europe adventure travel

Once feared lost to another age, the fabled train of regents and millionaires was restored to service in 1982. Today, the world's most celebrated train: the VS Orient Express criss-crosses Europe pursuing an intriguing itinerary of exotic and romantic points of call. From London and Paris to Prague, Lucerne, Budapest, Bucharest and Istanbul... its luxurious carriages, services and amenities have set the standard for the global resurgance in luxury rail. Varied itineraries, March to November.

Crossing Bavaria's Franconian North, Central Europe's distinctive private train slips through Moravian Bohemia to penetrate the stunning countryside of the Transylvanian Plateau. Beyond Budapest, the Express sweeps the Pannonian Plain to the Bospherous where Istanbul gazes across the Asian frontier. Highlights include escorted and self-guided travel/tours from London to Brussels including transfer via Eurostar or other selected carriers. Trains operate year-round.
The Train: Reconstucted and refurbished "hotel on wheels" is headed by a modern electric locomotive. Itineraries: 2-night Bohemian travels between Brussels and Budapest via Nuremburg, Prague and Vienna; 3-night Transylvanian continues from Budapest to Istanbul. Packages: 4 and 10-night hotel/train combos offer extended Budapest and Istanbul discoveries. Guest quarters: Sleeping cars feature deluxe suites and classic 2-berth compartments. Dining: Amid an informal classic setting, fresh, local ingredients highlight a menu of regional specialties. Award-winning Szeremley Wines, from Hungary's Badacsony Region, are served. Reception: Piano lounge features complimentary beer and wine; and extensive cash bar. Selected features: 24-hour room service, private coaches, charters, car transport, gift boutique, handicap access, online booking.

"The king of trains and the train of kings." This is the real thing. The very locomotive described in Agatha Christie's famed novel leads a regal and vintage fleet down The Silk Road, across the TransSiberian Route, to Istanbul and around the Golden Ring. All trains provide a range of luxury onboard amenities. Two-day weekend tours are also offered.

Through olive groves, past Moorish castles, the restored luxury train threads the Andalusian countryside of Southern Spain. 7-day tour highlights: Old Cordoba, palaces at Granada, sherry cellars, Royal Spanish Riding School and Seville's famed Cathedral. Separate recreation and bar cars; two restaurant cars; choice of cabin classes..

Guests savor the eternal riches of the Iberian north from the medieval relics of Castilla y León, to the Basque culture of País Vasco to the mountainscape of España Verde -- Spain's lush green Biscay Bay coast. Highlights include León's 13c Gothic Cathedral, Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum and the Picos de Europa National Park. Trains operate year-round. The Train: Europe's only narrow-gauge luxury train features four separate lounge cars. Itineraries: Eight-day tour runs from Santiago de Compostela to León, or reverse. Travelers wishing to tour the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao are advised to depart from Santiago de Compostela to avoid Monday closings (July and August excepted). Guest quarters: Suite compartments for two feature private outside-access phone service; contain private bathrooms equipped with hydro-saunas, turbo-massage and steam baths. Third party (child) bunks are available on a limited basis. Dining: All-inclusive dining includes daily breakfast buffets, served en train. Lunches and dinners are provide by prestigious en route restaurants noted for their use of local ingredients in creating classic and regional specialties. Wine, coffee and liqueurs are complimentary. Diversions: Four separate lounges, all with large picture wondows, include: classic bar car; Pub Carriage with bar and dance floor; plus two additional cars offering library and board games.Selected features: 24-hour room service, charters, laundry service, special diets, handicap access, online booking.

"The Trans-Siberian Line of Sweden" hosts cultural and wilderness discovery packages offering rare glimpses of Sweden's Arctic north. Guests encounter Lap villages, herds of reindeer and cascading rapids; and enjoy plenty of time for hiking, canoeing, fishing... and even golf! Optional add-ons range from wildlife safaris to a midnight sun tours. Choice of 5- and 6-day itieneraries.