Traveling in a luxury train is an adventure—the good kind. Today’s premium sleeper cars are more classy than ever before with plush linens, luxurious tapestries, king-sized beds, rich carvings, flat screen TVs and large marble en suite bathrooms. The fairytale train experiences from a bygone era are back with overt-the-top amenities and comforts that you deserve. Fly your private jet to your initial international destination and book one of the sleeper cars on the finest luxury railways.
Royal Canadian Pacific | Canada
While there aren’t any luxury passenger trains in the U.S., you don’t have to go far to find one. Based out of Calgary in Alberta, the Royal Canadian Pacific takes passengers through the Rocky Mountains, Columbia River Valley and Crowsnest Pass for a sightseeing excursion. The Art Deco sleeper cars once had guests like King George VI, Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth II, who gave the railway its “Royal” title. The sleeper cars are individually designed, lined with Russian Circassian walnut with maple carving inlays and include details like Turkish Drapes, period furnishing and the original brass radiators. The train stops at night so you don’t miss any of the scenery and wildlife. Rates start at $7,853 per person for a six-day, five-night Canadian Rocky Mountain journey. To learn more, visit: (http://www.royalcanadianpacific.com/)
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express | Europe
From the moment that you see the Lalique glass panels, Art Deco marquetry and wood-burning stove, you’ll know that you’re in for an old-world, opulent experience aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient Express. The luxury Cabin Suite is a sleeper car made up of two interconnecting cabins that you can use as two separate sleeping quarters. Alternatively, use one cabin for sleeping and the other with its table, banquette-style sofa and footstool as a private lounge. While there are no showers on the train, your fare covers the cost of stays at five-star hotels every other night. The rate for a double-occupancy, two-night trip from Paris to Venice is $6,620. To learn more, visit: (http://www.orient-express.com/web/vsoe/venice_simplon_orient_express.jsp)
The Eastern and Oriental Express | Thailand
When you think of the Eastern and Oriental Express, imagine colonial-era lavishness. The Presidential Suite is the must-book sleeper car with its 125 square feet of space, burr elm and cherry walls with inlayed Thai Malay motifs. During the day, your car is a private lounge with rattan chairs, a banquette-style sofa and writing desk at the window. At night, the staff converts the car into intimate sleeping quarters. And, yes, there is an en suite bathroom. When you need a refreshment, enjoy the complimentary in-cabin bar. A trip from Bangkok to Singapore in the Presidential Suite starts at $4,420 per person. To learn more, visit: (http://www.orient-express.com/web/eoe/eastern_and_oriental_express.jsp)
Danube Express | Hungary
The Danube Express calls itself the “Hotel on Wheels” where you’ll enjoy the journey as much as the destination. The sleeper car to book is the Deluxe car, an 83-square-foot compartment with en suite bathrooms, antique brass fittings and heated towel bars. You’ll also find convenient details like lights with dimmer switches, mirrors, full-length wardrobes and windows that are simple to open (a rarity on trains). The remodeled and refurbished Hungarian cars that once transported government dignitaries take you to between central European capitals such as Istanbul to Prague. Fares for a four-day, three-night trip start at $3,777 per person. To learn more, visit: (http://www.danube-express.com/)
Rovos Rail | South Africa
Charter a private jet to South Africa, if you are looking for a more personal expierence. The owner of Rovos Rail, Rohan Vos, is so proud of his railway that he personally greets the passengers as they board they train. Rovos Rail takes you to a variety of destinations throughout Africa, like Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Dar es Salaam and Cairo. Some of the routes even take you to wildlife reserves or premium golf courses. The sleeper car to book is the 172-square-foot Royal Suite. The car has a king-sized bed, en suite bathroom with a full Victorian bathtub and even a separate lounge area. You’ll even find a personal refrigerator stocked with complimentary refreshments. A “short trip” that’s two nights and runs from Cape Town to Pretoria starts at $2,973 per person for a double-occupancy car. To learn more, visit: (http://www.rovos.com/)
About Solairus Aviation:
Solairus is a US-based private aviation services company whose core business is assisting aircraft owners with the safe, reliable, and efficient management and operation of their aircraft. Our services are customized to meet the client’s individual travel and financial requirements, and to support their flight operation with the highest standards of safety and personalized service, regardless of the location of the aircraft.
Solairus was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Solairus has over twenty-five base locations across the United States, Europe and Asia, employing more than two hundred flight crew and support personnel to operate a fleet currently numbering over fifty aircraft. Solairus is an Aviation Research Group/US Platinum-Rated and Wyvern Wingman certified charter operator. Solairus has also received the NBAA Commercial Business Flying Safety Award and is an IS-BAO stage two certified company. Solairus offers a full range of services in addition to aircraft management, which includes aircraft charter sales, aviation support services, and consulting. For more information about Solairus Aviation, visit www.solairus.aero or call 800-359-7861.