New
fascinating voyages and detailed itineraries are on offer aboard each
train and cruise,
from cruising along
the stunning rivers in France and Myanmar, to travelling through the
picturesque and lush scenery of South-East Asia or wending through
the Alps to one of Europe’s great cities.
A
highlight of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express schedule is a series
of new and exciting voyages to Scandinavia where the world’s most
famous train will travel from Stockholm via Copenhagen for the very
first time. The inaugural journey will depart Venice on 8th April
2013 on a scenic and elegant two-night rail journey before making the
return voyage from Stockholm back to Italy via Copenhagen. Various
package options are
available.
Back
by popular demand and reintroduced to The Royal Scotsman’s season
is the Country Homes and Gardens journey, departing Edinburgh
Waverley on 7th June 2013, which is a scenic wonderland of unrivalled
beauty where one will discover some of Scotland’s finest homes and
gardens on a guided
tour with famous writer, Sue Shivers, and artistic
photographer, Patsy Floyd. Travelling along the eastern coast and
covering 720 miles, passengers will be seduced by some of the most
intoxicating landscapes Scotland has to offer while soaking in the
history of ancient castles and famous gardens. Prices start from €
5,180 per person for this fascinating four-night Highland voyage.
Whisky
lovers may be tempted by The Classic Whisky Journey, departing
Edinburgh on 21st April, in association with The Scotch Malt Whisky
Society. The trip, which is new for the 2013 season, will include
visits to well-known Scottish distilleries and led by an expert
Ambassador from the Society. In addition to the many whiskies on
board, guests will also be able to sample a variety of the
Society’s exclusive malts
along the way. Prices for the four-night journey start €5,270 per
person on an all
inclusive basis.
Other
extensions available for guests travelling on The Royal Scotsman
include Loch Lomond, Gleneagles and Edinburgh. Golf and Whisky
focused charters can also be arranged on request.
Also
new to The Royal Scotsman’s varied list of itineraries is an
extension aboard the luxury cruise-line Hebridean Princess,
offering guests the ultimate tour of Scotland. Five and
seven-night cruises of the beautiful Scottish Isles and
coastline are available to add to a journey aboard the train.
Myanmar
is becoming a key destination for many travellers and Orient-Express
has a host of journeys to tempt even the most travelled guests.
Orcaella,
the latest river cruiser by Orient-Express, will commence cruising in
summer 2013. The ship will meander the Ayeyarwady River between
Yangon and Bhamo, stopping at key cultural sites and towns as well as
dropping anchor at interesting sites off the beaten track. The nimble
vessel will also cruise the Chindwin River, passing
extensive mountain ranges, winding its way through western Myanmar as
far north as Homalin, just 30 miles from the Indian border.
Highlights of the schedule include seven and 11-night cruises,
providing passengers a rare opportunity to explore this magical
country’s rich heritage, natural beauty and friendly people,
further adding to Orient-Express’ portfolio offering enriching
journeys of discovery. Prices start from €3,880 for a
seven-night cruise per person.
Cruising along
the Ayerwaddy River for over 17 years, the Road To Mandalay, will set
sail on its 11-night expedition to Bhamo. The journey will depart
three times in 2013 from Mandalay on 14th and 28th August, and 11th
September, returning to Bagan and costs from €3,090 per person,
including internal flights and tours. Also available throughout the
season are three, four and seven-night cruises as well as
several extensions to Inle Lake, Ngapali and Golden Rock.
South-East
Asia’s most glamorous train, the Eastern & Oriental
Express, regularly embarks on a schedule of unique rail
voyages exploring the heart and soul of each country the train passes
through. Highlights of the 2013 schedule include the Chronicles of
South-East Asia, a trio of insightful adventures. They include two
six-night journeys and one three-night journey for up to 60 guests in
spacious State and Presidential cabins. Each rail voyage offers a
fascinating experience, discovering off the beaten track treasures,
as the train wends its way through the jungle-clad hills of the
Cameron Highlands, across the Mekong River to Vientiane, Laos or
through Thailand’s lush exotic landscape.
Epic
Thailand will depart on 3rd February and 23rd November, Fables of the
Hills will depart on 2nd March and 26th October, and the Tales of
Laos journey will depart on 1st October. Prices start from €2,800
for a three-night rail voyage.
Gently cruising along
France's beautiful rivers and cruises, Afloat in France is a
fleet of five luxury péniche-hotels where guests on board are
treated to a host of culinary delights, unique activities and
excursions. Each barge accommodates between four and twelve
passengers and itineraries are offered on a fully inclusive basis.
They may all be booked for private hire, giving guests the
opportunity to have their own floating house
party.
The
fleet travels through the heart of France and guests will
have exclusive access to private vineyards, gardens,
antiques, markets and local beauty spots. The péniche also carry
bicycles to enable independent exploration of the local region at
leisure. Family itineraries are available to keep all members of the
family occupied during their week onboard.
Back
by popular demand, the Grand Cru Cruise will depart on 14th
July 2013 aboard Amaryllis. Throughout this special wine week, guests
will taste 33 Grand Crus of Burgundy and along the way meet esteemed
winemakers and have exclusive access to private family run
vineyards. Back on board, delicious cuisine will be served to
complement the various wines and Amaryllis has a heated
swimming pool for guests to enjoy, one of only two
barges to have this luxury on the French canals. The week costs from
€7,900 per person on an all inclusive basis, including
transfers from Paris.
In
2013, the British Pullman and Northern Belle will be taking guests in
style and comfort on a number of exciting and interesting day trips
across Great Britain. Delicious fare is served aboard the train by
liveried stewards as the train passes through the scenic countryside.
New
to next year’s Northern Belle schedule are some family focused
journeys. A visit to Chester Zoo on 10th May, June 8th and November
8th from a number of departure points is the perfect day out for
animal lovers who will be taken behind the scenes for a closer look;
the zoo has the world’s largest jaguar enclosure and Europe’s
largest group of Orangutans so it won’t disappoint. Prices start
from €380.00 per person.
Budding
wizards will be spell bound on the journey to the Warner Brother’s
Studio and World of Harry Potter on either 9th and 30th August or
12th October, priced at £340.00 per person. After an indulgent
brunch is served onboard, guests will disembark for a
behind-the-scenes walking
tour of the studio and opportunity to explore the
Harry Potter set and view the props and costumes used and worn by the
star cast throughout the many films.
In
2013 and for the first time ever, steam enthusiasts will be given the
rare opportunity to go behind-the-scenes to view the locomotive being
prepared before the signature Golden Age of Travel steam-hauled
lunches. On these special trips, the British Pullman is hauled by
Clan Line, the Merchant Navy Class locomotive. View it in situ in the
depot and watch the crew carry out their duties before joining the
train back at London Victoria.
This unique experience can be purchased for two people for a
supplement with any Golden Age of Travel Steam-Hauled lunch in 2013.
