Luxury is a another Great plus for Rail Plus
Download this page in PDF formatTwenty-three luxury rail experiences are featured in Rail Plus’ 2011 Great Train Journeys of the World brochure released this week.
Luxury trains in Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa, India, New Zealand and Australia are featured in this 24-page brochure, the third of its kind produced by Rail Plus, Australasia’s largest supplier of rail product.
Rail Plus’ national sales and marketing manager Greg McCallum expects the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (from $3700 per person), The Royal Scotsman (from $3940 per person) and Rocky Mountaineer (from $719 per person) will again be the best sellers.
“Generally, the demand for exotic and luxury rail journeys is growing, especially through the discerning baby boomer and group incentive market,” he said.
“While offering access to some really wonderful regions of the world, there is a strong sense of indulgence and bragging rights with these fabulous rail experiences,” he said. “When we introduced this range a few years ago, we proclaimed to agents that the product was akin to the cruise experience and we believe the market is endorsing that sentiment.”
Given that demand, Rail Plus has expended the choice for next year with five new journeys — the vintage train El Expreso de La Robla (north from Gijón to Santiago on the Holy Saint James itinerary, or along the traditional La Robla line from Bilbao to León), Chronicles of Asia on board the Eastern and Oriental, Victoria Express from Hanoi to Sapa, and the Journey through Central Asia and Trans Mongolian by Private Train.
The 14-day Journey through Central Asia (from $4790 per person in a two-berth sleeper), for example, is from Ashgabat to Astana and presents the cultures of the legendary Silk Road and some seven UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Tien Shan Mountains, the Central Asian countries of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are richly endowed with history and culture, a flavour of which is offered on this journey by private train.
The price includes five nights in upper middle or first class hotels, seven nights on the train, all meals as per the itinerary, sightseeing and entrance fees, guided transfers, lunch/dinner with an Uzbek and a Turkmen family as well as in a Madrasah with folklore, wine and vodka tasting. And there’s a doctor on board!
