Life On The Rails

The launch of three new luxury trains this year heralds in a new golden age of rail travel. Here’s our pick of the world’s greatest new and established train adventures.

- Nick Walton

One of the most anticipated new trains to launch in Japan this year, complementing the existing – and coveted – Seven Stars in Kyushu rail cruise, the Twilight Express Mizukaze departs Kyoto, Osaka and Shimonoseki stations to explore unspoiled and rarely visited western Japan, with visits to Matsue, Izumo and Miyajima, and opportunities to take in the natural beauty of the Sea of Japan, Mt. Daisen, and the Seto Inland Sea islands. With Art Deco lines and the amenities of a five-star hotel, the train caters to just 30 passengers across six sleeper carriages. Each day gourmet meals by acclaimed Japanese chefs Yoshihiro Murata and Hajime Yoneda showcase the best of washoku (Japanese cuisine) using locally-sourced ingredients.

Enjoy the majestic landscapes of Ireland aboard the Belmond Grand Hibernian, the first luxury overnight train to grace the Emerald Isle’s rails in a generation. With a distinctly contemporary take on Dublin’s iconic Georgian architecture, the train’s 20 sumptuous cabins cater to just 40 guests; each boasts wardrobes, writing desks, private ensuites and picture windows through which train lovers can enjoy ever-changing vistas during two, four, and six-night journeys; for the ultimate indulgence, opt for the seven-day Grand Tour of Ireland during which you’ll enjoy whiskey tastings at the Jameson distillery in Dublin, learn falconry at Ashford Castle, and dine on innovative produced laced with locally-sourced ingredients.

South America is presently one of the most sought-after destinations by affluent travellers, and the recent launch of the continent’s first luxury sleeper train, the