“The journey has its own lyrics

A duet of balanced motion

The rails and wheels in tune.”      

Richard L.Ratliff

There is something timeless about traveling by train. It slows down the pace and allows you to soak up grand stretches of scenery from the comfort of a palace on wheels. Rather than flying over vast expansive countries, you can immerse further in scenic delights that many will never see.  Luxury rail travel tours give you the opportunity to escape the mundane and exchange the cacophony of modern life for the gentle hum of the train on the tracks.

From industrious commuter trains that hug craggy cliffsides overhanging the Mediterranean to the grand dames that wind through thousands of miles of snowy white terrain, rail fans can find a journey that completely indulges their passion. Luxury Gold offers travelers the chance to add VIP Guided tours by train so you can dip your toe into the charms of some of the world’s best rail journeys. Read on to discover three of the most famous luxury rail tours that you can add onto your Luxury Gold journey.

DELVE INTO THE ROMANCE OF RUSSIA BY RAIL

Luxury Gold’s Remarkable Russia tour is truly a spectacle for the senses, but adding the Trans Siberian Express option raises this journey by degrees of magnitude.

After the decadence and historical wonders of St Petersburg and Moscow, it’s time to board to Golden Eagle for one of the greatest luxury train tours on earth. Journey deep into Russia to explore less visited cities and some of the most spectacular lake and mountainside destinations on the planet.

The Trans Siberian railway line stretches 9,288 kilometers from Moscow to Vladivostok, which makes it the longest single–service railway in the world. This extraordinary feat of engineering was opened in stages between 1891 and 1916, and it has become a lifeline for the communities that it passes through, providing work and links to wider Russia that could much more difficult to access via road.

Your home for the journey is a private en suite cabin with your own personal attendant to address any needs you may have, or offer advice on your stay. All your creature comforts are looked after onboard, so you can journey with the utmost ease. The elegant dining car is a welcoming place for all meals and the Executive Chef offers special meals that reflect the traditional dishes of each place along the way.

First stop is the city of Kazan, situated on the longest river in Europe, the River Volga. Embark on a city tour that takes in the many wonders of historical significance, including the striking blue-domed Kremlin, once the historic citadel of Russia. The following day you’ll awaken in the capital of the Urals, Yekaterinburg, where you’ll see the obelisk marking the divide between Asia and Europe as you sip Champagne with your fellow travelers.

After another night in the comfort of your hotel on wheels, Novosibirsk is the next stop, right in the heart of Russia. Here, a highlight is the Opera House in Lenin Square, one of the largest in the world and home to two ballet and opera companies.

Your journey on this remarkable route allows plenty of time for relaxation on the Golden Eagle, with diversions such as Russian lessons and engaging talks on local history and culture by expert guest speakers. Expansive windows let you appreciate the awe-inspiring views as this vast landscape sweeps by. Relax with a drink in the Bar Lounge Car with the sounds of the piano tinkling in the background.

You’ll spend the day in Irkutsk, also known as the Paris of Siberia, where you’ll visit the Volkonsky House Museum to see the lives of the failed Decembrists recreated. Spend a day chugging alongside the incredible Lake Baikal, which holds 20% of the world’s fresh water. You can take a refreshing dip, or simply capture some fantastic photos of its astounding beauty. Leave the train for a boat ride to a Baikal settlement to meet the local people and learn about the unique flora and fauna of the area at the museum and aquarium.

In Ulan Ude, the capital of the Buryat Republic, you’ll be treated to a concert amid the local people, hearing songs in their language and partaking in their traditions. Explore Ulaan Baatar in Mongolia and immerse yourself in the rich culture of country with its fascinating history dating back to Genghis Khan.

Your final day onboard will be spent passing through Khabarovsk on the River Amur. Soak up the last relaxing moments of this unforgettable train ride before reaching the military port of Vladivostok, which was closed to tourists for more than 60 years. This completes your journey on the Trans Siberian Express, which will live long in your memory.

FEEL THE SPIRIT OF THE 1920’S ON THE VENICE SIMPLON ORIENT EXPRESS

Stepping onto the Venice Simplon Orient Express is like taking a leap back to a more glamorous era, where train travel was not simply a means of getting from A to B, and the most popular rail travel tours were limited to the elite.

Now, you can get a taste of the 1920s and 1930s when you add the Venice Simplon Orient Express option to your Ultimate Italy tour with Luxury Gold. This lovingly-restored train has been traveling this route since 1982 and it was the setting for a series of “Whicker’s World”, a British television show where travel journalist Alan Whicker interviewed guests and celebrities as they traveled in style. Sir Michael Palin also took this train, spending the first leg of “Around the World in 80 Days” in sleeping carriage 3544.

After a leisurely tour that takes in the magnificence of Rome, the captivating Isle of Capri and the luscious food and wine of Tuscany, your Italian affair will lead you to magical Venice, where you can bask in the allure of the city before being whisked away on the Venice Simplon Orient Express to Paris.

Join the train in late morning, gently departing Venice Santa Lucia station, saying ciao to the City of Bridges. Pass through the pretty Padua before reaching the pink-hued buildings of Verona, and then emerging slowly into exquisite Alpine scenery. Afternoon tea is served, adding an element of culinary delight to this slow afternoon onboard. Mingle with fellow travelers in the Champagne Bar, or simply enjoy the view.

Dining is an integral part of your experience on board the Venice Simplon Orient Express, but not only for the epicurean splendor. Each dining car has its own personality, inviting guests into a bygone era where dressing up for dinner was non-negotiable. Step into Cote d’Azur to see the René Lalique glass, admire the stunning marquetry of Etoile du Nord and unwind among the flamboyant furnishings of L’Oriental.

Meals are a celebration, with seasonal ingredients carefully selected from the destinations the train travels through, such as fine shellfish from the shores of Brittany and tender vegetables from Provence. Special requests and dietary needs are catered for and every morsel is a delight. The French chefs deliver gourmet excellence every time, so you can be assured of a first class meal.

If you can peel yourself away from the stories at the bar, a restful night sleep awaits in your beautiful art deco cabin. While the rooms have been updated for modern comfort, you’ll still feel the glamor of another age. Plush seating is perfect to relax and gaze out on the passing scenery while the silky damask sheets invite you to snuggle in for a few winks before waking up in France.

Breakfast is served in your cabin at a time to suit you, as this marvellous train ride glides gently into the City of Light. There’s no better way to arrive in Paris for your stay.

GRASP THE GLORY OF THE ROCKIES ON THE ROCKY MOUNTAINEER

Imagine the icy peaks looming over you as you travel through national parks in a bi-level glass dome coach? Choose the Majesty of the Rockies with GoldLeaf Service to fully appreciate the grandeur of this scenery.

On Day three of your luxury guided tour through Canada, you’ll board the Rocky Mountaineer in Vancouver and leave the coastline to travel deep into British Columbia. The enormous windows provide you with sweeping views across the landscape, which changes from thriving green meadows into abundant firs that climb the mountainside.

You’ll experience exceptional service onboard from dedicated hosts alongside your Traveling Concierge. Be entertained by the stories of each landmark you pass, or spy the incredible wildlife as you sip on a refreshing drink. A delectable lunch is served in the lower lounge as the beautiful scenery unfolds outside the windows. If you fancy some fresh air, you can step onto the outdoor viewing platform to really stand amid the giant Rockies.

The first day’s highlights include Hell’s Gate in Fraser Canyon, a narrow tidal strait that the water rushes through, which makes for an exhilarating crossing. The steep slopes by Thompson river offer plentiful photo opportunities before you reach Kamloops, where you’ll bed down at a luxury hotel for the night.

The following morning, you’ll return to the Rocky Mountaineer for more dramatic vistas from your railway vantage point. Follow the North Thompson River through the Monashee mountains, where gold, copper and silver are mined from the foothills. Then the luxury train will wind through the Cariboo Mountains, a true wilderness with lofty serrated peaks and glacial lakes. See the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson, standing at 12,972 feet and climb over the Yellowhead Pass that straddles the Continental Divide. Another incredible feature of this area is the Pyramid Falls, which can’t be accessed from any trail, but the view from the Rocky Mountaineer is unsurpassed.

Arrive in Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for your stay at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge on the unspoiled shores of Lac Beauvert.

The coronavirus pandemic has been a huge blow for the travel industry, but it has also impacted many small local communities and indigenous groups who were reliant on tourism. The positive result of this is that many people are considering more responsible travel. Sustainable tourism is rightfully becoming the choice of travelers worldwide, as we move forward to a new era. It’s not simply enough to bring money into a community, it’s important that it is distributed fairly and in a way that preserves the culture and spirit in the most sustainable way possible.

Luxury Gold’s parent company, The Travel Corporation, have had sustainable travel at the forefront since 2008, when the Travel Corporation Conservation Foundation was founded, as a joint initiative among its brands. In 2012, that evolved into the TreadRight Foundation and six years later introduced the #MakeTravelMatter pledge and the three pillars of People, Wildlife and the Planet.

#MakeTravelMatter

This official pledge is a commitment to protecting our Planet, the People and Wildlife when we travel. It is making the choice to tread right as we travel, say goodbye to single use plastics, recycling, environment protection, honoring people’s homelands and treating them with respect. When experiencing wildlife, it is done in the creature’s natural habitat and not disturbing them.

As part of this commitment, TreadRight have appointed three ambassadors to help raise awareness of the inspiring projects that take place around the world and how travelers can make a difference. These three women are passionate storytellers and activists who promote meaningful travel and deeper understanding of the world around us.

Céline Cousteau became the first TreadRight Planet Ambassador in 2015. Then, in 2019, Sarain Fox joined as TreadRight People Ambassador and in 2020, Ami Vitale became the TreadRight Wildlife Ambassador. As we look at indigenous cultures, Sarain Fox amplifies the voices from those communities and encourages people to connect more with the stories when they travel.

Amplifying Indigenous Voices

Sarain Fox became involved with TreadRight through their first project in North America, the Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot School, which engages Indigenous artists and teaches the tradition of mukluk-making to Indigenous children, both preserving the tradition and offering economic opportunity to the artists, providing a platform to reach international markets. Travelers on Luxury Gold’s Indulgence in Eastern Canada tour can stop by the school at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto to learn more and see the wonderful artisans making moccasins and mukluks.

Born in Batchawana First Nation in Canada, Sarain is an Anishinaabe dancer, broadcaster and activist. She is known as being one of the country’s most prominent Indigenous voices and she is passionate about uplifting Indigenous people and helping them represent themselves, primarily in their communities but also on a global stage.

Sarain encourages travelers to respect and nurture the places they visit as well as looking for the thriving cultures that exist, that we may not be aware of. As we begin getting back to travel, we can seek out even more immersive experiences that enrich our minds and provide support for the people and places that we visit. Luxury Gold offers guests these opportunities through our  Perugia, Italy, Daintree National Park in Australia, and many more.

Identifying with a Destination Through Community Projects

Sarain’s work has taken her to other TreadRight projects across the globe, where she has found that sharing her own stories as an Indigenous person have encouraged other people to share theirs. In Perugia, Sarain spent time at the Laboratorio Giuditta Brozzetti, one of the last surviving hand weaving workshops in Italy, where it is possible to watch the ladies work on traditional looms that date from the 18th and 19th century. Seeing the similarities of her own traditions and hearing the stories from the Umbrian women about the history and techniques that are being protected and passed on, Sarain says that this understanding makes it easier to identify with the narrative of the place. Visitors can admire the beauty of the work, but also hear about the rich textile tradition and how it is interwoven with the place.

Sarain has also travelled to Peru to meet another TreadRight grand recipient, Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, the director of the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco. The Center aims to keep Cusqeñan textiles traditions alive and supports Indigenous weavers throughout the region. They provide educational opportunities and workshops and there is a distinct to maintain the unique ancestral styles that were in danger of dying out just 30 or 40 years ago. This has been Nilda’s work since the 1970s, and the TreadRight Foundation have given her the opportunity to expand those efforts, open a museum in Cusco and run an international event, Tinkuy: Gathering of Weavers, when people from Peru, Mexico, India and other places around the world come together to share weaving traditions and learn more about the Andean styles and techniques.

Indigenous Groups of Peru

Of the 32 million people living in Peru today, Indigenous peoples comprise 45%, and within that number, there are some 51 different groups. Many retain their links to a Pre-Columbian past, which gives the country its rich and varied heritage. By far the highest number of Indigenous groups are the highland Quechua, who have been at the forefront of agriculture in the country for over 600 years. They have drawn much attention from scientists and doctors, fascinated with how their bodies have adapted to live at such high altitudes. Spanish rule during the 16th century put strain on the Quechua way of life, but some traditions have remained.

Guests who embark on Luxury’s Gold Treasures of the Incas tour get the opportunity to discover more about these Indigenous groups through a variety of experiences on their adventure. From meeting Nilda and the weavers at the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, where over 500 individuals keep 10,000-year-old techniques alive, to seeing ancient salt mining techniques used by a Quechuan family in Maras, and even having the chance to try it out for oneself.

During Treasures of the Incas, guests also witness an ancient shamanic ritual that is practised by Quechuan people throughout the year called Pachamama. An offering of natural goods is prepared by families, consisting of cocoa beans, Amazonian flowers, incense, sugar, nuts, a splash of wine and vicuña wool, which is very expensive due to its scarcity. Sometimes the blood of a baby alpaca is added to the offering. This is bound up in a package that is blessed by the elders of the community, held against participant’s foreheads and finally wrapped in a colorful blanket that has been woven by the women in the community and placed in a homemade smoking oven. This is giving back to the Mother Earth, or Pachamama, the Inca goddess. This ritual has been practised for thousands of years and its purpose is to give thanks to Mother Nature for her gifts and keep a balance between man taking from the land and giving back to her. Local people express their deepest desires in the Pachamama ceremony, and if Mother Earth is appeased then her blessings will be abundant.

The Uros People of Lake Titicaca

Another Indigenous group that Luxury Gold guests meet on their Peruvian tour is the Uros of Lake Titicaca. This tribe pre-date the Incas, who many of the Quechuan’s are descended from, and they have preserved their fascinating way of life for hundreds of years.

The floating islands that the Uros live on are made from dried Totora reeds woven together. New layers need to be added regularly to replace the ones rotting from the water. The reeds are also eaten by the islanders, and used to make tea, which heals pain and cures hangovers! Some of these islands last 30 years when they are properly maintained, which is a testament to how they are managed by the Uros.

As more of the younger generation migrate to the land in seek of work and an easier life, the Uros have found that tourism is a boost to their economy, and a crucial element in keeping their culture alive. Luxury Gold guests will join locals for a lunch of regional specialties on Amantini island, and hear more about the unique way of life that stretches back to the time of the Incas.

Connect with Indigenous People on Your Travels

Luxury Gold affords travelers the opportunity to meet indigenous people in their villages and towns through experiences that directly support employment and help preserve heritage. When you see the people that have lived in an area for millennia, it changes your perspective and makes you more conscious of the impact we are making.

When planning every journey, sustainability is at the heart of each tour, so that tourist dollars are spent in the right way and truly support projects and people that live in each place we visit.

We invite you to join us in taking the pledge to Make Travel Matter so we can travel with purpose and improve the lives of those who are underrepresented. As Sarain Fox says, “Travel like you’re about to meet the most incredible person you’ve ever met and that they’ll teach you something new. Travel with an open heart and listen.”

Luxury Gold is a proud member of The Travel Corporation’s  (TTC) family of brands. The Tollman family behind TTC is guided by service and giving back. Together we believe that travel is a great privilege. With the education, compassion, and lifelong memories travel provides us also comes a great responsibility. At Luxury Gold, our mission is to ensure that travel has a positive impact on the planet we call home, the people and communities whose home we visit, and the rich wildlife we find there.

Luxury Gold does that in two ways: through our partnership with The TreadRight Foundation and through the implementation of our five-year sustainability strategy How We Tread Right (HWTR).

The TreadRight Foundation

The TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit organization created as a joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands. TreadRight has supported some 55-plus sustainable tourism projects worldwide to date. Support is provided through donations and grants to leading partners across the sustainable travel spectrum. These projects all fall under the three pillars of TreadRight: People, Wildlife, Planet.

1- PEOPLE – Community Support and Cultural Preservation

Luxury Gold enables communities to see the benefits from tourism through economic empowerment. Luxury Gold guests have the opportunity to enrich their journey by participating in a variety of unique community-led tourism experiences that directly support employment and preserve the community’s distinct heritage.

Meet Sarain Fox, TreadRight’s People Ambassador

Sarain amplifies the voices of her Indigenous community through preservation of culture and stories. “When we make authentic connections with local people our travel becomes infinitely richer. My First Nation Anishinaabe heritage serves as the lens through which I view the world, seeking to build a bridge to the people whose lands I am grateful to visit and whose stories I am privileged to tell. Throughout the Americas, you will find rich cultures to discover and support – and fascinating people to meet.”

Cultural Experiences That Make Travel Matter – Treasures of The Incas   

The Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco encourages a 10,000-year-old Andean textile tradition and provides support to the 500 individuals working in this heritage industry from the Cusco region. Meet Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, president of The Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco, and learn about her mission to preserve traditional weaving techniques and how she has succeeded in bringing weaving once more to the forefront of her community.

2. Planet – Conservation and Protection

We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our business and safeguarding the future of our planet. Initiatives include: targeting climate change, sustainable food production and responsible consumption through carbon management, renewable energy, the food cycle, waste reduction, and the elimination of single-use plastics.

Meet Céline Cousteau, TreadRight’s Planet Ambassador

Leading environmentalist and explorer, Céline has been highlighting various sustainable travel topics and showcasing amazing projects helping to protect ecosystems all over the world through her films. She has been TreadRight’s Planet Ambassador since 2015. We encourage people to hear the stories of local projects, discover what different communities are doing to protect our planet. If you can get involved and understand what people are doing, you can see where we, as humans can make a difference.

3. Wildlife – CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION

The world’s wildlife is balancing on a dangerous precipice, so it is our responsibility to help protect some of these species most at risk from extinction. Through Luxury Gold’s partnership with the TreadRight Foundation, we to help protect and rehabilitate elephant, rhino and big cat populations around the world, while also educating our guests on ethical wildlife experiences.

Meet Ami Vitale, TreadRight’s Wildlife Ambassador

Awarded “Best Image of the Decade” for her depiction of the final moments of a northern white rhino, former war photographer Ami Vitale captures compelling stories of wildlife and nature on film. Ami has travelled to over 100 countries and is committed to making a profound difference to the future of conservation. There isn’t just one thing you can do for the planet, there are many things, but one of those has to be choosing travel companies that offer ethical experiences. Supporting companies that choose sustainability means prolonging the existence of certain species.

Ethical Wildlife Experiences with Luxury Gold – Essence of India with Ranthambore

Visit the former private hunting grounds of the maharajahs of Jaipur, in search of the elusive Bengal tiger and other wildlife on an early-morning game drive. More common wildlife sightings in the dry, deciduous forests o Jaipur include wild boars, monkeys, spotted deer and antelope. Return to your resort for breakfast before you head out on another safari adventure into the National Park, led by an expert naturalist. Besides wildlife, you’ll discover lakes, palace ruins, traditional Chhatri and even a majestic 1,000-year-old fort.

How We Tread Right Strategy Implementation

Going beyond our partnership with The TreadRight Foundation How We Tread Right is our new five-year sustainability strategy. At the heart of this strategy are 11 goals, developed to address both the environmental footprint and the community impact of our business and operations. These 11 HWTR goals are anchored to the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development, which we’ve prioritized based on our impact potential. Our goals were developed in consultation with 30+ TTC brand and business leaders, as well as our Make Travel Matter Team, a passionate group of team members tasked with embedding sustainability at our offices and within our operations around the world.

Make Travel Matter (MTM) Experiences

NEW for 2022 at Luxury Gold Make Travel Matter Experiences  are conscious travel experiences available on our journeys. MTM Experiences are chosen with great care based on the positive social or environmental impact they have on their communities and those who experience them. Using a proprietary assessment tool endorsed by industry experts and developed exclusively for TTC’s family of brands, MTM Experiences are assessed against a robust set of criteria directly tied to the UN Global Goals. Through HWTR, we are committed to integrating at least one MTM Experience on 50% of our trips by 2025.

Take The Pledge – In It Together

As mentioned our ethos of #makingtravelmatter permeates our entire business and mandates that each member of the Luxury Gold team does his or her very best to walk the talk. As a global family connected through our love of travel and our commitment to sustainability, we have each signed the #MakeTravelMatter Pledge we hope that you will join us before embarking on your Luxury Gold journey.