The resurgence of luxury train travel

"A seat in the corner is enough, and you can be one of those commuters who keep moving, riding on the tracks, and never arrive or feel they should."

If someone like Paul Theroux describes train travel like this, little more can be added. The Great Railway Bazaar, from 1975, narrates his round-trip journey from London to Southeast Asia. Through his words, Theroux takes readers on a journey through changing landscapes, diverse cultures, and unique human experiences, all from the perspective of train cars. A slow, leisurely, reflective, and very joyful way of traveling that for some years now has been recovering all that glamour of the early twentieth century. In his stories, Theroux often finds himself traveling on historic and luxurious trains, providing a glimpse into the elegance of a bygone era. His detailed descriptions of the opulent interiors, fine dining, and exceptional service on these trains help readers appreciate the heritage and luxury associated with train travel.

The Belle Époque was a period of prosperity and cultural advancement in Europe, which lasted from the late 19th century until the outbreak of World War I in 1914. During this era, train travel experienced a remarkable boom and became a representation of class and modernity. 

This was a major boost to luxury in tourism. The Orient Express, which opened in 1883, symbolized this era of elegance in train travel, with its luxury dining cars, private compartments, and unparalleled service. 

In addition, routes were established connecting major European cities with more exotic destinations in the Middle East and beyond. Train travel offered a relatively quick and convenient way to explore new places, which contributed to the rise of tourism in general.

In terms of design, the trains of the era reflected the style and aesthetics of the Belle Époque, with opulent interiors designed in the Art Nouveau or Art Deco style, high-quality materials, and detailed finishes that created a unique and luxurious travel experience.

Technically, there were also great advances, including improvements in heating and ventilation systems, as well as in the comfort and safety of the cars, which enhanced the travel experience.

Train travel became a social and cultural event. Trains were often frequented by the social elite, and train stations became social gathering places for the wealthier classes as well as influential artists. Agatha Christie, in literature and painters such as Monet or Manet, captured the style of a way of traveling and living. The train was also a protagonist of the first moments of cinema with a film of barely 50 seconds, L'arrivée d'un train à La Ciotat, by the Lumière brothers. It is one of the first moving pictures and was made in 1895. The film shows a steam train arriving at the La Ciotat train station in Bouches-du-Rhône, France. 

In short, the Belle Époque was a golden age for train travel, marked by luxury, innovation, and a growing interconnection between different parts of Europe and beyond. Trains not only transported people from one place to another but also offered an unparalleled travel experience that reflected the optimism and elegance of the era.

At the heart of the 19th century's Industrial Revolution, trains rose as iron giants that promised to reduce distances while offering a touch of adventure. That said, not just any kind of adventure, but one decked out in luxury and comfort. One name stands out in the golden pages of this era: the Orient Express. From its maiden voyage in 1883, this train became the symbol of opulence on rails. With a fare of 300 francs (about 1,750 euros), only the elite could afford to travel between Paris and Constantinople.

Today, the legacy of the Orient Express lives on through the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, operated by Belmond and the same journey from Paris to Istanbul is just over 20,000 euros per passenger.

Each carriage today is a carefully restored relic of the 1920s and 1930s, telling stories of a bygone era. Although modernity has knocked on its doors, adding contemporary comforts, the essence of the past prevails. A trip from London to Venice is a journey not only between cities, but also through time. Just don't expect to find a bathroom in your suite, historical authenticity rules and the compartments only have a sink, as in the days of Agatha Christie. A one-night journey that nevertheless becomes unforgettable with gala dinner and vintage fashion shows on board.

Belmond doesn't stop there. It also offers us the Royal Scotsman, a journey through the Scottish countryside, where each bend reveals a new postcard of the countryside, while you enjoy the local whisky in the train's observatory.

The Accor chain, meanwhile, has decided to immerse itself in this rail experience with a new Orient Express that will travel through Italy. Meanwhile, in Portugal, The Presidential Train invites you to explore the Douro in an atmosphere that evokes the elegance of yesteryear.

If you're traveling outside of Europe, the luxury rail experience doesn't quite stop there. In Africa, the Rovos Rail transports you from the South African capital to the majestic Victoria Falls. Meanwhile, in Peru, the Belmond Andean Explorer immerses you in Andean beauty.

European aesthetics give way to Asian innovation with the Shiki-Shima in Japan, a train that redefines luxury with its futuristic design and its work of art suites. In Malaysia, the newly relaunched Eastern & Oriental Express by Belmond is a window into the cultural diversity of Southeast Asia.

In this renaissance of rail luxury, each journey is an ode to history, a tribute to engineering, and an invitation to explore the world from a different perspective. So the next time the wanderlust calls, consider answering it with a train ride, because on these luxurious odysseys, the destination is beautiful, but the journey... The journey is simply unforgettable.