What better way to enjoy the scenery of the Italian, Spanish or even French countryside than by taking a luxury rail service to do so. Often disregarded as a form of transportation in comparison to cars, and planes, due to factors such as Inflexibility of Routes and Fragmented Ticketing & Systems. Luxury trains are far more lavish and ornate than trying to rent a car in a foreign country. With many trains offering food services, private suites with various amenities, and on board lounges, the luxury railway industry is one that lives up to its ritzy title. 

Venice, Italy's train, Simplon-Orient-Express, is one of the most luxurious trains in the world, having made itself the scene of Agatha Christie's acclaimed, Murder on the Orient Express. Following the theme of a 1920’s vintage art deco design in its cars, this Venetian locomotive is adorned with walls of sparkling navy and gold, and can seat up to 108 passengers with the recent addition of  eight new cars. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers a variety of different guest suites, with the largest being their Grand Suite which holds a double bed, a separate living area as well as an en-suite bathroom finished with a private toilet and sink. Their gastronomy services operate on a primarily fixed menu, their table d’hôte system is included in the cost of your journey, and caters to Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Lunch and Dinner. Their morning food services typically contain a set spread of food that is privately delivered directly to your cabin by your own personal steward. Whilst their evening food services consisting of multi-course meals located either the Côte d’Azur, Étoile du Nord, or L'Oriental restored 1920’s restaurant carriages. Dinner generally consists of an amuse-bouche, starter, main course, cheese selection, dessert, and petits fours. This is just one of the wide array of overnight stay options that this train offers to its guests. Providing an all around luxury experience for guests who are looking to transport their luxurious lives to the extravagant world of luxury railway travel. 

El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo is considered Spain's most premier and sought out luxury rail service. With the train slowly piling on the narrow-gauge rails in the North of Spain between Santiago and San Sebastián, this train offers an intimate luxury experience for its guests as it only holds 28 passengers. El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo consists of a panoramic lounge car, followed by two dining cars and a bar car, in which live music and entertainment is offered nightly, immersing passengers in the rich Spanish culture against the backdrop of the Spanish countryside. With a focus on fine dining, emphasis is on traditional Spanish cuisine being at the forefront of the menu. Many lunches are in their local restaurants, allowing for guests to sample the regional cuisine that varies from Galician region fish specialties, to meat dishes being served between the Basque country and León. Their world renowned menu includes some of the most prestigious cheeses, sausages, meats, seafood and many more. Not forgetting their vast table wine selection, that seamlessly blends with the ingredients of each meal. Their Gran Lujo is riddled with staff who are accommodating to their guests needs and desires, offering each and every passenger on board this luxury train an experience they will never forget.

Panoramic Lounge Car/ Cuisine aboard El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo  

France is home to one of the most sought after train services in the world. Their L’Orient Express train is also themed with a 1920’s art deco style that combines riches and class with sophistication and travel. The train has yet to Views from L’Orient Express be unveiled and used by the public as it is awaiting its 2027 release. However, next year L’Orient Express will allow travellers to re-enter the legendary train car that was formerly known as the Nostalgie-Istanbul- Orient-Express.

This reinstitution into high society is very near and dear to lovers of luxury travel. With an in board exhibition of art, L’Orient express is a proud partner of the centennial of Paris’s 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts. An accommodation so rare and unique that it is bringing guests to expose themselves to a world of luxuriant knowledge, by intertwining rail travel with a deep adoration for the arts and meshing the worlds of travel and art into one immersive experience.