At one time, traveling by railroad was the best way for a first-class experience. Today, fewer people ride the rails, as it is often easier and more luxurious to fly. Did you know, though, that you can still find complete sightseeing vacation packages that have you travel via private railcar? These experiences can be quiet rewarding, allowing you to actually see the countryside and interesting tourist destinations without having to drive yourself. If you are interested in a private railcar journey, check out the following options for a unique travel experience:
The Orient Express
Contrary to its name, the famous Orient Express was actually a trans-Europe journey to the gateway of Asia: Istanbul, Turkey. You may be familiar with the romanticized tale of this famous journey from novels and movies such as Bram Stoker’s Dracula or Agatha Christie’s 1934 Murder on the Orient Express. Travellers could start in London, cross the English Channel and board the train in Paris, travelling through Munich, Vienna, and Budapest, Hungary. From Budapest they could choose the route from Belgrade (Serbia) to Athens, or alternately, through Bucarest, Romania, to Constantinople – what is now Istanbul, Turkey. From Turkey or Greece, world leisure travelers could opt to continue their journey by boat or other trains to destinations in the Middle East, India and beyond.
Today you can relive a taste of the past through at least one company that operates service along some of the same rail lines in restored vintage rail carriages. The Venice-Simplon Orient Express offers regular trips from London to Venice and less frequent trips between Venice and Istanbul. The same travel company also offers similarly-themed rail vacations in Malaysia/Thailand and across Australia.
The Trans-Siberian Railway
Another Europe to Asia rail journey is the Trans-Siberian Railway. This is the longest continuous rail line in the world, running over six thousand miles. You can start your seven-day journey in Moscow and see the countryside and a number of Russian and Asian cities on your way to Vladivostok, or you can opt for a much longer trip, with stops in locations like Irkutsk and Lake Baikal. Most people tend to think of a vacation as a trip to somewhere warm and sunny, but this railcar journey takes you into a beautiful winter paradise instead.
The Blue Train, Africa
Luxurious fine dining and unique African scenery come together on The Blue Train. Running through South Africa, this train is all about five-star luxury. The private cars are perfect for guests who like the finer things in life, and the dinner service, complete with fine local wines, is second to none. You can, of course, expect to pay more for a journey on The Blue Train, but overall, the experience is well worth the money.
Canada and the Canadian Rockies
VIA Rail of Canada likes to boast of “The Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World,” and they might be right. If you choose the full cross-continent journey across the world’s second largest country, you will experience a wide range of terrains from forests and farmland, rolling prairies and lake sides, to the majestic Canadian Rockies. On some trips you sleep on the train, while others you ride the train by day and stop for land tours and then stay overnight in a luxury hotel. The full-blown Coast to Coast vacation is 16 nights and 17 days – but well worth it if you have the time. Canada offers a rich variety of natural wonders and hospitality as well.
South America and the Andes
PeruRail is one of the highest railroad lines in the entire world, and these routes take travelers to a variety of destinations, including Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, and the historic city of Cuzco. The spectacular views from your railcar alone are worth the trip, and if you love culture, this is a great way to explore the ancient world of the Incas.
Almost all countries in the world, including India, Canada, Spain, Mexico, and, of course, the United States, offer railway tours. While some, like the Tran-Siberian and others listed above, can take up your entire one to two week vacation, others are great for simple day trips, or even just afternoon trips. For example, the scenic Stroudsburg Railroad on the east coast of the United States takes you into Pennsylvania farm country over just a short afternoon ride. Opportunities like this are available around the world. So, even if you do not want to spend your entire time on a train, you can add a railcar journey as part of your vacation.
When booking a trip by rail, keep in mind that not all trains offer private options. If you plan to make this the bulk of your journey, make sure that the railcar you are booking will allow for you to have a bit of privacy with your travel companions. Some trains only offer traditional seating, which can be uncomfortable and cramped on longer trips. Also, make sure you check on the accommodations for sleeping and eating. Although many lines offer eating and sleeping facilities, for some, this is about function not comfort. If you want a luxury vacation, make sure you do your research and choose a true five-star option.
The world is changing. With our fast-paced daily lives, most people are looking for the quickest way to get from point A to point B. Sometimes, though, the actual travel is the best part of the vacation. Do not overlook rail travel when planning your next vacation. If you are not sure which rail journey is right for you, work with a travel agent. Although we typically think of a travel agent as someone who plans cruises and resort vacations, they can also help you book a private railcar journey. These train trips can help you make memories that last a lifetime.
My wife and I go on a lot of cruises. It all started about 10 years ago when we got married. We honeymooned on the American Queen River Boat, a week long cruise up the Mississippi river. I must admit that was a fun trip. The boat could just pull up to the bank and drop a long gangway onto the levee and walk on or off…back then there was no security to go through…
Our second cruise a year later was aboard the Crown Odyssey, a smaller older ship, on a cruise through the Greek islands. What a trip! I discovered that I love old Greek and Roman ruins, and Mediterranean food is fantastic! Kathy says Greece has the best tomatoes of anywhere in the world. We had a blast, visiting places like Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, and Istanbul.
During that second cruise we built a website about the cruise and we would upload pictures and text to the site during our stops in port. We would find an internet café and do the uploading while sipping a cold drink. We have a photo on our site with Kathy seated at a computer at an internet café in Athens, and out the window over her shoulder you can see the Parthenon.
One of the best things about cruising is that you can see damned near everything you ever wanted to see by going on a cruise. For example, one day I told Kathy that if she could find a cruise where I could see the Egyptian Pyramids, then I would go. I think it took her all of about 20 minutes to book the cruise. Silly me. But hey…there I am at the pyramids and in front of the sphinx in Egypt. It turns out that the Pyramids are just a couple of hours by bus from the port of Alexandria.
Other places I’ve found myself on these cruises are eating French fries in a McDonald’s in Beijing, after seeing the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City! On that same cruise I had been to ground zero in Nagasaki Japan. Now I must admit I never thought I would ever be at ground zero where the Atomic bomb was dropped. Speaking of McDonald’s, there is one at Red Square in Moscow. I was there during our Baltic cruise. We docked for a couple of days in St. Petersburg, and took a plane to Moscow for a day.
Now I grew up in the days of the cold war, and it’s hard to get used to a McDonald’s in Moscow. Earlier on that trip I visited Berlin and we saw what was left of the Berlin Wall. It was simply remarkable for me to be visiting such places. Never thought I would find myself standing in East Berlin.
Ok so there are a lot of amazing destinations, but not all cruises are destination cruises. Some are what my wife and I call “Party” cruises. Not much to see at the ports of call, but lots and lots of partying. A recent cruise we went on to the eastern Caribbean was one of the most fun filled cruises I’ve been on. Kathy had been conversing with about 72 people who were going to be on the cruise on something called “Cruise Critics” a message board place where people meet to chat about cruises.
So we had cruise critic parties frequently on board the ship, and went to the shore excursions as a group. It was like doing everything with a whole boatload of best friends you were meeting for the first time.
I hope my wife keeps dragging me on these cruises…I’ll be kicking and screaming the whole way with a big grin on my face.
If you’ll be visiting Moscow while on vacation, you should take into consideration the wonderful sights and sounds of the city as well as the many tours which are offered for tourists year round.
One of the most popular of these tours covers the most beautiful places within Moscow. You’ll begin your tour at the Red Square and the Kitai-Gorod with the St. Basil’s Cathedral. This architectural wonder of the 16th century will be sure to amaze you. Lubyanka Square which houses the former KGB headquarters will be your next stop, and afterward you’ll visit the Bolshoi Theater with a view of the Kremlin from the opposite embankment.
You’ll also take a tour down New Arbat Street, which serves as an example of minimalist communist style architecture which was prevalent in the 60s. Also in this tour is the White House of Russia, Stalin’s skyscrapers, and Kutuzovsky prospect. The view here offers a panoramic view of Moscow of over 30 kilometers.If you’d like to get a better view of the Kremlin grounds, there are also tours available for showing you around the huge Grounds which houses many of the Cathedral’s and Patriarch’s Palaces located within Moscow.
The small city in the center of Moscow which once housed the Czars and Patriarchs of Russia contains all of Russia’s main cathedrals, such as Assumption Cathedral, Archangel’s Cathedral, and the Deposition of the Robe Cathedral. The Patriarch’s palace which is also houses here is a museum of seventeenth century life and art, which displays furniture and jewelry from the period. This age old palace dates back to 1640 and it incorporates the Church of the Twelve Apostles, which served as a private place of worship for the patriarchs.Each of these tours is guided by a professional English speaking guide which makes sure not only to inform you of the history of the places, but also the cultural and political aspects of Russian life in Moscow.
If you are looking for history then Moscow is going to provide just that, all the history you need. You will learn about the architecture culture and customs and what people do for a living in Moscow. One thing you want to see when you are in Moscow is the old and Andreesky Bridge. You want to see the bridge at night with all the lights sparkling. The other bridge to see is the Bogdan Khmelnitsky Bridge. Seeing this bridge at night is incredible, the lights light up the entire bridge and the surrounding area. Although there is more to Moscow then these two bridges, you definitely want to see them.
The Fraternity of Peoples fountain is just beautiful to see. Then you have the building or Ministry of foreign affairs, the Moscow international business center, the Riverside Towers and the Moscow monorail. These are popular places for visitors to see when they visit Moscow. Although Moscow is filled with so much history, you still want to have some fun. Take a boat ride down the Moscow River. It is a great way to see the city. The entire trip takes about an hour and a half while you can purchase drinks, snacks and beer onboard. It is a very nice relaxing trip for the entire family.
Everyone loves shopping and when you are in Moscow, it is no different. You must visit Vernisage at Izmalovo. You will find that this is the biggest outdoor market you have ever been to ever. There are paintings, crafts, souvenirs and even flea market items. You can find some awesome tapestries as well as Russian clothing. There are many cafes for seating outside or inside in this area. During the winter, it is a little cold outside, but many of the cafes have indoor seating where it is nice and warm.
Moscow has two casinos for a little different type of enjoyment. The Casino Metropol and the Beverly Hills Casino and Club are the places to spend some money and see if you can win. You might even enjoy a ballet or a rock concert at the State Kremlin Palace. On the other hand, if you want some real excitement tried the nightlife in Moscow. Your holiday to Moscow is never complete unless you take the time to spend the night on the town. Three bars come to mind in Moscow, the Red Bar, the Bunker and the City Space Bar and Lounge. These bars offer dance, disco, drinks and fun.
The only other thing in Moscow better than the nightclubs, the casinos and historical buildings as well as the sights is the hotels. You will find that the hotel that you pick in Moscow is going to have everything you need for an enjoyable stay. They all have conveniences such as microwaves, refrigerators, terraces, Internet and everything else you need to have a home away from home. A trip to Moscow is incredible and everyone should enjoy it.
Russia has always held a quiet mystique for travelers and casual observers. A large country stretching across both Europe and Asia, tourists find this country not only expansive geographically, but expansive in the history, sights and lore that it holds. A vacation to the capital city of Moscow is on the top of travelers’ lists across the globe. Tourists in the city are presented with a living history of the city and the country.
Moscow is littered with famous monuments, including a monument to the city’s founder, Yury Dolgoruky. Perhaps the most famous landmark in Moscow is Red Square, which is home to several famous sights. The tomb of Vladimir Lenin sits in Red Square, as does St. Basil’s Cathedral. In front of St. Basil’s is a monument to Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky, who, along with a volunteer army, helped to expel the Poles from the Kremlin which ended the Time of Troubles, an uneasy period of Russian history. The Lobnoye Mesto sits in front of St. Basil’s as well and was used for public ceremonies. It is now a popular sight for tourists in the city.
Perhaps most famously, Red Square is home to the Kremlin, the home of the current Russian president, on one side. The Kremlin itself has a history all its own and is one of the most cherished and interesting pieces of Russian history and pride. The State Historical Museum is another popular destination for tourists in Moscow as is Kazan Cathedral.
Alexander Garden runs the length of the Western Kremlin wall and holds the distinction of being one of the first public parks in the city. Alexander Garden is home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a war memorial to the Russian soldiers that died on the Eastern Front of World War II from 1941 to 1945. An eternal flame burns on the tomb which was lit from the Eternal Flame at the Field of Mars in Saint Petersburg. It was created in 1967 and is a must see while in Moscow.
Kilometre Zero is the point in Russia from which distances are measured. It is marked by a bronze plaque sitting in front of the Iberian Chapel. It is near the State Historical Museum and Moscow City Hall in Red Square.
Moscow is full of famous museums that shed light on Russia’s history. Heading to the museums is a great way to spend a Moscow vacation, as it will give insight into Russia’s history, which is an education in and of itself for most tourists. Some of the museums in the city are the Kremlin Armoury, Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of the Great Patriotic War (WWII) and Tretyakov Gallery. Others also exist which hold important pieces of Moscow culture and history.
Moscow is home to Luzhniki Stadium, the largest sports stadium in the country and home to the 1980 Summer Olympic Games, an Olympics in which the United States and 60 other countries did not partake. Many theaters, including the Bolshoi Theater, offer entertainment around the city.
