & Peshwa
II, with a choice of international
and Indian cuisine. Off-train dining is often Indian cuisine only.
Public spaces abound. There’s
a bar car with full-time bar-
28 |
Saul Rothstein
Photo Courtesy of Angela Walker
Angela Walker
Saul Rothstein
The Tour
2014 Dates:
October 18; November 15;
December 13
2015 Dates:
January 10; February 7;
March 7; September 19
Visit some of India’s most
iconic landmarks, including
many UNESCO World Heritage
Sites, while calling the Deccan Odyssey home. Soak in the
beauty of Udaipur, the “City
of Lakes,” the colorful cities of
Jaipur & Jodhpur, and search for
tigers in Ranthambore National
Park. The breadth of India’s culture, history and ineffable spirit
come alive as you travel from
Delhi to Mumbai.
Angela Walker
The Itinerary
Day 1: Delhi to Ranthambore
Board the Deccan Odyssey in
Delhi and begin your enchanting journey, heading east.
Saul Rothstein
tender, and a conference car with
plasma-screen TV, library and
business center. Unique to this
train is the spa car, which offers
massage services, sauna, beauty
parlor and small workout room.
Angela Walker
2014 & 2015 Pricing
Accommodations Double
Single
Deluxe Cabin
$ 3,675
$ 5,075
Presidential Suite $ 5,513
$11,025
Rates do not include 3.09% government service tax
Day 2: Ranthambore
Spend an unforgettable day
in Ranthambore National
Park, once the private hunting
ground of the maharajas of
Jaipur. Embark on morning and
afternoon safaris in search of
macaques, sloth bears, leopards,
hyenas, deer, foxes, crocodiles
and the famed yet elusive tigers,
which call the park home.
Day 3: Agra
Morning arrival in Agra. Disembark to visit the iconic Taj Mahal
and other architectural gems of
the Mughal Empire, including
the Itmad-ud-Daulah and the
impressive Agra Fort.
Day 4: Jaipur
Arrive in the historic capital
of Rajasthan, Jaipur, the “Pink
City.” Explore the city’s forts and
palaces, and take a guided walk
through the colorful bazaars.
This evening, celebrate your
arrival in the regal lands of Rajasthan with a special dinner.
Day 5: Jodhpur
Continue your journey to the
edge of the Thar Desert and the
Blue City of Jodhpur. Enjoy a
walking tour of the Old Market
and the magnificent Meherangarh Fort, famous for its several
palaces, with fabulous views of
the city.
Day 6: Udaipur
This morning, arrive in the Lake
City of Udaipur. Visit the famous
City Palace and its spectacular
Crystal Gallery followed by an
enthralling walk through the
quaint streets of the Old City.
Complete your day with a boat
cruise on the tranquil waters of
Lake Pichola.
Day 7: Vadodara
Continue your journey to the
royal city of the Gaekwads,
Vadodara. Visit the famous
UNESCO World Heritage Site of
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, the magnificent
Jama Masjid and the Maharaja
Fateh Singh Museum. On your
journey’s final evening, sample
local delicacies from the royal
kitchens at the Laxmi Vilas Palace as you marvel at a mesmerizing folk dance performance.
Day 8: Mumbai
This morning, arrive in Mumbai
and bid farewell to the Deccan
Odyssey as your royal passage
through the grand vistas of
India comes to an end.
The Highlights
• See India from supreme comfort: the Deccan Odyssey, with
its excellent management both
on-board and off, two dining
cars, lounge, spa car with steam
bath, exercise facilities and massage room
• Taj Mahal & Agra Fort, both
UNESCO sites
• View Lake Palaces of Udaipur
by boat cruise
• Tour “Pink City” of Jaipur &
“Blue City” of Jodhpur
• Bird- and tiger-spotting safaris
in Ranthambore National Park
• Exclusive dance performance
and dining at Laxmi Vilas Palace
• UNESCO World Heritage Site of
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
• Extend your journey in Mumbai or Delhi: Our Virtuoso hotel
partners abound.
Maharajas’ Express:
Indian Splendor
The Train: Maharajas’ Express • Train Type: Luxury
T
he Maharajas’ Express was
custom-built to be the most
luxurious train in India.
Launched in 2010, it offers
the largest train compartment in
the world, along with state-ofthe-art amenities. It carries up to
88 passengers.
Sleeping Cars
The train offers four types of
compartments. All cabins feature
large picture windows, LCD
television, DVD player, wardrobe,
telephone, digital climate
control and wireless internet
access (though the connection
is spotty). All have full en suite
bathroom (sink, shower, toilet)
and a full-time butler.
Deluxe Cabins are 112 square
feet, one of the largest entry
level cabins of any luxury train.
Deluxe cabins have either a
double bed or two twin beds,
small writing desk and stool.
Junior Suites are 150 square feet
and also come with either double
or twin beds. They have a table
and two chairs, as well as two
windows: great for viewing the
passing scenery.
There are two Suites, each
of which measures 220 square
feet and has a double bed, larger
seating area separate from the
bedroom, minibar, two windows
and a larger bathroom, with
shower and bathtub.
For the full royal experience,
treat yourself to the Presidential
Suite—the largest train
accommodation in the world.
You will have an entire train car
(448 square feet) to yourself and
private butler. There are two
bedrooms (one with double bed
and one with twin beds), two
bathrooms (the master includes
a bathtub), and a large seating
area with couch, table, chairs and
desk. Those in either the Suite or
30 |
“It would be hard to conceive of a more relaxed, safe, and
pleasurable way of seeing a slice of India.”
— Anthony Lambert, IRT Blog Track 25, 2014
Angela Walker
Angela Walker
Angela Walker
Presidential Suite enjoy touring
by private car. Deluxe and Junior
Suite guests have group touring
by motorcoach.
The Rang Mahal (Color
Palace) and Mayur Mahal
(Peacock Palace) are the two
beautiful dining cars. Both seat
42 passengers and offer the same
multi-course menu with either
Indian or continental cuisine,
including a vegetarian option.
The Rang Mahal has an elegantly
hand-painted ceiling; the Mayur
Mahal ceiling is composed of
small mirrored tiles. All tableware
is emblazoned with the elegant
crowned “M.” Recent travelers
gave the on-board food and
wine good, but not exceptional,
ratings. The experienced staff
tend to guest needs.
The Rajah Club car is the
train’s center, where guests are
welcomed back from excursions
with cool drinks. It has comfy
chairs and tables, and a bartender
always on duty. (House wine,
beer and liquor are included in
the tour cost; top-shelf liquors
and full wine list are available
at additional cost.) There is
also a Safari Bar with lounge
area; newspapers and games are
available.
Angela Walker
The Itinerary
Day 1: Delhi to Agra
Board the Maharajas’ Express
in Delhi and settle in to your
spacious cabin. Dinner on board
as the train sets out for Agra.
Angela Walker
The Tour
2014 Dates:
Oct. 11; Nov. 8; Dec. 6
2015 Dates:
Jan. 3, 31; Feb. 28; March 28;
Oct. 17; Nov. 14; Dec. 12
India’s newest luxury train is a
perfect way to soak up the regal
heritage of Rajasthan, with its
hilltop forts, lavish palaces and
vibrant bazaars. Feel like royalty
as you sip champagne while
admiring the Taj Mahal; stalk the
elusive tiger in Ranthambore;
indulge in traditional barbecue
delicacies prepared on the
sand dunes; participate in
an Elephant Polo Match. The
Maharajas’ Express is your
elegant home for seven nights.
Day 2: Agra
Disembark early morning
to visit the incomprable Taj
Mahal and witness the sun rise
over the white marble palace.
Enjoy champagne breakfast
overlooking the monument.
Free time for shopping or
optional tour to ruins of
Fatehpur Sikri, or Itmad-uddaulah, a Mughal mausoleum.
Afternoon visit to Agra Fort.
Lunch and dinner on board.
Day 3: Ranthambore & Jaipur
Early morning safari in
Ranthambore National Park,
famous for its tigers, sambar,
chital, nilgai, chinkara, wild
boar, sloth bear, hyena, jackal
and leopard. It is also a bird-
Angela Walker
watcher’s paradise. (Note: Tiger
sightings are rare.) Lunch on
board while traveling to Jaipur.
Begin tour at Amber Fort; see
its royal apartments, Chamber
of Mirrors and Hall of Victory.
Time for shopping. Evening
Exhibition Elephant Polo Match
(participation encouraged),
followed by champagne dinner.
Day 4: Bikaner
Enjoy the desert scenery over
breakfast. Arrive medieval city
of Bikaner, once a major center
in the cross-desert caravan
trade. Morning at leisure on the
train. Or choose an optional
tour to Lalgarh Museum or
Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok,
where rats are worshipped.
After lunch, proceed to moated
Junagarh Fort, built in 1593.
The impressive Fort Museum is
adorned with lavish costumes
and jewelry. This afternoon,
experience the royal pageantry
as a convoy of decorated camel
carts lead you through a rural
village to the sand dunes. Sip
“sundowner” cocktails and
savor traditional barbecued
delicacies, accompanied by
local folk music and dance.
Day 5: Jodhpur
Enjoy breakfast as you arrive
in the Blue City of Jodhpur.
Option to visit a local village
this morning. Following lunch
on board, proceed on a walking
tour of Jodhpur’s bustling Old
Clock Tower market. Continue
to the towering Meherangarh
Fort, with its intricate latticed
windows and elaborately carved
panels. This evening savor
dinner in an exclusive venue.
Day 6: Udaipur
Udaipur is an enchanting image
of white marble palaces, placid
lakes and green hills. Visit the
City Palace, with impressive
mosaics, mirrors and tiles. Feast
like a king with lunch at Durbar
Hall, with cuisine and hospitality
reminiscent of the ancient
Mewar glory. Optional walking
tour through the Old Market of
Udaipur or visit the Vintage Car
Collection of the royal family.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 7: Balasinor
Arrive Balasinor and transfer
to Dinosaur Fossil Park, one
of the largest in the world.
Local village visit followed by
exclusive lunch with a royal
family to relish their unique
cuisine. Return to the train for a
festive farewell evening.
Day 8: Mumbai
Tour ends in Mumbai.
2014 & 2015 Pricing
Accommodations Double
*Tours listed as optional are at
additional cost
The Highlights
• Watch the sunrise over the
amazing Taj Mahal, followed by
a champagne breakfast
• Travel by camel cart to a
special “Sundowner” party in
the sand dunes, with traditional
barbecue and entertainment
• Wildlife of Ranthambore,
perhaps even the elusive tiger
• Explore Meherangarth Fort,
with fabulous views of Jodhpur
• Exclusive lunch with Indian
royalty
• Dinosaur Fossil Park
• Gorgeous Maharajas’ Express
with modern amenities
Single
Deluxe Cabin
$ 5,980
$10,490
Junior Suite
$ 9,460
$17,980
Suite
$13,800$27,600
Presidential Suite $23,700 $47,400
Rates do not include 3.09% government service tax
Eastern & Oriental Express:
Epic Thailand
“We’ll be back. After such nice pampering
[from IRT], we’re fans!”
— C. Gordon, Customized Family Tour of
London & Paris, 2013
The Train: Eastern & Oriental Express
Train Type: Luxury
elements from the “Epic Thailand” program. Combine it with
a three-night Bangkok-Singapore
itinerary (pp. 36-37) for a grand
Southeast Asian rail excursion—
and receive a 15% discount on
both journeys. See appendix or
website for dates and pricing of
2015 special journeys.
Eleanor Hardy
I
n 1991, following the success
of its European continental
train, the Orient-Express company acquired New Zealand’s
famed Silver Star, transported it
to Southeast Asia and, following
refurbishment, re-christened it
the Eastern & Oriental Express
(E&O). We think this is one of
the most beautiful trains in the
world, with food and service to
match. The heart of the train is
its experienced and outstanding
staff, some of whom have served
on board since it was launched.
It regularly runs the 1,262
miles between Singapore and
Bangkok, Thailand. We especially
recommend the longer journeys, which encourage the sense
of traveling in a private club,
venturing out by day to the most
unusual and wonderful places.
For 2014, the incomparable
“Epic Thailand” adventure is
featured here. If you want to take
what many IRT guests believe is
one of the best itineraries on offer, book this for 2014.
For 2015, there are two special
journeys. The five-night “Fables
of the Peninsula” tour runs
Singapore-Bangkok and includes
a night at Malaysia’s famed
Cameron Highlands Resort. The
two-night “Ancient Kingdom of
Lanna” tour runs Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Bangkok and borrows
Sleeping Cars
All cabins are air-conditioned
and include private bathroom
with sink, shower and toilet. They
are paneled with cherry wood
and elm burr with marquetry.
Beds fold into comfortable
seating during the day. There is
24-hour room service.
The train has 30 double Pullmans; they are 62 square feet with
one upper and one lower berth.
There are also six single Pullmans
which are 54 square feet and
have one lower bed. The 28 State
compartments are 84 square feet
with two lower berths. Presidential Suites, with a whopping 125
square feet of space, have two
lower berths, a lounge area and
complimentary mini-bar stocked
with your favorite drinks.
Breakfast and afternoon tea
are served in your cabin; lunch
and dinner are served in the two
restaurant cars, lavishly decorated
with rosewood and elm paneling.
Dining on board is a highlight:
the French chef well deserves
international accolades for his
Western-Eastern fusion styles.
Dining and service match its
sister train, the Venice SimplonOrient-Express.
The Observation Car, with its
outdoor deck, is a favorite spot.
One-third of the car is an outdoor viewing area decorated with
teak. Its interior is the perfect
place to enjoy cocktails amidst a
Eleanor Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
‘veranda’ ambiance. It has teak
wood flooring, paneled walls, rattan furniture and potted plants.
The bar car is open all day and
late into the evening for cocktails.
The pianist keeps things lively.
Eleanor Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
32 |
Eastern & Oriental Express: Epic Thailand Continued
tryside. Enjoy the vistas from
the open-air car, order a sunset
cocktail and move to the dining
car for another delicious dinner.
Day 7: Asoke Valley
Morning guided tour of Khao
Yai National Park, home to
wild elephants, gibbons, deer
and fabulous birds. Lunch and
tour at celebrated Gran Monte
vineyard in scenic Asoke Valley.
Thailand’s first female oenologist, Nikki Visootha Lohitnavy,
introduces this family-run estate
and presents a selection of her
wines. Back on board, toast a
wonderful journey with a farewell cocktail party and dinner
on board.
Owen C. Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
The Itinerary
Owen C. Hardy
Day 1: Bangkok
Arrive Bangkok’s lovely Mandarin Oriental Hotel for overnight
stay in a superior room.
Day 2: Depart Bangkok
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer
to the train station to meet the
Eastern & Oriental Express. After
a welcome reception, settle
in to your private cabin with
en-suite facilities, followed by
dinner in one of the opulent
dining cars.
Eleanor Hardy
“Hi Angela, we…wanted to take a
moment to thank you for all your
efforts which went to make our trip
as successful as it was. From the
moment we handed our luggage to
the driver at the airport in Singapore,
we never had to move it again until
we collected it at London Heathrow.”
—D. Allen, Eastern & Oriental Express, 2013
Owen C. Hardy
The Tour
Owen C. Hardy
2014 Pricing
State Cabin
$ 9,200 $13,800
Presidential Suite $11,800 $17,700
34 |
2015 Pricing
Epic Thailand tour not running in
2015. See appendix and website
for alternate journeys on this train.
Eleanor Hardy
2014 Dates
Nov. 13-20
2015 Dates
See appendix and website for
revised itineraries and dates.
Experience the special hospitality and charm of Thailand on
the luxurious Eastern & Oriental
Express. Of all the journeys on
the E&O , this has the most ontrain time—six glorious nights.
Enjoy the spectacular open-air
deck as you cruise through the
countryside; relish the on-board
meals and relax in your cabin or
in the lounge.
Day 3: Prasat Sikhoraphum
Following breakfast, you will be
escorted to a traditional Isan village to meet the residents. Visit
the local temple and school,
and see women weaving on
home looms. You will be invited
to participate in the bai sii (sacred thread) ceremony with local elders. Lunch on board. Late
afternoon arrive in the small
town of Sikhoraphum where
you visit Prasat Sikhoraphum,
a beautifully restored 12thcentury Khmer temple. Enjoy
a sunset cocktail reception in
this perfect, tranquil setting.
Informal dinner on board.
Day 4: Phanom Rung
This morning visit Phanom
Rung, another majestic and
highly revered 12th-century
Khmer temple, which has been
nominated for World Heritage
status. After exploring this
magnificent complex, visit a
nearby village famous for its
silk weavers. Return to the train
for an afternoon at leisure on
board, watching rural Thailand
pass by. Enjoy lunch, dinner and
entertainment on board.
Day 5: Chiang Mai
Excursion options in Chiang Mai
are many: a visit to an elephant
camp, Buddhist temple tour or
shopping in city’s best boutiques. We can arrange anything
you wish. Informal dinner on
board.
Day 6: Lampang
Pony-carriage tour of Lampang,
ending at historic Ban Sao Nak,
“house of many pillars.” Built in
1895 on 116 pillars by a local
resident, the house is now a
museum. Tour the house and
garden, and enjoy morning tea.
Lunch on board as you travel
through the breathtaking coun-
Day 8: Bangkok
After breakfast, continue with
your onward arrangements.
The Highlights
• Six nights on board the Eastern
& Oriental Express, with exquisite
meals in the restaurant cars
• Overnight in five-star Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok
• Glimpse Isan village life,
including sacred ceremony with
elders
• Choose your excursion in
Chiang Mai
• Carriage ride to Baan Sao Nak
for tea at 116-pillared traditional
Thai home
• Time to enjoy the open-air
observation car on the train,
watching rural Thailand pass by
• “New latitude” wine tasting
and lunch in the cool countryside of Khao Yai
• Silk weavers of Phanom Rung
See page 37 for map
Eastern & Oriental Express:
Bangkok to Singapore
The Train: Eastern & Oriental Express
Train Type: Luxury
Owen C. Hardy
Day 1: Bangkok
The Eastern & Oriental Express
departs Bangkok early evening.
Sip a welcome drink, then settle
into your private compartment.
Dine in one of the lovely dining
cars as the train travels into
the countryside. Retire to your
cozy cabin, transformed into a
bedroom by your steward.
Eleanor Hardy
“Orient-Express has a great
attention to detail that puts
them a cut above. I think we
are up to our 10th property
now between trains and
hotels, and as usual on this
trip, we couldn’t find a nit to
pick.”
— D. Allen, Eastern & Oriental
Eleanor Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
The Tour
There are many departures of
this itinerary throughout 2014
& 2015 in each direction. The reverse itinerary is only three days.
See our website for complete list
of dates.
Linking Bangkok and Singapore, this Eastern & Oriental
Express trip provides a satisfying
taste of four great cultures: the
glittering Thai temples of Bangkok and Singapore’s exciting mix
of Chinese, Indian and Malay
architecture and cuisine. The
mid-journey visit to the famed
bridge over the River Kwai is an
added bonus.
Express & Road to Mandalay,
2013
Day 2: Wang Po & River Kwai
Awake to the excitement of
the train trundling along the
wooden trestle viaduct from
Wang Po and onto River Kwai
Bridge Station. Disembark for a
cruise amid the lush greenery
of the Kwai Yai River, and learn
about the infamous ThailandBurma Railway and the bridge,
built in World War II. Visit the
Thailand-Burma Railway Centre.
Rejoin the train for lunch, dinner
and overnight on board.
Day 3: Penang
After brunch, the train arrives
at Butterworth. Disembark for
the crossing to Penang and a
guided tour of colonial Georgetown, with pre-World War II
Day 4: Singapore
Aftr breakfast, it’s time to leave
the train, having crossed the
Straights of Johor into Singapore.
The Highlights
• Three nights in your luxurious
Eastern & Oriental Express cabin
with en suite facilities
• Cruise with local historian to
bridge over River Kwai; visit
Thailand-Burma Railway Centre
• Tour of colonial Georgetown
on Penang Island
• Spectacular meals on the train,
which has received international accolades
• Sip cocktails and enjoy the
train’s outdoor observation area
Myanmar
Laos
Chiang Mai
Bay of
Bengal
Lampang
a
Th
ilan
d
Prasat Sikhoraphum
River Kwai
Cambodia
n
The Itinerary
China
— Epic Thailand
— Bangkok-Singapore
Classic Journey
2014 Pricing Bangkok-Singapore journey
Accommodations High Season Low Season
Pullman
$2,820$2,560
Pullman Single
$2,820
$2,560
State Cabin
$4,110
$3,740
Presidential Suite $6,220
$5,410
et
Owen C. Hardy
mosques, elaborately-roofed
temples, churches, bazaars and
colorful shophouses. Return to
the train for dinner and your
final night on board.
am
Ch
ina
Sea
Combine the Bangkok-Singapore
journey with the Orcaella cruise
on the Ayeyarwady River (pages
38 & 39).
Vi
th
Bruce Anderson
u
So
Penang
Malaysia
Singapore
2015 Pricing Bangkok-Singapore journey
Accommodations High Season Low Season
Pullman
$2,960$2,690
Pullman Single
$2,960
$2,690
State Cabin
$4,320
$3,930
Presidential Suite $6,530
$5,680
Low Season: April-Sept. / High Season: Jan-March; Oct.-Dec.
See website for full list of dates and Singapore-Bangkok journey pricing.
Indian Ocean
Eleanor Hardy
36 |
Orcaella:
Gorges of the Far North
2014 & 2015 Pricing
Deluxe Cabin
$ 6,900
State Cabin
$ 8,870
Junior Suite
$10,640
Balcony Suite
$13,400
The SHIP: Orcaella • SHIP Type: Luxury
W
hen IRT owners and
Owen & Eleanor Hardy
and our group of 27
boarded the Orcaella
in early 2014, David Minnerly
of Texas was almost speechless.
“WOW!” was his main comment.
He has been everywhere, on just
about every ship and train, and
he said it was one of his favorite
ships anywhere.
The ship boasts a small pool,
fitness room, spa, bar, indoor
and outdoor lounges, boutiques,
fine dining and service by 40
staff members as only Belmond
(Orient-Express)can provide.
Accommodating only 50 guests,
the four-deck river cruiser has 15
State Cabins, nine Deluxe Cabins
and one Junior Suite across the
Single
$ 8,810
$12,400
$14,880
$19,960
Main Deck and Upper Deck.
Most luxurious: two Balcony
Suites. All cabins have air conditioning and private facilities. Four
cabins can be interconnected.
Owen C. Hardy
ning tribal dance performance.
Day 10: Bagan
Full day cruising. Enjoy sunset
over Bagan and its 2,000 pagodas—an other worldly vision.
Owen C. Hardy
Day 11: Bagan-Mt Popa
Early morning option to take
Balloons Over Bagan. Visit
ancient Bagan sites with expert
guide. Afternoon, your choice:
tour to Mount Popa—legendary home of animist spirits. Or
explore on your own by horsedrawn cart or bicycle. Evening
cocktail party, farewell dinner.
Eleanor Hardy
The Cruise
2014 Dates
Dec. 22, 2014-Jan. 2, 2015*
2015 Dates
Oct. 22-Nov. 2; Nov. 5-16;
Dec. 22-Jan. 2, 2016*
2016 Dates
Call to get on the waitlist.
*Special New Year’s Eve Cruise
This 11-night, 682-mile cruise
winds through majestic gorges
to northern Myanmar near the
Chinese border, finishing at
Bagan, home to 2,000 pagodas.
Travel aboard the luxurious river
boat Orcaella and take in the
scenic majesty of Myanmar. The
boat, staff, dining and the visits:
it will be one of the most amazing journeys you’ll ever take.
As several IRT travelers said,
“It just gets better and better
with each passing day.”
Ask about other itineraries
and dates on this popular ship.
Owen C. Hardy
“Remember the stop at the wedding? And also the cane-ball
game/cocktail party? And also the trip to the little school?
And many, many other highlights. Another of your glorious,
unforgettable trips.” — R. Fisher, Orcaella Myanmar Cruise, 2014
The Itinerary
Day 1: Mandalay-Mingun
After your included flight from
Yangon to Mandalay, board
Orcaella. Cruise north on the Ayeyarwady River; stop in Mingun
to visit world’s largest brick-built
pagoda. Welcome dinner.
Day 2: Mingun-Nwe Nyein
Disembark at Nwe Nyein for
walking tour; see artisans
sculpting traditional clay pots.
Day 3: Kyan Hnyat-Katha
Morning stroll around village
of Kyan Hnyat. School children
greet you, and the market begins to bustle with activity.
Day 4: Katha-Shwegu
Trishaw tour of Katha market,
made famous by George Orwell
in Burmese Days. Afternoon visit
to typical riverside Shan village.
Day 5: Zinbon-Bhamo-Shwe Paw
Today, green-clad mountains
appear, reaching down to the
narrowing channel. Travel past
logging camps and old colonial
village of Zinbon. At Bhamo,
visit the town center’s vibrant
tribal meeting point.
Ron Fisher
Day 6: Shwe Paw-Katha
Morning tour of picturesque
Shwe Paw Island and its ancient
pagodas. Witness novitiates’
ceremony at tiny Moe Dar.
Day 7: Katha-Kyan Hnyat
Ride meter-gauge train through
thick jungle and teak forest to
Naba, a forest station.
Day 8: Kyan Hnyat-Mogok
Travel through a lush forestry reserve. In Mogok, see elephants
working in the teak forests.
Day 9: Mandalay
Mandalay city tour, including
lunch at a local restaurant. Eve-
Day 12: Yangon
Transfer to Bagan airport for
included flight to Yangon.
The Highlights
• Guided tour of Mandalay,
Myanmar’s ‘second city’
• Visit elephants working in the
teak forests of Mogok
• Guided tour of Bagan
• Optional tour of Mount Popa,
legendary home of animist
spirits
• Cocktail parties on the top
deck of the Orcaella
• Trishaw trip to Katha, famed
market of George Orwell’s Burmese Days
• Sail past the picturesque island
pagoda of Thihadaw
Owen C. Hardy
38 |
Sea Cloud: Gems of the
Dalmatian & Greek Coasts
“I’ve always wanted to sail on the Sea Cloud. It’s the
Orient-Express of the ocean, a 1930s-era grande
dame. Eleanor and I look forward to welcoming you
aboard.” — Owen Hardy, IRT Founder and CEO
The SHIP: Sea Cloud • SHIP Type: Luxury
Owen & Eleanor Hardy
Cordially Invite You
to Join
The Legendary Sea Cloud
for an Exclusive
Owners’ Choice Tour
of the Dalmatian
& Greek Coasts
Sept. 2-13, 2015
The SHIP
All photos courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions
A gift from millionaire
businessman E.F. Hutton
to his wife, heiress Marjorie
Merriweather Post, the Sea
Cloud was built in Germany in
1931. Reputedly costing $1.2
to $1.5 million—some tens of
millions in today’s dollars—she
was hailed as the largest private
sailing yacht in the world. Post
spent weeks designing the
décor of each stateroom down
to the smallest detail, including
the placement of paintings.
With 30 sails measuring a
total of 32,000 square feet, the
Sea Cloud is a masterpiece of
shipbuilding and the last private
four-masted ship ever built.
The Tour
The Pricing
AccommodationsPrice
Category 1
$11,630
Category 1 Single
$17,090
Category 2
$13,150
Category 3
$15,890
Category 4
$16,710
Original/Deluxe Category B $18,180
Original/Deluxe Category A $19,690
Owner’s Suite
$22,190
40 |
2014 Dates
All departures sold out
2015 Dates
WB: May 31-June 11;
Aug. 23-Sept. 3
EB: June 10-21; Sept. 2-13 (IRT
group departure)
Sail on the historic Sea Cloud
from the medieval walled city
of Hvar to the ancient temples
of Olympia. Immerse yourself in
the history and culture of some
of Europe’s most beatiful coastal
gems. Discover the remarkable
sites of Albania, cut off from
the modern world for decades,
and explore Montenegro, Corfu,
and incomparable Dubrovnik.
IRT and our Virtuoso partner,
Lindblad Expeditions, are
delighted to offer this fabulous
journey.
The Itinerary
Day 1: In Transit
Depart on an overnight flight*.
Day 2: Dubrovnik/Embark
Arrive in Dubrovnik, Croatia and
embark on the Sea Cloud.
Day 3: Hvar, Croatia
In Hvar, one of the most
attractive and lively of Croatia’s
historic towns, a walking tour
shows us key sites. You may also
hike up to the Citadel.
Day 4: Korčula, Croatia
Sail in the morning, then
explore beautiful Korčula.
Visit the house believed to be
Marco Polo’s birthplace; enjoy
free time at Korčula’s cafés
and waterfront; see a private
performance of the traditional
Moreška sword dance.
Day 5: Dubrovnik, Croatia
We anchor off Dubrovnik’s city
walls and land in the heart
of Old Town. Stroll marble‐
paved streets and walk on the
ramparts. There’s a private
performance of traditional klapa
music. Opt for an after‐dinner
stroll through town.
Day 6: Kotor, Montenegro
Sail into the Gulf of Kotor. Visit
Perast, then take a boat to the
islet of Gospa od Skrpjela. See
medieval Kotor, and drive up
the 27 serpentine switchbacks
to the top of the fjord for an
unrivaled view.
Day 11: Aboard the Sea Cloud
Be sure to be on deck as Sea
Cloud’s sails are hoisted the
old‐fashioned way: by hand.
Sail around the Peloponnesian
Peninsula.
Day 7: Kruje & Tirana, Albania
Dock in Durrës, drive to the
ancient capital of Kruje, and
visit the medieval market
and Ethnographic Museum.
Continue to the contemporary
capital, Tirana, scattered with
the vestiges of one of the
longest dictatorships in Eastern
Europe.
Day 12: Athens, Greece
Disembark for flights* home, or
to join the optional extension.
Day 8: Butrint, Albania
Visit the ancient city of Butrint, a
World Heritage Site. Continue to
Lekuris Castle for great views of
Albania’s coastline.
Day 9: Ithaca, Greece
Few names elicit the intrigue
and sense of adventure as
Odysseus’ home of Ithaca.
Today, the island remains off
the beaten track, with gems of
small Ionian villages. We’ll drive
to explore the sites that link it
to the era described by Homer.
Afternoon sailing.
Day 10: Katakolon/Olympia
Explore the ancient site
of Olympia, home of the
Panhellenic Festival held here
beginning in 776 BC. Return to
the ship and continue south.
Pre-Voyage Extension:
Visit historic Mostar, then drive
along the coast to take in Trogir
and Split (4 days).
Post-Voyage Extension:
Four days dedicated to
exploring the sites of Athens.
The Highlights
• The fabulous Sea Cloud, a masterpiece of shipbuilding, with 30
sails measuring 32,000 sq. ft.
• Two stunning UNESCO World
Heritage sites: the ancient ruins
of Olympia, Greece, and Albania’s historic city of Butrint
• Montenegro’s stunning Gulf
of Kotor and Our Lady of the
Rocks, a tiny islet formed from
sunken fishing boats
• The marble-paved lanes and
ramparts of glorious Dubrovnik
• Wine included with lunch and
dinner; gratuities included
• A dynamic IRT group of experienced and fun travelers on the
Sept. 2, 2015 departure
*Flights not included.
Golden Eagle:
Trans-Siberian Express
“Fantastic service from IRT…I give you all 10s!”
— J. Sanger, Trans-Siberian Express, 2013
The Train: Golden Eagle • Train Type: Luxury
T
he Golden Eagle, launched
in 2007, earned IRT’s luxury
status in 2012 and just keeps
getting better and better.
With its all-en suite cabins, it’s
always been the best way to see
Siberia. Besides Moscow-Vladivostok, it ranges as far north as
Russia’s Arctic and covers the Silk
Road tour in Central Asia.
The “Freedom of Choice” offtrain touring program continues
to expand. Trans-Siberian tours
now offer hiking around Lake
Baikal, cooking classes in Irkutsk
and walking tours of Yekaterinburg. Other tours offer cycling
and horseback riding. The program appeals to repeat travelers
as well as to guests who simply
prefer a range of activities from
which to choose.
Summer Trans-Siberian tours
are steam-hauled by a P36 4-8-4
locomotive for 100 miles into or
out of Moscow. And—new in
2014—the train also is steamhauled for the side journey
around Lake Baikal (conditions
permitting).
Just about everything is
included: transfers, sightseeing,
all meals (with wine and beer)—
even gratuities. In all, 58-60 staff
members cater to the needs of 90
to 100 passengers.
Sleeping Cars
All cabins have toilet, sink and
shower, individually controlled
air-conditioning/ heating, safe,
wardrobe, DVD/ CD player and
TV. Beds fold into comfy seating
by day.
Silver Class cabins are 60
square feet, with six compartments per car. There is a small
lower double bed and upper twin
bed. The Silver Class shower occupies the same space as the sink
and toilet; to take a shower, the
passenger draws a curtain around
him- or herself. It sounds odd,
but it works well. Silver is big
enough for a solo traveler, but we
42 |
Bruce anderson
don’t recommend it for a couple
on this long journey.
Gold Class compartments, at
77 square feet, have five cabins
per car. Gold Class bathrooms
have under-floor heating and
separate showers with curved,
sliding glass door. The lower bed
is double-bed width; the upper
bed is a twin.
At 120 square feet, the Imperial Suite is the train’s most
spacious accommodation. It has
a fixed king-sized bed, dressing
table and lounge area as well as a
large en suite shower and underfloor heating. It boasts two large
picture windows (Silver & Gold
have one). Imperial guests receive
complimentary mini-bar, laundry service, dedicated butler and
room upgrades at hotels (where
available). They can take meals
in their cabin upon request. The
best perk of all: the private guide
and driver dedicated to Imperial
guests on most off-train tours.
Dining & Lounge cars
The train has two 64-seat
restaurant cars. The “Gold” diner
is decorated with brass, elaborate
indirect lighting and gleaming wood. The “White” diner is
arrayed in shades of white and
Bruce Anderson
Owen C. Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
cream, with gold medallions
and intricate carvings. A maitre
d’ and executive chef supervise
communication and on-board
service and food.
The bar car includes a piano
and pianist. Bar drinks are included in Gold (standard list)
and Imperial Class (premium
list); drinks are additional for
Silver Class passengers. The bar
closes when the last guest leaves.
There’s always something
hopping in the bar car: a Russian lesson, singing, classical
piano concert, perhaps a game of
bridge.
George Stratton
Bob Stewart
“We are in St. Petersburg tonight. The fast train was great!
Thank you so much for the beautiful hotel here and for the
upgrade. What a nice surprise!!” — C. Smith, Trans-Siberian
Express, 2012
Bob Stewart
Golden Eagle: Trans-Siberian Express Continued
“The trip was excellent. We
thoroughly enjoyed it. It was
better than what we had
hoped for.”
— J. Varadi, Trans-Siberian
Express, 2013
Owen C. Hardy
the Tour
2014 Dates:
Eastbound: July 27-Aug. 10;
Aug. 24-Sept. 7
Westbound: Aug. 9-23;
Sept. 6-20
2015 Dates:
Eastbound: May 5-19; June 5-19;
July 26-Aug. 9; Aug. 22-Sept. 5
Westbound: May 18-June 1;
June 18-July 2; Aug. 8-22;
Sept. 4-18
Bruce Anderson
Owen C. Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
The Trans-Siberian Express
is the big train ride—an epic
15-day journey spanning two
continents and seven time
zones. Travel on the world’s
most famous railway on the
private Golden Eagle. Most days
are spent touring cities along
the route; there are several
wonderful and decidedly not
boring all-train days. Nights are
spent on board (except in top
hotels on first and last nights of
the tour).
This is one of IRT members’
favorite journeys. Almost everyone who does this trip loves
it and can’t believe the beauty
and variety of the landscape.
the Itinerary
Owen C. Hardy
Bruce Anderson
44 |
Bruce Anderson
Day 1: Vladivostok
Transfers included from Vladivostok airport to the Hotel Hyundai. Meet your fellow travelers
at a welcome reception dinner.
Day 2: Vladivostok
Today’s city tour includes the
major military attractions of
this once “closed-to-foreigners”
city, including a restored World
War II submarine. This afternoon
board the Golden Eagle train;
settle into your private compartment and enjoy dinner in one of
the beautiful restaurant cars.
Day 3: Khabarovsk
Leisurely morning as the train
passes directly north of Seoul,
Darwin and Osaka. Stop in
Khabarovsk, most easterly point
of our journey, for a short city
tour. Rejoin the train and head
west, crossing the Amur River.
Day 4: On board
Our journey today follows the
Shilka and Amur Rivers, close
to the Chinese border. Relax on
board as the Russian scenery
unfolds before you. Perhaps
attend an on-board lecture or
Russian language lesson. These
are interesting and fun.
Day 5: On board
Today offers another opportunity to enjoy the train’s service
and amenities. Practice your
improving Russian or sit back
and enjoy a drink (perhaps the
local favorite, vodka) in the bar
car, where a resident musician
entertains. Enjoy all meals in the
train’s lovely diners.
Day 6: Ulaan Baatar,
Mongolia
Our Trans-Siberian adventure
takes us into Mongolia, home
of Genghis Khan. The morning
trip into Ulaan Baatar is breathtaking. We visit the capital city,
taking in the National Museum
to learn the country’s history. Lunch is Mongol style in a
traditional Ger (Yurt) where we
experience an authentic meal,
enjoying excellent local dishes
and entertainment. Afternoon
free to meet a traditional family
or ride a Mongolian pony. We
board the train and return to
Russia.
Day 7: Ulan Ude
Afternoon arrival in Ulan Ude,
where you’ll notice a fascinating change of culture and dress.
At the Old Believers Village, we
have the opportunity to learn
about the culture and history
of these communities as we are
treated to a traditional meal and
concert featuring local dancers
and musicians.
Day 8: Lake Baikal
Today is a highlight: a fantastic
adventure as we wind our way
through tunnels and around
cliffs along the shoreline of the
world’s largest and deepest
freshwater lake, Lake Baikal. We
stop at one of the bays and have
a barbecue at the water’s edge
Golden Eagle: Trans-Siberian Express Continued
Owen C. Hardy
(weather permitting), including freshly smoked fish. Take a
swim, if you dare! We then visit
Listvyanka, a small Baikal village
nestled below surrounding hills.
Optional hike up the hills for
views of the lake from above.
The train will be steam-hauled
for the side journey around Lake
Baikal (conditions permitting).
Day 9: Irkutsk
Today we arrive in Irkutsk, the
“Paris of Siberia.” Admire the
city’s classic wooden architecture, and visit the Decembrist
House museum, where a private
concert will be given. Alternative touring options include a
bicycle tour or visit to a traditional Russian dacha (cottage).
Day 10: On board
Full day on board to enjoy the
train. All meals served in the
restaurant cars.
Day 11: Novosibirsk
Visit the world’s largest Opera
George Stratton
George Stratton
House at Lenin Square in this
modern city on the River Ob.
Also visit the city’s excellent
railway museum.
Day 12: Yekaterinburg
Tour Yekaterinburg, last city in
Asia and capital of the Urals,
including the Romanov execution site and memorial. Or take
a walking or cycling city tour, or
visit a traditional Russian sauna.
Later, the train crosses the Asia/
Europe divide.
Day 13: Kazan
Mid-morning arrival in Kazan,
beautiful capital of Tatarstan on
the Volga River. One highlight of
our city tour is Kremlin Fortress,
a UNESCO World Heritage Site,
where we’ll see the stunning
mosque and magnificent oniondomed cathedral.
Day 14: Moscow
Mid-morning arrival in Moscow—the end of our 6,000mile journey. Full day touring
this vibrant city, including Red
Square. Here we see an eclectic
mix of fascinating architecture: from the ornate St. Basil’s
Cathedral and grand Kremlin
to the somber and evocative
site of Lenin’s tomb. Alternative
Moscow touring options will be
available, such as the Tretyakov
Gallery (fine art) or excursion to
Sergiev Posad. Transfer to a fivestar hotel, and enjoy a farewell
gala dinner.
Day 15: Moscow
Early-morning Kremlin visit if
your journey arrived in Moscow on a Thursday, when the
Kremlin museums are closed.
Transfers to Moscow airport
included.
The Highlights
• Guided tours in Vladivostok,
Khabarovsk, Ulan Ude, Lake Baikal, Irkutsk, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Kazan and Moscow
• Afternoon barbecue on shore
of Lake Baikal, largest freshwa-
ter lake in the world (weather
permitting)
• Dinner, concert and dancing
provided by the Old Believers,
breakaway Eastern Orthodox
sect living outside Ulan Ude
• Irkutsk, elegant home of
the upper-class “Decembrist”
revolutionaries exiled by Tsar
Nicholas I in 1825
• Yekaterinburg, infamous
execution site of Tsar Nicholas
II, his wife Alexandra, their son,
daughters and servants, by the
Bolsheviks in 1918
• Grand Moscow’s Red Square,
the Kremlin and Kremlin museum, with its Imperial jewels
and Fabergé eggs
• All meals, fine wine with lunch
and dinner, hotels, gratuities,
off-train tours and arrival/departure transfers included
• Summer tours will be steamhauled in or out of Moscow
2014 Pricing
Silver Class
$16,595
Gold Class
$19,995
Imperial Suite
$32,995
Single
$23,995
$29,995
$47,995
2015 Pricing
May departures
Silver Class
$15,895
Gold Class
$19,595
Imperial Suite
$30,995
Single
$23,495
$28,695
On request
All other departures
Silver Class
$16,995
Gold Class
$20,595
Imperial Suite
$33,995
Single
$24,995
$30,995
On request
Owen C. Hardy
the IRT Virtuoso difference
Extensions galore:
• St. Petersburg with special sightseeing and Virtuoso partner hotels with complimentary breakfast, spa visits, and upgrades
• Moscow to St. Petersburg by river cruise with our Virtuoso partners, AMA or Viking
Owen C. Hardy
46 |
Golden Eagle:
Caspian Odyssey
“I was extremely pleased with the services provided by Angela
Walker. Before the trip, Angela was attentive to all details
which made trip planning for us easy and without stress.”
— Virtuoso.com review, 2014
The Train: Golden Eagle • Train Type: Luxury
Golden Eagle Luxury Trains
Courtesy of Owen C. Hardy
the Tour
October 16-31, 2014
October 15-30, 2015
Begin this amazing tour in
Yerevan, capital of Armenia, and
travel through the South Caucasus to Georgia and Azerbaijan
before crossing the Caspian Sea
to Turkmenistan. There join the
Silk Road route through Uzbekistan, ending in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Travel in luxury aboard the
fully en-suite Golden Eagle.
the Itinerary
Day 1 & 2: Yerevan
Arrive Yerevan. Included transfer
to the Marriott for a one-night
stay. Tour the capital city, which
has a rich history, having been
occupied as early as 6000 BC.
Board the Golden Eagle and
depart for Georgia on Day 2.
Day 3: Lake Sevan & Dilijan
Scenic rail journey around Lake
Sevan and short walk on beach.
In Dilijan, visit Monastery of
Haghpat. Cognac reception this
evening at Avan Dzoraget Hotel.
48 |
Days 4 & 5: Tbilisi & Telavi
Head into Georgia, arriving Tbilisi. The old part of the city retains
much of its original layout, a
web of winding streets and
alleyways. Sites include ruins of
the ancient fortress Narikala and
the 13th-century Metekhi castle
and cathedral. Also visit beautiful wine area in Telavi.
Day 6: Gori & Mtskheta
Gori is one of the oldest cities
in Georgia, founded in the 7th
century. Joseph Stalin was born
here in 1879. Visit the Stalin
Museum, which includes his private railway carriage. Then on to
Uplistsikhe for a barbecue lunch
on the banks of the Mtkvari
River with traditional music. This
famous cave city dates from the
6th century BC. Late afternoon
we visit the city of Mtskheta,
Georgia’a old capital and a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 7: Baku, Azerbaijan
Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, lies
on the western shore of the
sparkling Caspian. The core of
present-day Baku is the Old
Town, or fortress, of Icheri-Shekher. Most of the walls, strengthened after the Russian conquest
in 1806, survive, as does the
90-foot tower of Kyz-Kalasy. The
Old Town is picturesque, with
its maze of narrow alleys and
ancient buildings. Overnight at
five-star hotel in Baku while our
train is loaded on the ferry.
Day 8: Turkmenbashi
Early morning we join the train
ferry for a 12-14 hour crossing
of the Caspian Sea to the town
of Turkmenbashi, the western
terminus of oil and natural gas
pipelines and the Trans-Caspian
Railway, linking the Caspian
region with central Asia. Option
to fly from Baku to Ashgabat.
Day 9: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Today we tour Ashgabat, capital
of Turkmenistan. Situated between the Kara Kum Desert and
the Kopet Dag mountain range,
its fountains, golden domes,
marble buildings and hundreds
of thousands of evergreen trees
appear strangely incongruous in
the middle of the desert.
Days 10-11: Khiva, Uzbekistan
Travel through the Kara Kum
Desert. Optional visit to the
astounding ‘burning sands’ gas
crater fire at Darvaza. Explore
the ancient city of Khiva,
founded 2,500 years ago, with
its impressive mosques and bazaars. As one of the Silk Road’s
most important trading posts
(and one of IRT guests’ favorite
stops), it is now a World Heritage Site. It lies at the crossroads
between Mongolia, Russia,
China and Persia.
Day 12: Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Bukhara is simply outstanding. The main highlight is The
Ark, a residence of the Emirs of
Bukhara, the ruthless leaders
who ruled until Soviet times. We
travel out of the city to experience the Emir’s enchanting
Palace of the Moon and Stars.
Day 13: Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Founded in the 6th century BC,
Samarkand’s stunning architecture shows why it was one of
the most famous cities in Asia.
Visit Bibi Khanum Mosque and
the Ulag Beg observatory, and
see Registan Square by day—
and beautifully illuminated by
night.
Day 14: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Afternoon arrival in Tashkent,
capital city of Uzbekistan. Spend
the afternoon touring this modern Soviet-style city, noted for
its tree-lined streets, numerous
fountains and parks.
Arrive Almaty. City tour including Panfilov Park, in the heart
of the city and home to the
Zenkhov Cathedral, a 19th-century Russian Orthodox Church
made entirely of wood. Overnight Intercontinental hotel. Say
goodbye to fellow travelers at
finale dinner.
Owen C. Hardy
Almaty
KAZAKHSTAN
Aral Sea
RUSSIA
KYRGYZSTAN
GEORGIA
Mtskheta
Gori
Tbilisi
UZBEKISTAN
ARMENIA
TURKEY
AZERBAIJAN
Yerevan
Tashkent
CHINA
Khiva
Turkmenbashi
Baku
Bukhara
Darvaza
Samarkand
TAJIKISTAN
TURKMENISTAN
CaspianSea
IRAN
Ashgabat
AFGHANISTAN
PAKISTAN
IRAQ
The Highlights
• Crossing the Caspian Sea by
train ferry
• Samarkand’s Registan Square,
by day and night
• Khiva and Bukhara, amazing
Silk Road cities
• Gori, birthplace of Stalin
• Darvaza burning crater in the
Kara Kum Desert
• Tblisi’s old town, with winding
streets and alleyways
• Emir’s Palace of the Moon and
Stars
• Cave city of Uplistsikhe, dating
from the 6th century BC
2014 Pricing
Silver Class
$20,995
Gold Class
$26,495
Imperial Suite
$42,695
Single
$30,495
$38,495
$63,995
2015 Pricing
Silver Class
$21,495
Gold Class
$27,195
Imperial Suite
$43,795
Single
$31,295
$39,495
On request
The Royal Scotsman:
Classic & Western Tours
The Train: The Royal Scotsman • Train Type: Luxury
The TourS
“It’s amazing how much we took in — we saw a lot of history:
walled towns, cathedrals, castles....It was just a delightful
experience.” — W. Kennedy, Royal Scotsman, 2013.
O
ne of the most delightful
and jolly rail experiences
we’ve ever had was aboard
The Royal Scotsman. We
love it for so many reasons: It’s a
small venue—just 36 passengers.
This makes you feel so at home,
and so pampered. The food is
fabulous, as is the wine selection. And its collection of Scotch
(and other spirits) in the bar is
awe-inspiring. The outings range
from the sublime to the challenging. Most of the train’s cars are
of 1960s vintage, but they have
been recast into an Edwardian
confection of varnished woods,
polished brass and fine fabrics.
IRT guests love the open-air back
deck and that the tour cost covers
almost everything.
Sleeping Cars
The five sleeping carriages
provide 16 double and four
single cabins, beautifully designed with rich inlaid wood. The
twin compartments are 85 square
feet with two lower single beds
positioned in an “L” shape; two
cabins have double beds, large
enough for only the most slim of
couples. Four compartments are
for single travelers, great news
because they do not require a
single supplement—a rarity on
luxury trains. These are 66 square
feet and contain one twin bed.
All cabins have large en suite
bathrooms with sink, toilet and
shower. They also feature dressing table, full-length wardrobe,
individually controlled heating,
ceiling fans, opening windows
and cabin service call button.
The train stops at quiet sidings at
night. Please let us know if you
are very tall: one double room
has an extra-long bed.
Dining Cars & Lounge
Dining is elegant. Meals are
multi-course, candlelit affairs, made with the finest local
produce, seafood and meat, with
50 |
The Classic Tour
Itinerary
Owen C. Hardy
Day 1: Edinburgh-Keith
Check in for The Royal Scotsman
at the Balmoral Hotel, located
next to Waverley Station. Depart
Edinburgh this afternoon, traveling north across the magnificent Forth Railway Bridge—one
of the first cantilever bridges.
Afternoon tea is served before
arriving in the market town of
Keith. Enjoy an informal dinner
on board and perhaps a nightcap with your fellow guests in
the observation car.
Eleanor Hardy
finely paired wines. The traditional dining car offers tables for
four or two; the second dining
car is set for 20 people at three
large tables. Presentation is gorgeous; service is friendly.
At the end of the train is its
the observation car. Originally
built in 1960 by the Metropolitan-Cammell Carriage and
Wagon Company, the car began
service in 1961 as a first-class
kitchen car. In 1989, the car was
bought from its private owner
and converted it to its current
configuration, able to comfortably hold all 36 guests in the
lounge area. At the back is our
favorite spot: the open-air observation platform, for wind-inthe-face viewing of the striking
Scottish scenery.
2014 & 2015 Dates
Operates April through October.
See appendix or website for full
schedule.
Bagpipes, intimate musical
events, the grand sweep of
the moors and the gorges: The
Royal Scotsman Classic Tour is a
journey straight to the heart of
the Scottish Highlands. Life on
the train is indulgent, with the
freshest, finest local produce
served in the dining cars. Two
highlights: a private tour and
tasting at Glen Ord Distillery
and a personal tour of the magnificent Ballindalloch castle and
gardens. We highly recommend
combining the Classic with the
Western journey. These are just
two of the seven imaginative
itineraries on this train.
Eleanor Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
Day 2: Glen Ord; Plockton
First, a leisurely breakfast on
board (try the haggis—at least
the vegetarian haggis!). Then,
visit Glen Ord Distillery, one of
Scotland’s oldest, for a private
tour and tasting. Continue
west from Inverness to Kyle of
Lochalsh, one of the most scenic
lines in Britain. The line passes
Loch Luichart and the summit and Achnashellach forest,
descends to Strathcarron and
runs along the edge of stunning
Loch Carron. At Plockton, take
a boat trip to view seals and the
Isle of Skye; or enjoy a dram at
the Plockton Hotel. A formal
dinner is followed by entertainment on board.
Day 3: Ballindalloch
Optional visit to Eilean Donan
castle before the train departs
Kyle. It retraces yesterday’s
route to Inverness, then heads
south for a visit to Ballindalloch, one of Scotland’s most
romantic castles. Tour the 16thcentury home and gardens of
the Macpherson-Grant family.
Golfers can play on the estate’s
course; clubs are available for
rent. Return to train at Boat of
Garten on private Strathspey
Railway for overnight. After a
formal dinner, a Highlander
storyteller entertains.
Day 4: Rothiemurchus; Glamis
Morning excursion to
Rothiemurchus Estate; choose
from activities such as fishing,
clay pigeon shooting or a tour
of the estate. Rejoin the train
at Kingussie and lunch while
traveling south to Dunkeld. Disembark and visit Glamis Castle,
Seat of the Earl of Strathmore
and Kinghorne, and childhood
home of the late H.M. Queen
Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.
Rejoin the train in Perth for an
informal dinner on board.
Day 5: Edinburgh
Arrive Edinburgh mid-morning.
The Western Tour
Itinerary
The Western tour runs on
Scotland’s scenic West Highland
Line.
Day 1: West Highland Line
The Royal Scotsman departs
Edinburgh early afternoon and
heads west, skirting Glasgow
before reaching Craigendoran,
the starting point for the majestic West Highland Line. Enjoy
afternoon tea as the train passes
Loch Lomond and Glen Falloch,
with views of waterfalls, moors
and mountains. A formal dinner,
then entertainment on board.
Day 2: Arisiag; Fort William
Breakfast is served as train
continues west, passing by Ben
Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Travel along the stunning
Invergordon
Dingwall
Keith
Inverness
Carrbridge
Boat of Garten
Plockton
Kyle ofLochalsh
Arisaig
Spean
Bridge
Fort William
Aviemore
Aberdeen
Dunkeld
Dundee
Perth
Craigendoran
Edinburgh
Wemyss
Bay
Glasgow
Classic Tour &
Garden Tour Route
Western Tour Route
coastline and disembark at Arisaig for a walk along the Morar
Sands, with views of Isle of Skye
and Cuillin Mountains. Lunch is
served as the train retraces its
route back to Fort William. This
afternoon, a Highlander accompanies you to Glenfinnan Monument to explain the history of
the area before tea at Inverlochy
Castle. Energetic guests can
walk to beautiful Steall Waterfall. Informal dinner on board,
followed by entertainment.
• Intimate setting with just 36
passengers total
• Highest levels of dining and
service on board
• Fabulous off-train tours to distilleries and castles, often with
the owners as tour guides
• Inspiring dramatic and musical
events by Highlanders
• IRT Virtuoso Difference: Private
transfers, sightseeing and The
Balmoral with complimentary
breakfast, upgrades (average
added value $450 per booking)
Day 3: Isle of Bute
Enjoy breakfast while traveling
south. At Wemyss Bay, board the
ferry to Isle of Bute. View seashore, moorland, farmland and
forest—and visit Mount Stuart,
Britain’s most spectacular Victorian Gothic house. Learn about
the fine private portrait collection or hike the gardens and the
grounds with the ranger. Return
to the train for formal dinner.
THEMED TOURS
Day 4: Edinburgh
Arrive Edinburgh mid-morning.
The Highlights
• Before-dinner drinks in the
cozy lounge car, all included
• Wind-in-your-face viewing
from the open-air platform
• Breathtaking views of moors,
mountains, lakes and sea
Country Homes & Gardens,
Golf and Whisky tours on The
Royal Scotsman. See appendix
or website for dates/pricing.
Or call IRT for details.
2014 & 2015 Pricing
Classic Tour or Whisky Tour:
or single
Western Tour:
or single
Grand North Western tour
(both itineraries): $10,540
per person, double or single
Save $1,170 per person when
booking both tours!
The Royal Scotsman:
Grand Tour of Great Britain
The Train: The Royal Scotsman • Train Type: Luxury
Angela Walker
George Guptill
Eleanor Hardy
“The Royal Scotsman is a
real winner.”
— W. Kennedy, The Royal
Scotsman, 2013
“Everything was wonderful…
it goes without saying that
your service was its usual
impeccable self. Many
thanks.”
— G. Guptill, The Royal
Eleanor Hardy
The Tour
2014 Dates
July 11-18
2015 Dates
July 10-17
Please see pages 50-51 and appendix for additional, regularly
scheduled tours on this train.
There can surely be no finer
way to see Scotland, England
and Wales than traveling aboard
one of the world’s great luxury
trains. The Royal Scotsman offers this once-a-year, exclusive
journey exploring the best of
Great Britain.
Scotsman Western Journey,
2013
The Itinerary
Day 1: Depart Edinburgh
The Royal Scotsman departs
Edinburgh and heads west to
Eleanor Hardy
Perth. Enjoy afternoon tea and
continue north on the Highland
line to Aviemore. Stable this
evening in Highland village of
Boat of Garten. Enjoy cocktails
and informal dinner on board.
Day 2: Rothiemurchus;
Strathisla Distillery
Morning at Rothiemurchus
Estate. Options abound: clay
pigeon shooting to wildlife
walks. Rejoin the train and head
north, soon arriving Culloden
Battlefield, where the last battle
on mainland British soil took
place in 1746. This afternoon,
whisky connoisseurs can visit
Strathisla Distillery, home of
one of Scotland’s most famous
malts, Chivas Regal, for a tasting
and tour. Dinner on board and
overnight stabling in Dundee.
Day 3: Chester; Llanrwst
Enjoy breakfast and lunch on
board as the train rolls into England, past the fringes of Lake
District National Park, with its
stunning scenery and abundant
wildlife. Afternoon walking tour
of the beautiful walled city of
Chester, ending with a drinks
reception at the magnificent
Chester Cathedral. Re-join the
train and cross into Wales. The
train wends its way through
Welsh valleys to Llanrwst, where
you disembark for a visit of
Gwydir Castle, a fine example of
a Tudor courtyard house, built
around 1500. See the paneled
Eleanor Hardy
dining room dating from the
1640s following its repatriation
from the New York Metropolitan
Museum.
Day 4: Portmeirion; Ffestiniog
Visit the walled town of Caernarfon, with its picturesque
castle. Transfer to the quaint
Ffestiniog Railway, and enjoy a
ride on the oldest independent
railway company in the world.
This narrow-gauge railway
was built in the 19th century
and travels past the edge of
Snowdonia National Park from
Porthmadog. Dinner is served
back on board The Royal Scotsman as it returns to England.
Day 5: Bath; Oxford
Breakfast is served en route
to the spa city of Bath. This
UNESCO World Heritage site has
some of the most magnificent
Georgian buildings anywhere
in the UK. Take a guided tour
around the Roman Baths, built
around Britain’s only hot spring.
Free time to wander around
the city and indulge in the
stylish shops before re-joining
the train for travel to Oxford.
Dinner will be at one of the UK’s
finest country house hotels, the
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, a
Belmond (Orient-Express) hotel.
This gorgeous manor house is
also home to one of the UK’s
best restaurants. Return to the
train for after-dinner drinks.
Ffestionog Railway
52 |
The Royal Scotsman: Grand Tour of Great Britain Continued
Boat
of Garten
Scotland
Dundee
North
Atlantic
Ocean
North Sea
Edinburgh
Alnwick
George Guptill
Eleanor Hardy
Lake
District
Ireland
Scarborough
York
Irish Sea
Llandudno
Chester
England
Wales
Cambridge
Hereford
Oxford
Bath
London
English Channel
Eleanor Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
Day 6: Cambridge
Morning exploration of Cambridge, home to the historic
Corpus Christi college, including
the Parker library, with its medieval and Renaissance manuscripts. Enjoy a leisurely punt
on the River Cam. Overnight
stabling in Scarborough.
Owen C. Hardy
2014 & 2015 Pricing
$13,460 per person, single or double occupancy
Angela Walker
54 |
Day 7: York
Breakfast served en route to
the Roman walled city of York,
where you have a guided tour
or free time to explore. Take in
the splendor of York Minster,
the largest Gothic Cathedral
in Northern Europe; or admire
the 700-year-old timber-frame
houses on The Shambles.
Railway enthusiasts should visit
the National Railway Museum,
home to the UK’s rail collection, including the famous
Flying Scotsman locomotive.
Enjoy coffee at Fairfax House,
regarded as the finest Georgian
townhouse in England. The
train departs York traveling
through Northumberland into
Alnmouth, where we disembark
for a private viewing of Alnwick
Castle followed by an exclusive
farewell dinner. The glorious
medieval castle dates to 1096;
Harry Potter or gardening fans
will love it. Rejoin the train for
your final night on board.
Day 8: Edinburgh
Tour ends upon arrival in Edinburgh mid-morning.
The Highlights
• Clay pigeon shooting or a nature walk at Rothiemurchus
• Whisky tasting at Strathisla
• Walking tour of Chester; cocktail
reception at Chester Cathedral
• Gwydir Castle tour with tales of
its history and “hauntings”
• Narrow-gauge Ffestiniog
Railway ride, the world’s oldest
independent railway company
• Leisurely morning in the spa
city of Bath, a UNESCO Site
• Dinner at one of the UK’s finest
country house hotels in Oxford
• Visit the National Railway
Museum in York, which houses
the famous Flying Scotsman
locomotive (optional)
• Private tour of Alnwick Castle
with exclusive farewell dinner
• Afternoon tea/drinks in the observation car and elegant meals
on The Royal Scotsman
• All meals, drinks, sightseeing
included. Gratuities to the staff
additional.
the IRT virtuso
difference
• Linger in Scotland or England at a fabulous Virtuoso
country home
• Golf at British Open courses
and stay at Virtuoso partner
hotels
• Cruise canals; hike the glens
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
& British Pullman
Venice-Prague-Paris-London
The Train: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, British Pullman
enjoy a three-course lunch
on board. The train pulls in to
Prague this afternoon. Transfer
to your chosen hotel for two
nights. (Hotel/transfers not included. IRT will arrange for you.)
(see page 64)
Train Type: Both luxury
O
ne IRT guest was so
moved when she first saw
the Venice Simplon-OrientExpress (VSOE), she burst
into tears. Like most IRT guests,
she felt as if she were living out
her long-held dream, becoming
part of a glamorous history. This
train, with its restored, 1920s
vintage cars, is the world’s most
authentic luxury train.
Why take it? When you see it
standing in the station, sparkling
in its navy and gold livery and
snowy white roof, it takes your
breath away. The cars are coalheated; windows open to the
fresh air. There is no air conditioning. Toilets are down the hall;
there are no showers.
No matter. A typical review
from IRT guests: “It was just
fabulous. Even the chef treated us
to an extra course of wonderful
foie gras when we complimented
him... Thanks for one of the best,
if not the best, trips ever.” K. &
K. Palmer of Australia. The spirit
and beauty of the train, the high
level of service throughout, and
the five-star level of the food and
wine envelop one in a giddy, joyful aura. We would take it all over
Europe every year if we could.
The train accommodates up to
190 passengers; on special journeys it takes about 100 persons.
Sleeping Cars
Sleeping compartments have
Pullman-style beds (one up, one
down) that fold into a comfortable sofa during the day. A sink
enclosed in a lovely vanity fits
into the corner. All amenities are
supplied. Itineraries are designed
to dodge the reality that there
are no showers. Do what Agatha
Christie did: Stop at fabulous
hotels along the way.
56 |
For discriminating travelers,
we recommend booking a cabin
suite (two double cabins connected to make 72 square feet).
This way, both members of a
couple get lower beds, double the
space and two sinks. Important
to note: on some departures,
there’s no single supplement.
There are three gorgeous
dining cars: one with marquetry;
another with Chinese lacquered
walls with brightly colored
animals; and a third with Lalique
crystal insets. The management
of the dining cars is superb. For
starters, a maitre d’ visits you
during the day to reserve your
table; seatings are staggered,
allowing the staff to properly
welcome and serve each diner.
The dining experience is five-star
both in food quality/variety and
service.
The lounge car is decorated
in the Art Nouveau style. Fresh
flowers adorn the tables, and a
pianist entertains in the evening.
It’s a perfect place to read Le
Monde by day; enjoy cocktails
before dinner and a nightcap.
Day 3: Prague
Enjoy the many attractions of
one of the most beautiful cities
in Europe. The medieval streets
of the Old Town and Hradcany
Castle contrast distinctively with
the 20th-century buildings of
Wenceslas Square. Take a guided
tour or explore on your own.
Eleanor Hardy
Steven Abrams
Owen C. Hardy
The Tour
2014 Dates
June 4-8; Oct. 1-5
2015 Dates
May 20-24; Sept. 30-Oct. 4
Venice, Prague and Paris or
London are yours on this fabulous journey offering two nights
on the Venice Simplon-OrientExpress and a glorious afternoon
on the British Pullman. Two
nights in Prague allow time to
explore at your leisure. Solo
travelers: no single supplement.
Eleanor Hardy
The Itinerary
2014 Pricing
Day 1: Depart Venice
Board the splendid Wagons-Lits
carriages of the Venice SimplonOrient-Express in Venice. After
settling into your cabin, sip an
aperitif in the bar car and listen
to the sounds of the baby grand
piano before dinner in one of
the beautiful restaurant cars.
$4,080 per person, double or single
$6,340 cabin suite, per person, double
Venice-Prague-Paris
2015 Pricing
Venice-Prague-Paris
Owen C. Hardy
Day 2: Arrive Prague
Breakfast is served in your cabin
at a time to suit you. Spend the
morning relaxing, gazing at the
beautiful scenery, or chatting
with fellow passengers. Later,
Day 4: Depart Prague
Morning at leisure before rejoining the Venice Simplon-OrientExpress to Paris. Afternoon tea
is served in your compartment.
A leisurely four-course dinner
is prepared on board by skilled
French chefs. Enjoy a drink in
the bar car before retiring.
Day 5: Arrive London
Continental breakfast is delivered to your cabin. You can
disembark in Paris, but oh what
a shame! If you stay on board,
enjoy a delicious brunch as you
continue to the French coast. After the Channel crossing, board
the stunning British Pullman for
the trip to London. A traditional
English tea accompanied by a
glass of champagne is served at
your table. Arrive Victoria station early evening.
The Highlights
• The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express itself, with lovingly restored
1920s-era cars and stellar service
• Afternoon tea on the British
Pullman while traveling through
the English countryside
• Free time in Prague to explore
this European capital
• Delicious on-board meals
• IRT Virtuoso package Prague
with transfers, special castle tour,
complimentary breakfast
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express:
Annual Istanbul Journeys
The Train: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Train Type: Luxury
“My favorite memory of the
train? The people I met and
…and meeting the train
manager — a grey-haired,
nice-looking gentleman.”
— B. Segel, VSOE London-
Venice, 2013
“The Orient-Express lived up
to its hype…everyone was
very accommodating.”
— B. Segel, VSOE London-
Venice, 2013
Byron Berkley
Owen C. Hardy
Kathleen Harris
Steven Abrams
Owen C. Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
The Tours
The itinerary:
PARIS TO ISTANBUL
lunch is served in the opulent dining cars. On arrival in
Budapest transfer to your luxury
hotel for dinner and overnight.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express trips in and out of Istanbul
are so popular, they sell out
more than a year in advance.
Traveling through Europe like
a period Broadway musical on
wheels, there’s palpable excitement at every stop. Spend three
nights on board paired with two
nights in five-star hotels. Food,
wine, service, off-train tours,
atmosphere: everything is overthe-top.
This is one of Europe’s most
popular journeys. Call to be
waitlisted or book now for
2015 and 2016.
Steven Abrams
58 |
Owen C. Hardy
2014: Aug. 29-Sept. 3
2015: Aug. 28-Sept. 2
2016: Aug. 26-31 (tentative)
Day 1: Board VSOE in Paris
Board the Venice SimplonOrient-Express in Paris midafternoon. After being greeted
by your steward, settle into your
private cabin and relax with
afternoon tea. Enjoy a gourmet
dinner and overnight on board.
Day 2: Hungary
Relax and enjoy the sublime
scenery as the train travels into
Hungary. Continental breakfast
is served in your cabin, and
Day 3: Budapest
Enjoy a private guided tour of
Budapest, with lunch at a local
restaurant included. Rejoin the
train late afternoon, and perhaps enjoy an aperitif in the Bar
Car before dinner as the train
travels into Romania.
Day 4: Sinaia; Bucharest
After breakfast, the train arrives
at the mountain town of Sinaia.
Disembark for a visit to beautiful Peles Castle, which was also
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Istanbul Journeys Continued
Owen C. Hardy
The itinerary:
ISTANBUL to venice
2014: Sept. 5-10
2015: Sept. 4-9
2016: Sept. 2-7
Day 1: Istanbul
Board the Venice SimplonOrient-Express in Istanbul this
afternoon. Glimpse magnificent
views of the Sea of Marmara as
the train departs. Dinner and
overnight on board the train.
Richard Brandt
Owen C. Hardy
Day 2: Bucharest
Continental breakfast is served
in your cabin as the train travels
through Bulgaria and on to
Romania. After lunch onboard,
VSOE arrives in Bucharest. Enjoy
a tour of the city. Dinner and
overnight in Bucharest at the
Athenée Palace Hilton Hotel.
Owen C. Hardy
visited by the very first OrientExpress passengers in 1883.
Rejoin the train to complete the
short journey to Bucharest. On
arrival transfer to the Athenée
Palace Hilton Hotel where lunch
is served. In the afternoon there
will be a short city tour. Dinner
and overnight in Bucharest.
Owen C. Hardy
“Your service is beyond my wildest dreams. We had not planned
to spend a whole week in Turkey. I am so thrilled I’m going to be
able to spend the time there. We are thrilled with all you have
done for us.” — B. McCuskey, VSOE Paris-Istanbul, 2013
2014 Pricing
$ 9,000 per person, double occupancy
$17,320 single occupancy
occupancy
2015 Pricing
occupancy
Day 5: Bulgaria
Rejoin the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express as the train travels
south across the Danube and
into Bulgaria. An afternoon
stop is made in this pretty, rural
country. Lunch and dinner are
served as your journey continues. Final night spent on board.
Day 6: Istanbul
This morning the train enters
Turkey and crosses the beautiful
Thracian Plain. After breakfast
and lunch on board, arrive Istanbul, ending a fascinating and
unique journey across seven
countries and cultures.
Day 3: Sinaia
Depart Bucharest for the short
journey to the mountain town
of Sinaia. Transfer to a local
restaurant for buffet lunch. Then
it’s on to Peles Castle, the summer home of the former King
Carol. Return to the train and
depart for Hungary. Dinner and
overnight on board.
Day 4: Budapest
Arrive Budapest this morning.
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of this
city split into two parts by the
Danube River. Lunch is provided
before transferring to the Sofitel
Hotel for an overnight stay. Dinner and overnight in Budapest.
Day 5: Vienna
Rejoin the VSOE mid-morning.
Lunch is served as the train
crosses into Austria, arriving
Vienna, where you disembark
for a visit to this beautiful city.
Return to the train for dinner
and your final night on board.
Day 6: Venice
Enjoy breakfast while traveling through Italy. Arrive in
Venice and disembark into the
sparkling city. Travel by boat to
Burano for an included lunch.
Transfers included to Venice
hotel of your choice.
The Highlights
• The Venice Simplon-OrientExpress itself, with lovingly
restored 1920s-era cars, five-star
dining and stellar service
• Romania’s Peles Castle, one of
Europe’s finest royal palaces
• A perfect mix of three overnights on the train and two
nights in five-star hotels
• Musical events throughout. Examples: red-jacketed Hungarian
military band greeting you at
the station; charming soprano,
violinist and pianist in a royal
residence on the Black Sea
Owen C. Hardy
60 |
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: Istanbul Journeys Continued
Basle
sbr
uck
Vienna
I
Zurich
nn
Sinaia
Verona
Paris to Istanbul
Istanbul to Venice
Owen C. Hardy
the IRT Virtuso
difference
• Great boutique or fab five-star
Virtuoso hotels in Paris, Istanbul or
Venice with many complimentary
and valuable extras
• Enjoy a custom-designed program in any of these cities just for
you, with skip-the-line sightseeing
and museums with expert guides
Courtesy Kathleen Harris
• Explore hidden neighborhoods of
Paris, Istanbul or Venice
• Visit Cappadocia, Ephesus, or rent
a gulet on the coast of Turkey
Owen C. Hardy
Carol Burrows
• Special on-board complimentary
surprise from all of us at IRT
Doug Kopecky
Eleanor Hardy
62 |
Owen C. Hardy
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
& British Pullman:
Romantic Italian Holiday
The Train: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (see page 56),
British Pullman
Train Type: Both luxury
T
he British Pullman is a
luxury, vintage day train that
completes the British leg
of Orient-Express journeys
between Paris and London. Passengers from the Venice SimplonOrient-Express disembark in Calais, France, and board a special
Orient-Express bus for the short
“piggyback” train ride through
the Eurotunnel to Folkestone.
There, they board the British
Pullman for the ride to London’s
Victoria station.
The British Pullman, along
with its “sister” train the Northern
Belle, also operates a full array
of day trips, many of them with
themes such as castles, gardens,
historic houses, romance and
Christmas. Of special interest
to railfans are the train’s steamhauled trips. Call for details.
Dining Cars
The British Pullman comprises
11 lovingly restored luxury cars
from the 1920s and 1930s, all
sporting an elegant cream and
burnt umber livery. Each car
seats 20-26 passengers; the train’s
total capacity is 226. Passengers
are seated at tables for two or
four, although one car has a
limited number of single tables
and tables for three. Several have
private “saloons.”
Each car has its own name,
décor and history. “Minerva”
and “Perseus,” for example, were
used to bring foreign dignitaries
to Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. “Perseus” also was
used in Winston Churchill’s
funeral train in 1965. The Queen
Mother used “Phoenix” on many
occasions, while “Audrey” was
regularly used by members of the
Royal Family between 1951 and
1964. “Zena,” meanwhile, was a
star in the 1976 film “Agatha.”
Dining is high art on the train.
Tables are set with starched white
cloth, shining silverware and
glittering crystal. Each meal is
accompanied by fine wines and
champagnes selected by the train
sommelier. A typical luncheon
menu: seasonal soup served with
chived créme fraiche; seared fillet
of herb-encrusted salmon,
Eleanor Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
braised broad beans and smoked
bacon, baby new potatoes with a
Noilly Prat sauce; chocolate Jaffa
Cake tart. A typical tea menu
might include finger sandwiches,
warm scones with Devonshire
clotted cream and strawberry
jam; afternoon tea pastries; a
broad selection of tea and Columbian coffee.
Owen C. Hardy
Eurostar Italia train (above) takes you from Florence to Venice in two hours.
“Nestled on a hilltop surrounded by trees and
terraced gardens, the Villa San Michele overlooks
the city of Florence spread out before you like a
sepia-toned Renaissance map.” — Owen Hardy,
IRT CEO, VSOE Romantic Italian Holiday
Owen C. Hardy
64 |
Owen C. Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express & British Pullman: Romantic Italian Holiday Continued
Verona
Florence
Owen C. Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
2014 & 2015 Dates
Many departures available,
mid-March through early
November. See appendix or
website for dates.
Try this for romance: two
nights in Florence at the Villa
San Michele, a former monastery turned five-star hotel; two
nights in Venice at the Cipriani,
iconic waterside pleasure palace
overlooking the Grand Canal;
two days on the Venice SimplonOrient-Express, capped off by
afternoon tea on the British
Pullman while traveling to London. Perfect for honeymoons,
anniversary celebrations, or
any other occasion demanding over-the-top luxury and
romance.
Eleanor Hardy
“What a way to celebrate
a special anniversary or
birthday! I can hardly wait
until our 35th... The VSOE
was incomparable.”
— Eleanor Hardy, IRT President
The Tour
Diego Eskenazi
VSOE Romantic Italian Holiday
The Itinerary
Owen C. Hardy
66 |
2014 Pricing
$6,910 per person, double occupancy
2015 Pricing (tentative)
$7,190 per person, double occupancy
Upgrade to cabin suite:
Upgrade to cabin suite:
Day 1: Florence
Private transfer included from
Florence airport or rail station
to the Villa San Michele. Dating
from the 15th century, with a
façade attributed to Michelangelo, the hotel must be one of
the most romantic places in the
world. Afternoon at leisure—
stroll the Italian gardens or relax
in the pool overlooking the city.
And tonight, savor the superb
Tuscan cuisine alfresco on the
loggia, admiring the Duomo
below. Or dine indoors at the
Cloister, serving Tuscan and Italian specialties.
Day 2: Florence
Start your day with a sumptuous breakfast alfresco; an
incredible buffet of Italian delicacies awaits you. Then spend
the day exploring Florence. A
private car and guide are at
your disposal for a personal,
four-hour tour. Visit the Duomo,
made of green, pink, and white
marble; the Ponte Vecchio,
bridging the River Arno, built in
1345; the Pitti Palace, Florence’s
largest palazzo; the Uffizi Gallery, the world’s top repository
of Renaissance masterpieces;
Boboli Gardens; or the Galleria
dell’ Accademia, which houses
Michelangelo’s “David.”
Day 3: Venice
Morning transfer to the railway
station. Board the high-speed
Eurostar Italia to Venice and
relax in your reserved, firstclass seat. We will arrange your
private transfer by boat to the
legendary Cipriani, one of the
world’s most famous hotels. The
rest of the day is at your leisure
to explore the grounds. Enjoy
the swimming pool, tennis
courts and the Casanova Beauty
& Wellness center, offering a
range of services. Stroll the gorgeous garden, blooming with
roses. The hotel offers several
dining venues—our favorites
were the formal dining, now
called Oro, and the very popular
and informal “Cip’s Club,” a great
spot at sunset. (Please let us
reserve for you well in advance.)
Day 4: Venice
Today is reserved for your
personal half-day tour of Venice.
Perhaps you would like a walking tour of “La Serenissima”—
the Most Serene Republic of
Venice. Or take in the city’s most
famous sights: the Piazza San
Marco, Accademia Gallery, St.
Mark’s Cathedral and Doge’s
Palace. IRT guests have loved
visiting Murano with their
guide to shop for special glass.
The rest of your day is at your
leisure. Nothing beats a ride on
an ordinary “vaporetto”—water
taxi—to take in the sights. Highly recommended is the Café
Florian, on St. Mark’s Square,
founded in 1720. Return to the
Cipriani via the 24-hour vintage
speedboat shuttle, docked right
by San Marco’s Square.
Day 5: Venice SimplonOrient-Express
After breakfast, transfer by boat
to Santa Lucia Station. Proceed
to the waiting Venice SimplonOrient-Express and settle in to
your compartment. Soon, you
will make your way to one of
the dining cars for a sumptuous
lunch. Enjoy your leisurely day
on board as the train travels
through the beautiful scenery
of the Italian Dolomites and
the Swiss Alps. Afternoon tea is
served in your compartment.
After an exquisite four-course
dinner, you may want to relax in
the lounge car, while conversing
with other guests and listening
to the strains of Cole Porter or
George Gershwin, courtesy of
the on-board pianist.
Day 6: British Pullman
Continental breakfast is served
in your compartment. A delicious brunch is served in the
diner as you travel on towards
the Channel. At Calais Ville,
coaches shuttle you through
the tunnel and on to Folkestone,
where you will join the British
Pullman train for the trip to London. Enjoy afternoon tea with
wine and a glass of champagne.
The train arrives into London’s
Victoria station early evening.
The Highlights
• The gardens and pool of the
five-star Villa San Michele, a
former monastery overlooking
Florence
• The gardens, pool and dining
at the palatial Cipriani Hotel in
Venice, blissfully removed from
crowds
• Watching the mountain
scenery pass by from your cozy
compartment on the Venice
Simplon-Orient-Express
• Afternoon tea, wine and champagne on the British Pullman to
London
• Five-star dining on the trains
• Private guide/driver for halfday each in Florence and Venice
• Note: All attractions subject to
closing days.
• IRT Virtuoso Difference:
We can extend number of
nights, add London, get timed
tickets to popular museums,
order a sunset gondola—take
advantage of our access!
El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo:
Northern Spain, Santiago-San
Sebastian
The Train: El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo & Clasico
Train Type: Luxury
Angela Walker
Angela Walker
T
Angela Walker
he 52-passenger El Transcantábrico Clásico train started
in 1983. In April 2011, Gran
Lujo, a brand-new Transcantábrico, was added. It features all
Deluxe Suites, each occupying
half a train car. Due to the size
of the large suites, the Gran Lujo
takes only 28 passengers. Both
trains traverse Northern Spain
along narrow-gauge tracks and
are operated by RENFE (Spanish
Railways). Overnights are spent
at quiet sidings on both trains.
(Sorry, railfans.)
Sleeping Cars
Clásico Train: This train set
has six sleeping cars, each with
four double compartments at 65
square feet. Each has en suite toilet, sink and shower (with saunahydro massage), mini-bar, closet
and desk. All rooms have double
beds (not queen size); three also
have a small upper bunk. This
is a narrow-gauge train, making
onboard accommodations tiny.
Gran Lujo Train: Compartments are 129 square feet and
have private, en suite toilet, sink
and shower (with sauna-hydro
massage), minibar, safe, closet
and desk. Each has double bed
(four have two twins) and separate lounge area with long sofa,
lots of storage, flat-screen televi-
sion and computer with wi-fi
access (acessibility limited).
The focus of both El Transcantábrico journeys is Northern
Spain’s food and wine. IRT’s
Owen & Eleanor Hardy and
Angela Walker loved both trains,
staff, and the towns visited, not
to mention the dining (and
Spanish wines!). Our advice: pace
yourself with all the food, wine
and sightseeing. Skip a meal and
have soup in a small café and go
to bed early. Most of the dining
is very late and meals are long.
Some meals are on board; others
in local restaurats. All meals and
wine are included; bar drinks are
additional.
El Transcantábrico has four
public cars where you can relax,
enjoy the scenery, socialize, read
or play one of the many board
games. There are two handsome
salon cars, where a buffet breakfast is served, as well as a bar car
and pub car with dance floor; entertainment is provided nightly.
Sometimes, it’s live Spanish
music. Other times, it’s recorded.
But many nights, there’s a party.
Join in!
We recommend couples book
two rooms on the Clásico so you
can spread out. The earlier you
Angela Walker
“I loved breakfasts on board
the El Transcantabrico Gran
Lujo, with offerings such as
made-to-order crepes and
delicious, fresh Iberian ham!”
— Angela Walker, IRT
book, the closer you are to dining
and lounge cars.
The main complaint: too
much food! Days can be long
with a considerable amount of
walking. Tours are conducted in
several languages.
Angela Walker
Angela Walker
the IRT Virtuoso difference
• Virtuoso partner hotels in Santiago, Leon and in San Sebastian with great pricing, and complimentary and exclusive benefits including breakfast, dining credit, access to the Cathedral, upgrades
• River cruise with our Virtuoso partner AMA or Viking on the Douro River
• Ocean cruises with Regent in/out of Barcelona
Angela Walker
68 |
El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo: Northern Spain, Santiago-San Sebastian Continued
“It is a first-class operation. The train is very well done. The
accommodations are very comfortable…On-board service
was excellent. The scenery was very pleasant, and the bus
tours very well run…we very much enjoyed the cosmopolitan
nature of the passengers.”
— J. West, El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo, 2013
Angela Walker
Angela Walker
The Tour
2014 & 2015 Dates
Departs most Saturdays, late
March through October in either
direction between Santiago and
San Sebastian. See website for
complete list of dates.
Board the Gran Lujo and travel
slowly across northern “Green
Spain,” stopping to explore local
culture and cuisine. Fresh ingredients and fine wines enhance
the dining experiences—a
highlight of this tour. End in San
Sebastian, a day-train ride from
France, Barcelona or Madrid.
On this itinerary, your luxury
suite comprises half a train car.
The Itinerary
Angela Walker
2014 & 2015 Pricing - GRAN LUJO
high season (May, June, September)
Accommodations
Booked 6+ Booked 4-6
months prior months prior
Double Cabin
€4,050
€4,275
Single Cabin
€6,075
€6,413
Regular
rate
€4,500
€6,750
Angela Walker
low season (march, april, july, august, october)
Double Cabin
€3,825
€4,038
€4,250
Single Cabin
€5,738
€6,057
€6,375
Tour priced in Euro (€). Please call for approximate U.S. dollar price.
70 |
Day 1: Santiago-Viveiro
Meet your fellow travelers at
noon today in the lobby of the
Santiago Parador. City tour of
Santiago de Compostela, focusing on the famous Cathedral,
followed by lunch in the city.
Then motorcoach to Ferrol and
board the El Transcantábrico
Gran Lujo. Sip welcome champagne while traveling northeast
to the walled town of Viveiro for
a walking tour and dinner.
Angela Walker
Day 2: Ribadeo & Luarca
Continue by train east through
scenic river landscapes. Tour
Ribadeo and take a walk on
beautiful Cathedral’s Beach. After lunch, travel to Luarca, “the
white town of the green coast,”
for a tour and dinner.
Day 3: Oviedo-Gijón
The train travels to Candás,
and then Avilés, where you
will visit the historic old town.
Continue to the coastal city of
Gijón, largest in Asturias, for a
tour followed by lunch. You may
wish to spend your time in Gijón
at the local railway museum.
This afternoon cross green
lands to Oviedo, with its array of
pre-Romanesque monuments.
Dinner on board.
Day 4: Picos de Europa-Llanes
Travel by coach to Picos de Europa National Park, a highlight
of this journey. Visit lakes and
historic Sanctuary of Covadonga and town of Cangas de Onís,
with its famous Roman Bridge.
After lunch, return to the train
for journey to the fishing village
of Llanes for a tour and dinner.
Angela Walker
Day 5: Llanes-Cabezón de la Sal
Enjoy breakfast as the train enters Cantabria. Our motorcoach
takes us along the gorge of La
Hermida, the Cantabrian peaks
surrounding us, to the monastery of Saint Toribio de Liebana.
The monastery is one of only
five places of Christianity that
has the privilege of perpetual
indulgences, possessing the
largest surviving piece of the
True Cross. Time to visit charming Potes followed by lunch.
Continue to Cabezón de la Sal
for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Santillana del MarSantander
Morning and lunch in medieval
Santillana del Mar including
Altamira Cave and Museum.
The site features a reproduction cave with wall paintings
done 14,000 years ago. Train to
Santander for dinner, tour and
optional visit to local casino.
Day 7: Santander-Bilbao
Breakfast on board while traveling to Bilbao. City tour includes
the old quarter and the famous
Guggenheim Museum. Lunch
and free time in Bilbao. The
train then travels to Villasana de
Mena for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: San Sebastian
This morning, motorcoach to
San Sebastian, a lively city with
beautiful beaches. Enjoy a city
tour, ending before lunch. We
encourage you to linger in San
Sebastian, a city famous for its
restaurants and cuisine.
the highlights
• English-speaking tours of historic, charming cities of northern
(or “Green”) Spain, where Spaniards go on holiday
• Surprising peaks and gorges of
Picos de Europa National Park
• Sample Spain’s famed “northern cuisine”; meals are carefully
paired with local wines.
• Evening entertainment in the
lounge car—music and dancing
• Explore the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
• Visit the monastery of Saint
Toribio de Liebana, one of only
five places of Christianity that
has the privilege of perpetual
indulgences
El Transcantábrico Clásico:
Northern Spain: Santiago-León
The Train: El Transcantábrico Clásico
Train Type: Luxury
William Schwartz
Eleanor Hardy
“You have all the advantages of traveling in this warm, cozy train, but none of the pressures of group
interaction — except as you want to be involved. That was really beautiful. Everybody had her own
little nest.” — L. Swett, El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo, 2013
Eleanor Hardy
Owen C. Hardy
“It was truly a
wonderful trip. I
absolutely loved the
train…the guide you
got for us in Madrid:
She was excellent.”
— R. Menzies,
Owen C. Hardy
2015 Pricing - Clasico
Accommodations Booked 6+
Booked 4-6Regular
months prior months prior
rate
Double Cabin
€2,822
€2,978€3,135
Single Cabin
€4,233
€4,468€4,703
El Transcantabrico Gran
Lujo, 2013
Double Cabin
€2,565
€2,708€2,850
Single Cabin
€3,848
€4,062€4,275
Call or see website for 2015 pricing.
Owen C. Hardy
72 |
The Tour
2014 & 2015 Dates
Departs most Saturdays, late
March through October in either
direction between Santiago and
San Sebastian. See website for
complete list of dates.
El Transcantábrico Clásico
narrow-gauge train pokes along
400 miles of incredible scenery
across northern Spain, skirting
coastline, meandering among
mountains, following rivers and
running along deep canyons.
Program includes onboard buffet breakfast and day touring
by motorcoach to restaurants
and sites not reachable by train.
This itinerary uses the Clásico
train set.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Santiago-Viveiro
Group check-in at noon at the
Santiago Parador. City tour
of Santiago focusing on the
famous cathedral. Lunch in the
city, then motorcoach to Ferrol
and board the El Transcantábrico
Clásico. Meet the train crew
and settle into your cozy cabin.
Relax and enjoy the sunset
while traveling northeast to the
walled town of Viveiro for a tour
and dinner.
Day 2: Viveiro-Luarca
Continue by train east through
scenic river landscapes. Tour of
Ribadeo, take a walk on Cathedral’s Beach, and lunch. Travel
to Luarca, “the white town of
the green coast,” for dinner and
overnight stabling.
Day 3: Oviedo-Gijón
Disembark in Candás and coach
to Avilés to tour preserved old
town. Continue to coastal city
of Gijón, largest in Asturias,
for lunch. This afternoon cross
green lands to Oviedo, with
its array of pre-Romanesque
monuments. Afternoon free
with optional city visit. Dinner in
Oviedo.
Day 4: Gijón-Llanes
Travel to Picos de Europa National Park, a tour highlight. Visit
lakes and historic Sanctuary of
Covadonga and the town of
Cangas de Onís, with its famous
Roman Bridge. Return to the
train for lunch on board while
traveling to the fishing village of
Llanes for dinner.
Day 5: Llanes-Santander
Disembark in Cabezón de la
Sal and motorcoach to the
Neo-Caves of Altamira with its
impressive museum. Continue
on to Santillana del Mar for
lunch and walking tour of this
medieval city. Train to Santander, dinner, city tour and optional
visit to local casino.
Day 8: Cistierna-León
Enjoy final breakfast on board
as the train travels to León. Our
city tour includes San Isidoro,
the Cathedral, Botines, Old
Quarters and San Marcos. The
program is over by about 2 p.m.
Day 6: Santander-Bilbao
After breakfast on board, we
will arrive to Bilbao, a surprising
city. City tour includes the Guggenheim Museum. (Note: If you
wish more time in the museum,
please advise your guide and
go straight to the museum. Also
note on westbound departures,
the Guggenheim Museum visit
is only possible in July & August.) Lunch and afternoon free.
Continue to Villasana de Mena
for dinner and overnight.
the highlights
Day 7: Mataporquera-Cistierna
Enjoy scenery of the Valle de
Mena over breakfast. Transfer by
coach to visit the Romanesque
Art of Palencia: Villalcázar de
Sirga, Carrión de los Condes and
Frómista. Lunch in Villalcázar de
Sirga. Afternoon visit to the Roman Villa of La Olmeda and rejoin the train, continuing west.
Dinner and night in Cistierna.
• Sample Spain’s famed “northern
cuisine” with excellent wines, on
board and at great local restaurants
• English-speaking tours of historic, charming cities of northern
Spain
• Beautiful scenery: mountains,
rivers, deep canyons, coast lands
• Picos de Europa National Park,
with its many lakes and rugged
peaks
• Visit the Neo-Caves of Altamira
museum
• City of Bilbao and the famed
Guggenheim Museum
• Enjoy a walk on Cathedral’s
Beach among the giant rock
formations
• All meals and off-train tours
included except where noted;
gratuities not included
• IRT Virtuoso Difference: Let us
book your extensions pre- and
post in historic Paradors with
complimentary add-ons.
Al-Andalus:
Andalusia by Train
The Train: Al-Andalus • Train Type: Luxury
S
outhern Spain’s opulent,
broad-gauge Al-Andalus
returned to the rails May,
2012, and IRT’s Angela
Walker gave it a great rating. With its 1920s-era cars
newly renovated, the Al-Andalus
includes bar, lounge and two
dining cars, as well as all-en suite
cabins. The train combines stellar
service, exquisite Art Deco styling
and excellent cuisine for a unique
tour of Andalusia.
Sleeping Cars
The Al-Andalus has seven
recently remodeled all en-suite
sleepers, five of which were built
in France in 1929. These carriages
were used by the British Royal
Family on their journeys from
Calais to the Cote d’Azur. The
train’s Belle Époque decoration
has been enriched by several recent additions, with cutting-edge
technical upgrades.
Each standard suite has two
twin lower beds, safe, closet and
private bathroom with shower,
sink and toilet. The superior
suites have a double bed, minibar,
safe, closet, and full bathroom.
During the day, the beds
can be folded into comfortable
couches, offering a space for
reading or to enjoy the landscape
in a private lounge. All suites are
separately air-conditioned. Most
nights the train is stabled.
Angela Walker
Angela Walker
Angela Walker
Angela Walker
The Al-Andalus has four
railway gems: its lounge/dining
cars from 1928 and 1930. These
common spaces are devoted to
the leisure and comfort of train
travel.
The two dining cars have
tables for two or four. A buffet breakfast is served on board
daily; one lunch and two dinners
are also served on board. Service
and meals are top-notch, featuring local specialties and Spanish
wines.
The bar car has a dance floor,
bar and armchairs. It features
live entertainment two nights
during the journey. The lounge
car, in beautiful light greens and
grays, has large couches, tables
and chairs. Games and books are
provided, and there is a computer
with internet connectivity for
guest use.
Angela Walker
“Oh, the places you go! It’s so fantastic. The places you go are
wonderful...
William Schwartz
High-speed AVE trains (above) connect Seville to Madrid
in only 2.5 hours or to Barcelona in 5 hours.
“I highly recommend it. We were able to get into places,
where ordinarily there are so many lines, such as the
Alhambra. Each place we stopped at was so interesting.”
— M.A. Hall, Al-Andalus, 2013
Angela Walker
74 |
Al-Andalus: Southern Spain Andalusia by Train Continued
This 10th-century mosque was
converted to a cathedral during
the Reconquest, and now both
Spanish Islamic and Renaissance
architectural features. Lunch on
board the train while traveling
to Seville, arriving Santa Justa
Station around 5 p.m.
The Highlights
William Schwartz
Gary Robinson
The Tour
2014 & 2015 Dates
Departs most Mondays, midMarch through October. See
website for full list of dates.
Enjoy the Spanish landscape
from the Al-Andalus as you
journey through the country’s
southernmost territory. See “traditional” Spain, from flamenco
to bullfighting and the Alhambra. It begins and ends in Seville
and includes many UNESCO
World Heritage sites. The six-day
tour calls for some long days
and considerable amount of
walking.
The Itinerary
Angela Walker
Day 1: Seville & Cadiz
Board the Al-Andalus at Seville’s
Santa Justa Station. After onboard welcome reception, tour
Seville including the Cathedral, largest Gothic building in
Europe. Lunch in Seville; return
to the train and travel to Cadiz,
where you can enjoy free time
before dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner, the train
travels to Jerez for overnight.
Angela Walker
2014 & 2015 Pricing
Accommodations
Booked 6+ Booked 4-6
Regular
months prior months prior rate
Standard Double
€2,822€2,978€3,135
Standard Single
€4,233€4,467€4,703
Superior Double €3,366
€3,553
€3,740
Superior Single
€5,049€5,330€5,610
Standard Double
€2,565€2,708€2,850
Standard Single
€3,848€4,062€4,275
Superior Double €3,060
€3,230
€3,400
Superior Single
€4,590€4,845€5,100
76 |
Day 2: Jerez
Breakfast on board, followed by
a visit to a winery in Jerez, the
birthplace of Sherry. Then visit
the Royal Andalusian School of
Equestrian Art, where you will
enjoy the “Andalusian Horse
Dancing” show. Lunch in Jerez,
followed by free time. Enjoy
dinner at a local restaurant
featuring regional cuisine.
Day 3: Ronda
Enjoy the lush beauty of the Serranía region as the train arrives
Ronda. This amazing and picturesque city clings to the edge of
a huge escarpment known as El
Tajo, and is joined by a bridge
that crosses the canyon. It is the
birthplace of bullfighting, with
a history dating back to Roman
times. Enjoy free time after your
included lunch in Ronda. Return
to the train for dinner while
traveling to Granada, where the
train stables overnight.
Day 4: Granada
Morning dedicated to visiting
the incomporable Alhambra
and its captivating “Generalife” Gardens. Described by
Moorish poets as “a pearl set
in emeralds,” the Alhambra’s
Moorish palaces were built for
the last Muslim Emirs in Spain.
After Ferdinand and Isabella
conquered this fortress, they
were shocked to experience
the astounding beauty of the
architecture, the spirituality of
the writings on the walls, not to
mention the amazing fountains
and baths fed by five miles of
conduit from the river. Plenty of
time to explore the Alhambra,
followed by lunch in the palace
grounds. In the afternoon, enjoy
free time in Granada, the beautiful city at the foot of the Sierra
Nevada mountains and at the
confluence of three rivers. Also
visit the quarters of Albaicín,
Sacromonte and its Cathedral,
the first Spanish Renaissance
church. Enjoy dinner at a local
restaurant, followed by a stirring
flamenco performance.
Day 5: Baeza & Úbeda
After breakfast, arrive in Renaissance city of Baeza, whose
province, Jaen, is the center of
the world’s olive oil industry.
Travel by coach to visit the
Olive Oil Museum, followed by
a tour of historic Old Baeza, still
surrounded by its ancient city
wall. Lunch will be in Úbeda,
whose beautiful, hand-carved
stone and whitewashed façades
transport you back in time.
These two towns jointly are on
the UNESCO World Heritage
List. Free time after lunch. Savor
dinner on board as you glide
through the olive groves en
route to Córdoba.
• Exploring the incredible Alhambra and Gardens, followed
by lunch on the grounds
• Flamenco performance in
Granada (Flamenco is a UNESCO
“Intangible World Heritage,”
born in Andalusia)
• Cordoba’s fascinating Great
Mosque-Cathedral
• Ronda, birthplace of bullfighting
• Visit a local winery and sample
regional wines in Jerez
• Royal Andalusian School of
Equestrian Art and “dancing
Andalusian horses” show
• Five nights onboard the AlAndalus; all meals and excursions included
the IRT Virtuoso
difference
• IRT’s concierge service can
arrange fabulous Virtuoso
partner hotel in Seville and
sightseeing to its many
UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Add Madrid or Barcelona;
IRT’s concierge team can
arrange your high-speed
AVE train and great Virtuoso
partner hotels.
• We add an average of $450
of extra value in complimentary, exclusive amenities to
your booking.
Day 6: Córdoba-Seville
This morning take in Córdoba,
wandering its labyrinthine alleys and visiting the fabulous
Mezquita, or Great Mosque.
Gary Robinson
Danube Express:
Balkan Odyssey
The Train: Danube Express • Train Type: First Class*
Eleanor Hardy
T
he Danube Express might
well be called “The Grand
Budapest Hotel Train.” Based
in the Hungarian capital, it is
Europe’s only “hotel on wheels”
with private shower, sink and
toilet. In 2015, operation of the
Danube Express will be assumed
by Golden Eagle Luxury Trains,
operators of the Golden Eagle
(see page 42).
This is great news for luxury
train lovers. Why? At press time,
Golden Eagle Luxury Trains was
busy turning a very good train
into a great one. That should
mean a more highly trained
staff. It should mean five-star,
on-board cuisine and imaginative off-train activities. *And
it should mean a host of other
upgrades that, we feel confident,
will promote the Danube Express
from “merely” first-class to luxury status. We say “should,” however, because these improvements
are still underway at press time.
But Golden Eagle has a great
track record (no pun intended),
and we’re betting on their success. Sign up on our website to
get the latest emailed updates on
this and all of our trains.
Sleeping Cars
The Deluxe Class sleeping cars
offer great overnight accommodations. Deluxe cabins are
air conditioned, with private, en
suite facilities and two lower beds
that fold up into seating during
the day. They are roomy at 83.4
78 |
2015 Pricing
Heritage Class
$ 9,795 $15,295
Deluxe Class
$15,395 $23,995
Eleanor Hardy
Eleanor Hardy
The Tour
Eleanor Hardy
square feet, including the bathroom, and are the No. 1 choice
of IRT travelers. Heritage Class
cabins are basic and a fraction
of the size. They are 33.2 square
feet, with bunk-style beds that
fold into seating by day; shower
and toilet are down the hall. We
do not recommend Heritage
Class for luxury travelers.
The aforementioned luxury
upgrades most likely will include
the trains’ dining cars. In the past,
dining has been delicious but not
fancy. Meals have been hearty
local specialties such as goose,
mashed potatoes and braised red
cabbage; with friendly, experienced service. The lounge car
is spacious. The atmosphere is
welcoming, and the brandy—the
local specialty—is tasty.
May 4-12, 2015
The Society of IRT was among
the first to celebrate the union
between the Danube Express
and its new operator, Golden
Eagle Luxury Trains. Space on
this Balkan itinerary was selling
briskly, even before this publication reached the press. Here’s
hoping the powers that be will
offer additional dates for this
incredible adventure (call us or
check our website for updates).
The ItinerarY
Day 1: Venice
Board the Danube Express for an
early evening departure from
Venice. Enjoy a welcome dinner
on board, and get to know your
fellow guests over live piano
music in the lounge car.
Day 2: Ljubljana and Zagreb
Ljubljana is a delightful city, with
ancient architecture and youthful culture. City tour includes
Preseren Square, Triple Bridge,
Dragon Bridge and Plecnik
Market. Lunch served on the
train while traveling to Croatia’s
elegant capital, Zagreb. Walking tour of the Upper Town and
‘Kapitol’ (ancient town center),
with its Baroque atmosphere
and cultural monuments. Also
take in the wide boulevards and
ornate buildings of Lower Town.
citizens faced during the siege
of the city. This afternoon, tour
historic Mostar, one of the most
important cities of the Ottoman
Empire. See the renowned stone
arch bridge, rebuilt in 2004, linking the Christian and Muslim areas. Also visit Turkish House and
the mosque, then walk through
the bazaar streets, where you
can find traditional souvenirs.
Day 3: Sarajevo and Mostar
Arrive in the Bosnian capital of
Sarajevo, a blend of Eastern and
Western culture, with mosques
and minarets, ancient bazaar
and atmospheric Turkish quarter. Discover the city’s poignant
history through an enthralling
tour detailing the Balkan War.
Scars of war are still evident as
we travel past war-torn buildings and make a special visit to
the Tunnel Museum under the
airport. Our guide, who lived
through the conflict, will bring
to life the struggles the local
Day 4: Belgrade
Arrive in Belgrade, capital of
Serbia. Located at the strategic
meeting point of the Danube
and Sava Rivers, this cosmopolitan city has fortifications from
Celtic times, medieval tombs
and Turkish baths. Our city tour
includes Tito’s memorial, Town
Hall, Republic Square and Knez
Mihajlova Street as well as ‘Varos’
Gate and a visit to the mighty
Kalemegdan Fortress.
Day 5: Sofia and Plovdiv
Morning in Bulgaria’s modern
capital, Sofia. View sections of
Eleanor Hardy
Roman wall, admire the ancient
church of St. George, visit the
golden-domed Alexander
Nevsky Cathedral and Turkish
Bashi Mosque. Lunch on the
train as we travel to Plovdiv. This
“City of Seven Hills” is one of the
oldest in Europe, with more than
200 known archaeological sites.
Explore the charming Old Town’s
ancient theatres, medieval walls
and Ottoman baths.
Day 6: Kazanlak; Veliko Tarnovo
Begin today with a tour of
Kazanlak, famous for its rose oil
production. Visit Shipka Memorial Church and a Thracian tomb
with vaulted brickwork dating
to the 4th century BC. Lunch on
board as the train climbs over
the Shipka Pass and on to Veliko
Turnovo, Bulgaria’s ancient capital. Tour includes the superbly
preserved medieval Tsarevets
Hill and Castle. Free time. Dinner
on board en route to Romania.
Day 7: Brasov and Sighisoara
Overnight the train twists
and turns as it climbs over the
Carpathian Mountains. Arrive in
Brasov for a tour of Bran Castle
(“Dracula’s Castle”). This beautiful
14th-century building is situated
amongst stunning mountain
scenery. After lunch on board,
take a walking tour of Sighisoara,
a World Heritage site and one of
the best-preserved fortified medieval towns in Europe. Burgher
houses and ornate churches line
its cobblestone streets.
Day 8: Hungary
Morning exploring Kecskemét,
a fascinating city at the geographical center of Hungary.
Then (conditions permitting), a
steam engine will be attached
to the front of the Danube
Express for a thrilling ride into
Lajosmizse, where we enjoy a
spectacular ‘Puszta’ horse show.
Early afternoon arrive Budapest,
the romantic Hungarian capital.
Short tour includes Royal Palace,
St. Mathias Church and city view
from Gellert Hill. Enjoy a farewell
dinner and overnight at the Four
Seasons Gresham Palace.
Day 9: Budapest
Transfers to Budapest airport or
train station included.
the Highlights
• Travel through eight European
countries, with seven nights on
board the Danube Express
• Special visit to the Tunnel
Museum under Sarajevo Airport
with a guide who lived through
the seige of the city
• Walking tour of Zagreb’s “Kapitol”
• Mighty Kalemegdan Fortress in
Belgrade
• Kazanlak tour including visit of
a Thracian tomb
• Excursion to Dracula’s Castle
• Traditional Puszta Horse Show
• Overnight at the five-star Four
Seasons Gresham Palace
• Steam haulage (conditions
permitting)
Danube Express: Istanbul Tours
The Train: Danube Express • Train Type: Luxury
The Tour:
Venice-Istanbul
2015 Dates
July 3-14 (Istanbul-Venice)
July 11-22 (Venice-Istanbul)
This brand-new Danube Express itinerary is so exciting, we
know IRT travelers will love it.
You’ll visit some of Europe’s
most fascinating and unexplored places. The Venice hotel
is one of our favorites, and the
Pera Palace in Istanbul is historic
and recently renovated.
Tour operates in both directions. We show it here starting
in Venice because so many IRT
travelers like to add extensive
sightseeing in Turkey post-train.
Please call our IRT Concierge
Desk to find out more.
Add the British Pullman & Venice Simplon-Orient-Express’ overnight service London-Venice or
vice versa. What a way to go!
Days 1 & 2: Venice
Arrive Venice. Private transfer included to magnificent Belmond
Hotel Cipriani for two-night stay.
Walking tour of major Venice
highlights included.
Day 3: Trieste
Board the Danube Express at
Santa Lucia Station. Spend a relaxing day on board as the train
skims Italy’s eastern edge. Arrive
Trieste mid-afternoon and tour
the main town square. Cross into
Slovenia after dinner on board.
Day 4: Ljubljana & Zagreb
Arise early to experience the
scenic stretch of railway to
Ljubljana. Morning in this grand
old city and depart for Zagreb,
Croatia for an afternoon tour.
Evening departure for Bosnia.
Day 5: Sarajevo & Mostar
Tour beautiful, tragic Sarajevo this morning. Continue to
Mostar, a small medieval town
in northern Herzegovina. A
fascinating day exploring this
80 |
Eleanor Hardy
The tour:
Istanbul-Budapest
beautiful yet war-torn region.
Day 6: Dubrovnik
Morning arrival in Capljina,
where we board a motorcoach
for two-hour scenic drive across
the border into Croatia and
Dubrovnik, a stunningly intact
walled city on the Adriatic Sea
coast where you’ll spend the rest
of the day.
Day 7: Belgrade
Following an overnight trip on
the train from Capljina, cross the
border into Serbia and arrive
in lively Belgrade. Spend the
day touring this cosmopolitan
capital city, including the mighty
Kalemegdan Fortress. Depart
early evening for Macedonia.
Day 8: Skopje
Morning tour of Skopje, which
Lonely Planet describes as
“among Europe’s most entertaining and eclectic small
capital cities.” Return to the
train, with afternoon stop in
Thessaloniki, Greece. Continue
to Bulgaria.
Day 9: Sofia & Plovdiv
Arrive in Sofia early morning,
2015 Dates
June 10-17 (Istanbul-Budapest)
June 29-July 6 (Budapest-Istanbul)
Explore Eastern Europe on
this week-long itinerary from Istanbul to Budapest (or reverse)
taking in Bulgaria and Romania.
Travel through the dramatic
Carpathian Mountains, visit an
ancient tomb and see Dracula’s
Castle.
and spend a half day exploring
this charming Eastern European
capital city. Early afternoon arrive Plovdiv, a picturesque town,
with many gardens, museums
and archaeological monuments.
Days 10 & 11: Istanbul
Cross the Turkish border in the
wee morning hours and arrive
Istanbul mid-morning. Spend
two nights in Istanbul at Pera
Palace Hotel, built in 1892 to
cater to Orient Express guests.
Day 12: Depart Istanbul
the Highlights
• Eight countries, six capitals
• Tour by survivor of 1990s
Bosnian war in Sarajevo, which
endured the longest siege in
modern warfare
• Dubrovnik, fabled 700-year-old
city on the Mediterranean
• Belgrade, former Yugoslavian
capital, with its medieval tombs,
Turkish baths and Celtic fortifications
• Dinner in Thessaloniki’s Aristotelous Square
• Plovdiv, Bulgaria, one of Europe’s oldest cities
Day 1: Istanbul
Included transfer from Istanbul
airport to iconic Pera Palace
Hotel for a two-night stay.
Days 2 & 3: Istanbul
Sightseeing in Istanbul: Hagia
Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue
Mosque and Grand Bazaar. Late
afternoon of Day 3, depart Istanbul on the Danube Express.
Day 4: Kazanlak; Veliko Turnovo
Train to Kazanlak, situated in
the Valley of Roses. Visit ancient
vaulted Thracian tomb dating to
4th century BC. Lunch on board
while climbing over the Shipka
Pass to Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria’s
ancient capital. Tour superbly
preserved medieval Tsarevets
Hill and Castle. Dinner on board,
en route to the Romanian border.
Day 5: Brasov & Sighisoara
Overnight on the train as it
climbs over the Carpathian
Mountains. Arrive in Brasov for a
tour of the Bran Castle, “Dracula’s
Castle.” Lunch on board as we
continue to Sighisoara, where
we have a walking tour of this
UNESCO World Heritage Site,
one of the best-preserved fortified medieval towns in Europe.
Dinner, overnight on the train.
Day 6: Kecskemet & Budapest
Arrive Kecskemet, geographical
center of Hungary. A steam engine is scheduled to be added
for travel to Lajosmizse for
spectacular puszta horse show.
Afternoon arrival in Budapest;
welcome reception in the Royal
Waiting Room at the station.
Transfer for two-night stay at
fabulous Four Seasons Gresham
Palace.
Day 7: Budapest
See highlights of Budapest on
half-day sightseeing tour. Afternoon at leisure. Farewell dinner.
Day 8: Depart Budapest
the Highlights
• Two nights at Istanbul’s Pera
Palace, built for Orient-Express
guests such as Agatha Christie
• Kazanlak, world perfume capital
• Bran Castle, reputed castle of
Count Dracula
• Sighisoara, one of Europe’s
best-preserved medieval towns
• Steam-hauled train ride (conditions permitting)
• Hungarian puszta horse show
• Two nights Budapest’s five-star
Four Seasons Gresham Palace
2015 Pricing: Venice to Istanbul
Accommodations DoubleSingle
Heritage Class
$10,595 $15,795
Deluxe Class
$16,995 $25,495
Istanbul to Budapest
Accommodations DoubleSingle
Heritage Class
$ 4,995 $ 7,795
Deluxe Class
$10,195 $15,295
Glacier Express, Bernina
Express & Golden Pass:
Switzerland’s Classic Trains
The Trains: Glacier Express, Bernina Express & Golden Pass
Train Type: First Class
T
he spectacular Bernina line
was completed in 1910 and
is run by Rhaetian Railways. Beginning in Chur, St.
Moritz or Davos, it passes the
glaciers of Piz Bernina, making
this the highest railway crossing in the Alps. It travels over
38 miles, climbing grades of
up to 7%—without rack and
pinion—to more than 7,391 feet
at the Bernina Pass summit, and
drops down to just 1,408 feet
at Tirano, Italy. One minute, it
seems, you’re above the tree line
in a frozen wasteland; the next,
you’re zooming to a landing, like
in an airplane, into a subtropical
Italian paradise.
Bernina Express trains have
spacious first- and second-class
Panorama cars. You won’t be
sitting long, however. The train
passes over viaducts as high as
295 feet, twists through the Albula Valley, up past rock formations and glaciers, then plunges
into Italy on a famous corkscrew
viaduct.
•
The Swiss proudly hail the
Glacier Express as the world’s
slowest express train. It takes
almost eight hours and the
services of two private, narrowgauge railroads to traverse the
168 mountainous miles between
two posh resorts—Zermatt and
St. Moritz. The Alpine route of
the Glacier Express is what makes
this train so marvelous—crossing
291 bridges, passing through 91
tunnels, and mastering the 6,660foot Oberalp Pass. The first- and
second-class panorama cars are
air-cushioned, air-conditioned
and wheelchair-accessible.
•
The 39-mile, meter-gauge
Montreux-Oberland Bernois
(MOB) is one of Switzerland’s
82 |
oldest electric railways. It connects Montreux, on Lake Geneva,
with the ski resort of Gstaad,
ending in Zweisimmen. The
so-called “Golden Pass Route”
continues on the standard-gauge
Bern Lötschberg-Simplon railway
to Spiez, and then on to Interlaken, over the Brünig Pass, to the
shores of Lake Lucerne. Covering
a distance of almost 150 miles, it
is one of the world’s most scenic
railway journeys. Besides its regular passenger services, the MOB
runs the plush Golden Pass Panoramic Express and ultra-modern
Golden Pass Super Panoramic Express. The latter boasts vista-dome
cars for maximum viewing of the
spectacular mountain scenery.
Super Panoramic Express trains
also have a special, eight-passenger viewing area in the front of
the train, above the driver, for the
ultimate in ringside seats.
Angela Walker
Angela Walker
The Tour
Available year round. May &
September are recommended.
Note some trains or excursions
may not be running in winter.
These independent journeys
include four of Switzerland’s
most scenic train routes. A
steam railway adds a historic
element, and the mountain
railways are impressive engineering feats. You’ll never stop
looking out your train window
or taking photos! Available as
an 8-day or a 15-day tour.
The Itinerary
Montreux-Oberland Bernois
Day 1: Zurich-Lucerne
Arrive Zurich. Train to Lucerne.
Afternoon at Swiss Museum of
Transport, and its vast collection
of trains, autos, planes, more.
Overnight Lucerne.
Day 2: Lucerne, Mt. Rigi
Train to Goldau, then take Mt.
Rigi cogwheel train for round
trip to summit for great views
(weather permitting). Optional
train depot tour*. Lake Lucerne
boat cruise. Afternoon at leisure.
Angela Walker
2014 Pricing
8-Day Tour
Four-Star Hotels
Five-Star Hotels
Double
Single
CHF3,028 CHF4,662
CHF4,878 CHF7,868
15-Day Tour
Four-Star Hotels
Five-Star Hotels
Double
Single
CHF6,600 CHF9,962
CHF7,810 CHF11,950
Prices given in Swiss Francs (CHF). Please call for
current U.S. dollar pricing. 2015 pricing not available at presstime.
Day 3: Mt. Pilatus
Cruise Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad for trip up Mt. Pilatus
via world’s steepest cogwheel
railway. Descend mountain via
gondola, cable car.
James Russo
Day 4: Furka Steam train
Regular train to Realp. Board
Furka Steam Railway for twohour trip to Gletsch. (Optional
train depot tour*.) Travel behind 80-year-old steam engine
via rack railway—over bridges,
along rushing waters and
finally, down valley with views
of Rhone Glacier. Board postal
bus to Meiringen and change
for train to Interlaken.
Day 5: Interlaken
Interlaken day at leisure. Opt for
train excursion (at additional
cost). Brienzer Rothorn steam
train covers 4.6 miles, passing
through six tunnels and rich
alpine flora. (Optional train depot tour, engineer course*.) Or
venture to the highest railway
station in Europe aboard the
world-famous Jungfrau Railway.
Views of Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau
peaks from 11,398-foot station.
Day 6: Centovalli Train
Regular train Interlaken to
Domodossola via Spiez. Change
to Centovalli Railway for scenic
ride through Italy to Locarno.
Centovalli—“a hundred valleys”—offers views of spectacular waterfalls, vineyards, palm
tree-lined lakes below. Continue
to Italian-influenced Lugano.
Enjoy lakefront stroll in pedestrian-only historic city center.
Day 7: Lugano
At leisure in Lugano. Suggested excursion: Mt. Generoso
cogwheel railway for panoramic
views (steam train on select Sundays); stop off at Melide for Swiss
Miniatur, where 127 miniature
Swiss buildings are on display,
along with over two miles of
railway track and model trains,
funiculars and cable railways.
PART II
Day 8: Bernina Express
(Return to Zurich for flight home
if taking Part I only.) Postal bus
through Italian countryside to
Tirano. Board Bernina Express
for dazzling, four-hour trip to
Chur. Cross 196 bridges, travel
through 55 tunnels. Spectacular
glacier, forest scenery, including
Brusio’s Circular Viaduct, Landwasser Viaduct. Overnight Chur.
Day 9: Chur
Free day. Try one-hour ChurArosa railway trip over Langwieser viaduct (200 feet). Or travel
Davos-Filisur line, with its many
hairpin curves, tunnels, viaducts. Visit impressive Wiesen
Viaduct (289 feet).
Day 10: Glacier Express
Ride entire Glacier Express route
Chur-Zermatt. Take in Alpine
scenery from large picture windows and enjoy lunch served at
your seat. Overnight Zermatt.
Day 11: Gornergrat/Matterhorn
Ride Gornergrat Railway to
summit. View breathtaking, circular panorama of 12,000-foot
mountains within 9-mile radius.
Admire Alps in all their majesty,
including world-famous Matterhorn (weather-permitting).
Optional train depot tour*.
Day 12: Zermatt-Martigny
Regular train Zermatt-Martigny.
Options include: Mt. Blanc
Express to Chamonix, France; St.
Bernard Express, combination
train/postal bus excursion to
8,054-foot St. Bernard pass. Visit
famed St. Bernard kennels.
Day 13: Golden Pass Line
Regular train to Montreux.
Board panoramic coaches of the
Golden Pass. Travel through Lake
Geneva region over Golden Pass
to Gstaad. Overnight Gstaad, full
of traditional Swiss chalets.
Day 14: Golden Pass Line
Continue Golden Pass journey to Zweisimmen. Change
trains to Interlaken. One more
train change to Zurich. It’s an
extremely scenic day—and a
fitting finale!
Day 15: Zurich
Take one of many trains from
Zurich to airport for flight home.
*Noted options and luggage
transfers additional, and must
be booked well in advance.
The Highlights
• Famed Glacier and Bernina
Express rides over scenic lines
• Golden Pass line, running along
six lakes from Spiez to Lucerne
• Rigi and Pilatus mountain views
• Furka Steam trip behind
80-year-old locomotive
• Gornergratbahn, with views
from 10,000 feet above sea level
• Scenic Centovalli trip into Italy
• Mt. Blanc Express into France
or St. Bernard Express to 8,000foot pass
• Numerous shop/depot visits
available upon request
• Optional Jungfraubahn trip to
Europe’s highest rail station
Flåm Railway:
Arctic Circle Express
The Tour
2014 Dates
June 6, 13, 20, 27; July 4, 11, 25;
August 1, 8
2015 Dates
June 5, 12, 19, 26;
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; August 7
Travel on some of the most
well-maintained railway systems in Europe while witnessing truly outstanding scenery.
Our tour begins in Stockholm,
then travels one of the most
northerly lines in the world,
crossing the Arctic Circle. Then
we enjoy an in-depth exploration of southern Norway’s fjords
and scenic railways, ending
in the cultural capital of Oslo.
Tour includes Flåm, Bergen and
Rauma Railways! Note: This is
a budget-oriented tour that
requires stamina and the ability
to carry your own luggage.
The Train: Flåm Railway
Train Type: First Class & Standard Class
W
ith the Flåm Railway,
it’s what you see outside
that counts. In about
an hour, the line climbs
some 2,833 feet from Flåm station, nestled in the innermost
corner of the Aurlandfjord, to
the mountain station at Myrdal
on the Bergen Railway. On the
12.4-mile-long ride, you’ll see
rivers that cut through deep ravines, waterfalls cascading down
the sides of steep, snow-capped
mountains and farms clinging
dizzily to sheer slopes.
The Flåm Railway is one of
the world’s steepest railway lines
on normal gauge. The gradient
is 55/1000 on almost 80% of the
line––a gradient of 1:18. The
twisting tunnels that spiral in and
out of the mountain are manifestations of the most daring engineering in Norwegian railway history. Pass through 20 tunnels—18
of which were drilled by hand.
The railway recently underwent a
face-lift; its new fleet of trains, in
forest green livery, comprises five
engines and 12 cars. It also boasts
new interiors and a unique guide
and loudspeaker service.
Norwegian State Railways
The Itinerary
Day 1: London to Stockholm
Included flight* from London
to Stockholm, where you spend
two nights at the Radisson
Blu Waterfront Hotel, close to
historic Old Town. Afternoon
sightseeing tour of the modern
city and the narrow streets of
Gamla Stan (the Old Town).
125 km
0
125 Miles
Tomas Votava
Arctic
Ocean
Fauske
Chuck Blardone
Did you receive additional
satisfaction or value on your
trip by traveling with IRT?
Narvik
SHIP ROUTE
COACH ROUTE
TRAIN ROUTE
Chuck Blardone
“Oh yes. I can’t say enough
good things about IRT.”
— N. Norris, Arctic Circle
Express, 2013
SWEDEN
Norwegian
Sea
Trondheim
Andalsnes
G e ira n
Gällivare
Jokkmokk
ge
Östersund
FINLAND
Dombas
r
NORWAY
˚
Flam
Gulf
of
Bothnia
Bergen
Oslo
Stockholm
Baltic
Sea
Day 2: Stockholm
Today is at your leisure to
explore Sweden’s lively capital.
Perhaps take a boat cruise along
its waterways. We particularly
recommend visiting the Vasa,
a royal flagship recovered from
the seabed after sinking in the
harbor on her maiden voyage in
1628, now a superb museum.
Day 3: Inland to Östersund
Departing Stockholm we head
inland by InterCity train to
Östersund, nestled on the shore
of Lake Storsjön, Sweden’s fifth
largest lake. Here we stay for
one night at the Best Western
Gamla Teatern.
Day 4: The Inlandsbanan,
Arctic Circle and Lapland
Take the Inlandsbanan tourist
train through Sweden’s landscape of lakes and forests to the
untamed wilderness of Lapland.
After crossing the Arctic Circle
into the “Land of the Midnight
Sun” we enjoy a light dinner
with local Sami specialities
before transferring to the Hotel
Jokkmokk, set in the heart of
this World Heritage region.
Day 5: The Ofoten Railway
Transferring through Laponia
to Gällivare, we continue on
the Ofoten Railway—one of
the most northerly lines in the
world—past sheer drops down
to fjords and dramatic mountains. We arrive at the port of
Narvik for a two-night stay at
the Quality Grand Royal Hotel.
Day 6: Narvik
Free day in Narvik. You may wish
to visit the Ofoten Museum,
to discover the cultural history
of Narvik, or enjoy a cable car
ride to experience breathtaking
views or visit the poignant Red
Cross War Memorial Museum.
Day 7: South to Trondheim
Begin today with a coach journey along the coast and a beautiful ferry crossing. At Fauske we
continue by train, leaving the
Arctic Circle and arriving late
evening in Trondheim, Norway’s
religious capital. Spend two
nights at the centrally located
Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel.
Day 8: Trondheim
Explore Trondheim at your own
pace. Perhaps visit the fascinating Music Museum at Ringve,
specializing in instruments from
around the world, and stroll
around the Botanical Gardens.
Other suggestions: the National
Museum of Decorative Arts or
Nidaros Cathedral, considered
to be the most significant cathedral in Norway.
Day 9: The Rauma Railway
We leave Trondheim by train for
Dombås, where we join the 71mile Rauma Railway for a journey through jagged mountain
peaks and gorges, following the
course of the River Rauma to
Åndalsnes. We transfer by coach
to Geiranger for a two-night
stay at the Union Hotel, situated
at the head of the fjord.
Day 10: Geirangerfjord
The Geirangerfjord is one of
Norway’s most spectacular, and
today we enjoy the beautiful
scenery during a morning boat
cruise. See famed waterfalls,
“Seven Sisters” and the “Friar,”
set against the sheer mountains, while snow-covered peaks
and deep blue waters demonstrate why the site deserves its
UNESCO World Heritage status.
Day 11: To Flåm
We leave Geiranger by coach
and continue through fjord
country to Flåm at the head
of the Aurlandsfjord. We travel
through valleys hemmed in
by lofty mountains and along
steep-sided fjords, every bend
in the road offering a new and
interesting perspective. In Flåm
we stay at the Fretheim Hotel.
Day 12: The Flåm Railway
Today enjoy a superb excursion on the Flåm Railway. Our
rail journey takes us up into
the mountains along one of
the steepest lines in the world,
twisting and turning to accommodate the extreme terrain.
We reach the end at Myrdal and
return to Flåm, where we board
the express boat for an afternoon journey along Norway’s
longest and deepest fjord,
Sognefjord. Navigating coastal
islets and skerries, we end the
day in Bergen. Stay two nights
at Radisson Blu Hotel Norge.
2014 Pricing
DoubleSingle
High season £ 2,925 £ 3,510
Low season
£ 2,845 £ 3,430
Day 13: Bergen
Today is at leisure in Bergen,
nestled beneath seven strategic
hills and surrounded by fjords.
The city’s wharf, called Bryggen,
is lined with classic wooden
buildings and has been deemed
a UNESCO World Heritage site;
and the Fløibanen funicular
railway affords great views of
the city and its harbors from the
top of Mount Fløien.
Day 14: Bergen Railway to Oslo
We leave Bergen by train for a
magnificent journey on Northern Europe’s highest railway
line, the Bergen Railway. The
train climbs high above the tree
line across some of the most
remote areas of western Norway before descending through
pastures to the elegant city of
Oslo. On arrival we walk the
short distance to check in to the
central Thon Hotel Opera.
Day 15: Oslo to London
Morning free in Oslo before
included flight* Oslo to London.
*Tour available without London
flights, approx. £200 p.p. reduction
The Highlights
• The astonishing Flåm Railway
to Myrdal, which climbs 2,800
feet in 12 miles
• Oslo-Bergen Railway, with one
of the most spectacular scenic
railway journeys in Europe
• Cruise of the Geiranger Fjord,
a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Sweden’s Inlandsbanan to the
Arctic Circle
• The Ofoten Railway, one of
the most northerly lines in the
world, with dramatic mountain
and fjord scenery
• Time to explore Stockholm,
Narvik, Trondheim and Bergen
2015 Pricing
DoubleSingle
High season £ 3,045 £ 3,690
Low season
£ 2,945 £ 3,590
Prices given in British pounds (£). Please call for current U.S. dollar pricing.
Chuck Blardone
84 |
Hiram Bingham &
Andean Explorer: Peru’s
Machu Picchu
The Tour
2014 & 2015 Dates
This independent tour can be
taken throughout the year.
Reaching Machu Picchu by
the luxurious Hiram Bingham is
just one highlight of this eightday “soft” adventure. Main tour
overnights are in Belmond (Orient-Express) hotels: Miraflores
Park, Cusco’s Monasterio and
Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge,
the only hotel at the site. Private
tour of Inca ruins with crowdfree dawn and sunset visits.
Add-on tours feature Belmond’s
Andean Explorer from Cusco to
Lake Titicaca and a visit to Colca
Canyon, with its large condors.
IRT Virtuoso Difference throughout: complimentary meals, spa
visits, and more at each hotel.
The Trains: Hiram Bingham, Andean Explorer
Train Types: Luxury (HB); First Class (AE)
B
elmond (Orient-Express)
runs all passenger trains in
the region; IRT loves two
of them. The narrow-gauge
Hiram Bingham is a perfect complement to the Belmond hotels
in Peru. This gleaming blue-andgold train makes the 3.5-hour
trip between Cusco and Machu
Picchu on a varying schedule. The
train has two 42-seat dining cars
serving excellent Peruvian specialties (and wine) for brunch on
the journey to Machu Picchu, and
for dinner on the evening return
to Cusco. The overall ambiance
is gorgeous, with large windows,
beautiful china, silver and linens.
There is also a great bar/observation car with outdoor viewing
platform—a perfect place to snap
photographs.
The Andean Explorer makes
the 9.5-hour daytime trek from
Cusco to Puno and Lake Titicaca,
one of the highest standard-gauge
rail routes in the world, reaching altitudes up to 14,150 feet.
Seating on the train is at tables of
two and four; an included threecourse lunch is served at assigned
tables. The coaches are beautifully decorated in soft beiges with
china, silver and crisp linens on
each table. After-lunch coffee is
served in the observation/bar car,
which sports a small bar, tables,
and plenty of comfortable chairs.
The most important feature is
the large, glass-walled, observation deck with open platform,
great for taking in the incredible
scenery. IRT members agree: this
amazing trip is over way too soon.
Norman Severin
The Itinerary
Day 1: Lima
Arrive Lima. Private transfer to
the exclusive Miraflores Park
Hotel. Check in to Pacific Ocean
view Junior Suite.
Eleanor Hardy
Norman Severin
P E R U
HiramBingham
Cusco-Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu
Urubamba
River
Pa
Vilcanota River
fi
c
Norman Severin
“The [Hiram Bingham] train was just lovely
and comfortable, and the service was
impeccable.” — L. Seward, Peru, 2013
ce
Cusco
Juliaca
an
Puno
Andean
Explorer
Lake
Titicaca
2014 Pricing
Andean Explorer extension:
$1,765 p.p., double; $2,150 single occupancy
2015 Pricing (tentative)
Andean Explorer extension:
$1,915 p.p., double; $2,335 single occupancy
86 |
Day 3: Lima-Cusco
One-hour flight to Cusco*, then
transfer to the stunning Hotel
Monasterio, a 300-year-old
former monastery. Enjoy a cup
of hot coca tea in your deluxe
room, equipped with oxygen to
help you acclimatize to Cusco’s
high altitude (11,000 feet). Afternoon tour of Cusco, including
the Cathedral, Temple of the Sun
(Qorikancha) and Archbishop’s
Palace. Dinner at the hotel’s El
Tupay Restaurant.
Sacred Valley
Pomatales River
Sicuani
La Raya
ci
O
Aguas Calientes
Day 2: Lima
Morning tour of downtown Lima
with private guide. Lunch at Casa
Garcia Alvarado, built in 1912,
hosted by the owner. Visit Enrico
Poli collection, a private art
collection rivaling that of most
museums. Return to the hotel
and enjoy included dinner at its
signature Mesa 18 restaurant.
Angela Walker
“The Andean Explorer was a nice,
long train ride, so you got to see
all of the countryside.”
— L. Seward, Peru, 2013
Day 4: Hiram Bingham
to Machu Picchu
Morning transfer to Poroy Station and board the Hiram Bingham, named after the explorer
who “rediscovered” Machu Picchu in the 20th century. The train
descends into the Sacred Valley
and passes fields and colorful
villages in the foothills of the
Andes Mountains. Enjoy a tasty
brunch, mimosas and views of
the mountains and the sparkling
Urubamba River. Afternoon arrival in Aguas Calientes. Transfer
to Machu Picchu. Check-in for a
one-night full-board stay at the
Sanctuary Lodge just a few steps
from the site entrance. Take a
two-hour guided tour around
one of the most outstanding
archaeological wonders of the
world. Return to the hotel for afternoon English-style tea. Dinner
at the hotel’s deluxe restaurant.
Day 5: Hiram Bingham to Cusco
Experience a magnificent dawn
at Machu Picchu. Linger over
breakfast at the hotel; watch
the sunrise; or hike challenging
Huayna Picchu. Lunch at the
hotel. Return to Cusco by Hiram
Bingham with dinner and entertainment on board. Overnight at
Hotel Monasterio.
Day 6: Sacred Valley
Full day tour of the Sacred Valley
with guide. Visit Sacsayhuaman
fortress, with spectacular views
of Cusco. Take in the town of
Pisac, with its traditional market
of arts and crafts. Lunch stop
at Hacienda Huayocari, then
continue through to Ollantaytambo, with original Inca houses,
natural water canals and ancient
terraces. Enjoy a special dinner
at the contemporary MAP café,
located in the Museum of Precolumbian Art.
ANDEAN EXPLORER
ADD-ON:
Day 1: Andean Explorer
to Puno
Spend the day on board the
Andean Explorer traveling from
Cusco to Puno. The scenic journey takes almost 10 hours, and
it’s too short! Brief stop en route
at La Raya, highest point on the
line at 14,150 feet. Delightful
lunch is served on board, entertainment in the bar car. Journey
ends as you pull into Puno along
Lake Titicaca. Overnight at Hotel
Titilaka with lake view.
Day 2: Uros & Taquile Islands
We recommend an early wakeup call to see the sun rising over
Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world at 12,500
feet. Full day visit to the Uros
& Taquile Islands with boxed
lunch. IRT guests say visiting the
floating islands and the families
who make their homes there is a
highlight of their trip to Peru.
Day 3: Return to Lima
Private transfer to Puno airport
with stop at archaeological site
of Sillustani (time permitting).
Fly to Lima.*
*Flights not included in pricing.
Urgent: Book trains before your
international flights.
The Highlights
Day 7: Lima
Fly back to Lima*, and return to
Miraflores Park Hotel. Afternoon
personalized shopping tour in
bohemian district of Barranco,
with its antique republican construction and artsy shops. Dinner
at Restaurant Huaca Pucllana,
located within an archeological
compound.
• Hiram Bingham luxury train
• Suites and deluxe rooms in
Belmond (Orient-Express) hotels:
Miraflores Park, Monasterio and
Sanctuary Lodge
• Two-hour private guided tour
of Machu Picchu; its serenity at
sunset and dawn
• Private touring in Cusco with
local guide; private transfers
• A la carte lunches and dinners
where specified; buffet breakfast
in all properties
• Lunch with Signora Alvarado in
her private home
• Enrico Poli private art collection
• Spectacular Andean Explorer
add-on with floating islands visit
Day 8: Depart Lima
Transfer to airport included.
Ask about Colca Canyon extension, including Arequipa
Canadian/Rocky Mountaineer:
Trans-Canada Adventure
The Tour
2014 & 2015 Dates
Dates of departure: Sundays and
Thursdays, late-April to mid-Sept.
(Reverse itinerary, which is one
night shorter, departs Vancouver
Sundays and Thursdays.)
Take this legendary TransCanada rail tour on two firstclass trains: the Canadian, with
VIA Rail’s lovely service, and the
all-daylight Rocky Mountaineer.
See Niagara Falls and spend four
days exploring the pristine wilds
of Lake Louise, Jasper and Banff
National Parks. Begin in Toronto;
cross northern Ontario’s scenic
lake lands, prairies of Manitoba,
Saskatchewan and Alberta and
the towering Canadian Rockies,
before ending in Vancouver,
on the Pacific Coast. Options to
extend your journey to Victoria,
Seattle or Alaska abound.
The Trains: Canadian (described below) & Rocky
Mountaineer (see page 90)
Train TypeS: Both First Class
T
he Canadian’s new tag line is
“Beauty Takes No Shortcuts.”
VIA Rail Canada’s flagship
train, the Canadian, has run
the 2,775 miles between Toronto
and Vancouver since 1955. VIA
recently presented a finished
Prestige Class sleeper car and
advised bookings will begin in
spring, 2015. The Prestige Class
roll-out has been delayed several
times; we aren’t banking on it
until we can actually book our
guests.
Sleeping Cars
Sleeper Plus Class cabins are
35 square feet and have bunkstyle beds that make into seating.
IRT couples have loved booking a
suite: two connecting double cabins. You’ll get chocolates on the
pillow, sparkling wine, breakfast
in bed. You’ll have a large double
bed (5 feet, 11 inches by 5 feet, 2
inches,) and a room size of 72.5
square feet. The upgrade can add
a few thousand dollars to your
trip. Both services have private
toilet and sink; shower is down
the hall. (Please see IRT website for
other classes of service.) This itinerary includes Sleeper Plus Class.
Dining & Lounge cars
All meals are included in the
newly renovated diner. Dinner
is served with china, silver and
linen and features Canadian
wines. IRT travelers have given
the service high marks. Sleeper
passengers have exclusive access
to the renovated Skyline and Park
cars (Fall, 2011).
The Itinerary
Day 1: Toronto
Arrive Toronto; enjoy IRT complimentary limo transfer airport
to hotel. Explore Canada’s
largest city at your leisure. Two
nights in Toronto hotel.
Day 2: Niagara Falls
Motorcoach tour to Niagara
Falls, one of the world’s great
wonders. Cruise on Maid of the
Mist to base of Horseshoe Falls.
Days 3-5: On board Canadian
Enjoy four-day journey across
Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Prairie Provinces on
board the Canadian. Take meals
in beautiful diner, toast your vacation under the stars in famous
domed Park car, and overnight
in your cozy private cabin.
Day 6: Jasper
Afternoon arrival in Jasper, surrounded by beautiful mountain
scenery and teeming with wildlife. Overnight in Jasper.
Day 7: Jasper
Jasper National Park is a World
Heritage Site and Canada’s
largest National Park. Today
you will enjoy a short scenic
tour including the many natural
attractions, rugged peaks, and
perhaps even glimpse wildlife.
Remainder of the day free to
explore. Overnight in Jasper.
Day 8: Icefields Parkway
Travel to Lake Louise via one
of the most scenic highways in
the world, the Icefields Parkway.
Stop at Athabasca Falls and
Columbia Icefield for ride on “Ice
Explorer” vehicle to Athabasca
Glacier to learn more about its
geological features. Brief stop at
Bow Lake before arriving Lake
Louise for overnight at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Day 9: Lake Louise to Banff
Free morning in Lake Louise,
followed by a half-day tour into
Yoho National Park. See Spiral
Tunnels, Emerald Lake and natural rock bridge spanning Kicking
Horse River. Overnight in Banff.
Rocky Mountaineer Railtours
2014 Pricing
Ranges from $5,028 to $8,149. Limited availability. Please call.
Departure Date
Low season:
High season:
SilverLeaf GoldLeaf
$5,405
$6,832
$6,476
$8,108
GoldLeafDeluxe
$8,312
$9,893
Low season: April 26-May 21; high season: June 28-Sept. 17. See website for full pricing chart. Prices are in USD & subject to fluctuate. Do not
include Canadian GST, provincial taxes or fuel surcharge. Prices based
on westbound travel, double occupancy. Call for single prices.
88 |
Day 11: Banff-Kamloops
Board the Rocky Mountaineer for
daylight trip to Kamloops. Travel
between high peaks of Canadian Rockies, over mountain
passes through tunnels, along
rocky lake shores and across
ranchlands. Experience the Continental Divide, Spiral Tunnels,
Kicking Horse Canyon, Rogers
Pass, Craigellachie, glaciers and
snow-capped peaks. Dine in the
lovely restaurant (GoldLeaf only)
for breakfast and lunch. Most
exciting spot on the train: the
large open-air observation platform (GoldLeaf only). Overnight
in Kamloops.
Day 12: Kamloops-Vancouver
Reboard the Rocky Mountaineer
for another full day on board,
including breakfast and lunch.
Scenery changes to desert
interior through winding river
canyons and pristine forests, to
the Coast and Cascade Mountains and lush green fields of
Fraser River Valley. Look for the
rushing waters of Hell’s Gate.
Overnight Vancouver hotel.
Day 13: Vancouver
Depart Vancouver or extend
your journey.
The Highlights
• Spotting Canadian wildlife
from trains’ domes—big-horned
sheep, elk, black bears, bald
eagles, osprey
• Riding VIA Rail’s Canadian,
with overnights in your private
compartment
• Tasty meals in the lovely dining cars of Canadian and Rocky
Mountaineer
• Tours of Banff, Yoho National
Park, Icefields Parkway and
Niagara Falls
• Time to explore Lake Louise,
Banff and Jasper and Vancouver
• Riding in the Rocky Mountaineer’s GoldLeaf service, the
double-decked dome cars with
open-air platform
IRT Virtuoso
• the
Suggested
upgrades: Order
adifference
Suite; ask for deluxe hotels
throughout
• Complimentary limo airport
transfer
• Adventure lodge in British
Columbia with complimetary
add-ons
• Regent Cruise of the Inside
Passage
• Amtrak to/from the U.S.
• Virtuoso partner Lindblad
adventure cruise in Alaska
• Extend to Victoria, stay in
our Virtuoso partner hotel,
the Fairmont Empress, with
special amenities
“The Rocky Mountaineer was
splendid. We enjoyed every
minute of it. On the Canadian,
having the joined double bedrooms worked out wonderfully well. I liked it very much...
Had we not upgraded, I don’t
think we would have enjoyed
it anywhere near as much. It
was absolutely worth it.”
Courtesy of Gary Campbell
2015 Pricing
Day 10: Banff
Tour Banff: Bow Falls, Banff
Gondola, Lake Minnewanka,
Surprise Corner, the Hoodoos. Continue to Kananaskis
for the highlight of today’s
adventure—a 12-minute Summit Helicopter Tour over the
remarkable landscape of the
Rockies. Afternoon at leisure in
Banff. Overnight Banff hotel.
— G. Holbrook, celebrating 50th
anniversary on board Trans-Canada Rail Adventure, 2012
Rocky Mountaineer: Canadian
Rockies Western Explorer
“Our trip was wonderful!! The Rocky Mountaineer days were
beyond our expectations, and we look forward to enjoying all
the RMR routes.”
The Train: The Royal Scotsman • Train Type: First Class
T
he Rocky Mountaineer
explores Western Canada in
comfort and class and runs
by daylight only. Routes
abound: Vancouver to Banff, Lake
Louise or Calgary; Vancouver to
Jasper; and Seattle to Vancouver,
expanding to 18 departures each
way in 2015. A sister train, the
Whistler Mountaineer, travels
Whistler to Jasper via Quesnel.
Our passengers love them all, and
all can be customized to fit your
time and budget.
IRT recommends GoldLeaf
service. When you get on board,
you will agree. It has a beautiful bi-level dome coach, is fully
air-conditioned with full-length
dome windows, and assigned
seating that can accommodate groups of four. The main
benefit, from our point of view,
is GoldLeaf passengers’ exclusive access to the large open-air
observation deck. (SilverLeaf has
a tiny one.) In GoldLeaf Service,
walk down a spiral staircase or
take the elevator from the dome
level to the diner where the full
galley kitchen prepares remarkable multi-course breakfasts and
lunches. Alcoholic beverages are
complimentary throughout. The
diner can seat 36 in tables for
four. GoldLeaf service includes
upgraded hotels for packages
with overnights, in most cases
five-star Fairmont hotels.
SilverLeaf Service, started in
2011, offers seating in reclining
chairs in a single-level dome coach
with panoramic views. It includes
hot meals at your seat and overnights in moderate hotels.
IRT does not book Red Leaf.
— G. Campbell, Rocky Mountaineer, 2011
Courtesy Gary Campbell
Donald Connolly
2014 Pricing
Ranges from $2,804 to $5,364. Limited availability. Please call.
2015 Pricing
Departure Date
April 20-30:
May 4-28:
June 1-25:
June 29-July 6:
July 9-Oct. 1: SilverLeaf
$3,314
$3,365
$3,671
$3,773
$3,671
GoldLeaf
$4,487
$4,538
$5,048
$5,201
$5,048
GoldLeafDeluxe
$5,354
$5,456
$6,119
$6,272
$6,119
Prices in U.S. dollars and subject to fluctuate. Prices do not include 2.5%
Canadian GST or fuel surcharges. Prices are per person based double
occupancy. Single rates available upon request.
Hallette Richards
The Tour
Donald Connolly
2014 & 2015 Dates
Departs Mondays and Thursdays, mid-April to September.
(Reverse itinerary departs Calgary
Tuesdays and Saturdays.)
Travel a spectacular Rocky
Mountaineer classic route—Vancouver to Jasper, followed by
several days to explore the unparalleled beauty of Jasper, the
Columbia Icefield, Lake Louise,
Banff and Yoho National Park.
Tour ends in Calgary.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Vancouver
Arrive Vancouver. Enjoy IRT complimentary limo transfer to your
hotel. Overnight.
Day 2: Vancouver-Kamloops
Board Rocky Mountaineer. View
green fields of Fraser River
valley, forests, winding river
canyons, wildlife, rushing waters
of Hell’s Gate, steep slopes and
rock sheds along Thompson
River. Overnight in Kamloops.
Day 3: Kamloops-Jasper
Continue northeast to Canadian Rockies and Alberta. Train
climbs along North Thompson River through mountains
toward Continental Divide. View
Mt. Robson (highest peak in Canadian Rockies), Pyramid Falls,
Yellowhead Pass into Jasper
National Park. Overnight Jasper.
Day 4: Jasper
Tour of Jasper National Park, a
World Heritage Site and the Canadian Rockies’ largest national
park. See the area’s many natural attractions, rugged peaks
and wildlife. Afternoon free and
overnight in Jasper.
Day 5: Jasper-Lake Louise
Enjoy a motorcoach tour along
the Icefields Parkway and visit
the Columbia Icefield. Ride “Ice
Explorer” to Athabasca Glacier;
continue to Bow Lake and Lake
Louise. Overnight Fairmont
Chateau Lake Louise.
Day 6: Lake Louise-Banff
Afternoon tour of Yoho National
Park. View such wonders as
Emerald Lake and natural rock
bridge spanning Kicking Horse
River. See famed Spiral Tunnels.
Overnight Banff.
Day 7: Banff-Calgary
Full-day tour of Banff area: Bow
Falls, Banff Gondola, Lake Minnewanka, Surprise Corner, the
Hoodoos. Summit helicopter
“flightseeing” tour over the
Rockies included. Tour ends in
Calgary. Overnight Calgary.
Day 8: Calgary
Tour ends in Calgary.
The Highlights
• Two full days on board the
fabulous Rocky Mountaineer,
enjoying the scenery of the
Canadian Rockies and spotting
wildlife along the way
• Seven nights’ hotel accommodation
• Icefields Parkway Tour, including Ice Explorer
• Views from The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
• Yoho National Park Tour, Lake
Louise to Banff
• Helicopter Flightseeing tour
• Jasper Park sightseeing tour
• Ride on the Banff Gondola,
with exquisite Rockies views
• Tour can be customized, with
additional nights anywhere
in the region, private touring,
transfers, spa reservations
Courtesy Gary Campbell
90 |
Amtrak Empire Builder:
Glacier Park Discovery
The Train: Empire Builder • Train Type: First Class
2014 pricing
Upgrade to bedroom:
$450 per person, double
$900 single
*Different hotels are used in
Chicago and Seattle on 2014
tour. Please inquire.
2015 Pricing
Upgrade to bedroom:
$450 per person, double
$1,150 single
Hallette Richards
The Tour
2014 Dates
August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30;
Sept. 6, 13
2015 Dates
June 20, 23, 27;
July 7, 11, 18, 21, 25;
August 1, 8, 18, 22, 29;
Sept. 5, 15
Travis Dewitz
British
Columbia
Amtrak
“Just a short note to tell you
that my husband and I had a
wonderful trip on Amtrak…
We have traveled all over
the world, and this is the
first time we had spent on
a destination throughout
the USA by train. I would
recommend it for anyone.
Thank you for the upgrade to
a bedroom.”
— M. Berta, Glacier Park
Owen C. Hardy
Alberta
Seattle
WA
Spokane Glacier
Park
Portland
Saskatchewan
Havre
Helena
OR
ID
Continental
Divide
WY
Manitoba
Williston
ND
MT
SD
Ontario
Fargo
MN
Minneapolis
St. Paul
WI
Milwaukee
Madison
Chicago
IL
Discovery, 2013
92 |
The northern U.S. boasts
some of the country’s last truly
wide-open spaces, and Amtrak’s
Empire Builder is a fabulous way
to see them. The long-distance
train plies the northern route
to the West Coast between
Chicago and Seattle or Portland.
Begin in Chicago’s grand Union
Station, head to the unspoiled
country of Montana. Spend four
nights in Glacier National Park
and continue west to Seattle,
passing through the seven-mile
Cascade Tunnel, forests of fir
trees and along Puget Sound.
IRT guests love this escorted
tour: its inclusions, nights on
the train, tour manager and four
nights in Glacier National Park.
Highly recommend for couples
to upgrade to deluxe bedroom.
Book early, as this tour is quite
popular!
The Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Chicago
Welcome to Chicago! Our favorite stop: the Art Institute. Maybe
yours is the Magnificent Mile for
shopping and dining. Meet your
tour guide and fellow travelers
at a wine and cheese reception.
Overnight Essex Inn Chicago.
Day 2: Chicago to Glacier Park
on board Empire Builder
Enjoy morning Chicago tour
with lunch before transferring
to Union Station to begin your
rail journey aboard Amtrak’s
Empire Builder. Train departs
2:15 p.m. Overnight on train.
Day 3: Full day on board
Enjoy full day on the train; arrive
Glacier Park about 7 p.m. Upon
arrival, check into rustic Glacier
Park Lodge in East Glacier.
Day 4: Glacier National Park
Morning boat cruise of Two
Medicine Lake. This afternoon
on your own to enjoy the park.
Overnight Glacier Park Lodge.
Day 5: International Peace
Park Tour
After your included breakfast,
take a full-day tour inside Glacier
National Park, and cross the Canadian Border to Waterton Lakes
National Park. Lunch is on your
own. Take afternoon tea (optional) at Prince of Wales Hotel,
one of the most photographed
hotels in the world. Overnight
Many Glacier Hotel.
Note: Passports required to enter
into Canada. Early reservations
required for tea.
Day 6: Glacier National Park
Your journey continues aboard
red bus jammers on the rugged
eastern slopes and follows the
glacially carved valleys of the
St. Mary region. Continue down
the west side of the park for an
optional lunch at Lake McDonald Lodge. Overnight Many
Glacier Hotel.
Day 7: Last Day In Glacier
Enjoy a morning cruise of Swift
Current Lake. You’ll have the
chance to take a short trail hike
and boat cruise on Josephine
Lake. In the afternoon, transfer
back to East Glacier and depart
Amtrak’s Empire Builder at 6:45
p.m. to Seattle. Overnight on
board.
Day 8: Depart Glacier
Arrive Seattle 10:25 a.m. Enjoy a
guided tour of the city. Afternoon at leisure. Enjoy a farewell
dinner this evening. Overnight
Warwick Seattle Hotel.
Day 9: Seattle
Tour ends after breakfast. You
have the option to depart for
home or extend your journey. Ideas: Vancouver and the
Canadian Rockies or cruise on
Columbia River Gorge with our
Virtuoso partners.
The Highlights
• Two nights aboard Amtrak’s
Empire Builder, from Chicago to
Glacier Park and from Glacier to
Seattle
• Six nights’ hotel accommodations, including four in Glacier
National Park
• 16 included meals; all meals included while on board the train
• Many Glacier Hotel & Glacier
Park Lodge
• International Peace Park Tour
• Afternoon at Waterton Lake
with option for afternoon tea
• Guided tours of Chicago and
Seattle
2O14/2O15 APPENDIX
Ghan & Indian Pacific:
Australian Rail Extravaganza
KEY: EB=Eastbound; WB=Westbound; NB=Northbound; SB=Southbound
Some prices are given in local currency: Australian Dollars (AUD), South African Rand (R), Euro (€), Swiss Francs (CHF), British pounds (£) and Japanese Yen (¥).
The U.S. dollar price will be determined based on the rate of exchange when payments are made. Red=2014 dates/pricing.
Region/Page #(s)
The Trains: Sunlander & The Ghan
Train Type: Both First or Luxury Class
A
ustralia’s transcontinental Indian
Pacific offers a
once-weekly
service between
Perth and Sydney, via
Adelaide, across more
than 2,704 miles, in both
directions. It adds a second
departure from late August to
mid-November. Almost 300 miles
of it is across the longest straight
track in the world, the Nullarbor
Plain. The journey takes three
nights.
Meanwhile, The Ghan takes 48
hours—two nights on board—to
travel from Adelaide to Darwin
over 1,852 miles of track. There
is one departure weekly in each
directions, with one more late
May to late August. The Ghan
and the Indian Pacific both offer
Platinum luxury-class service. In
2008, The Ghan kicked off the
new Platinum service, featuring
24 luxury class cabins twice the
size of Gold Service cabins. Each
cabin has private, en-suite shower, sink and toilet, huge windows,
twin or double bed, and includes
all meals, private transfers on
both ends, and sightseeing tours
along the way, not to mention
butler service. IRT guests highly
recommend Platinum.
The Tour
2014 & 2015 Dates
Tour starts most Wednesdays.
Urgent: Do not book your
international air until all legs are
confirmed. Schedule subject to
drastic change.
This sweep of Australia
includes The Ghan and Indian
Pacific, must-see Top End of Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Ayers
Rock and Perth. It abounds in
UNESCO World Heritage sites.
It’s such a fine feeling looking
out your train window at dawn
to see the shining red desert.
94 |
The Itinerary
Day 1: Depart Sydney
Board Indian Pacific.
Dinner and overnight
on board.
Stephen Morse
Days 2 & 3: Indian
Pacific
Full train days. Pause in Broken Hill and Adelaide, with time
for a tour at each. Enter salt
lake country and vast Nullarbor Plain; stop at Cook, one of
world’s most isolated outposts.
Evening stop at Kalgoorlie with
tour option. Meals and overnights on the train.
Days 4 & 5: Arrive Perth
Take in scenery of Avon Valley
over breakfast before morning
arrival in Perth. Two-night stay
in Perth. Tour Perth’s major tourist attractions, including replica
of 1899 Perth Tram. Scenic
cruise of Swan River.
Day 6: Perth to Darwin
Fly to Darwin*, check into Crowne
Plaza Darwin. Afternoon at leisure; optional tours available.
Days 7 & 8: Kakadu
National Park
Two days in Kakadu National
Park: Jumping Crocodile cruise,
Bowali Visitor Center, rock art
site at Ubirr; Aboriginal art site
at Nourlangie; cruise on Yellow
Water Billabong.
Day 9 & 10: Katherine-Darwin
Cruise on Katherine Gorge, with
sheer sandstone cliffs. Continue
to Edith Falls and Adelaide River
War Cemetery. Return to Darwin. Free day in Darwin.
Day 11: Board The Ghan
Board The Ghan; travel south
past lush tropical scenery to
Katherine. Enjoy a tour at Katherine Gorge.
Day 12: The Ghan-Alice Springs
Arrive Alice Springs; transfer to
Alice Springs Resort.
Day 13: Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Coach trip to Uluru (Ayers Rock);
stop at camel farm. Travel to 36
rock domes of Kata Tjuta, and
explore Walpa (Olga) Gorge.
walls. Return to Alice Springs.
Day 16: The Ghan-Adelaide
Morning free in Alice Springs.
Board The Ghan south to Adelaide. Overnight on board.
Day 17: Adelaide
Arrive Adelaide around noon.
Day 14: Uluru & Olgas
Rise early for sunrise and tour
Uluru base. Take Mutitjulu Walk
to view aboriginal rock paintings.
*Flights not included in pricing.
This independent itinerary can be
customized and varies with train
schedules.
Day 15: Kings Canyon
Scenic walk to discover Kings
Canyon, with towering orange
Suggested add-on: Lindblad
Darwin-Broome expedition
cruise. Call for details.
2014 Pricing
$ 9,685 AUD per person, double (Gold Service)
$16,657 AUD single (Gold Service)
Upgrade to Platinum service:
$1,775 AUD per person, double, Indian Pacific
$1,350 AUD per person, double, The Ghan
Single pricing includes single occupancy of twin share cabin on the
trains. Tour priced in Australian dollars. Call for approximate U.S.
dollar price. Rates vary based on season and special events.
Train
Tour/Itinerary
Dates
Pricing per person (Double/Single)
Africa
Pride of Africa
Cape Town to Dar es Salaam
2014: NB: Sept. 27-Oct.10
P. 4-9 (Rovos Rail)
(NB); or Dar es Salaam to Cape SB: Oct. 13-26
Town (SB), 14 days
2015: NB: July 4-18; Note tour will be 15 days in 2015
Sept. 26-Oct. 10
SB: Feb. 3-17; July 21-Aug. 4;
Oct. 13-27
Africa
Pride of Africa
African Collage: Pretoria-
2014: WB: Nov. 6-14;
P. 10-11
(Rovos Rail)
Cape Town (WB) or Cape Town
EB: Nov. 17-25
to Pretoria (EB), 9 days
2015: WB: May 21-29; Nov. 5-13
EB: Nov. 16-24
Africa
Pride of Africa
Namibia: Pretoria-Swakopmund
2015: WB: April 9-17; April 30-May 8
P. 12-15
(Rovos Rail)
(WB); or Swakopmund-
EB: April 19-27; May 10-18 Pretoria (EB), 9 days
Africa
The Blue Train
Southern Africa Safari: Cape
2014 & 2015: Package available
P. 16-19 Town-Johannesburg, 10 days
year round
Pullman: $10,600/$14,900
Deluxe: $13,900/$19,800
Royal: $18,900/$37,800
Pullman: $11,850/$16,350
Deluxe: $15,300/$21,500
Royal: $20,550/$41,100
Pullman: R47,500/R71,250
Deluxe: R71,000/R106,500
Royal: R95,000/R142,500
Pullman: R50,400/R75,600
Deluxe: R75,600/R113,400
Royal: R99,800/R149,700
Asia
Golden Eagle Trans-
The Silk Road: Moscow-
P. 20-25
Siberian Express/ Beijing (EB); or Beijing- Shangri-La Express
Moscow (WB), 21 days
Moscow-Almaty*, 13 days Asia
Palace on Wheels
India’s Rajasthan by Private P. 26-27
Train: Delhi-Delhi, 8 days
Asia
Deccan Odyssey
Indian Odyssey: Delhi to P. 28-29
Mumbai, 8 days
Other itineraries available.
See our website for details.
2015: Sept. 19-Oct. 9 (EB); Sept. 23-Oct. 13 (WB); Oct. 22-Nov. 11 (WB) 2014 & 2015: Departs Wednesdays, September through April
Silver: $24,595/$35,895
Gold: $30,795/$44,595
Imperial: $43,995/On request
*See website for pricing Moscow-Almaty
2014: Oct. 18-25; Nov. 15-22; Dec. 13-20
2015: Jan. 10-17; Feb. 7-14; March 7-14; Sept. 19-26
2014 & 2015 pricing:
Deluxe Cabin: $3,675/$5,075
Presidential Suite: $5,513/$11,025
Service tax of 3.09% additional.
Pullman: R50,400/R75,600
Deluxe: R75,600/R113,400
Royal: R99,800/R149,700
2014: $7,985-$11,280/$11,330-$17,530
2015: $8,725-$12,585/$12,440-$19,605
Price varies based on season/availability
Oct. 2014-March 2015: $4,025/$5,390
Service tax of 3.09% and $15 p.p. addt’l.
Asia
Maharajas’ Express
Indian Splendour: Delhi-
2014: Oct. 11-18; Nov. 8-15; Dec. 6-13
P. 30-31
Mumbai, 8 days 2015: Jan. 3-10, 31-Feb. 7; Other itineraries available.
Feb. 28-March 7; March 28-April 4; Oct. 10-17; Nov. 7-14; Dec. 5-12
2014 & 2015 pricing:
Deluxe: $5,980/$10,490
Junior Suite: $9,460/$17,980
Suite: $13,800/$27,600
Presidential Suite: $23,700/$47,400
Service tax of 3.09% additional.
Asia
Eastern & Oriental
Epic Thailand: Bangkok- 2014: Nov. 13-20
P. 32-35
Express
Chaing Mai-Bangkok, 8 days
Asia
Eastern & Oriental
Fables of the Peninsula: 2014: Oct. 18-25
P. 32-35
ExpressSingapore-Bangkok, 8 days (2014) 7 days (2015)
2015: Feb. 25-March 3; March 28-
April 3; May 25-31; Sept. 2-8;
Sept. 30-Oct. 6; Nov. 22-28
State: $9,200/$13,800
Presidential: $11,800/$17,700
Asia
Eastern & Oriental
P. 32
Express
Pullman: $2,600/$2,600
State: $3,800/$5,470
Ancient Kingdom of Lanna: 2015: Feb. 18; March 20; April 21;
Bangkok-Chaing Mai-Bangkok, May 7; June 10; Oct. 15
3 days
Asia
Eastern & Oriental
Bangkok to Singapore (SB), 2014: 11 SB departures, June-Dec.
P. 34-35
Express
4 days; or Singapore to
10 NB departures, June-Dec.
Bangkok (NB), 3 days
2015: 24 SB departures, Jan.-Dec.
18 NB departures, Jan.-Dec.
Asia
Orcaella (ship)
Gorges of the Far North, Dec. 22, 2014-Jan. 2, 2015;
P. 38-39
Yangon-Mandalay-Bagan-
2015: Oct. 22-Nov. 2; Nov. 5-16;
Yangon, 12 days
Dec. 22-Jan. 2, 2016
Other itineraries available.
See our website for details.
State: $9,200/$13,800
State: $7,900/$11,850
2014: Ranges from $2,560 to $6,220
2015: Ranges from $2,690 to $6,530
Deluxe: $6,900/ $8,810
State: $8,870/ $12,400
Junior Suite: $10,640/$14,880
Balcony Suite: $13,400/ $19,960
Visit our
our website
website for
for more
more tours
tours and
and updates
updates •• www.irtsociety.com
www.irtsociety.com •• (800)
(800) 478-4881
478-4881 •• [email protected]
[email protected] || 95
Visit
2O14/2O15 APPENDIX
Region/Page #
Train
Tour/Itinerary
Europe
Sea Cloud (ship)
Dubrovnik-Athens (EB), or P. 40-41
Athens-Dubrovnik (WB), 12 days
*Includes Day 1 in transit
2O14/2O15 APPENDIX
Dates
Region/Page #
2015 WB: May 31-June 11; Aug. 23-Sept. 3;
2015 EB: Sept. 2-13
(IRT Owner’s Choice)
Cat. 1: $11,630;
Cat. 2: $13,150;
Cat. 4: $16,710;
Cat. A: $19,690;
Europe
El Transcantábrico
Santiago-León (EB) or 2014 & 2015: Departs most P. 72-73
Clásico
León-Santiago (WB), Saturdays from April to October
8 days
High season: €3,150/ €4,703
Low season: €2,850/ €4,275
See website for 2014 pricing.
Early booking discounts apply.
Cat. 1 Single: $17,090
Cat. 3: $15,890
Cat. B: $18,180
Owner’s Ste: $22,190
Train
Tour/Itinerary
Dates
Europe
Golden Eagle Trans-
Across Siberia by Private Train:
2014 WB: Aug. 9-23; Sept. 6-20
P. 42-47
Siberian Express Vladivostok-Moscow (WB) or EB: July 27-Aug. 10; Aug. 24-Sept. 7
Moscow-Vladivostok (EB), 15 days
2015 EB: May 5-19; June 5-19;
Other itineraries, including July 26-Aug. 9; Aug. 22-Sept. 5
Winter Wonderland & Nadaam
WB: May 18-June 1; June 18-July 2;
Festival, available. See website.
Aug. 8-22; Sept. 4-18
Europe
Golden Eagle Trans-
Caspian Odyssey: 2014: October 16-31 (IRT Group)
P. 48-49
Siberian Express Yerevan-Almaty, 16 days 2015: October 15-30
Europe
Royal Scotsman
Classic: 5 days
2014 Classic: July 6, 21, 26; P. 50-51
Western: 4 days
Aug. 4, 15, 23; Sept. 1, 12, 22;
Grand North Western (GNW), Oct. 6, 13, 19 combines Classic & Western: 2014 Western: July 18; Aug. 1, 8, 29;
8 days
Sept. 5, 19; Oct. 3, 10
Other itineraries available.2015 Classic: April 20; May 11, 17, 21, 25;
See our website for details. June 1, 15, 22; July 1, 5, 20, 26;
Aug. 3, 14, 24, 31; Sept. 11, 21; Oct. 5, 12
2015 Western: April 24; May 1, 8;
June 12, 19, 26; July 17; Aug. 7, 28;
Sept. 4, 18, 25; Oct. 2, 9
Europe
Royal Scotsman
Classic Whisky Journey, 2015: April 27-May 1
P. 51
5 days
Silver: $16,595/$23,995
Gold: $19,995/$29,995
Imperial: $32,995/$47,995
Silver: $16,995/$24,995
Gold: $20,595/$30,995
May departures offer seasonal savings.
Europe
Al-Andalus
Seville roundtrip, 6 days
2014 & 2015: Departs most P. 74-77
Mondays from mid-March to
October
High season Standard: €3,135/ €4,703
Low season Standard: €2,850/ €4,275
High season Superior: €3,740/ €5,610
Low season Standard: €3,400/ €5,100
Europe
Danube Express
P. 78-79
Balkan Odyssey, Venice to
2015: May 4-12
Budapest, 10 days
Heritage: $9,795/$15,295
Deluxe: $15,395/$23,995
Silver: $20,995/$30,495
Gold: $26,495/$38,495
Imperial: $42,695/$63,995
Silver: $21,495/$31,295
Gold: $27,195/$39,495
Europe
Danube Express
P. 80-81
Balkan Explorer, Istanbul-
2015: July 3-14 (WB)
Venice (WB), or Venice-
2015: July 11-22 (EB)
Istanbul (EB), 12 days
Heritage: $10,595/$15,795
Deluxe: $16,995/$25,495
Europe
Danube Express
P. 80-81
Central European, Budapest to
2015: May 29-June 5
Prague, 8 days
Heritage: $6,795/$10,195
Deluxe: $11,895/$16,995
2014 & 2015 Pricing:
Classic: $6,530/$6,530
Western: $5,180/$5,380
GNW: $10,540/$10,540
Europe
Danube Express
P. 80-81
The Transylvanian, Istanbul to Budapest (WB), or Budapest-
Istanbul (EB), 8 days
Heritage: $4,995/$7,795
Deluxe: $10,195/$15,295
Europe
Royal Scotsman
P. 51
Country Homes & Gardens, 5 days
2015: May 5-10
$7,000/$7,000
Europe
Royal Scotsman
P. 52-55
Grand Tour: Scotland, England and Wales, 8 days
2014: July 11-18
2015: July 10-17
$13,460/$13,460
$13,460/$13,460
2014: June 4-8; Oct. 1-5
2015: May 20-24;
Sept. 30-Oct. 4
To Paris: $3,560/$3,560
To London: $4,080/$4,080
To Paris: $3,670/$3,670
To London: $4,200/$4,200
2014: Aug. 29-Sept. 3
2015: Aug. 28-Sept. 2
$9,000/$17,320
$9,270/$17,840
2014: Sept. 5-10
2015: Sept. 4-9
$9,000/$17,320
$9,270/$17,840
2014 NB: July 5, 12, 19; Aug. 9, 16; Sept. 13, 16, 20, 23; Oct. 4, 11, 25, 28; Nov. 1
2015 NB: March 14, 21; April 4, 11, 14, 18; May 2, 9, 12, 23;
June 9, 13, 20, 23, 27, 30; July 4, 11;
Aug. 8, 15; Sept. 15, 19, 22;
Oct. 3, 6, 10, 13, 24, 27, 31
See website for SB departures.
$6,910/$9,215
Cabin Suite upgrade: $2,150 p.p.
Europe
Venice Simplon-
Venice-Prague-Paris or P. 56-57
Orient-Express; London, 5 days
British Pullman
Europe
Venice Simplon-
Paris-Istanbul Annual Tour,
P. 58-63
Orient-Express
6 days
Europe
P. 58-63
Venice Simplon-
Orient-Express
Istanbul-Venice Annual Tour,
6 days
Europe
Venice Simplon-
Romantic Italian Holiday: P. 64-67
Orient-Express;
Florence-Venice-London (NB), British Pullman
6 days
Europe
El Transcantábrico
Santiago-San Sebastian (EB),
2014 & 2015: Departs most P. 68-71
Gran Lujo
or San Sebastian-Santiago (WB), Saturdays from April to October
8 days
$6,530/$6,530
$7,190/$7,190 (tentative)
Cabin Suite upgrade: $2,210 p.p.
High season: €4,250/ €8,500
Low season: €4,250/ €8,500
See website for 2014 pricing.
Early booking discounts apply.
2015: June 10-17 (WB)
2015: June 29-July 6 (EB)
Europe
Danube Express
Treasures of Eastern Europe, 2015: July 28-August 8
P. 80-81
Prague-Budapest, 12 days
Europe
Glacier Express; Switzerland’s Classic Routes,
2014 & 2015: Available year round
P. 82-83
Bernina Express 8 days or 15 days
Recommended to travel
Golden Pass
May through September
Heritage: $10,595/$15,795
Deluxe: $16,995/$25,495
Europe
Flåm Railway Arctic Circle Express: 2014: June 6, 13, 20, 27; P. 84-85
Stockholm to Oslo, 15 days
July 4, 11, 25; Aug. 1, 8
2015: June 5, 12, 19, 26;
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Aug. 7
South America
Hiram Bingham;
Peru’s Machu Picchu & 2014 & 2015: Available year round
P. 86-87
Andean Explorer
Cusco, 8 days
High Season: £2,925/£3,510
Low Season: £2,845/£3,430
High Season: £3,045/£3,690
Low Season: £2,945/£3,590
North America
Canadian (VIA Rail) First-Class Rail across Canada:
2014 & 2015: Departs Sundays
P. 88-89
& Rocky Mountaineer
Toronto-Vancouver (WB), and Thursdays, late April 13 days, or Vancouver-Toronto
through September
(EB), 12 days
Ranges from $5,028 to $8,149
(+applicable taxes). Rates vary
depending on date of departure,
direction of travel and service level.
North America
Rocky Mountaineer Canadian Rockies Western
P. 90-91
Explorer, Vancouver-Calgary
(EB) or Calgary-Vancouver (WB), 8 days
2014 & 2015 EB: Departs
Mondays & Thursdays
2014 & 2015 WB: Departs
Tuesdays & Saturdays,
Mid-April through September
(+applicable taxes).
See page 91 for full 2015 chart.
North America
Amtrak’s Empire
Glacier Park Discovery Escorted, P. 92-93
Builder
Chicago-Seattle, 9 days
Australia
Indian Pacific/The Ghan Australia Rail Extravaganza,
P. 94-95
17 days
2014: See website for dates/pricing
2015: 15 departures, June-Sept.
$3,399/$4,749
Upgrade to bedroom: $450/$1,150
2014 & 2015: Departs most
Wednesdays year round
$9,685/$16,657 AUD
Upgrades available – see website.
One to Watch
Seven Stars
Hakata roundtrip, 4 days
Departure dates not available
P. 98-99
at press time. Please call. 2014 Pricing, 15-Day Tour:
CHF 6,600/ CHF 9,962 (4*)
CHF 7,810/ CHF 11,950 (5*)
See page 82 for 8-day tour pricing.
$7,080/$11,740
Puno extension: $1,765/$2,150
2015 (tentative): $7,695/$12,760
Puno extension: $1,915/$2,335
Suite: ¥430,000
Deluxe Suite A: ¥600,000
Deluxe Suite B: ¥700,000
For the most up-to-date information, sign up for our email news at
WWW.IRTSOCIETY.COM
96 |
Japan’s Exclusive Seven Stars
The Train: Seven Stars • Train Type: Luxury
All photos courtesy of Kyushu Railway
The train
W
e’ve yet to ride this train
(you’ll see why below.).
We hope to try it soon.
We include it here
because of its stunning design and
unique itinerary.
The Japanese cruise train
Seven Stars in Kyushu is the
world’s only luxury rail service
that holds lotteries to decide who
gets to go. Then the privileged
few have the opportunity of
paying as much as $7,000 per
person for a four-day, three-night
trip.
The train has been a smash hit
in Japan. It debuted in October,
2013, and immediately sold out
to Japanese travelers for the next
eight months. Bookings were
opened to non-Japanese guests in
January, 2014. According to press
reports, the Seven Stars takes
luxury to a new level.
“Apparently the train’s
designer, Eiji Mitooka, drove his
team mad by insisting on such
details as irregular-sized windows
to make each carriage different,”
said Bee Rowlatt, writing in
the Telegraph following a preinaugural press trip for European
journalists.
“Mr. Mitooka’s face was among
the crowds on the platform as
the Seven Stars pulled out of the
station, with the wistful look of
someone sending their child off
to university.”
The train normally carries
28 passengers. Fourteen guest
98 |
ONE TO
WATCH
!
rooms (12 suites and 2
exclusive deluxe suites),
a dining car, and a
lounge with bar are all
fitted with exquisite
woods, fabrics and
beautifully decorated
with magnificent
ceramics from Kyushu.
Guests dine on locally
sourced cuisine freshly
prepared on board.
Off-train excursions
include visits to Mount
Aso, the largest active volcano
in Japan, located in Aso Kuju
National Park. Another is to
Yufuin, a town famous for its
natural hot spring spas.
The itinerary we offer here is
the longer of the two (the other
is two days, one night). IRT has
developed a two-week Japan
tour that incorporates the Seven
Stars train trip. Please call if this
intrigues to get on the list.
The Itinerary
Departure dates not available
at press time.
Day 1: Hakata-Yufuin
Seven Stars departs Hakata
Station mid-morning and
travels to Yufuin Station, where
passengers enjoy a welcome
ceremony. Free time to walk
around this popular tourist
town or enjoy tea time on the
train. Dinner served on board.
Day 2: Miyazaki- Hayato
Enjoy fresh vegetables from
Miyazaki for breakfast while
watching the changing
tropical views of the sea and
sky unfold before your eyes.
From Hayato station, board the
Seven Stars bus and head for
your chosen accommodations,
while enjoying views of Mount
Kirishima. Tonight you will stay
at your chosen ryokan, sample
the local cuisine and have
the opportunity to bathe in a
soothing hot spring. Overnight
in traditional Japanese ryokan.
Day 3: Hayato- Kagoshima
After breakfast at your ryokan,
take a relaxing stroll at the
beautiful “Tenku no mori”
private resort. Here passengers
have the opportunity to plant
a memorial tree, and enjoy a
specially prepared lunch. In
the afternoon the train heads
for Kagoshima-Chuō station.
Disembark and admire the
“Sengan-en” Japanese garden
residence, once the home of
the Shimazu clan, who ruled
the Satsuma domain (present
day Kagoshima). Alternatively,
passengers can experience
Satsuma ware painting at the
Chin Jukan kiln, then experience
a tea ceremony at an exclusive
teahouse.
Day 4: Aso-Hakata
Breakfast of fresh vegetables
will be served in a special room
at Aso station, with scenic views
of Kumamoto and Aso. The train
then heads for Oita, and lunch is
a selection of local cuisine of the
Oita region. To end the journey,
a farewell event will be held on
the train before arriving at the
final destination, Hakata station.
The highlights
• Enjoy Kyushu’s dazzling
sunlight, towering mountains
and glittering sea through
the train’s immense picture
windows
• Delight in the dining car chef’s
array of seasonal delicacies, and
further explore Kyushu’s cuisine
off-train at included restaurant
visits
• Spend a night off-train in
a traditional Japanese inn
(ryokan) situated next to a
natural hot spring
• Optional visit to traditional
Japanese gardens
• Optional visit to painters
of Satsuma ware, along with
exclusive tea ceremony
2014 pricing
Suite: ¥430,000
Deluxe Suite B: ¥600,000
Deluxe Suite A: ¥700,000
2424 Frankfort Avenue, Suite 2
Louisville, Kentucky 40206
502.897.1725
Fax: 502.897.1729
800.478.4881
www.irtsociety.com
Travel with Us on The World’s Top 25 Trains
®
l
a
y
o an
R
e
Thotsm ELERS
Sc TRAV
IETY
OC
HE S
T
NAL ®
ATIO
RN
NTE
OF I
AY
ILW
RA
THE
SOC
THE PRI
DE
ss
expre
r
e
i
s
c
a
e
l
g
expr s
a
n
i
n
r
e
b
CELEB
RATIN
G
IETY
OF IN
THE W
ORLD
TERN
’S TOP
ATIO
N
AL R
AILW
AY TR
AVEL
ERS ®
OF AFRI
CA
25 TR
AINS
SINCE
1983
•W
WW.IR
TSOC
IE
IND
PACIAN
TY.CO
M
IFIC
Moon light
graphic
Works
3
SINCE 198
TRAINS
D’S TOP
®
THE WORL
G
IN
AT
CELEBR
l
nationa
of inter
y
s
t
r
ie
c
e
o
l
the s
trave
nn
wayTSOCIETY.COM n
railW
W.IR
nnnW
TH
TR E SOC
C
EL
TH EBR
A
E
TO WOR TING
SINP TRA LD’S
CE INS
198
3
Pride of Africa (Africa)
Blue Train (Africa)
Shangri-La Express (Asia)
Palace on Wheels (Asia)
Deccan Odyssey (Asia)
Maharajas’ Express (Asia)
Eastern & Oriental Express (Asia)
Golden Eagle (Europe)
The Royal Scotsman (Europe)
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe)
British Pullman (Europe)
Al-Andalus (Europe)
El Transcantábrico (Europe)
Danube Express (Europe)
Glacier Express (Europe)
Bernina Express (Europe)
Golden Pass Panoramic Express (Europe)
Flåm Railway (Europe)
Royal Canadian Pacific (North America)
Canadian (North America)
Rocky Mountaineer (North America)
Hiram Bingham (South America)
Andean Explorer (South America)
Indian Pacific (Australia)
The Ghan (Australia)
www.irtsociety.com
800.478.4881
502.897.1725

The IrT SocIeTy`S BeST-loved Railway journeys 2014

Transcription

Similar documents

Lucas Greenhouse Overdevest Nurseries Centerton

Womenfest Guide 2016

brochure - Cades Cove Heritage Tours

Creating Good Memories through Music and promoting international

The Teetotaler`s Tour

Omvivo Corian Invite - [v] style + imagery

Warner Brothers VIP Studio Tour

Coastal Explorations The Ozello Walkabout

Join this beautiful combined tour with Yoga, Meditation and

Summer Tour July 14-16, 2016 Being Good Stewards for the Next