“If a train is big enough and comfortable enough, with adequate service, you don’t even need a destination.”
If someone like Paul Theroux describes train travel in this way, little more can be added. The Great Railway Bazaar, 1975 chronicles his round trip 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, contemplative and very pleasant way of traveling, which in recent years has regained all the glamor of the early twentieth century.
In his stories, Theroux often travels on historic and luxurious trains, providing a window 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.
La Belle Époque, the maximum splendor of trains
The Belle Époque was a period of prosperity and cultural progress in Europe that lasted from the end of the 19th century until the outbreak of World War I in 1914. During this period, rail travel experienced a remarkable boom and became a symbol of class and modernity.
This was a great boost to luxury in tourism. The Orient Express, inaugurated in 1883, symbolizes this era of elegance in rail travel with its luxurious restaurant 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, contributing to the rise of tourism in general.
There were also major technological advances, including improvements in heating and ventilation systems and in the comfort and safety of the cars, which enhanced the travel experience.
In terms of design, the trains of the era reflected the style and aesthetics of the Belle Époque, with opulent Art Nouveau or Art Deco interiors, high-quality materials and detailed finishes that created a unique and luxurious travel experience.
A journey through railway luxury
Train travel became a social and cultural event. Trains were often frequented by the social elite, and train stations became social meeting places for the wealthier classes and also for the most influential artists. Agatha Christie, in literature, and painters like Monet or Manet knew how to capture the style of a way of traveling and living.
The train was also the protagonist of the first moments of cinema with the 50-second film L’arrivée d’un train à La Ciotat by the Lumière brothers. It is one of the first moving images and was made in 1895. The movie shows a steam train arriving at La Ciotat station in Bouches-du-Rhône, France.
In short, the Belle Époque was a golden age for rail travel, marked by luxury, innovation, and a growing interconnectedness between different parts of Europe and beyond. Trains not only moved people from one place to another, but also offered an unparalleled travel experience that reflected the optimism and elegance of the era.
In the heart of the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century, trains emerged as iron giants that promised to shorten distances while offering a touch of adventure. Not just any kind of adventure, but an adventure of 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), only the elite could afford to travel between Paris and Constantinople.
Today, the legacy of the Orient Express lives on in Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and the same journey from Paris to Istanbul costs just over €20,000 per passenger.
Each car today is a meticulously restored relic of the 1920s and 1930s, telling the story of a bygone era. Although modernity has knocked on their doors, with the addition of contemporary comforts, the essence of the past prevails. A journey from London to Venice is not only a journey between cities, but also a journey through time. But don’t expect to find a bathroom in your suite, as historical authenticity is the order of the day and the compartments have only a sink, as in the days of Agatha Christie. A one-night voyage, but an unforgettable one, with gala dinners and vintage fashion shows on board.
Romanticism and luxury in today’s world
But Belmond doesn’t stop there. It also offers us the Royal Scotsman, a journey through the Scottish countryside where every turn reveals a new postcard of the landscape, while enjoying the local whisky in the train’s observatory.
For its part, the Accor chain has decided to immerse itself in this railroad experience with a new Orient Express that will travel through Italy, while in Portugal, the Presidential Train invites you to discover the Douro in an atmosphere that evokes the elegance of yesteryear.
Traveling outside of Europe: Luxury trains don’t stop. In Africa, the Rovos Rail takes you from the South African capital to the majestic Victoria Falls. While in Peru, the Belmond Andean Explorer immerses you in the beauty of the Andes.
European aesthetics give way to Asian innovation on the Shiki-Shima in Japan, a train that redefines luxury with its futuristic design and suites that are works of art. In Malaysia, Belmond’s newly launched Eastern & Oriental Express is a window into the cultural diversity of Southeast Asia.
In this renaissance of rail luxury, every journey is an ode to history, a tribute to engineering, and an invitation to see the world from a different perspective. So the next time wanderlust calls, consider answering it with a train ride. On these luxurious odysseys, the destination is beautiful, but the journey… The journey is simply unforgettable.
Madrid – Barcelona – Colombia
