Exploring the world by train isn't a new concept, but exploring it in luxury is. There's magic in the notion of jumping on a train destined for anywhere, with no worries about navigation or stress over directions. The hardest part is finding your seat and from that point on, it's all relaxing, taking in the views, and maybe having a bite to eat.
There's also an old-fashioned charm in experiencing the joy of a fancy train ride. Accompanied by incredible views, and this can easily be a once in a lifetime experience for travelers. It's not every day that one gets to take in the countryside or mountainscape from a train window, and this is one chance that should be taken, should it ever arise. It's a heck of a lot easier than trekking to a mountain summit for views, that's for sure!
Glacier Express In Switzerland
The Glacier Express is a well-known train route that takes passengers through Zermatt and St. Moritz. The train travels between two resorts, giving passengers the chance to ride either way.
Along the ride, passengers will experience the stunning beauty of the Swiss Alps in a way that few can. With mountain views from the safety of a train car, a snowcapped background is a perfect way to see Switzerland in its purest form. This trip includes a whopping 291 bridges and reaches a height of 6,706, ensuring passengers get a full-range view of the underlying pastures, valleys, and glacial peaks.
This route is also well-known for Landwasser Viaduct, which takes the train straight down into a tunnel carved into the mountainside, after traveling along its 200-foot long archway.
TranzAlpine In New Zealand
New Zealand is beautiful no matter which angle you're looking at it, but the TranzAlpine train introduces passengers to new and untamed views. Here, passengers can see the country's Southern Alps as the train traverses the Waimakariri River and speeds forward into the snow-capped summit of the mountains following.
Rovos Rail’s Namibia Safari In South Africa
Most people enjoy taking in the sights of South Africa from Cape Town, but this train lends itself to a unique type of safari adventure.
This route spans roughly 2,000 miles from Pretoria to Swakopmund. Along the way, passengers will take in the sights of both the Kalahari and Namib deserts. The sheer amount of history passengers will be submerged in is also part of this route's charm; former gold rush towns are dotted along its trail and the final stop on the journey is German Hansa town.
The Flåm Railway In Norway
This short train ride - an hour tops - is nothing short of stunning. Despite its short route time, passengers still get a feel for what it's like to see Norway's beauty up close.
It's the steepest train route in Europe, reaching a height of 2,831 feet at its highest. In the span of an hour, passengers will see the waterfalls and deep ravines that Norway is known for. The journey ends at the Myrdal Station, which is beautiful on its own since it sits atop a mountain summit.